Space Coast Surfriders Foundation
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Date: January 21, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Intracoastal Brewing Company
1. Call to Order
Board Chair Nina Hunt called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Icebreaker
Attendees were invited to reflect and share:
- A goal for 2026
- The Surfrider initiative they’re most excited to get involved with
The activity helped spark discussion around individual passions, from beach cleanups to policy work, and aligned the group’s energy around impact for the coming year.
3. Guest Speaker Presentation
Speaker: Elisabeth Bublitz – Tobacco Policy Manager, Brevard County
Elisabeth, a seasoned public health professional, shared her work leading tobacco control efforts in Brevard County. Her background includes community-driven policy development, cross-department coordination, grant management, and public health strategy.
Key Topics Covered:
- Florida's 1970s Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies:
Resulted in long-term funding for public tobacco prevention programs. - Current Initiatives:
- Tobacco-Free Housing
- Partnerships with Brevard Public Schools: Includes SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco)
- Retail Surveillance: Mapping point-of-sale access and zoning
- Tobacco-Free Parks & Beaches: Ordinances passed in Melbourne and Indialantic
- County-Wide Expansion Goals: Advocating for broader tobacco-free policies at the municipal level
- Emerging Trends:
- Decrease in cigarette litter, but rise in vape waste
- Direct correlation between tobacco retailer density and litter levels
Elisabeth encouraged members to support these community health policies, engage local leaders, and promote tobacco-free public spaces that align with Surfrider’s mission of cleaner beaches and healthier coastlines.
4. Welcome & Introductions
- Nina welcomed Dominic and Yeshi to the Board – excited to have new faces and future leaders involved!
5. Volunteer Roles & Open Positions
Surfrider is actively seeking motivated members for the following roles:
Vice Chair
Assist the Board Chair in strategic planning, event leadership, and board coordination.
Ocean-Friendly Restaurants (OFR) Co-Chair
Support the OFR Chair with outreach and awareness to grow participation.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct outreach to restaurants and educate on certification benefits
- Coordinate ribbon-cuttings, PR, and local media opportunities
- Attend board meetings and help represent OFR at events
- Assist with content for features and press coverage
Fundraising Chair
Drive chapter growth by securing partnerships, sponsors, and donations.
Responsibilities:
- Build relationships with businesses and donors
- Lead strategy for grants, private cleanups, and fundraising events
- Coordinate sponsor activation at events
- Vote on board matters and attend meetings
Beach Guardians (Coming Soon)
- Adopt a segment of beach for recurring cleanup, documentation, and data collection
6. Upcoming Events & Initiatives
🗓 Monthly Trash Cleanups
- Taking place the last Saturday of every month in 2026
- Members can sign up via QR code provided at the meeting
🗓 January 31 – A1A Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup
- Location: Spessard Holland South Beach Park
- Time: 8:30 – 10:30 AM
🗓 February 14 – Dune Planting + Beach Cleanup
- Location: Cherie Down Park, Cape Canaveral
- Time: 8:30 – 11:00 AM
- In partnership with City of Cape Canaveral
🗓 February 18 – General Meeting @ Tiny Turtle
- Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
- Speaker: Marcia Booth, Founder of Recycle Brevard
🗓 February 21 – Chapter Social
- 10:00 AM: Walk at Wickham Park
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at Long Doggers (2870 Post Rd, Melbourne)
🗓 March 14 – Bioswale Weeding Day
- Locations: Ballard Park & Indialantic bioswales
- Details to come
7. Closing Remarks
Nina thanked everyone for their continued support, ideas, and energy as we head into 2026. Special thanks to Intracoastal Brewing for hosting the meeting.
Attendees were reminded to tip their servers and encouraged to stay and socialize after the meeting.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Brendon Miller
Board Secretary