Space Coast Surfriders Foundation
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Date: September 16, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Tiny Turtle
1. Call to Order
Board Chair Nina Hunt called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
2. Icebreaker
Attendees participated in a “Current Obsession” icebreaker and shared something they were currently unusually interested in, whether a food, show, hobby, place, product, or other interest.
3. Meet the Candidates Night
Moderator/Introduction: John
The chapter hosted a nonpartisan Meet the Candidates Night featuring four of the six qualified candidates running for Cocoa Beach City Commission in the November 3, 2026 municipal election.
Cocoa Beach operates under a City Commission–City Manager form of government. Commissioners are elected at large to four-year terms and are responsible for establishing City policy, including decisions affecting infrastructure, public safety, budgets, beaches, waterways, stormwater management, recreation, and other local priorities.
Each participating candidate was given approximately five minutes to introduce themselves and discuss their candidacy, followed by approximately ten minutes of questions from attendees.
Seat 4 Candidates in Attendance
Angela Cobb
Angela Cobb is a Cocoa Beach resident, realtor, and community member running for Seat 4. Public campaign materials identify several priorities, including enforcement of existing ordinances, reducing litter and improving the appearance of the city, protecting public safety resources, creating additional City revenue, and maintaining a balance between tourism, economic growth, and the quality of life of residents.
Cobb has also emphasized beach and ocean safety, including finding better ways to educate visitors on beach rules, ocean hazards, and responsible behavior without adding excessive signage along the shoreline.
Rick Anderson
Rick Anderson is a longtime participant in Cocoa Beach civic affairs and is running for Seat 4. Public City records show Anderson has regularly participated in City Commission discussions over a number of years, raising issues including budgeting, development, City management, short-term rental revenue, historical preservation, and long-term planning for Cocoa Beach.
During a prior City Commission appointment process, Anderson described himself as an independent thinker with a willingness to listen and approach issues without predetermined positions. He has also previously advocated for preserving and documenting Cocoa Beach history as the community approaches major milestones.
Gregory Lund
Gregory Lund is a longtime Cocoa Beach resident, local business owner, and Vice Chairman of the City's Leisure Services Advisory Board. His public platform focuses heavily on public safety, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues.
Priorities highlighted in his campaign materials include:
- Developing an e-bike safety education program in partnership with local police and schools.
- Exploring technology, including lifeguard drones, to improve beach and water safety.
- Replacing the aging Fire Station 50.
- Seeking a greater share of tourism-related revenue for Cocoa Beach.
- Protecting Cocoa Beach's beaches, waterways, and natural resources.
- Fiscal responsibility and identifying alternative sources of City revenue.
- Supporting local businesses and economic development.
- Maintaining strong Police, Fire, and water-safety services.
- Supporting moderate redevelopment while preserving Cocoa Beach's family-oriented, surf-town character.
Lund has framed his campaign around maintaining Cocoa Beach's local character while investing in public safety and City services.
Seat 5 Candidate in Attendance
Karalyn Woulas
Karalyn Woulas previously served two terms on the Cocoa Beach City Commission from 2016–2024 and is running for Seat 5. She is a local businesswoman and aerospace engineer with degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mathematics, as well as a master's degree in Project Management.
Her public platform emphasizes:
During her previous tenure on the Commission, Woulas supported infrastructure, stormwater, dredging, public-safety, and redevelopment initiatives. Her campaign has specifically identified protection of beaches and waterways as a core priority.
The forum provided attendees an opportunity to hear directly from candidates and ask questions about issues affecting Cocoa Beach, including the community's environmental, economic, infrastructure, and quality-of-life priorities.
4. Chapter & Program Updates
Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) – Joanie
- Joanie provided an update on the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program and ongoing efforts to expand participation among local restaurants.
Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) – Bill
- Bill provided an update on current Ocean Friendly Gardens activities.
- Members were reminded of the upcoming October bioswale weeding and maintenance event in Indialantic.
5. Upcoming Events
- September 26 – A1A Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup
- Spessard Holland South Beach Park
- 8:30 – 10:30 AM
- October 10 – Ocean Friendly Gardens Event
- William Dewey Park / Indialantic Bioswale
- 9:00 – 11:00 AM
- October 11–13 – NKF Surf Festival
- Cocoa Beach Pier
- Surfrider will participate in beach cleanup activities from approximately 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM during the first two days of the festival.
- October 21 – General Meeting
- Intracoastal Brewing Company
- 6:30 – 8:00 PM
- Guest Organization: Marine Resources Council (MRC)
- October 31 – Halloween Beach Cleanup + Member Surf Day
- Pelican Beach
- 8:30 – 10:30 AM
- Halloween-themed event; attendees are encouraged to dress up.
- November 8 – Sun Sand Surf Event
6. Open Positions
The chapter continues recruiting volunteers for the following leadership positions:
- Vice Chair
- Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) Co-Chair / Support Lead
- Fundraising Chair
- Community Partnerships Chair
Community Partnerships Chair
Volunteer | Approximately 10–15 hrs/month
The Community Partnerships Chair helps strengthen relationships between Surfrider Space Coast and other environmental, nonprofit, civic, and community organizations throughout Brevard County.
Responsibilities include:
- Identifying opportunities for co-hosted events, cross-promotion, and shared volunteer engagement.
- Helping promote partner organizations' events and programs through Surfrider channels.
- Bringing back ideas for how Surfrider can support aligned organizations beyond direct financial support.
- Attending board meetings, voting as a board member, and supporting chapter events.
Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) Co-Chair / Support Lead
Volunteer | Approximately 10–15 hrs/month
The OFR Co-Chair helps expand the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program across the Space Coast by supporting outreach, promotion, and community engagement.
Responsibilities include:
- Supporting restaurant outreach and education to increase OFR participation.
- Coordinating promotional opportunities for newly certified restaurants, including local media and PR.
- Supporting news segments and ribbon-cutting events.
- Representing OFR at board meetings and chapter events.
- Developing new strategies to increase awareness and participation.
Fundraising Chair
Volunteer | Approximately 5–10+ hrs/month
The Fundraising Chair leads relationship-driven efforts to generate the financial support needed to sustain and grow the chapter.
Responsibilities include:
- Building partnerships with local businesses and corporate sponsors.
- Leading fundraising strategy and donor relationship development.
- Identifying and pursuing grant opportunities.
- Coordinating sponsorships and private beach cleanups with community partners.
- Attending board meetings, voting as a board member, and supporting chapter events.
All positions are unpaid volunteer opportunities ideal for individuals passionate about ocean conservation, community engagement, and expanding Surfrider's impact throughout the Space Coast.
7. Closing Remarks
Nina Hunt thanked everyone for attending and thanked the participating candidates for taking the time to engage directly with the community. Special thanks were extended to Tiny Turtle for hosting the meeting. Attendees were encouraged to tip their servers generously and stay afterward to socialize and connect with fellow members.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Brendon Miller
Board Secretary