Approve the minutes of regular meeting of the AOAP Board of Directors held on September 17, 2025
3.2 TREASURER’S REPORT
ACTION:
Approve the September Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2025
ADJORNMENT
ACTION:
Adjourn to the next Board of Directors meeting to be held on November 19, 2025, at 2:30 p m CST via Zoom
ITEM 1.1:
ASSOCIATION OF AQUATICS PROFESSIONALS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
DESCRIPTION: The Committee Reports for regular meetings held since the September Board of Directors meeting have been submitted for review.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve any action items submitted by the Committees.
ATTACHMENTS:
● Conference Education October Report
● Drowning Prevention October Report
● Tech School Committee October Report
No Report Submitted:
● Governance
● Director’s School
● Professional Development
Conference Education Committee
Monthly Committee Report, September/October 2025
Committee Members
Co-Chairs Gwen Willcox & Kate Connell
Committee Members Ashley Ingram, Helena Machado, SJ Idel, Bill Frazier, Amanda Payne, Amy Smith, Brooke Bothun, Christopher Drummond, Dustin Kephart, Erika Brayton, Holly Glainyk, Jeff Fryer, Jessica Jervay-bush, Jodi Layton, Kate Dennis, Kevin Cronin, Kristen Post, Mari-Lynn Latta, Mary Welton, Nayeli Trejos, Patrick Wolfe, Tanner Pavicich
Activity Summary
The Education Committee met for a Committee Meeting on October 1, 2025 We discussed the next task: proofreading the conference booklet and speaker schedule for errors and typos. The due date for corrections to be turned in is October 16, 2025
Upcoming tasks include:
January 2026 - Sign up on Sign Up Genius - Signing Up Genius for Room Hosting Duties - Due January 16, 2025
January 20, 2026, 1 PM PST Next Committee Meeting to explain room hosting duties and any updates, etc, prior to the beginning of the conference
Action Items
No action needed at this time.
2025 / 2026 Committee Goals
Goal
Use session evaluations and after-conference survey results to determine future topics for sessions.
Evaluate speaker agreements to ensure they include speaker expectations and best practices that make speakers successful.
Add a guide to sessions to identify which sessions are geared toward beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels, or all three levels, etc.
Target Date
May 8, 2025
Progress Notes
Completed
August 15, 2025 Ongoing will be completed as soon as possible
August 15, 2025 This was added to the session proposal form. We will highlight some sessions that are geared towards each level in the conference brochure.
Blog Topics & Timelines
Topic/ Author
SJ Idel- Why Every Aquatic Professional Should Attend AOAP at least once
Kristen Post, Mary Welton - AOAP Survival Guide: How to Make the Most of Your Conference Experience
12/15/25 In Progress
12/8/25 In Progress
Kate Connell (featured sessions) Post-? In Progress
Webinar Topics & Timelines
Topic/ Author
Patrick Wolfe, Mari-Lynn Wilson “Why attend the AOAP Conference as a New Aquatic Professional” ?
In Progress
“Tips on Being an Engaging Speaker” Looking for a presenter ? In Progress
Drowning Prevention Committee
Monthly Committee Report, 10.08.2025
Committee Members
Chairs Manda Groff
Committee Members:
Alan Mogridge, Bill O’Melia, Amanda Payne, Andrew Caraway, Brenna Wojtysiak, Jennifer Ayers-Millar, Jim Clark, Lindsey Aubele, Marina Wells, Paris Johnson, James Meyers
In attendance: No meeting being held in October Missing:
Activity Summary
Lifejacket and Swim Lesson Grants:
• Ready for the October grant applications to arrive Grant applications arrived and are being ranked! Hope to have final allocation by the BOD meeting next week.
Subcommittee Assignments: All completed
Great discussion about topics for blog posts.
• First was about single guard staffing and ‘what could go wrong’ Discussion about guard shift lengths, fatigue, training support staff. Blog will focus on drawing attention to the value of team guarding. Alan M and James Clarke will work together to develop this blog In processes. They are working out which date they can have it completed by.
• Second topic was about state/county codes vs. best practices and requirements from certifying agencies. Perspective of ‘I’m not required to do this vs. but should I do this.’
And how the regulations, if there are any, are not the standard we should have for operations. James Myers will be developing this blog. In processes. He is working out which date they can have it completed by.
• Third-future topic-Childcare facilities and lifeguarding regulations. Unguarded facilities, staff lifeguards, contracting lifeguards. Educating the childcare facilities about the risks and only taking their program to fully guarded facilities. Highlight our tools that we developed as a committee. ON hold for now.
Action Items
Schedule BLOG topic development meetings
Brainstorm revenue generating ideas to develop.
2025 / 2026 Committee Goals
Goal
Target Date Progress Notes
Summer Aquatic Checklist to support the Aquatic Safety Plan September 2025
Water Safety for Camp Staff webinar
April 10, 2025
Assigned to subcommittee: Meeting to be scheduled for June COMPLETED
Manda Groff, Alan Mogridge, Kate Connell, drafting talking points outline. Meeting on 04.09.2025 to prep for Webinar on 04.10.2025: COMPLETED
Blog Topics & Timelines
Topic / Author
Target Date
Promote aquatic safety plan checklist October 2025
Single Guard Shifts-What could go wrong
State Codes Vs Best Practices
TBD
Status Update
Submitted 03.07.2025 for review-Manda Groff COMPLETED
Alan M and James Clarke IN PROCESS
TBD James Meyers IN PROCESS
2025 / 2026 Committee Webinar Topics & Timelines
Topic / Presenter
Target Date
Zone Verification / Maria Bella October 2025
Status Update
Scheduled: October 30,
Help Team Heal / Jamie O
Adult Swim Webinar
1:00pm, central timeCOMPLETED
August 2025 In communication with KB. Tentative date: 3rd week in August
September 2025 Scheduled: September 11COMPLETED
Aquatic Technician School Sub-Committee
Monthly Committee Report, October 2025
Committee Members
Co-Chairs Bob Bradley & Bob Kappel
Committee Members Connan Campbell, Mark Bassnight
Activity Summary
Trying hard through all means available to get final couple of presenters confirmed and all to submit their session application if they haven’t already.
Action Items
All committee members reaching out via, phone, text, and email to get the checklist completed
2025 / 2026 Committee Goals
Goal
Target Date
Maintain at least 50% hands on curriculum January 1, 2026
Increase enrollment by 10% Conference
Progress Notes
to 55 attendees 2026
Review possibility of extending to Tech I and Tech II levels March 2025
Blog Topics & Timelines
Topic/ Author Target Date Status Update
2025 / 2026 Committee Webinar Topics & Timelines
Topic/ Presenter Target Date Status Update
UV Tech / Bob Kappel December 31, 2025
Importance of Technical Training / Bob Bradley October 31, 2025
ASSOCIATION OF AQUATICS PROFESSIONALS
ITEM 1.2: SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
DESCRIPTION: The Committee Reports for regular meetings held since the September Board of Directors meeting have been submitted for review.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve any action items submitted by the Committees.
Committee Members Alan Mogridge, Jennifer Ayers-Miller, Kate Dennis, Mari-Lynn Latta, Patrick Wolfe, Deanna Main
Activity Summary
Subgroups working separately on tasks.
Roundtable Hosting at AOAP Conference
We’re looking for individuals to help lead the following roundtables:
● Women in Aquatics
● Minority Professionals (we’d like to explore a name change to “Underestimated” or “Underrepresented” and are open to feedback especially from anyone interested in facilitating this session)
● Young/New/Emerging Professionals
AOAP Webinar Series
● December Webinar: A session on breaking down employment barriers, hosted by Mari-Lynn, is tentatively scheduled
Board Composition Document
Alan & I will send the draft to Kirsten Barnes for review
AOAP Conference Sessions
● Panel Discussion: Dia will host and will send payment/questions email to Kirsten and proceed with the submission.
● Mari-Lynn submitted a 2-part DEIJ session at the conference
● I will be submitting something with Mari-Lynn
Action Items
1. KB is working on survey for us to send out. Has all questions.
2 Board needs to review composition doc Alan worked on
3. Would love to discuss idea of New/Emerging Professionals as a category.
2025 / 2026 Committee Goals
Goal
Increase scholarship applications by 20%
Create Board Composition Document
Highlight / feature “Access in Aquatics” spots to provide opportunities for replication, inspiration and information
Target Date
Next Cycle
Progress Notes
Removed goal
February 2026 Completed rough draft; committee giving feedback and will send to BOD
February 2026 Sub-group has met to discuss process and begin collecting information
Blog Topics & Timelines
Topic/ Author Target Date Status Update
2025 / 2026 Committee Webinar Topics & Timelines
Topic/ Presenter Target Date Status Update
Access / TBD
ITEM
3.1:
ASSOCIATION OF AQUATICS PROFESSIONALS
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MINUTES
DESCRIPTION: The Board of Directors meeting minutes for the regular meeting held on September 17, 2025, have been submitted for review by the AOAP Secretary on October 2, 2025. The minutes are inclusive of all items discussed during the meeting and have been submitted for the entire Board of Directors review no later than Friday, October 10, 2025.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the AOAP Board of Directors held on September 17, 2025.
ATTACHMENT: AOAP Board of Directors meeting minutes, September 17, 2025
Board of Directors Meeting Notes
Wednesday, September 1 7, 2025
Meeting Called to order at 2:32 pm Central Time
I. Roll Call-
a) Attendees: Bob Bradley, Donita Grinde-Houtman, Manda Groff, Cory Hilderbrand, SJ Idel, Ashley Ingram, Joey LaNeve, Helena Machado, Craig Merkey, Bill O’Melia, Alan Mogridge, Gwen Wilcox, Juliene Hefter, Kirsten Barnes, Nathalie Martin
b) Excused: Bill Fraizer, Kate Connell, Bob Kappel, Mark Basnight
c) Not Present: Tammy Jaster
II. Announcements
a) Alissa Magrum, NDPA joined us to give us updates on where NDPA is with the conference and our partnership with them
o NDPA relaunched membership program
o Looking for ways to use assets and working on drowning prevention campaigns
o Launching a program called the commitment to safer waters
o Juliene will be joining NDPA board meeting to give AOAP updates
III. Committee Reports:
a) Conference Education: Gwen Wilcox and Kate Connell, Co-Chairs
o Ranked Sessions, over 150 sessions, August 16-25
o 30% growth over last year’s submission number
o For 2026 conference, we will be offering: 6 roundtables, 13 DEIJ, 19 leadership/executive development, 4 Marketing, 14 programing,13 risk management, 20 staff training, and 6 operations sessions
o Next committee meeting will be on October 1, 2025
b) Drowning Prevention: Manda Groff, Chair
o Completed the summer aquatic checklist- Roll out in January/February time frame
o Hosted Adult swim lesson webinar on September 11
o Blog topics coming out: single guard shifts-what can go wrong and State codes vs Best Practices
o Upcoming webinars: Zone verification
c) Governance: Cory Hilderbrand, Chair
o Continuing to meet to reorganize committees
o Working to align strategic plan goals to each committee
Board of Directors Meeting Notes
o Reminder to be at conference by Friday night/ Saturday morning, for board meeting on Saturday at 3:00 pm and retreat on Sunday
d) Director’s School
o Blog post going out next week about structure
o Change in faculty- Adding Kirsten and Joey Rusnak
o
e) Tech School: Bob Kappel, Chair
o Met last week and went over matrix of Level 1 and Level 2
o Encouraging speakers to turn in registration with topic in portal
o 50/50 lecture and hands on
o Blog post went out today in newsletter
f) Professional Development: Joey LaNeve, Chair
o Working on competitive analysis of professional development offerings of other professional organizations
o
IV. Sub-Committees Reports:
a) Member Engagement/Communication: Joey LaNeve, Chair
o Salary Survey just went out, we already have 89 responses
o 31 people filled out through the link sent out, 49 respond through social media, 9 people so far with newsletter link
o Goal is 200 responses this year (last year we had around 140)
o Survey will be open until Oct 6
b) Scholarship/Raffle/Silent Auction: Craig Merkey and Gwen Wilcox, Co-Chairs
o 10 full scholarships, and 5 particles given out for conference
o Committee meeting last week
o Only going to take 130 bottles of wine
o Next meeting is Monday, November 10
c) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice: Kate Connell, Chair
o No report at this time
o
Board of Directors Meeting Notes
V. Executive Director Report:
o Worked with Kirsten, Gwen, and Kate to finalize and place sessions
o Entered all information into the Pheedloop platform
o Speaker agreements due on September 5, working with speakers to get their agreement signed
o Registration questions from attendees
o Worked on renewing all of our insurance policies
● Board Coverage and Identity theft
● Special Event Cancellation Insurance
● Professional Liability Insurance
o New name badge/ticket process for conference
o Working on potential new partnerships
● SAI’s new partnership was announced: AOAP is the exclusive contributing partner for the Aqua Tech program (we will be setting up a committee to continually review the program, suggest changes, updates, etc )
● Submitted an initial partnership proposal to ILCIRA (waiting to hear back)
● Submitted an initial partnership proposal to another group (should hear back by October 1)- includes an exclusive contributing partner agreement as well as other parts
● Submitted an initial partnership proposal to another company to enhance some educational offerings, blog posts, and unique educational articles, as well as additional benefits to both
o Finalizing master billing with the Broadmoor, making down payments for various items for conference, with revenue taken in from conference and exhibitor registrations to date this year to cover it
o Taped board informational educational webinar with Kirsten
o Ballots close on September 20th and we have over 33% response to date for Board selection
VI. Assistant Director Report:
o Met Juliene in phoenix- IACET accreditation renewal
o 11 on demands and live webinar purchased
o Hosted live webinars on August 21, September 4, and September 11
o Additional live webinars will be held September 19, September 26, and October 9
o 1 new advertiser for the Fall, several new commercial members, and 5 new exhibitors signed up for conference
o Conference guide is updated with session grid
o Kirsten, Juliene and Alissa had first conference operation meeting this month
Board of Directors Meeting Notes
o Jeff Fryer is joining Kirsten at Colorado Parks and Recreation, exhibiting
o WWA with Mark in October
o Exhibiting at Athletic Business, Elizabeth Bisal will be in the booth with AOAP
o
VII. Deputy Director Report:
o Socials are finalized and sponsors are in place
o Added experience sponsors at the socials
o Monday night will be low key, hypnotist, speakeasy, looking for a live musician- at Broadmoor West
o Wednesday night boots brew and BBQ, not advertising it, but will have a live band- offsite
o
VIII. Minutes-
a) August 2025 minutes
o Motion to approve- Manda Groff
o Seconded by- Bob Bradley
o Motion Carried- passed as written
IX. Treasurer’s Report
a) August 2025 Treasure’s Reports
o Motion to approve report- Donita Grinde-Houtman
o Seconded by- Joey LaNeve
o Motion passed- approved as written
X. Adjournment
o Next meeting: Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 2:30 PM CST via Zoom
Meeting adjourned at 3:13 pm CT
ASSOCIATION OF AQUATICS PROFESSIONALS
ITEM 3.2: TREASURER’S REPORT
DESCRIPTION: The September Treasurer’s Report has been prepared for review by the Board of Directors. The report shows revenues of $750,267.85 and expenditures of $534,273.02 with a balance of $215,994.83. Additionally, the overall account balance is $913,269.16.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the August Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2025.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) September 2025 Treasurer’s Report 2) 2025 Budget
