Board Meeting Minutes 10-8-2025

by | Nov 9, 2025 | 2025, Board Minutes | 0 comments

athomedad.org | athome.dad | homedadcon.org

Board Meeting Minutes

10/8/2025 9:30 pm Eastern/6:30 pm Pacific

Meeting called to order at 9:46 pm Eastern

Roll Call: All current board members, intern Sophia, and outgoing officers Matt and Keith.

  • Sophia is a sociology major at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Sophia is interning this semester for non-profit organization experience, professional development, and course credit. 
  • For the purposes of these minutes, Joshua B. will be referred to by his full name, "Joshua," and Joshua M. will be referred to as "Josh."

Treasurer's Report:

  • Checking Account (September):
    • There were 25 transactions, with September being the biggest month this year due to HomeDadCon San Antonio and HomeDadCon Chicago
    • Started the month at $22,153 and ended at $30,466 in checking
      • $8,000 was transferred from savings to checking as a precaution in case the account got low due to Home Dad Con expenditures. 
        • This amount will transfer back to savings next month. 
    • The balance increased due to a $19,000 deposit for DadCon 2026 transactions.
    • HomeDadCon San Antonio spent $20,860.
      • Drury refund was assigned as a positive to the San Antonio Budget
  • Savings Account: 
    • Sitting at $8,893 due to the $8,000 transfer to checking. 
      • The $8,000 will be transferred back this month.
      • Made $0.09 in interest
  • Interest/CDs:
    • Two CDs are held at $20,000 each, earning $53.00 and $62.00 (in change) respectively this month.
  • Scholarship Balance: Sitting at $6,535
    • A canceled flight for a scholarship recipient will be added as a credit.
    • The Org will purchase this credit from Scholarship
      • it has to be used by a year from the original purchase date from June 2025
  • FOA (Father’s Overcoming Adversity) Balance: Sitting at $1,759.89.
    • The profit from the 5k event is needed to allocate funds to the FOA. 
      • Kyle offered to provide this information tomorrow, 10/9/2025.
  • Total at Month’s End: $79,613
  • Monthly Gain: The organization was in the black, making $2,890 this month.
    Motion to Accept Treasurer's Report:

    • Motion: Danny
    • Second: Keith
    • Vote: Passed ( 8 Yes, 1 abstention - Nik)

    Budget Committee:

    • Added to the agenda as standard, but no report was given.
    • Keith suggested including membership goal coverage (annual spending vs. annual income) in the monthly report for future meetings now that we are allocating funds from lifetime memberships.

    Executive Committee Election:

    • President Nominations:
      • Chris nominated himself.
      • Jeffrey nominated Nik.
      • Candidate Statements:
        • Chris: Acknowledged working well with the board and being capable; will ensure multiple people work together to move the network forward. Will be a good steward of the position.
        • Nik: Ran to reframe the focus from a volunteer-run organization to a nonprofit with emphasis on purpose and impact. Vision is to innovate by prioritizing collaboration, efficiency, and empowerment to amplify the network for all fathers. Priorities include strengthening collaboration (breaking down silos, sharing updates) , streamlining operations (defining processes, automating tasks) , and empowering dads (mentorship, resources, growth opportunities, resume/networking help).
      • Motion to Vote: Danny made a motion to go to a vote. Second: Jeffrey
      • Vote: Conducted anonymously via Slack DMs to Matt.
        • Result: Chris Griffin was elected President with a 5-4 vote.
    • Vice President Nominations:
      • Danny nominated himself.
      • Josh nominated Nik. Nik declined the nomination.
      • Motion to Accept: Paul Gordon made a motion to accept Danny Mercer as Vice President via unanimous consent. Second: Joshua
      • Vote: Passed by unanimous consent. Danny Mercer reelected as Vice President.
    • Secretary Nominations:
      • Danny nominated Nik Hargis. Nik accepted the nomination.
      • Motion to Accept: Paul Gordon made a motion to accept Nik Hargis as Secretary via unanimous consent. Second: Jeffrey.
      • Vote: Passed by unanimous consent. Nik Hargis is the new Secretary.
    • Treasurer Nominations:
      • Danny nominated Paul Gordon. Paul accepted the nomination.

        • Motion to Accept: Jeffrey made a motion to move to unanimous acceptance. Second: Danny.
        • Vote: Passed by unanimous consent. Paul Gordon reelected as Treasurer.
          • Motion to Accept: Jeffrey made a motion to move to unanimous acceptance. Second: Danny.
          • Vote: Passed by unanimous consent. Paul Gordon reelected as Treasurer.

Ongoing Efforts:

  • Convention Debrief/Survey Results:
    • The convention was overall well received.
    • The Friday dinner was a big success and attendees want to continue that approach, with one suggestion to expand options beyond four.
    • Speakers were generally well received; Dr. Widman and "Dad Braids" were big hits.
    • One common negative was that Pink Shark was too crowded and loud, more like a bar atmosphere.
    • Danny shared that the mental health support groups received an excellent comment from a convention goer, which he plans to use as a testimony.
    • Keith plans to pull quotes about speakers from the survey results to share with them and write LinkedIn recommendations.
  • Non-Consensual Touching at Beer Share:
    • The issue, which involved a member hitting others on the butt with a 3D-printed beer tap, has been addressed.
    • The incident was meant in fun but is still not allowed due to the risk of non-consensual touching and potential reputational/legal risks.
    • Joshua (a rover during the event) took full responsibility for not stopping it immediately.
      • Josh stated as the Rover position at the share that he will be handling such situations going forward.
    • Kiernan stressed that it shouldn't fall on an org position; if somebody is uncomfortable, anyone should say something. He dealt with it by emphasizing that the issue was non-consensual touching, regardless of the situation or perception.
    • The new board may consider creating a formal policy for the future
  • Member-Led Events at Convention (Calf Roping, Dad Joke Belt):
    • Danny emphasized the logistical challenges these events present (e.g., securing dedicated space, such as an extra meeting room), underscoring the need for members to contact the board and/or planning committee in advance of the convention, especially for activities requiring time and space within rented venues.
    • The urgency to focus on this issue was tied to the anticipation that the 30th convention next year will be the largest, potentially leading to a looser atmosphere that requires clearer guidelines.
    • Keith noted the Coffee Share as another example of a successful, recurring member-led event that has been organized through Discord for the last three conventions.
      • If the board develops a policy, it must be comprehensive and cover the full range of member-led events, including official pre-convention activities.
      • Danny clarified that his focus was not on creating a formal policy at this time.Keith made the suggestion to focus on how to help guide these ideas
  • Convention Financial Overview:
    • Covered in the Treasurer's Report.
    • The organization came out of the convention ahead by about $2,000, which is great, as the goal is usually to break even. This will be applied to next year's convention.
      • Nik mentioned that surplus will be applied to the travel expenses for Dr. Anna Machin. 
  • September Discussions & Votes (Recap):
    • Printful sample policy
    • Footage from the film crew is expected by March 2026
      • They understood the value of the brotherhood.
    • Establishment of New Member Attendee Committee: 
      • Benjamin Mills offered to be a guide.
      • Kiernan volunteered to be the board member to spearhead the development of this committee (a committee requires at least one board member).

New Business:

  • Bylaw Changes: Rights of Voting to Non-Voting Members:
    • A proposed addition, Section 3.025 "Membership rights of non-voting members," would clarify their rights to attend all meetings and access minutes and financial reports, but not include voting rights or eligibility for the Brian Dixon Memorial Scholarship Fund.
    • A concern was raised that the Brian Dixon Scholarship Fund is currently in Board Policies, not Bylaws, and putting the rule in the Bylaws would create a discrepancy.
    • The discussion led to agreeing that the rules for the scholarship should be handled within the Board Policies for easier changes (simple majority vote vs. two-thirds bylaw majority).
    • The idea that all financial assistance (including FOA) should be for paid members was discussed.
    • Motion to Table: Danny made a motion to hold off on the bylaw vote and put it in Slack to refine the proposal before bringing it to the next meeting. Second: Kiernan.
    • Vote: Passed (all in favor). The issue is tabled to Slack.
  • New Marketing Team Lead:
    • Danny officially welcomed Joshua Bernson as the new Marketing Team Lead, noting that he has been doing the role and it should be made official.

Adjournment:

  • Motion to Adjourn: Danny Second: Griffin
  • Vote: Passed (all in favor).
  • Meeting Closed.

Closing Remarks: Thanks were given to Keith and Matt for their service as outgoing officers. Matt offered his contact information and assistance to the new Secretary, Nik.