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DECEMBER 1997
Holidays and winter are usually aquiet time for our association. This year, however, we do have a few loose ends to tie up and plans to be made for a summer anniversary party. Enclosed in this mailing is a proxy in which you are asked to vote on the revised bylaws. Please take a few moments to vote and also to fill out the questionnaire. Remember to stamp the enclosed envelope and mail this back to us by December 20th. During the first part of January, your officers will be counting your proxy votes as well as planning a summer anniversary celebration. JoAnne Davis, our regular newsletter editor, is traveling around the world so for this edition my son Nat is covering for her. I'll supply part of the information and he'll take over for the layout. One of the advantages of a holiday newsletter is that it gives me a chance to wish each one of our members a Very Very Happy Holiday Season. As we have done for the past several years, my family and I plan on spending a few days before Christmas at the lake. I'm looking forward to experiencing some winter wonderland days. May your Holiday Season be filled with the wondrous promises that only this special season brings and may your New Year be a year filled with love and laughter.
Revision Process
Several years ago it was decided that the Douglas Lake Improvement Association Bylaws needed revision. As an association grows it is not unusual for the rules and regulations to need clarification or a slight change. When these changes are made it is imperative that the original intent and the spirit of the organization are not changed. With this in mind a year ago we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. The first order of business was a complete review of all previous sets of bylaws from the original set to the 1988 set which was the last adopted version. Included in this study was the 1992 version which never was brought to a vote and thus was never adopted. Upon receiving a copy of the 1988 version each member of the bylaws committee came up with suggestions. These suggestions were recorded and passed on to the other committee members. Individual meetings were held and finally the committee met as a whole to draft the final revision. After several meetings the committee presented their work to the Association board at a very long executive board meeting ast October. Each article was discussed and voted on individually. The final result is being presented to you, the members of the association, and we now ask you to cast your vote either for or against its acceptance. The bylaws committee, the officers and the executive board as a whole recommend that you vote for acceptance. In the following article I will try to point out and explain the changes that are being made. If after reading this you have questions please do not hesitate to contact me However, I do ask that you remember two things. One, the committee, which was a diverse group representing all areas of the lake, spent a great deal of time thinking and discussing just about every pro and con imaginable on each issue. So what ever your questions is, believe me we have probably "been there, done that" already. The results as written are the consensus of this committee and are believed to be fair for the organization and its members. Second, at any time in the future a revision or amendment may be made as long as the proper procedures are followed. Before moving on to the explanation of these changes I would like to thank each member of the committee for their time, energy and input. This responsibility was not taken lightly by any member and we are fortunate that our association has such dedicated and hardworking members. A very big THANK YOU to Stuart Case, Joann
Hiles, Kathy LeButt, Bill McTaggart, Mark Paddock andBetty Young.
Board Meeting
The last Executive Board meeting was held on October 4, 1997. This very well attended meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. Once we dispensed with the reading of the minutes we proceeded on to the main order of business, the revision of the bylaws. Each article was read and discussed at length before being voted on. In fact this particular part of the meeting lasted four hours. In the end it was felt that the Bylaws committee and the board had revised the bylaws to reflect the current organization as a whole while keeping the fundamentals as originally intended. It was determined that the 1997 revised Bylaws were ready to be submitted to the general membership for acceptance or rejection; hopefully not the later. The next order of business was to set the parameters for the general membership vote. The most economical way to do this mail vote is to enclose the proxy with the late fall newsletter. The president is to write an article explaining some of the changes. As members will be sending in their votes this is the perfect time to send a questionnaire. We will also enclose a pre addressed envelope. However, in the interest of keeping the cost down we will not place a stamp on the envelope. Beth Reynolds gave her merchandise report stating that she had sold out of nearly everything except for the wine glasses. She will be restocking in the Spring with several lines of sweat shirts and wind shirts. As possible additions to the merchandise she is also looking into beach towels, tote bags, denim shirts and light-weight caps. During the summer she sold over $7000 worth of merchandise. Sale dates will be set and announced in the late spring newsletter. Wendell Judson and Bill McTaggart gave their report on the Pike Marsh. The stumps have been removed and the marsh is looking great awaiting next spring's activity. Mark Paddock, in giving the "Adopt a Highway" and Environmental Report stated that the crew had picked up our section of US 31 twice since the last meeting. Otto Busard and Mark removed the loon nests and asked the Board to consider an osprey nest. A motion was entertained to construct this nest, it was seconded and the vote passed without objection. An anniversary Party will be held sometime during the summer of 1998. The President is to form a committee to find out prices, foods, activities etc. and report back to the board at the Spring Executive Board meeting. The final order of business related to vandalism. Betty Young suggested that we look into a neighborhood watch program. Also, notice should be made in the newsletter that members ought to be on the alert for unusual activity or strangers. This brought the meeting to its conclusion. It was felt that even though the meeting was one of the longer ones on record, over five hours, a great deal had been accomplished.
Box Number
Remember we do have an Association Post Office Box address. You may send information, dues etc. directly to the appropriate person or use the Association Address.
Douglas Lake Improvement Assoc.
P.O. Box 472
Pellston, MI 49769
Neighborhood Watch
Please keep your eyes open and watch out not only for your property but also for your neighbors. During the past several months we have had reports of vandalism. If you see any strangers checking out the area, please check with your neighbor or report them to the authorities. Let's protect our lakeside neighborhood. Remain vigilant at all times! Thank you.
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