Call To Order
Meeting was called to order at 10:04.
Board members present: Beth Bush, John Hedstrom, Jim Henderson, Ed Hummelt, Jim Nagle, Jeff Price, Julie Verhaalen, Beth Wells
Treasurer’s Report
Jim Henderson presented detail about financial activity including:
Dues payments are coming in.
Merchandise sales have broken even and bringing in revenue.
We are rolling over CDs
Filed our 990N reports
Beth Bush will have access to all financials including a PLPOA credit card.
We have made a practice of having two board members review the financial statements. John Hedstrom has been double checking statements for the past year.
Beth Wells volunteered to assume that role working with Jim and John over the coming year.
The Treasurer’s Report was approved.
Meeting Minutes
Minutes from the September meeting were approved with minor revisions.
Revised minutes will be published on the website.
Board Terms and Expected Turnover
John Hedstrom. Fred Koch, and Jeff Price stated they plan to roll off the board at the end of their terms in July.
Julie Verhaalen, who’s 3-year term will expire in July indicated she will continue to serve for another year for continuity.
A discussion ensued about the evolving nature of the board from one with long-serving members vs members rotating every three years.
Record Keeping and Board Communication
For the past few years, the board has been using Google Docs for files and shared documents, which Julie has primarily managed.
Julie gave a tutorial to the group on how to use Google Docs to improve retention and access to key documents.
Bylaws
At the September meeting, the board agreed to review the current bylaws which were written decades ago.
It is the board’s consensus that parts of the original bylaws are out of date, confusing, or not reflective of our current lake and board situation.
Ed Hummelt presented a revision to the bylaws that ChatGPT had developed.
On the face of it, the ChatGPT version, which incorporated language from other lake organizations, was surprisingly clearer and better.
The board recognizes that any changes to the bylaws are important matters which must be approved by membership at the annual meeting.
A subcommittee consisting of Jim Nagle, Ed Hummelt and Julie Verhaalen was formed to review the bylaws and potential updates line by line.
As next steps, a potentially feasible plan is to:
Gain board agreement on revisions by spring.
Publish revisions in the May 15 newsletter for membership review.
Vote on revisions at the annual meeting.
Lake Health
Fred wrote the grant application for 2026-28 milfoil treatments which will be submitted to the state.
The board approved the application.
Other Meetings/External Groups
Beth attended the Township of Springwater meeting. Issues affecting Pine Lake were not discussed.
There was discussion of the role and authority of the non-property owners relative to issues affecting Pine Lake. These include the DNR, Springwater Township, and external groups like We Really Kare fishing club.
Board Processes
Jim outlined key Treasurer’s processes.
Essentially, all of the Treasurer’s actions are approved by the Board.
At our next meeting, other board officers will review their processes.
Action Register
John /Beth W
John to train Beth W on checks and balance processes for Financials
Julie
Ensure John and Beth W have the google sheets set up
Jim N/Ed/Julie
Begin review of PLPOA Bylaws and provide updates at future meetings
Jim H
Send follow up Email to Carolann Yeska regarding funds from Town of Springwater
Jim H
Evaluate high yield savings accounts as opportunity for cash management
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be December 6 at Beth’s house.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10.