Join Our Founding Board of Directors
The Little Lake Butte des Morts Lake Association is built on community leadership. As we move forward with our mission to protect and enhance our shared lake resource, we’re seeking dedicated individuals to serve on our inaugural Board of Directors.
Whether you’re a long-time resident, property owner, business operator, or passionate lake advocate, your voice matters. We need diverse perspectives, professional expertise, and community commitment to establish strong governance for this new organization.
📆 Board Term Information
Board Composition
- The Board of Directors consists of 5 to 9 elected members
- All directors must be Voting Members of the Association (annual dues: $25)
- Directors are elected by the membership at the annual meeting
Term Length
- Directors serve two-year staggered terms
- Approximately half of the Board is elected each year to ensure continuity
- Directors may be re-elected to serve multiple consecutive terms
- Mid-term vacancies may be filled by Board vote for the remainder of the unexpired term
Time Commitment
- Quarterly board meetings (at least one virtual option available)
- Committee participation in areas matching your expertise
- Annual meeting attendance (held the 3rd Tuesday of April each year)
- Estimated commitment: 4-8 hours per month during the formation phase, with potential to decrease as the organization matures
✅ Board of Directors Responsibilities
Board members serve as fiduciary stewards of the Association and share collective responsibility for organizational governance. [CLICK TO EXPAND]
Specific duties include:
Governance & Oversight
- Manage the Association’s affairs and ensure mission alignment
- Adopt organizational policies and oversee implementation
- Approve annual budgets and monitor financial performance
- Ensure compliance with Wisconsin nonprofit law and IRS regulations
Strategic Leadership
- Establish long-term priorities for lake stewardship and advocacy
- Approve major projects, grants, and contracts
- Oversee partnerships with municipalities (Cities of Neenah, Menasha, Village of Fox Crossing)
- Guide fundraising strategy and membership development
Fiduciary Duties
- Exercise duty of care in organizational oversight and decision-making
- Maintain duty of loyalty to the Association’s mission and stakeholders
- Review quarterly financial reports prepared by the Treasurer
- Participate in annual independent financial review or audit process
Community Engagement
- Serve as ambassadors for the Association in the community
- Represent member interests and concerns
- Participate in educational programming and outreach events
- Build relationships with municipal liaisons, watershed organizations, and DNR officials
Committee Work
Board members are expected to serve on at least one standing or ad hoc committee, which may include:
- Finance & Audit
- Science & Monitoring
- Communications & Membership
- Grant Development
- Event Planning
Officer Positions
After each annual meeting, the Board elects officers from among its members:
- President: Presides at meetings, oversees policy execution, serves as primary municipal liaison
- Vice-President: Performs President’s duties in their absence, coordinates educational programming
- Secretary: Maintains minutes and records, manages communications, sends required notices
- Treasurer: Maintains financial records, prepares budgets and reports, disburses authorized funds
Officers serve one-year terms and may be re-elected.
What We’re Looking For
Our board will bring together diverse perspectives and expertise from across the lake community, including:
- Lake and water stewardship experience — residents with knowledge of aquatic ecology, water quality, or environmental management
- Nonprofit governance — those with experience serving on nonprofit boards or managing tax-exempt organizations
- Legal, financial, or administrative expertise — professionals who can guide organizational development and fiscal oversight
- Municipal and stakeholder relations — people comfortable working with city and county governments
- Communications and marketing — those who can help tell our story and engage the broader community
- Grant writing and fundraising — individuals skilled at securing public and private funding
- Community engagement — grassroots organizers who excel at bringing people together
📄 Draft Bylaws
Our organizational structure, membership requirements, and governance procedures are defined in our draft bylaws. We encourage all prospective board candidates to review these bylaws before submitting a nomination.
Key highlights from the bylaws:
- Board size: 5-9 directors with two-year staggered terms
- Meetings held quarterly with virtual participation options
- Decisions made by majority vote; quorum = majority of directors
- Annual membership meeting held the 3rd Tuesday of April
- Officers elected annually by the Board from among directors
- Liability protections and indemnification provided under Wisconsin law
The bylaws will be formally adopted at our founding meeting by a two-thirds vote of Voting Members present.
How to Submit Your Bio
Complete the nomination form below by November 14 at noon. If we receive submissions early enough, candidate biographies will be featured on this website before our founding meeting, when the community votes to elect the board.
Applications received by noon on November 14 will be posted on the website, printed for the meeting, and candidates’ names will be listed on the ballot in order of receipt. Applications after this time cannot guarantee they will be on website and ballot. Write-ins will be accepted on the ballot.
Online Applications Are Closed
You can still be on the board by nominating yourself at the Founding Meeting.
Questions?
For questions about board service or the nomination process, please contact us.
Important Dates
- Bio Submission Deadline: November 14 @ Noon
- Founding Meeting & Board Elections: November 18 @ 6PM
- Location: Appleton Yacht Club
- First Board Meeting: [To be scheduled following the founding meeting]