LLBDM - Lake Association

Terms of Service

Little Lake Butte Des Morts Lake Association

Last Updated: November 2025
Effective Date: November 18, 2025

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing and using this website and purchasing membership in the Little Lake Butte Des Morts Lake Association (“Association”), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

2. Membership Eligibility

Who Can Be a Member:

  • Any individual who resides within one mile or greater of Little Lake Butte Des Morts at least one month per calendar year
  • Any individual who owns real property within one mile or greater of the lake
  • Any individual or organization that subscribes to the purposes of the Association

Who Cannot Be a Member:

  • Individuals under 18 years of age (must be sponsored by a parent or guardian)
  • Any person whose membership has been revoked by the Board for violation of these terms

3. Membership Types and Fees

Annual Dues: $25

Membership Options:

  • Recurring (Auto-Renewing): Membership automatically renews each calendar year on the anniversary of the initial purchase date
  • One-Time Annual: Single payment for one calendar year; member must manually renew next year

Billing and Renewal:

  • Dues are charged in the form and currency selected during membership signup
  • Recurring memberships renew automatically on the anniversary of your initial payment date
  • Members will receive renewal reminders via email
  • Payment is processed securely through Stripe

Voluntary Fee Contribution:

  • Members may voluntarily add 3% ($0.75) to cover payment processing costs
  • This contribution is optional and does not affect membership status

4. Membership Year and Eligibility

Membership Year: Calendar year (January 1 – December 31)

Voting Rights:

  • Membership is required to vote at Association meetings
  • Only current members (those whose dues are current through December 31 of the voting year) have voting rights
  • Members whose dues have lapsed do not have voting rights until membership is renewed
  • Membership dues paid after September 1st are good through December 31st of the following year

Membership Termination:

  • Membership automatically terminates on December 31 if annual dues are not current
  • A member may voluntarily cancel their membership at any time by contacting the Association
  • Cancellation of recurring membership should be done by contacting info@llbdm.org

5. Refund Policy

No Refunds: Membership dues are non-refundable once payment is processed. However:

  • If a payment is processed in error (duplicate charge), contact us within 30 days
  • Refund requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis
  • Canceling your recurring membership does not generate a refund for months already paid

Processing Errors:

  • If you believe a payment was processed in error, contact info@llbdm.org within 30 days with proof
  • Refunds for genuine errors will be processed within 30 days

6. Payment Processing

Payment Methods:

  • Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
  • Processed securely through Stripe
  • Payment via cash or check is available at the annual meeting

Your Payment Information:

  • Your credit card information is never stored on our servers
  • Payment information is processed securely and encrypted
  • The Association does not have access to your full credit card number
  • Stripe handles all payment processing and complies with PCI DSS standards

Recurring Payment Authorization:

  • By signing up for recurring membership, you authorize the Association to charge your card on the anniversary of your signup date
  • You will receive an email reminder before each renewal

7. Member Conduct and Responsibilities

As a Member, You Agree To:

  • Uphold the purposes and mission of the Association
  • Comply with all Association bylaws and policies
  • Conduct yourself respectfully in all Association activities and communications
  • Respect other members and the lake environment

Member Conduct Standards:

  • Members shall not engage in harassment, discrimination, or abuse of other members
  • Members shall not damage Association property or the lake environment
  • Members shall not use Association communications channels for spam, commercial solicitation, or illegal activity
  • Members shall not share member-only information without permission

Violations:

  • The Board may, by a two-thirds vote, revoke membership for conduct violations
  • Members will be notified in writing and given opportunity to respond
  • Revoked members are not entitled to a refund of dues

8. Member Benefits and Access

Standard Member Benefits Include:

  • Voting rights at Association meetings (if dues are current)
  • Participation in Association events and activities
  • Receipt of monthly newsletter and lake updates
  • Access to member directory (if applicable)
  • Opportunity to serve on committees

What Membership Does NOT Include:

  • Guaranteed access to private or members-only lake areas
  • Exclusive lake use rights (the lake is a public resource)
  • Financial or material compensation
  • Transfer of membership to other individuals
  • Inheritance of membership by heirs

9. Liability Disclaimer

Assumption of Risk:

  • The Association provides no warranties regarding lake water quality, safety, or conditions
  • Members assume all risks associated with use of the lake and participation in Association activities
  • Members are responsible for their own safety and the safety of their guests

No Liability For:

  • Water quality conditions
  • Aquatic injuries or accidents
  • Property damage related to lake use
  • Environmental events or natural disasters
  • Third-party actions or negligence

Insurance:

  • Members are encouraged to maintain their own homeowner’s or liability insurance
  • The Association maintains general liability insurance but this does not cover individual member activities

10. Use of Website and Personal Information

Website Acceptable Use:

  • You agree not to use this website for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
  • You agree not to introduce viruses, malware, or harmful code
  • You agree not to attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
  • You agree not to scrape, harvest, or automate collection of website data

Personal Information:

  • Your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy (see separate document)
  • By purchasing membership, you consent to our data practices outlined in the Privacy Policy

11. Email and Communication

Email Communications:

  • By providing your email address, you consent to receive:
    • Membership confirmations and receipts
    • Membership renewal reminders
    • Lake Association news and updates
    • Event notifications
    • Important governance announcements

Opt-Out:

  • You may opt out of non-critical communications by emailing info@llbdm.org
  • Critical membership communications cannot be opted out of

12. Intellectual Property Rights

Ownership:

  • The Association retains all rights to website content, materials, and designs
  • You may not reproduce, distribute, or modify Association materials without permission

Member Content:

  • Any content you submit to the Association (photos, comments, etc.) becomes the property of the Association
  • By submitting content, you grant the Association unlimited rights to use it

13. Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution:

  • Any disputes or complaints should first be addressed directly with the Association Board
  • Members are encouraged to attend monthly meetings or contact the Board in writing

Formal Complaints:

  • Formal complaints should be submitted in writing to the Board
  • The Board will respond within 30 days

Wisconsin Jurisdiction:

  • These Terms are governed by Wisconsin law
  • Any legal proceedings related to these terms shall take place in Wisconsin

14. Changes to Terms and Fees

Right to Modify:

  • The Association reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time
  • Changes will be announced via email and on the website
  • Continued membership after notification constitutes acceptance of new terms

Dues Changes:

  • Annual membership dues may be changed by vote of the membership
  • Changes take effect the following calendar year (January 1)
  • Members will be notified at least 60 days before a dues increase
  • Current members are not grandfathered in; new dues apply to all members the following year

15. Annual Meetings and Voting

Annual Meeting:

  • The Association holds an annual meeting each year
  • All current members are invited and encouraged to attend

Voting:

  • One vote per member household
  • Only members with current (paid through December 31) dues may vote
  • Voting may be in-person

16. Termination of Membership

Automatic Termination:

  • Recurring membership terminates if payment fails and is not resolved within 30 days
  • All memberships terminate on December 31 if dues are not paid or renewed

Voluntary Cancellation:

  • Members may cancel at any time by contacting info@llbdm.org
  • Cancellation is effective immediately
  • No refund is issued for partial-year memberships

Revocation:

  • The Board may revoke membership for conduct violations or non-payment of past dues
  • Revoked members may appeal within 30 days

17. Wisconsin Nonprofit Corporation Status

The Association is (pending) incorporated under Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes as a nonprofit, non-stock corporation. As such:

  • No member shall benefit financially from Association assets
  • The Association shall not engage in partisan political activity
  • The Association is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3)

18. Limitation of Liability

The Association shall not be liable for:

  • Damages arising from website use or unavailability
  • Loss of data or personal information
  • Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
  • Any damages arising from third-party actions

The Association’s total liability is limited to the amount of your membership dues paid in the current year.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

20. Contact Information

For questions, disputes, or concerns regarding these Terms of Service:

Email: info@llbdm.org
Website: llbdm.org

© 2025 Little Lake Butte Des Morts Lake Association. All rights reserved.

These Terms of Service are effective as of November 18, 2025 and apply to all memberships purchased on or after this date.