SCLA Members gathered together for the 2023 Annual Meeting on May 27 at the Spider Lake Town Hall.  Outgoing President Larry Keller opened the meeting with recent highlights including the final approval of the first "Comprehensive Lake Management Plan (CLMP)" in March, 2023, water quality monitoring, project pike, lake surveys, SCLA events and the completion of the $1.2M Preserve & Protect Campaign.

Larry thanked volunteers, including Ray Langer, AIS Chair for his tireless work on the CLMP and other lake surveys, Membership Chair Lynn Kane who created and distributed the new directory of members; members of the Membership Committee who organized the 4th of July Boat Parade, the Annual Picnic, S.L.E.E.K., and Gina Blayney, Chair of the Education Committee for rejuvenating the educational series "Wine & Wisdom.  

Outgoing and former board members were recognized for their leadership and service:  Martha Coventry, Lynn Kane and former president Lili Herbert.  Two members were elected to the SCLA board of directors: Jerry Keating, for his second term, and David Meyer, for his first term.

Ray Langer, AIS & Water Quality Chair presented a robust report highlighting the work of the committee and the results of the "Landing Monitor Program" which is expanding hours of coverage in 2023 thanks to availability of funding.  SCLA landing monitors inspected 2,400 boats in 2022 (120 of which had been on lakes with eurasian water milfoil in the preceding five days).

    

Kris Dew and Mary Keating presented (on behalf of Chair Gina Blayney) key 2023 educational events, Lynn Kane presented membership committee work and Wendy Wood presented the Finance Report.  

The good news on the finance front is that the endowment draw covered 24% of the FY 23 budget, while "FISH MEMBER GIFTS" covered 39%.  Financial viability will depend on the continuance of "FISH MEMBER GIFTS" and converting small fish members to "BE A BIGGER FISH" and to convince 100% of members to become a "FISH MEMBER" so the operating budget is covered.  Please renew your memberships at the end of the year with a "FISH GIFT" - we all love this place and we need Fish Gifts to continue to protect it.

New SCLA Co-Presidents elected at the May 19th board of directors meeting: Jerry Keating (also Philanthropy Chair) and Wendy Wood (also Investment Chair), and Vice President/Secretary Alex Farrell.  Kathy Schmidt continues as Treasurer and Finance Chair. 

The theme of the new Co-Presidents for the coming term is 3-Fold: VOLUNTEERS (recruit more!)  FINANCIAL VIABILITY (100% Fish Members) and COMMUNITY BUILDING via educational events that are fun to attend.  Please join us!