Extension Lakes

Your success at organizing your lake neighbors may well depend on your talent as a communicator and negotiator.

Do Your Homework:

Use the Wisconsin Lake List Directory to connect with organizations in your area. You can also download a contact list for your DNR Lakes Biologist, your County Land and Water personnel, and the statewide nonprofit Wisconsin Lakes to assist you.

Unearth the history of your lake:

• Are there any existing groups that represent lake interests?
• Have there ever been other lake organizations? If yes, what happened to them? Who were the officers?
• Have there been major management or research projects on the lake (fish stocking, aquatic plant harvesting); who was involved?
• Are there any government agencies or institutions involved in management projects on the lake?
• Are there any groups with a substantial interest in the management of the lake (lodges, marinas, industry, local government, large landowners, boaters, anglers)?
• Are there any political situations or prominent issues (development, use conflicts, plant harvesting)?

Recognizing Differences:

• If you’re a “newcomer” (0-10 years of living on a lake), be sensitive to the views of people that have been on the lake for many years.
• Be aware of user groups in your watershed that may impact or benefit from the lake (resorts, industry, agriculture, etc.).
• Be sensitive to the distinctive requirements of year-round and seasonal residents;
• Be sensitive to various user groups and their expectations (boaters, anglers, seasonal users).

Before the First Informational Meeting:

• Assemble a nucleus of interested people; the more people involved the better. Try for a broad representation (a year-round resident, a long-time resident, special interest groups) of people who live on or near the lake. Include anybody who wants to assist the effort.
• List the reasons you need a lake organization.
• Consider possible objections to an organization and how you can address them.
• Gather information on issues or problems and potential solutions. This will aid in recruiting additional interested persons.
• Make sure you understand the specifics and ramifications of having a lake organization. Reading People of the Lakes: A Guide for Wisconsin’s Lake Organizations will help.
• Let your town and county officials know what and why you are organizing. They can support your effort.
• You may need some seed money for photo-copying/printing and postage. Look to some interested person or supportive business/organization (resort, chamber of commerce or local business to donate office support).
• Prudence is advised if you accept help from a group that may be perceived as having a personal motive.

Preparing for the First Informational Meeting:

Develop a plan for getting the information to the entire lake community. The amount and the expanse of effort needed will depend on the size of the lake and the number of people you need to reach.

Three months or more before the meeting:

Many beginning groups will invite lake professionals to speak to the group-Extension Lake Specialists, Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Association of Lakes representatives. You may also want to invite a representative from a neighboring lake organization. (Allow plenty of lead time-2 months or more-as these people are in constant demand, especially on weekends.)

• Select a time and day that doesn’t conflict with other events and provides for good attendance by the people in your lake community.
• In northern Wisconsin summer is the time to reach the highest number of residents
• Reserve a convenient location�a public place is best�like the town hall, a resort or school.
• Invite everyone living at and near your lake.
• Use tax rolls to develop your list; they are open to the public at reasonable times. (The town/county treasurer or clerk may help you get started.)

One month before the meeting:

• Prepare an agenda noting time, place, date and subject to be discussed.
• The meeting should be well-publicized in advance.
• Prepare a news release for your local newspaper and buyers guide. Most papers are happy to print such notices. Send it out early (a month before the meeting is typical).
• Try a Public Service Announcement (PSA) on local radio or TV.
• Put posters at local grocery stores, community centers, sport stores, etc.
• You may want to send personal invitations to certain potential members.

One hour before the meeting:

• Inspect the logistics (chairs, AV equipment, food, drinks, light switches, paper, pencils, parking, etc.).
• Have extra copies of the agenda.
• Have a sign-in sheet for names and addresses.
• Start on time and stay on schedule.
• Introduce yourself, your committee and any guest speakers.
• Explain why you feel there is a need for an organization.
• Allow plenty of time for quest

Confirmation:

• After all the information has been provided and all questions have been satisfactorily answered, you will need to confirm the desires of the group to move forward on the formation of an association.
• You may want to take a straw vote. If the group decides to form an association, elect temporary officers and agree on a date for a first annual meeting.
• If the group is not sold on the idea, you may choose to form an Ad-Hoc committee to explore the idea further or set up another informational meeting, you could also opt to form an association among those who agree with the idea, or drop the idea entirely.

Lake organizations and agencies struggle with many issues in their continuing pursuit to safeguard lakes. Today’s issues can be complex, crossing political and natural boundaries. Increasingly complicated concerns require the involvement of those affected as well as the organizations and agencies appointed to deal with the issues. Your organization can play a vital role in defining the future of your lake.

Some ideas:

• Develop a lake newsletter to keep your members informed on local and state lake news.
• Delegate people to speak for the group on common issues.
• Delegate people to discover issues that may impact your lake and report them to the group.
• Survey your membership on the lake concerns and the lake use requirements.
• Design education programs for your members and those that impact the lake.
• Help membership deal with individual concerns.
• Encourage your members to take the Wisconsin Score My Shore Shoreland Evaluation Survey to understand how their individual actions affect the lake’s health and implement Healthy Lakes & Rivers practices if needed. 
• Consider joining the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN). Equipment is free and instruction is available. 
• Include your members and their families in an effort to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species through the Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) program.
• Explore a Surface Water Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. State matching grants are available to qualified lake associations for education, planning, management, and aquatic invasive species grants.
• Communicate your concerns to your town and county officials. Work with your local government whenever possible.
• Get involved in lake issues on a state and national level. Join the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) or Wisconsin Lakes (Wisconsin’s statewide lake association).
• Take direct action. Develop a lake management plan with help from the DNR and implement it.