ACTIVITIES
Since our founding in 2002, the Lakes Council:
Filed for formal incorporation and received 501c3 status, drafted Vision and Mission statements, established a dues system, established a Standing Committee structure and launched website.
Held elections for Board of Directors in August 2003, August 2004 and August 2005.
Met with the consultants from McBride, Dale and Clarion providing input concerning the Lakes for the County Comprehensive Plan during 2002-2004.
Attended county zoning appeal meetings that involve our lakes.
Organized a letter-writing
campaign to state and county elected officials opposing a sewer rate
adjustment for LaGrange County campground owners. Thanks in part to our
efforts, LaGrange County Sewer Board refused to grant the 2004 rate
adjustment.
Hosted an annual general
membership meeting in April 2004 and August 2005.
Hosted an Educational Seminar, “Lake-Friendly Living” in June 2004 and August 2005. See our article on lake friendly lawn care.
Received a grant from Indiana Lakes Management Society for the purchase of a computer and audio-visual equipment.
Joined the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce.
Established formal contact with the Steuben County Lakes Council and have begun cooperative ventures. A joint boating study was conducted on lakes in the two counties during the summer of 2005; the report Full to Overflowing was published May 2006.
Launched a business membership drive inviting business and corporate members to recognize the value of lakes in LaGrange County.
Moved Board meetings to the LaGrange County Office Building to encourage and accommodate public attendance.
Partnered with the Steuben County Lakes Council and SCLC Land Trust to host 2nd annual pancake breakfast at Greenfield Mills in August 2007.
Published our first, full-color, magazine style newsletter and mailed to more than 4,000 LaGrange County lake enthusiasts.
Held a spring 2008 educational seminar featuring IDNR, IDEM and Corps of Engineers representatives at Pine Knob County Park near Howe.
Joined with Indiana Lakes Management Society and Steuben County Lakes Council to put on a Fall Forum featuring professional speakers and DNR biologists.
Published a spring newsletter and mailed to more than 4,000 lake enthusiasts.
Held a spring 2009 educational program, free of charge to the public.
Began Water Quality Testing Program in the Fall of 2010, intended to take annual samples for longitudinal comparisons.
Participated in partnership with Steuben County Lakes Council to present Fall Forum, 2010
Sponsored Spring educational Forum on June 4, 2011 at Pine Knob Park