Highlights from the CSA July 31st, 2021 Annual Meeting

• The Restated Articles of Incorporation were unanimously approved. The Articles are the foundational documents for corporations, and it was important to bring the CSA into compliance with current law. The current CSA Articles had not been updated since originally filed in 1932.
• Two Bylaw amendments were also unanimously approved:
  • To change the wording “privilege ticket” to “Assembly ticket” where it appeared in the Bylaws in accordance with the member vote on September 26, 2020.
  • To move the composition of the Board from the 1932 Articles of Incorporation to the Bylaws. The description of the term of Trustees was moved from the Articles to the Bylaws, as that rule is operational and should be in the document which is updated more frequently.
• Gary Dawley, Treasurer, reviewed the CSA financial statements and noted the CSA’s financial position was strong thanks to generosity of the members last year when we were closed due to COVID and strong Assembly ticket sales this year.
• Preservation Fund and Ad hoc Strategic Committee update:
  • Fred Lauerman, Fund Chair, discussed the history of the Preservation Fund and the white paper developed to guide withdrawals and appropriate uses of the funds. The Trustees have determined to maintain at least $550,000 in the Fund, to be adjusted annually for future inflation, in addition to insurance, to support the CSA in the event of a catastrophe. The Fund is not for operating or ordinary maintenance, but for strategic investments in the CSA. He noted in the past few years the CSA has taken $91,000 of funds to be used for strategic projects approved by the Board of Trustees.
  • Lou Rollinson, Committee Chair, continued the discussion begun by Mr. Lauerman and described in detail programs and initiatives which were funded by the Preservation Fund withdrawal at the recommendation of the Ad hoc Strategic Committee. She described Nature Explorers as a pilot project to both teach and connect children to the environment and CSA values as well as give working parents time; funded a forester to advise the CSA on forest regeneration; work on mitigating damage to the Michigan beach and bluff, and various IT initiatives to update the CSA’s systems. The Ad hoc Strategic Committee has been reconvened by the President and will provide further recommendations to the Trustees in November for the $25,000 excess funds withdrawal from Preservation Fund approved at the July 24^th Board of Trustees Meeting.
• The membership unanimously approved the following slate to serve as Trustees in the 2021 - 2024 class:  Debbie Albright, Bill Fisk, Joshua Knight, Lorry Spitzer and Jennifer Rodes Swetland.
• Ad hoc Lake MI Dune, Bluff and Beach: David Belknap, Committee Chair, expressed gratitude that Lake Michigan has receded this year. He answered a question about removal of the orange fence on the dune, indicating that directing people to the boardwalk path and sand ladder was a middle ground to minimize people going over the dune. He reminded the members that seawall construction later this year will be damaging to the dune. The Committee will be working to develop proposals to enhance the space once the seawall construction is complete.