By Laws

ARTICLE I

The name of the organization shall be the Comfort Lakes Association (CLA). It shall be a non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota.

Comfort Lakes consist of Big Comfort Lake and Little Comfort Lake.

ADDRESS: Post Office Box 596, Wyoming, MN 55092

PURPOSE: The purpose of this association is to care for the welfare of Comfort Lakes by, but not limited to:

• Controlling and reducing invasive species
• Improving water quality including the generation and distribution of water quality data
• Educating property owners and users on lake issues and the responsible care of the lakes
• Maintain communication with the DNR and the Watershed District concerning water levels on Comfort Lakes
• Serving as a resource for social outreach
• Promoting safety on and near the lakes
• Develop and maintain close coordination and advocacy with relevant local, county, and state government agencies, associations, and the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP:

• Eligibility for membership: Membership is granted after receipt of a valid, completed membership application and annual dues
• CLA membership consists of a Board of Directors and other registered lakeshore owners in good standing (having paid current dues)
• There shall be two types of members, voting members and non-voting members
• Current dues are $100 and may be changed by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board
• Membership period runs from January 1 through December 31 of each year

Voting Members: Voting memberships shall be limited to those people owning lakeshore property, except that a renter may cast a vote if the owner grants specific authority in writing to the Board. There shall be one vote per parcel of lakeshore property. Joint owners of a lake property must designate which of them will be the voting member. An owner of multiple parcels is entitled to no more than one vote. Only one co-owner shall be allowed to vote, independent of the number of parcels owned. Only members in good standing are allowed to vote.

Non-Voting Members: Any person who is not an owner or renter but is interested in the welfare of Comfort Lakes may attend CLA Member Meetings or Board Meetings. Individuals who are not owners or residents, but pay current dues are considered to be non-voting members.

MODIFICATION OF THE BYLAWS
Any modification of the Charter will require a 2/3 majority vote of the entire membership in attendance at one of the scheduled semi-annual, annual, or special membership meetings.

ARTICLE III

LIABILITY

• No Director or other CLA member shall be liable for any debts or obligation of the CLA
• No member shall have any right or interest in any property of the organization
• No member shall officially represent this organization without written approval of the Board of Directors

ARTICLE IV

MEETINGS

• Sufficient notice shall be provided for all meetings and will include purpose, time and location
• Board and Annual meetings shall include a Secretary's report, Treasurer's report, old and new business, committee updates, and status of goals

Regular Meetings

• Board meetings shall be held monthly beginning in April through October and at other times as determined by the Board
• Regular meetings with CLA members shall be held semi-annually at a minimum, one of which shall be the annual meeting
• Meeting procedures to employ typical protocol structure such as "Robert Rules".

Annual Meetings
Annual meetings shall be held during August at a time and location designated by the President and shall include:

• An annual report shall be presented by the President and members of the Board on matters of the lake, including, but not limited to, accomplishments, issues, activities, with special focus on invasive species and water quality
• The Secretary and Treasurer's annual reports
• Input and discussion with CLA members will be encouraged
• Election of members to the Board
• Short term and long term goals for the Association including invasive species and water quality shall be discussed and approved by the members in attendance.

Special Meetings

• Special meetings may be called by the President or 3 members of the Board at any time with sufficient notification to all members including its purpose, location and date

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• The Board is responsible for the overall policy and direction of the Association including the leadership for the CLA Mission and the Strategic Plan
• The Board shall consist of no more than 13 or less than 9 members
• Lakeshore owners from each Section of the lake are strongly encouraged to run for election to the Board
• The Board shall include the following officers:
  President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The officers of the Board shall comprise the Executive Committee
• The Secretary and Treasurer positions may be combined if necessary
• Each Board member shall be elected for a 2 year term except for the President whose term shall run for 1 year. The President may be reelected for no more than 4 terms
• The Board of Directors shall select its officers via a majority vote of the Board
• The Board members shall not receive compensation other than for their direct expenses on behalf of the Association
• Any Board member may resign by notifying the Secretary in writing or by an email
• Should a Board member resign, the President shall call for a special election if the remaining Board is composed of less than 9 voting members
• A Board member may be removed for missing 3 consecutive meetings or by a 2/3 majority of the Board

DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Financial

• Set Annual Budget
• Approve all expenditures
• Appoint an internal audit committee that will conduct an audit annually and report findings to the Board
• Maintain Non Profit Status of the Association

General

• Develop a strategic plan and goals in support of the CLA Mission
• Develop and maintain effective communications with all CLA members and lakeshore residents and solicit input from them
• Seek outside support through financial grants from Federal, State, County and Local governments as well as through donations and volunteering
• Invite experts on relevant matters to Board and Member meetings
• Identify when committees or task forces are needed and outline their responsibilities
• Organize at least one membership and fundraising drive annually
• Select a Nominating Committee for Board of Directors Candidates
• The Nominating Committee shall attempt to develop a slate of candidates representing each Lake Section
• Sections may be developed by the Board within 3 months of the Board's origination, each Section having a similar number of lakeshore residents
• A quorum of the majority of the Board members is required to conduct business, including any matter requiring a vote.

ARTICLE VI

DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President

• Execute the Strategic Plan
• Set time, dates and locations of meetings
• Preside over Board and CLA member meetings
• Lead discussion on current CLA matters
• Execute all documents, contracts and agreements passed by the Board or the Membership
• Represent the CLA with outside organizations, agencies or individuals
• Promote social outreach: education, attendance at community affair events, picnics, road clean-up, etc.
• Organize membership and financial drives

Vice President

• Share the duties of the President as requested by the President or as needed
• Chair the Nominating Committee
• Chair or be an advisory member of Board appointed committees
• Be key liaison with outside pertinent organizations, agencies and individuals
• Perform other duties that may be requested by the President

Secretary

• Keep accurate records and report minutes of the CLA Board and Member Meetings, in a timely manner to Board Members and to other CLA members as needed.
• Be the primary communications resource for the Board, the CLA membership and lake residents working in conjunction with other Board members.
• Provide notices for future CLA and Board Meetings
• Notify lake residents of annual membership dues and dates
• Maintain membership data
• Perform other duties that may be requested by the president

Treasurer

• Maintain accurate records of all financial matters of the Association
• Collect and record all dues and other income from members and other sources
• Deposit all income to the Association's designated bank
• Assist Board in establishing an annual financial budget
• Perform other duties that may be requested by the President
• Present financial report including current status, past income and expenses at each Board and Member meeting

Committees of the Board
Special committees or task forces of the Board may be formed for major areas of concern or need, such as but not limited to:

• Invasive species control or eradication
• Water Quality (quality of the water entering and in the lake)
• Lake Quality (water level control, lakeshore preservation, recreational value, other)
• Lake and lake resident safety

Committees may be chaired by a member of the Board or other CLA member. They may include outside personnel who have expertise and/or strong support for the Comfort Lakes.

Each Committee shall report to the Board at a frequency determined by the Board.

Lake Association Members
Support the mission and purpose of the Comfort Lakes Association, the Board and other members through:

• Membership Dues and support for Membership Drives.
• Active involvement with committees, task forces and other needed functions
• Promoting the mission and involvement with others on the lake