Workshop I. What Makes a Successful Lake
Association
This was a power point presentation put on by the
Webster Lake
Association. This lake is much larger than ours. It
covers 1200 acres, about 1/3 of the area of Webster, but there are still
things we can learn from them and might be able to do on a much smaller
scale.
1.
They aggressively build their membership. The philosophy behind
this is the more members you have, the more interest is created and the
more money you can raise to help preserve the lake.
a.
The Lake Webster Association has 600 members.
2.
How do they raise this money?
a.
Creative Fund Raising
1.
Raffles: They raised $15,000 this past year with one raffle. They
raffled off a beautiful picture of a lake scene painted by a local artist.
2.
They take bets on when the ice will break.
3.
Contests
b.
Marketing
1.
Publicity: All of the above fund raisers are covered in the local
media.
2.
Weekly newsletters: Communication, Sharing ideas, getting a
dialogue going. This newsletter is also used to advertise items for sale
for individuals or for the benefit of the association.
3.
Advertising: Get your logo on coffee mugs, desk supplies,
stationary, membership cards, etc. Get them on the desks of
public officials
c.
Political
1.
Get involved in town politics, Conservation Commissions, Parks
Department, and other town officials can formulate and enforce
environmental policies that protect the lake.
The Town Beach is a town
asset that can be used to raise interest in protection.
d.
Involve Local Realtors
1.
Stress property values. A protected and preserved lake
raises property
values. A polluted, weed infested lake
lowers property
values. Webster Lake has one realtor who
donates a percentage of
each sale of lakefront property to
the association.
