Members-At-Large

WHAT IS A MEMBER-AT-LARGE

and what’s their role? Our Board of Directors currently has three committees specific to a department, or specific to an area in which we need an advisory committee of Board Members and members-at-large. In this issue and future issues to come we will highlight these members-atlarge so you can get to know them and see what all they are up to.

These members-at-large are the glue that holds these committees together. They help develop processes, make conclusions, and execute plans to further better our community. Most committee members use their professional backgrounds to help advise their specific committees.

There are committee applications for members in good standing to fill out if they are interested in being on a Board Committee. It’s a great way to get involved and be part of the process! These committees consist of Strategic Planning, Finance, and Architectural Control.

Today we take a look at the Lot Default Committee (LDC) membersat-large. The LDC currently has three members-at-large: Jo Alex, Bob Halpin, and Linda Tilley. Read below to see what they have to say about their committee and what they have to say about themselves.

Jo Alex

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

What makes Canadian Lakes a wonderful community? The various private lakes for fishing, boating, swimming or just enjoying nature are great. Or the choices of golf courses and the fact that Canadian Lakes offers many amenities such as pools, community events, and even a Castle. The area also offers local restaurants, doctors and even shopping boutiques. All of these wonderful things enhance our community. But what makes it really great, is the variety of people who have chosen to make Canadian Lakes their home, and who are driven to help make our community better.

With an MBA from Grand Valley State University, I spent 38 years in the food and beverage industry, with about 30 of these years working at Coca-Cola, in a variety of positions in Finance, IT and project management positions. My husband Bill and I decided to retire in 2015. We are Michiganders at heart but spent the past 20 years in Chicagoland area. While Chicago is a great city, it wasn’t home. Therefore, when we decided to ditch the rat race, it was an easy decision on where to move. After one day of looking, we found our fulltime year-round home on Lake Laura.

What an adjustment it was from working for 60 plus hours a week to fishing at leisure. It didn’t take long for me to become restless and decide to look around to see how I could participate in our new community. I started by joining the Canadian Lakes Association in 2017, and soon was Membership Director where I have helped the CLA expand its membership base and support community events. My term with the CLA will end this year.

Then in 2019 until it’s dissolution in 2021, I accepted the position as Member-At-Large of the Lot Default Ad Hoc Committee (LDC). As a member of the LDC, I had the opportunity to create a Canadian Lakes property database which allowed the committee as well as the State Land Bank to mine data to identify opportunities, create plans and ideas to address future status of various lots. Then this year I started as Member-At-Large for the Strategic Planning Committee. My participation in the Strategic Planning Committee is new, but I am amazed to see how many plans or projects are in review or are being considered by each department of Canadian Lakes. These plans offer improvements for our community. Some are very noticeable, such as the beach improvements, and some are more behind the scenes, such as the cooler for the Royal Grille.

All three of these roles have allowed me to contribute to our community by volunteering my skill sets and to offer ways in which I can help enhance our community. But more importantly, these committees have allowed me to meet many other dedicated volunteers, dedicated board members and members of our community who recognize the value of volunteerism, and who are also committed to make this community the best it can be.

Linda Tilley

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

I’m serving this year on the CLPOC Board’s Strategic Planning Committee as an “At-Large” member. I previously served on this committee in the first year of my 3-year Board Director term which ended this past December 31st. I personally enjoy being a part of the Strategic Planning Committee’s charter — which focuses on the long-term strategy for a CLPOC /Canadian Lakes future that is strong, successful, and sustainable.

It’s my hope that I can be a positive contributor to this committee, like so many “At-Large” Board committee members have been for years — on this committee and others like it (Finance, Architectural Control). I can tell you with 100% certainty that the Lot Default Committee (LDC) I chaired from the summer of 2019 through the end of 2021 could not have successfully operated with the depth of analysis, conclusions, and recommendations without the consistent participation and contributions of the “At-Large” members (along with my fellow Board Directors). Several of these “At-Large” members of the LDC team had not previously served on a Board Committee. New members serving on these committees brings along new ideas, different approaches, and fresh thinking.

I also hope I’m not a member of Strategic Planning Committee in a few years. Not because I wouldn’t want to be, or that I wouldn’t still enjoy it. But because the Board will have many other choices with CLPOC members who want to serve on the committee for a year or two. I realize a lot of people don’t have the appetite to go through a nomination and election process, or the 3-year term requirement that comes with being a Board Director. But joining one of the Board Committees, or one of the many committees within the new Community Planning Process (Lakes, Golf, etc.) can allow members a more simple, less stressful, and time consuming on-ramp to be involved in, and contributing to key CLPOC endeavors.

I know there are many smart members in the CLPOC community who would be fantastic committee members (and Board Directors too). I know that they would each bring value too - given their unique backgrounds, interests, and skills. I also believe the membership interest is there. When I took nominations for the LDC back in 2019, I had 17 members willing to throw their hat in the ring. Because I had so many nominations, I took on two extra “At-Large” members on the committee than I had originally intended to. I felt terrible having to turn down the others.

I don’t have the answer, but if the CLPOC gets a large influx of member interest going forward, perhaps the Board can devise a way to set up a “rotation” process that can maximize CLPOC member participation over a number of years to serve on the various Board and Community Planning Process committees. Leveraging our large number of outstanding members on these committees will only make the CLPOC stronger and more successful over the coming years. Join in!

MEMBER-AT-LARGE

Upon arriving in Canadian Lakes, we noticed and appreciated the spirit of volunteerism amongst the residents. Canadian Lakes has a contingent of dedicated employees who provide excellent service, yet not a large enough group to be able to cover everything every day. Every amenity has a “committee” or group making sure that those amenities are safe and kept in good repair. It seems that nearly everyone here has at some time shared their talents, time, and concern for the greater good of all the residents.

My work experience is in not-forprofit management, human resources and accounting and those are the talents I offered to share. By filling the board term vacated by the most recent President of CLPOC, Jan Watts, I learned a lot about the history of Canadian Lakes. After leaving the board, I chose to continue as a volunteer. The IT project and some other forward-looking plans are important to me. I believe those projects will enhance the community and make it even more attractive to new property owners.

I would encourage everyone, who is able, to get involved. Your gains will be the satisfaction of helping your neighbors, making new friends, and the assurance of knowing the Board and Management of the CLPOC are taking great care of our community.