Azure Beauty of Mousam Lake, Shapleigh, Maine

by Leigh Macmillen Hayes
Our Maine lakes are precious to us, whether we own lakefront property, enjoy swimming and fishing in them, or just pausing beside them. No matter where we live in Maine, we all live in a watershed. Lake associations are formed to engage us all in caring for the lake, protecting the watershed that surrounds it and sometimes expanding the ways it can be enjoyed.

Many, but not all of our lakes have associations. It isn’t difficult to form a lake association. All it takes is a core group of people who care about the lake and want to make it happen.
Here’s a list of suggestions to help you in the formation of a lake association:
1. Begin with a knowledge bank. Ask other local lake associations for advice.
2. Hold a public meeting. Invite anyone from lakefront property owners to business owners and any others who might have an interest in your lake.
3. Publicize the first meeting to the entire lake community. Get names and addresses of lakefront property owners from the tax records at your town office.
4. Host the kickoff meeting at a convenient location on a time and date that doesn’t conflict with other events. Many associations typically hold their meetings on dates adjacent to holidays, e.g. Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day, when many lakefront property owners are in Maine.
5. Choose a leader and recording secretary for the public meeting. Discuss the lake in general and then focus on specific issues common to all participants.
6. Develop a 4- or 5-person steering committee. The committee’s initial job will be to select a name, write articles of incorporation, file with the State of Maine to establish non-profit status, draft bylaws and a mission statement and develop a slate of candidates for the board of directors.
7. Once all of this is in place, set the first official meeting of the lake association to vote on the bylaws, elect a board of directors, vote on dues and develop committees to support future action. Committees often include membership, water quality, social activities, education and communications.
8. Schedule an annual meeting and perhaps other social events throughout the year.
To learn more about lakefront property for sale on Mousam Lake in Shapleigh, click on the green box above.
To learn more about  Shapleigh in the York County/Sanford Lakes Region of Maine, check out the blog links below.
Mousam Lake in Southern Maine – Perfect for Boaters, Anglers and Vacationers
Goose Pond, Shapleigh, Maine: Experience Halcyon Days on Serene Water
Maine Lakefront Property Owners Benefit By Joining Lake Association