Organizational Meeting Report, September 17, 2002
For those who were unable to attend our organizational meeting Tuesday night, wow! You missed quite a whirlwind of activity. But don't worry, there's still plenty of time to get involved and plenty to do.

Under the guidance of three seasoned environmental activists, Any Guy of the Michigan Land Use Institute, Kym Spring of Clean Water Action and the Clean Water Fund, and Karla Kauffmann of West Michigan Environmental Action Council, we launched into an aggressive agenda to broaden the base of CCSDSP's leadership and develop an organizational structure to carry our fight against the water treatment plant proposals into the coming year.

By the end of the evening we emerged not only with a well focused set of goals, but with six committees, complete with volunteers, and commitments for each of these groups to meet in the next couple of weeks to formulate their specific plans of action.

  1. Steering committee
    Roles: Develop a strategic plan and budget.
    Record and publicize decisions to members.
    Meet about every 2 months as needed.

    Co-chairs
    Treasurer
    Secretary
    Archivist
    Representative from each committee below.

  2. Community Outreach
    Roles: Communicate to non-members to spread the word and build more support. Activities would include making public presentations about CCSDSP, attending public meetings prepared to ask questions, mobilizing volunteers, and responding to inquiry emails from individuals.

  3. Communications
    Roles: Media relations - maintain/establish good contacts with media and interface with Public Relations firm.
    Membership - convey news to members on monthly basis via email.
    Web site - maintain and update.

  4. Research
    Roles: Conduct research to provide information about situations similar to CCSDSP's.
    Larger context: State parks across US/greenspace, etc.

  5. Government relations
    Roles: Initiate Freedom of Information Act requests
    Cultivate relationships with government officials, elected officials. Track legal issues - liaison with lawyer.

  6. Financial:
    Roles: Keep financial records.
    Organize events and other fundraising projects.

  7. Call Me:
    A committee specifically for those who would like to help
    but aren't sure of exactly where to focus their energy. These folks
    will be available for short term committments on short notice.
There is still so much to do, and we could sure use your help. If you would like to join one of the committees we encourage you to do so. Please email david.swan@gale.com, -or- phone David Swan: 616-857-8234.
Return to Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park Resources & Reference page.

www.SaugatuckDunes.org