Our Mission & Goals

A few things we’re great at

What we do, why we exist, how we acheive our goals.

Improvement

Work for the improvement of area lakes, rivers, creeks and streams

Solutions

Strive to find solutions for issues that affect our Des Moines watershed

Cooperation

Work with local townships, county, state, and federal agencies to build relationships

Legislate

Meet with legislative representatives to gain access to funds and change regulations, if needed

Projects

Tackle key projects including construction of flood retention structures to control water levels during extreme weather events

OUR MISSION

“The purpose of the Shetek Area Lakes Association is to preserve the surrounding lake communities located within the Des Moines headwaters and watershed, and to enhance water quality, fishery, boating safety, shorelines and aesthetic values, as a public recreation facility for today and for future generations.”  

BY-LAWS

(Amended and adopted 2025)

Article I Article II Article III Article IV Article V Article VI

MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE

The purpose of the Shetek Area Lake Association is to preserve the surrounding lake communities located within the Des Moines headwaters and watershed, and to enhance water quality, fishery, boating safety, shorelines and aesthetic values, as a public recreational facility for today and for future generations.

STATUS AND LIMITATIONS

To carry out the program of SALA and to make effective representations on behalf of its members, SALA is organized as a non-profit, non-stock corporation under Minnesota Statutes. No asset of SALA shall benefit any officer or member. SALA shall not participate in partisan political activity.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in SALA shall be open to any individual, family, business, or organization. Dues of ten dollars, per member, per year shall be paid on a fiscal year basis (June 1st through May 31st). Current SALA members may cast only one vote to decide SALA Board Members at the annual meeting. The Board members may at any time solicit reactions from members through a mail or social media survey.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual SALA meeting shall be held in the vicinity of Lake Shetek, Minnesota during the month of June, July, or August, as determined by the board members. The agenda of the annual meeting shall include elections, discussion of projects, adoption of a budget, member concerns, and an educational program/guest speaker(s). Every annual or special meeting must be preceded by notice to paid members. Annual meeting notifications shall be emailed or mailed to members at least 20 days prior to the event. Proposed amendments to the SALA Bylaws must be presented during annual or special meeting and approved by a majority vote of eligible members present.

SPECIAL MEETINGS

A special meeting of SALA may be called at any time by the President or by majority vote of the board members. The agenda of a special meeting may include any items properly brought before an annual meeting. Only those matters described in the notice shall be discussed at the meeting. SALA may sponsor a variety of meetings and events designed to provide educational, recreational, or social opportunities for its members and their guests. It may also sponsor fund-raising activities.

QUORUM

No formal business may be conducted at membership meetings unless at least six of the eleven board members are present either in person, via phone, and/or zoom. Roberts Rules of Order shall be utilized at the meetings of SALA, of the board members, and of SALA committees. Non-SALA members may be recognized to speak at SALA functions at the discretion of the presiding officer. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members present.

ELECTIONS

The board members shall nominate one or more members for each vacant position on the Board. Additional nominations of members, present at the annual meeting and willing to serve, shall be taken from the floor. All elections for the Board shall be conducted by secret, written ballot at each annual meeting and awarded based on popular vote.

TERMS OF OFFICE

Board members are elected for three-year, consecutive terms. Their terms shall expire after the annual meeting or upon the election of new Board members, whichever occurs later. However, elected and current board members have the option of running for on-going consecutive terms. Term limits shall be in accordance with SALA established policy.

BOARD MEETINGS

The SALA Board shall meet monthly unless specifically postponed by the President and via board member consensus. Regular meetings shall be held at the Shetek Lutheran Ministries, 14 Keeley Island Drive, Slayton, Minnesota at 6:30 pm on the third Tuesday of each month. Special meetings may be held on the call of the President and/or any three Board members with at least five days’ notice. Meetings and voting can be counted as live presence via telephone, mail, zoom or other social platforms. At least one officer and/or six board members shall constitute a quorum for any transaction of business. The meetings shall be open to the members. Decisions shall be made by majority vote of board members present, with the President voting only to break ties. Between meetings, the President may solicit decisions from the Board through written or called communications. Any board member who misses three consecutive meetings without adequate notification of absence (phone call, email, etc.), at the discretion of the Board, may be removed from office. Any vacancy may be filled for the remainder of the term by the affirmative vote of a majority of the board members. Board members shall not be compensated for their time or effort but may be reimbursed for paid actual and necessary expenses (travel, postage, etc.) incurred while on SALA business, via board approval.

PRESIDENT

The President shall prepare the agenda and preside over all membership and board meetings. The President shall be the chief executive officer to ensure compliance of all SALA Constitution and by-laws. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees.

VICE PRESIDENT

The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President should that office become vacant and shall preside at meetings when the President is unable to attend.

SECRETARY

The Secretary shall maintain the official records of SALA as well as any written archive materials the organization has utilized. The Secretary shall record and distribute the minutes of all SALA meetings. Upon board approval, meeting minutes shall be posted on the SALA website. The secretary shall track, maintain and ensure accuracy of board member term limits.

TREASURER

The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of SALA and shall sign all checks. The Treasurer shall prepare a financial statement for the annual meeting and shall be responsible for presentation of the proposed budget at the annual meeting. The records and accounts of SALA shall be maintained on a routine basis. Incoming funds of SALA shall be promptly deposited at a financial institution.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

The Public Relations board member shall maintain a current record of the names and addresses of members entitled to vote and shall send out notices of the annual membership meeting. The Public Relations person shall prepare advertisement in local papers and/or organize and publicize other social events to be sponsored by SALA. Provide oversight to ensure correct content and placement of information on the SALA website and other social platforms.

BOARD MEMBERS

Subject to directives of annual and special meetings and these By-laws, all eligible board members shall have authority over the activities and assets of SALA. The board members shall include the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and seven at-large board members, and the previous SALA Presidents (if they choose to participate). Upon board approval board members may represent SALA at local public hearings and informationalmeetings relating to various topics or projects presented to the board for resolution to support the spirit and intent of SALAs mission as outlined in the by-laws. The President may appoint other committees as necessary. SALA shall indemnify any officer, board member, employee, or agent who was, is, or may be involved in legal proceedings by virtue of their good faith actions on behalf of SALA.

DISSOLUTION

The board members, by a majority affirmative vote of all board members, may recommend that SALA be dissolved and that the question of such dissolution be submitted to a vote at the annual or special meeting. Notice of the meeting shall highlight the question of dissolution. At the meeting, a majority affirmative vote of eligible members present shall be required to approve a resolution of dissolution. Dissolution of SALA shall not be final until the members majority vote to officially end the organization.

These By-laws were adopted by at the annual SALA meeting on June 14, 2025.

CONSTITUTION

(adopted 2018)

Article I Article II Article III Article IV Article V Article VI

Our Mission Statement

The Mission of Shetek Area Lakes Association shall be to work for the betterment of the lakes, rivers, creeks, and streams to include concerns about water levels, storm events, safety of campgrounds, residences and businesses. sedimentations and construction of retention structures.  To work with Townships, Counties, State of Minnesota Agencies, federal agencies, engineers and farmers and landowners, using legislative procsses to gain access to funds and change egulations if needed.

Memberships

Memberships in the Association shall be open to all persons. age 18 or older, making use of the Lakes watershed for residence, camping, business or recreation.  Evidence of membership shall be the payment of annual dues as established in the Association by-laws.

Membership Meetings

Membership meetings shall be held in accordance with the Association’s by-laws forthe purpose of establishing Association policy and objectives, updating the constitution and by-laws of the Association as required, and electing directors.  Each member in good standing shall have one vote at the membership meetings and decisions are by simple majority vote of the members present, with the exception of amendments to the constitution.

Board of Directors

A Board of Directors consisting of five officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations, and six (6) at-large directors selected from the members established in the by-laws, shall be authorized to manage the affairs of the association in accordance with the constitution, by-laws, objectives and policy directives of the members.  Term limits shall be in accordance with the policy established in the Association by-laws.

Board of Directors Meetings

The board of Directors shall have monthly meetings at a date and time established in the Association by-laws.  The number of directors present at a meeting to constitute a quorum is established by the association by-laws.

Constitutional Amendments

This Constitution may be alterd, amended, or repealed only by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at a membership meeting, provided notice was sent to all members of the intent to modify this constitution at least (20) days in advance of the meeting.