The proposed bylaw changes described in last quarter’s Waterline were approved at this year’s WALPA conference in Wenatchee. A couple of small changes clarified the student membership category (college was added to the definition of student) and specified a formal mechanism for the resignation and dismissal of board members.
The bylaw change in membership was much more comprehensive. Lifetime membership in WALPA is now conferred on all who contribute financially to the association but voting members are now defined as those individuals who attend the annual conference. All members (voting and non-voting) will receive the newsletter and action updates. This restructure eases the burden of maintaining an up-to-date membership list while providing a larger list of individuals interested in supporting legislation to protect lakes in Washington.