by Jen Oden, Board President
I would like to give a huge thank you to the entire WALPA board for getting through another pandemic year with all of its unknowns and limitations. I want to thank our outgoing board members, Sally Abella (Past President), Joan Hardy (Secretary), Avery Shinneman, and Mark Sytsma for their contributions and dedication to WALPA. I would like to give a warm welcome our new WALPA board directors Curtis DeGasperi, Drew Stang, Katie Sweeney, and Jeremy Walls. I am also excited about our new President-elect Matt Colston, and incoming Secretary Katie Ruthenberg.
Find out more about our board and the great work they do around Washington State on our website (Board and Committees | WALPA). The WALPA board meets virtually on the first Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 pm. Members are welcome to join us, so please email me (see below) if you want to attend and I will send you the link.
In 2022, the board will continue to carry out WALPA’s mission: “Our mission through WALPA is to allow diverse interests to speak with one voice to protect lakes. We encourage and support programs for lake and watershed protection, restoration and management, provide educational resources and information about lake and watershed management, and foster communication and coordination among lake and watershed stakeholders.” To carry out this important mission, we will be working on a variety of projects including our annual 2022 conference (in-person in Richland), and a western regional conference to help lake residents and lake associations protect and manage their lakes in Western Washington.
In addition to conference planning, WALPA committees work on a variety of projects, including:
- • Annual Conference– plan the 2022 Richland, WA conference and events
- • Western Regional Conference – plan a regional conference for lake association education
- • Communications– focus on Waterline newsletter, website and social media updates
- • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – broaden our outreach and inclusion among lake users
- • Scholarship – select 2022 scholarship recipients for the Nancy Weller, Dave Lamb, and undergraduate scholarships
- • Membership – membership and board nominations
- • By-Laws, Public Policy and Legislative – track current policy relevant to WALPA’s mission
True to this year’s conference theme, it takes a village, so if you are interested in joining a committee, please email me at jen.oden@snoco.org
