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Governing Documents

The Pelican Lake Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and Wisconsin nonstock corporation governed by Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes. This page sets out the documents that govern the Association: the bylaws currently in effect, the Articles of Incorporation that created the corporation, and the operating policies adopted by the Board.

The Bylaws in Force

The Amended and Restated Bylaws were adopted on June 11, 2022, by unanimous vote of the 112 members present in person or by proxy. They supersede and replace all prior bylaws and the Association’s former constitution in their entirety.

The Bylaws comprise fourteen articles addressing the Association’s purposes, membership, voting, meetings, Board of Directors, officers, committees, and amendment procedures.

Read the Bylaws (PDF)

What the Bylaws Mean for You

Your Vote

Each paid membership is entitled to one vote. Only members in good standing at the time of voting may exercise that right. Membership dues must be paid in advance, no later than the date of the Annual Meeting.

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If You Cannot Attend

Members unable to attend may vote by proxy. A proxy must be in writing, signed and dated, and filed with the Secretary before the meeting begins. A proxy remains valid for 180 days from the date of execution.

Meetings and Minutes

How PLA is Governed

The Association is governed by a Board of three to nine directors elected by the membership to two-year staggered terms. Directors may serve no more than three consecutive terms. Directors and officers serve without compensation.

Committees

The Articles of Incorporation

The Association exists as a corporation because Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions under Chapter 181 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The Articles created the corporation; the bylaws govern how it operates. The two are connected in places — Section 5.08 of the bylaws provides that where the Articles set a different vote requirement for a question brought before the membership, that provision applies.

The Articles currently in force are the Restated Articles filed on September 28, 2010, as amended in 2020. The corporation was originally registered as Pelican Lake Property Owners Association, Inc. The 2020 amendment changed the name, and the registered corporate name is now Pelican Lake Association, Inc. The change was administrative and did not affect the Association’s federal tax-exempt status.

What the Articles establish:

  • Perpetual existence — the corporation continues until it is dissolved. There is no fixed term.
  • Charitable purpose — the Association is organized exclusively for purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and specifically to preserve, protect and enhance the waters of Pelican Lake through advocacy, the sharing of information with environmental organizations and state and local government, and educational and stewardship projects.
  • One class of members — qualifications, rights and method of acceptance are set by the bylaws rather than by the Articles.
  • Dissolution — on dissolution, the Association’s remaining assets must be applied to its charitable purposes or transferred to another organization qualifying under section 501(c)(3). They cannot be distributed to members.

A certified copy of the Articles and the 2020 filings, obtained from the Department of Financial Institutions in September 2026, is held by the Association. To request a copy, use the contact form and select “Something else.”

Board Policies

The bylaws establish the Association’s governing framework. Within that framework, the Board may adopt operating policies without amending the bylaws.

In 2025, the Board adopted two policies:

  • Conflict of Interest Policy — Applies to individuals handling Association funds or assets and requires a signed agreement for cash transactions and substantial asset transactions.
  • Multiple Bid Policy — Requires competitive bids for expenditures exceeding $5,000. The policy has been applied to the lake mapping and newsletter printing contracts.

Signed Conflict of Interest agreements are maintained by the Secretary. To inquire about a policy or request a copy, use the contact form and select “Something else.”

Lake Management Plan

The Comprehensive Lake Management Plan serves as the Association’s guide for lake management. While the bylaws assign responsibility for developing and maintaining the plan to the Board, the plan is not a corporate governing document and is therefore maintained separately from the bylaws.

The plan is available on the Association’s Water Quality & Lake Health page.

Water Quality & Lake Health

All Governing Documents

The documents published in full on this site. Earlier bylaws are not published — the 2022 restatement replaced all previous bylaws and the association’s earlier constitution in full. Documents described on this page but not published here, including the Articles of Incorporation, are available on request.