Annual Meeting Notes

Friends of Hidden Lake

501(c )(7) Non-Profit Organization

Annual Meeting October 2, 2025

Notes from the Friends of Hidden Lake (FOHL) Annual Meeting, held at Sutter Mills Elementary School on Thursday, October 2, 2025, 6:15-7:30 pm.

Ned (President of FOHL) introduced himself.

Cathie (FOHL Member and Organizational Startup Adviser) introduced herself and provided information and encouragement to the community on the following:

• Presented brief pillars of a small 501(c)(7) and what the Friends of Hidden Lake is/can do

• Support FOHL by paying membership dues timely each year

• Protect the property by keeping the lake area pristine with use.

• Follow rules that are established for safety and enjoyment of this space.

• Volunteer where you are gifted and keep purpose of the organization central in our use.

Always remember, this lake property is for responsible shared use, enjoyment, and recreation.

Cathie presented the financial summary of allowable fundraising for reserve funds each year, Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance  secured and status of pending liability insurance.

Cathie reported the importance of ensuring 65% or more of each annual budget comes from FOHL membership dues. 35% of each annual budget can come from fundraising, grants, or individual donors.

The first Annual Meeting was well-attended.

Cathie presented a brief summary of the open board positions (Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Lake Maintenance Director, Lake Security Director). Some candidates were already aware they were nominated and ready to receive member consideration.

Ned presented the FOHL website as the central point of communication and news for FOHL—membership, dues, documents, etc. Everyone is encouraged to use the site to stay up-to-date.

Board Nominations

Ned and Cathie made a call to attending members for nominations/volunteers for available positions:

•  Shane Toreli was nominated for position of Lake Maintenance Director. All in attendance voted in the favor of the nomination, no dissenting votes. Shane Toreli was confirmed for FOHL Lake Maintenance Director

• Call for Secretary position. A Nomination for Faith Pace for position of Secretary. All in attendance voted in the favor of the nomination, no dissenting votes. Faith Pace was confirmed for FOHL Secretary.

• Call for Treasurer position. Diana Still volunteered for the Treasurer position, nomination followed. All in attendance voted in the favor of the nomination, no dissenting votes/ Diana Still was confirmed for FOHL Treasurer/

• Call for Vice President position. Mike Lenau volunteered for the Vice President position, nomination followed. All in attendance voted in the favor of the nomination, no dissenting votes. Mike Lenau was confirmed for  Vice President

• Call for Lake Safety & Security position. Shane Taroli nominated Josh Buchanan for  Lake Safety & Security. All in attendance voted in the favor of the nomination, no dissenting votes. Josh Buchanan was confirmed for FOHL Lake Safety & Security.

Discussion

The floor was opened for discussion and questions

Questions and comments on work to be done at the lake.

• Questions and comments on parking and gates.

• Questions on liability and governmental pressures on organization.

• Lots of expressions of enthusiasm and joy in FOHL owning the lake property

• Cathie provided an explanation of her role in startup resources, FOHL organizational development, and the important line between the mission of both FOHL and TLW, the non-profit organization Cathie oversees. This allowed FOHL to be well-resourced throughout the steps in acquisition of the property and the securing of the new FOHL organization, including Don’s communication support, CA State and Federal filing fees, attorney’s fees, website development, hosting, and securing of an Agent of Record. These costs are paid in full. Any continuing annual costs are covered by Cathie’s group through the late summer of 2026, allowing FOHL to build a cash reserve and financial integrity for the organization.

• In the spring of 2026, Don will train a small group of FOHL community volunteers to take over his FOHL community communication and website maintenance work.

The  FOHL community’s audience expressed gratitude for the FOHL Board over the past few years who took the necessary steps to secure the property (Anne, Roger and Alyse and Ned) and form a legal non-profit organization. Gratitude was also expressed to Cathie’s group and work for FOHL.

A Community Cleanup Day was discussed with date to be determined. Shane, new FOHL Director of Lake Maintenance on the Board, requested community input. A survey will go out to all members to gain their input and their maintenance and upgrade insights for the lake property. Don will work on a survey for Shane as he requests.

Ned adjourned meeting, with many people lingering to talk, which was great.

Contacts

General questions: info@friendsofhiddenlake.org (membership questions, website navigation or improvements, clarification on any received communications, etc.

Board questions, comments, or to submit written items for board consideration at a future Board Meeting: board@friendsofhiddenlake.org.