Following are the past year’s accomplishments of the Lake Hartwell Association's team of directors, administrator and committee members. The effort that goes into protecting our great resource is sizeable and the challenges are always increasing. If you would like to lend a hand and participate as a director or committee member or provide comments or suggestions, please contact us at membership@lakehartwellassociation.org or by mail.

Officers and Board of Directors

• Developed position description, recruited and hired an Executive Administrator, LHA’s first paid position.
• Conducted a member survey to better align board positions and priorities based on member input.
• Created an LHA recognition policy and awarded the first member and
• Continued to meet with other southeastern volunteer water associations to discuss issues and identify best practices to assist each other with our policies, practices and goals.
• Maintained memberships in and coordinated with other Georgia and South Carolina state and public water organizations to share ideas and knowledge of water initiatives and activities.
• Attended meetings and provided input to the Greater Anderson Chamber of Commerce Water Resources Committee. (LHA is a member.)
• Actively participated in the Hartwell Lake Chamber of Commerce and Municipal Coalition and provided LHA input and resources as required.
• Attended a number of local, state and regional water conferences to improve our knowledge and skills regarding water issues.
• Provided presentations about LHA, Hartwell Lake or other water related topics when requested by LHA members or other civic organizations.
• Conducted a board planning session to identify LHA longterm strategies and priorities, consistent with member input.

Safety

• Submitted relevant safety articles for each LHA newsletter.
• Maintained boat ramp bulletin boards and child life jacket loaner program at marinas.
• Developed a Navigating Lake Hartwell brochure. (This was extremely well received in the community for providing valuable boating and safety information.)
• Applied for and received two grants to support printing and distribution of the navigational brochure; $1000 from the National Safe Boating Council and $3700 from BoatUS.

Legislative

• Actively participated with the Georgia Water Coalition to develop consensus guiding principles for the Georgia State Water Plan.
• Developed a boat noise strategy; obtained legislative sponsorship for a regulation similar to Georgia’s. (A bill has been submitted for 2007 committee review.)
• Participated with numerous Savannah River and Basin groups including the Savannah River Basin Coalition and the Friends of the SRB; supported activities to develop a working relationship across state lines to better address water needs. (The Savannah River Committee formed jointly by the GA and SC governors began discussions on common issues and resource sharing.)
• Actively participated on the Savannah/Ogeechee Basin Advisory Committee as part of the Georgia Statewide Water Planning process.
• Petitioned federal legislators to obtain funding support for key Corps projects: the Thurmond Oxygen Injection project and Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Basin Study.

Membership

• Developed an evergreen member recruiting process using the permit list as a basis and conducted recruitment effort.
• Developed a strategy and resource package to conduct a business membership drive.
• Developed value driven approach for business members including listings in the LHA newsletter, business table at LHA meetings and a separate section in the new website.
• Continued to revise and document the membership process to improve efficiency and results; developed standards for billing, renewals and member retention.
• Developed an updated LHA brochure to better identify the mission and function of LHA in protecting the natural resource of Lake Hartwell.

Technical

• Participated in all facets of the PCB damage remediation and settlement; made several presentations to the federal judge at the settlement hearing; presented LHA’s position on best use of settlement funds to GA DNR; established dialog with SC DHEC to solicit support for removal of the third dam in Twelve Mile River.
• Attended Corps’ presentations and gave input to revisions to the Drought Contingency Plan; informed members of various aspects of the plan.
• Reviewed the final draft of the revised Shoreline Management Plan and gave LHA comments to the Corps; provided technical assistance to the Corps to develop an effective shoreline vegetation list.
• Actively engaged with other lake organizations; participated in SE Lake Management conference in Columbus, GA; presented two workshops on financial impacts of low water levels and shoreline restoration.

Programs

• Organized and managed “operation iceberg” to remove discarded white bead flotation from the shoreline; enlisted the Corps to provide resources and support this effort;removed several hundred foam blocks representing tons of debris.
• Co-sponsored the annual Hartwell Lake Clean-up Campaign with the Corps of Engineers and organized and managed the volunteer appreciation picnic.
• Managed and supported the LHA Spring Picnic and Fall Information Meeting by providing members with opportunities for fun and informative networking.
• Developed internal standardized processes for LHA routine activities such as member meetings and the Clean Up picnic.

Publications

• Generated high quality quarterly newsletters; introduced two new informative sections for members: “Things around the lake” to promote area attractions and “Ask the Corps” to provide answers to members’ issues and questions.
• Produced an updated LHA membership brochure and a new boating safety and navigational brochure.
• Managed information distribution to members; increased use of eNews to improve delivery time and reduce LHA costs.
• Developed a group mail process to send email notices to members on key information and issues. (This has been very effective in providing timely, low cost communication.)

Financial

• Developed investment strategy for LHA cash on hand to increase income for the organization.
• Secured non-profit postal status for LHA mailings to significantly reduce costs.

Website

• Developed requirements and bid package for redesign of the LHA website; received proposals from several vendors and are under review.