OFFICERS
PRESIDENT: Darren Meyers
VICE PRESIDENT: Lance Sjoerdsma
REASURER: Travis Wilson
RECORDING SEC: Michele Dykstra
FINANCIAL SEC: Kathy Wilkerson
2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Larry Nordhoff
Lenny Pierce
Alicia Sjoerdsma
Dan Wetherby
Hank Jones
2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Harris
Bonnie Pierce
Glenn Visscher
George Steward
Scott Thompson
BUILDING AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE CHAIR: Rick Kasack
MEMBERSHIP: Matt Brewer Glenn Visscher Mary Wetherby
SHORE COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dan Wetherby (616)308-4221
WINTER CONTACT: Steve Van Dyke
2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dave Stitz
Matt DeWeerd
Steve Van Dyke
Steve Joneson
Mark Benjamin
GENERAL MEETING
OPENING COMMENTS/NEW MEMBER: Meeting began at 7:00 pm. New members of the
board were sworn in. This included Wally David, Heather David, Alicia Sjoerdsma, Mark
Benjamin, Mark Ellis, Pam Stitz, Debra Joneson, George Steward,Lance Sjoredsma and
Lenny Pierce. Paul Grabinski earmarked $500 for a memorial benefit fund. Pam Stitz would
like to name the kids fishing tournament after Paul Grabinski. New members John and Kelsey
McDonald welcomed. Kathy Wilkerson was able to get the IRS fees waved, saving the club$9,000. Lance Sjoerdsma noted a desire to compensate Wally David for digital work
completed.
Special Guest Christopher Kelly 501c(4) lawyer took the floor to define and answer questions.
He explained that there are 2 parts to the 501c(4) one that is part of the Conservation and the
other is tax exemption. Must follow bylaws to keep tax exemption. The club can be a benefit
to the community by being a marina. This with the conservation efforts keeps us in our
501c(4). It does not need to be a public facility.
Darren Meyers asked about where we stand on donations and requirements to be open 2
days per year. Answer: There is no requirement to donate to the community. The money can
go toward the dredging. Club does not need to be open to the public.
Lance Sjoerdsma – How much money can be in the bank before it is a profit. Answer: It is
okay to have as much money in the bank as desired as long as we live within our mission.
Wally David – under our tax status can we have employees. Answer: Yes, we can have
employees.
Wally David – are we required to be open up to the public including the ramp. Answer: We are
not required to be open to the public in any way.
Pam Stitz – If we shut ourselves out to the community, how does that affect us. Answer:
Christopher requested to see the application for the 501c(4). This is where the mission the
club can be located. He reiterated our tax status is dependent upon the club staying to the
mission statement.
Travis Wilson – can we invest money to gain interest, dividend, etc. Answer: Yes. The big no
no is directors, board members, anyone who it would pose a conflict of interest, cannot take a
cut of the funds. This does not include an employee. Employees can be paid and can be on
the board but conflict of interest needs to be paid attention to.
Christopher Kelly – Note of importance: there can be no putting money in our officer/board
member pockets and file 990s every year to stay within the exempt purpose IRS form 1024.
Matt Deweerd.
– Do our financial records have to be available to the public. Answer: No, this
is a private organization and nothing has to go to the public.
Pam Stitz – If we have the public on our property and they get injured and they are not a
member or guest of member, can they sue us. Answer: Yes, anyone can sue anyone. What
will happen is if we do get sued, the insurance will get involved and settle.
Pam Stitz – The club is considering an AED. Would that be something that is appropriate to
have. Answer: Yes, do regular training so there are people who know how to use it.
Christopher Kelly – Looking at bylaws, to amend the bylaws 2/3 of the members present must
vote in favor. Meeting #1 is a reading, #2 reading again, #3 vote. You can and should vote on
each bylaw change individually. Recommended a review of the bylaws to simplify it and make
them more effective. These are not intended to be a manual for the running of the club. The
cost to make the bylaw update will depend on the time needed. If it is simply a review and the
3 meetings it is estimated at 15 hours. It goes up from there. Could make it a 2-step processdoing the easy changes first.
Darren Meyers – If we shut down the public ramp and put a gate in, will it jeopardize the tax
status. Answer: No.
Lance Sjoerdsma – Does the campground have to remain open to the public? Darren noted
City of North Muskegon doesn’t recognize a campground on this facility. Answer: this is a
possible zoning issue but his first thought it is fine as a benefit to the members on our private
property.
MERES: Norm Hoag usually reports and was not present.
BUILDING & PROPERTY: Rick Kasack – nothing to report
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS:
MUCC: Travis Wilson and Lance and Alicia Sjoerdsma going to vote on the proposals. The
hope is next year we will be able to bring up our own proposals. Wally David noted an issue
with Proposal 9 on the online ballot that has been repaired and can now be voted on. Darren
Meyers noted every proposal required the voters email and name. Request to change that to
entering that information once to vote on all. Wally David noted there are 15 votes so far and
he needs access to Facebook page to pin this and other important items to.
CAMPGROUND: Waiting for warmer weather to get the chipper and volunteers. The chipper
was already approved.
MEMBERSHIP: 199 renewed, 18 new members, 8 lifetime members; 225 total members as
of today.
SPORTSMAN FOR YOUTH: no update
BOATER SAFETY/HUNTER SAFETY: no update
ADOPT A HIGHWAY: no update
SHORE COMMITTEE: Steve Van Dyke is getting the bills collected, Darren Meyers and Dan
Weatherby are figuring out where we stand with slips. In June Dan Weatherby will be
transferring all duties over to Darren Meyers. Pam Stitz requested clarification on our policy
for number of slips one member may hold. Dan Weatherby noted there is no policy on how
many slips an individual can rent.
OLD BUSINESS: Blessing of the Boats Saturday of Memorial weekend, time TBD. Adopt a
highway clean up TBD.
NEW BUSINESS: Darren Meyers noted that insurance continues to show as late payment.
Payment were made on time. A new quote is in the works to move to a new insurance broker.
Paul Kitchka noted internet paid through May 1st. Wally David needs access to this to take the
next steps on it. He requires letterhead with permission to look into what options we have to
potentially upgrade and/or save money. The contact person is Eric. Kathy Wilkerson will get
Wally David account information from the bill.OTHER: Darren noted the trailer area and a few other small areas had a crew that cleaned
them up. Requested that others step up to help with remaining work. Appreciation was noted
to all those who contributed to Piker’s Picnic. $53 in 50/50 raffle at meeting with $26.50 going
to snacks, given to Heather David for purchase. Meeting adjourned for break at 8:05 pm.
MCC BOARD MEETING
MINUTES: Meeting started at 8:16. Matt motioned minutes to be accepted, Darren seconded,
all favored; passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Travis Wilson reported. Last month a profit of $22,146.30. Close of
fiscal year March 2023-Feb 2024 with a net LOSS of $29,408.37. Bank ending balance is
$256,646.62 as of February 29, 2024. Darren Meyers requested a separate line item for
Paypal. Travis Wilson noted that the money is immediately put into checking account. Paypal
is a flow through only. Bank account is $6,000 above the federally insurable amount. He will
look into putting the excess funds in a CD to gain interest. Lance Sjoerdsma proposed the
possible option of buying property as an investment. Darren motioned to accept the report,
Matt DeWeerd 2nd
, all favored; passed.
BILLS: Bills totaled, $1,952.06. Bob Harris motioned to accept, Steve Van Dyke 2nd, all
favored; passed.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS: Pam Stitz looking into AED and trying to find a donation for it. Water
will be turned on when no risk of freeze. This will likely be end of April, beginning of May.
Wally David noted some electrical boxes need replacement sockets. Darren Meyers stated
Paul Kitchka is to be notified of any electrical box damage. Darren Meyers reported on
dredging. King Dredging out of Holland to do a bid this year. Discussion on possibly doing
dredging in house and/or storing our spoils on property. Darren Meyers will look into the
insurance needed for long-shore policy to do our own dredging. Darren Meyers motioned to
change the name of the Fishing Derby to the Paul Grabinski Memorial Fishing Derby, Wally
David 2nd, all favored; passed. Pam Stitz opened discussion to create a Memorial Committee
to show appreciation for a member who pass. This could possibly fall under the membership
committee. No decision was made. Facebook admins need to be changed to include Wally
David so announcements can be pinned. Debra Johnson offered to contribute to Facebook
admin. Darren Meyers proposed motion that Lance Sjoerdsma gets ahold of Jeff Freidhoff to
make Wally David administrator of Facebook page. Pam Stitz 2nd, all favored; passed. Lance
Sjoerdsma brought up a used fence with gate that comes with key cards that is available for a
deep discount; that is $27,000 installed. Matt motioned to move forward with gate, Pam Stitz
2nd, split decision on the fence lead to a vote with hands. 7 nay, 8 yay, motion passed.
MEETING ADJOURNED: Matt motioned to adjourn, Steve 2nd, all in favor; passed. Meeting
adjorned at 9:49 pm.