Geist Lake Coalition, Inc.
Making a positive impact on Geist Reservoir and the Geist community
Organization Overview
March 1, 2012
www.GeistLake.org
About the GLC
• The Geist Lake Coalition (GLC) was founded in 2000 as an Indiana nonprofit organization by community members who wanted to make a
positive impact on Geist Reservoir and the Geist community.
The Geist Lake Coalition is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization
• The GLC is an all volunteer organization managed by a six-member
board of directors. All events and activities are staffed by non-paid
volunteers.
• The GLC is committed to providing safe and responsible recreational
use of Geist Reservoir and to the preservation and improvement of
water quality, land values and the quality of life for all Geist residents.
www.GeistLake.org
GLC Board of Directors
Director & President
Brian Hall
Founding Director
Director & Vice President
Scott Rodgers
Founding Director
Director & Treasurer
Ed Villanyi
Founding Director
Director & Secretary
Bob Grennes
Director
Tom Britt
Director
Dave Irish
501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization
Federal Tax ID # 52-2379850
www.GeistLake.org
[email protected]
www.GeistLake.org
A Community Partnership
The GLC works collaboratively with community members and organizations
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Volunteer board members, committee members and event staff
Community residents (100+ individual 2011 GLC sponsors)
Local business owners and employees (30+ GLC 2011 corporate sponsors)
Indianapolis Yacht Club and Indianapolis Sailing Club
Local media
Geist area homeowners associations
Marina Limited Partnership
Indianapolis Fire Department
Lawrence Township Fire Department
Town of Fishers
Town of Fishers Police Department, Fire Department and Public Works
Department of Natural Resources
US Coast Guard Auxiliary
www.GeistLake.org
Early Initiatives
Our community improvement initiatives and corresponding impact have
consistently grown during our history. Some of our early activities
included:
• 2001: Assumed fundraising responsibility for the annual 4th of July
fireworks show.
• 2002: Created and published the Geist Lake Safety Guide and Map.
• 2003: Organized and managed the community fund raising event to
purchase the Fishers Fire and Rescue Boat.
• 2004-7: Hosted various water safety presentations across the
community.
• 2008: Formed the Geist/Fall Creek Watershed Alliance (G/FCWA) to
steward local water quality and watershed education and improvement
initiatives. A GLC board member also now sits on the G/FCWA board.
www.GeistLake.org
Increasing Our Impact
We are proud to be increasing our positive impact on the community. A
sample of recent successes include:
• 2009: Expanded the 4th of July fireworks show to become the annual
Blast on the Bridge at Geist community celebration – expanding the
event’s scope and fundraising. Event proceeds have supported other
GLC sponsored improvement initiatives.
• 2009: Developed with GLC seed funding and matching LARE grant The
Geist Reservoir/Upper Fall Creek Watershed Management Plan.
• 2009: Collaborated with the Upper White River Watershed Alliance
(UWRWA), Geist/Fall Creek Watershed Alliance (G/FCWA) and multiple
Indiana Watershed improvement groups to win a $600,000 water
quality improvement federal grant.
• 2010: Hosted Watershed Management Plan public education events.
www.GeistLake.org
Increasing Our Impact
• 2011: Provided support for the need for phosphorus fertilizer
restrictions, impact on failing sewer/septic systems and the benefits of
Lake Management Workgroup.
• 2011: Co-hosted the 1st Annual Geist Lake Cleanup Day. This program
will now be an annual community event.
• 2011: Partnered with G/FCWA to submit three 2012 LARE grant
proposals for strategic Geist clean water projects.
• 2011: Raised awareness with the Town of Fishers on pedestrian access
issues that resulted in new sidewalks and sidewalk upgrades – for the
communities of Cambridge and Bridgewater and a new pedestrian foot
bridge over Bills Branch Creek.
• Currently working with the Fishers Impoundment Board to increase our
partnership and collaborative efforts on long-range community
improvements.
www.GeistLake.org
Water Quality Education - Awareness - Action
www.GeistLake.org
Community Pride & Celebrations
www.GeistLake.org
Future Vision
Continue to expand our partnerships across the community to further the GLC mission
and increase our positive impact on Geist Reservoir and the Geist Community
• Continue our stewardship of the Blast on the Bridge at Geist 4th of July
community celebration – continuing this proud community event and
raising funds for additional GLC sponsored initiatives.
• Continue our partnerships with the Town of Fishers, local businesses,
homeowners associations and residents to further the GLC mission.
• Continue supporting watershed education, awareness and
improvement action initiatives. Raise awareness about every
community members’ role in water quality and lake health.
• Continue our partnerships with watershed and water quality
organizations to address both short and long-term water quality
improvements.
• Champion the strategic planning for long-term solutions to water
quality and lake life enhancement.
www.GeistLake.org
Because we gaze upon it, live on it, boat on
it, swim in it, fish on it and drink from it …
We Must Care For It
Geist Lake Coalition, Inc.
Making a positive impact on Geist Reservoir and the entire Geist community
www.GeistLake.org