Geist Lake Coalition, Inc.Making a positive impact on Geist Reservoir and the Geist community

Organization Overview March 1, 2012

www.GeistLake.org

• The Geist Lake Coalition (GLC) was founded in 2000 as an Indiana non-profit 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.

About the GLC

www.GeistLake.org

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

GLC Board of Directors

www.GeistLake.org

501(c)(3) Tax Exempt OrganizationFederal Tax ID # 52-2379850

www.GeistLake.orgGeistLake.org@gmail.com

The GLC works collaboratively with community members and organizations

• 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

A Community Partnership

www.GeistLake.org

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.

Early Initiatives

www.GeistLake.org

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.

Increasing Our Impact

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• 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.

Increasing Our Impact

www.GeistLake.org

Water Quality Education - Awareness - Action

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Community Pride & Celebrations

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• 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.

Future Vision

www.GeistLake.org

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

Geist Lake Coalition, Inc.Making a positive impact on Geist Reservoir and the entire Geist community

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