The 2023 LCA Annual Meeting was a busy one with members voting on two motions, slates for the LCA and Foundation boards of directors, and hearing a series of reports from Camp leadership.
LCA Board President Paul Culler welcomed everyone in attendance (32 people) at Indiana Beverage Company (in Valparaiso) as well as over 50 people who attended virtually via Zoom. He then turned the meeting over to Camp Chaplain Pastor Brad Hubbard (Brad is Senior Pastor at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan) for a devotion based on Romans 14:7-8 “None of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
Pastor Brad shared remembered LCA Members who passed away in 2023, receiving a Crown of Glory: Don Dinkmeyer, Carol Domke, Jerry Faubel, Laverne Flachsbart, Don Gatz, Austin Gegel, Fred Helge, Judy Kerns, Ken Klaus, Joyce Krentz, Larry Krueger, Ted Leno, Rod Morrison, Bob Paul, Ryan Paul, Tom Steben, Bettie Sterner, Dolly Tesnow, Kay Thunder-Haab, and Del Tiemann.
A quorum of the membership cast votes electronically and in person, electing for 3-year terms to the LCA Board of Directors incumbents Jackie Spenner Bywater andKristin Jass Armstrong along with newcomer Nissa Wermund Ricafort. Elected to 3-year terms on the Arcadia Foundation Board were incumbent Rick Blum along with newcomers Melissa Dierking and Phil Kowatch.
The membership also approved both motions brought by the board:
- Approving a change to the LCA Bylaws, Article XI, Section 4, enabling Arcadia Foundation members to serve three 3-year terms (on par with LCA board terms);
- Allowing the board to spend up to $100,000 (plus closing costs) to purchase the vacant lot on Oak Street immediately east of Juniper cottage.
“The board is grateful to the membership for considering and passing both motions,” said LCA Board President Paul Culler. “Purchase of the Oak Street lot gives Camp the ability to control how that land is used over time. Having that flexibility could be very beneficial in the coming years.”
In his President’s Report, Culler highlighted the hiring of Camp’s new chef Kyle Toms and the dedication of a State Historic Marker at Camp which shares both Camp’s and the LCA’s history.
Outgoing LCA Board Member Kate Miller List LCA was recognized and thanked for her leadership along with outgoing Arcadia Foundation members Tim Jaeger and John Bates.
In his report, Camp Director Chip May noted that:
- Overall, the summer season was full with the exception of teen weeks which have room for growth.
- Nancy Janke has been hired as Outreach Coordinator to build relationships with schools and churches with the goal of bolstering teen week attendance.
- Summer and fall staffing continues to be an area of focus (need for more candidates).
2023 projects included:
- Creation of 4 pickleball courts within the tennis courts (a very successful run this summer);
- Improvements to the dish room in the kitchen;
- Winterization of Juniper cottage;
- New boiler installation after a total breakdown during family week 2.
Each family week, Chip shared Camp’s master site plan with guests and led discussion around proposed recreational and building plans. He noted that originally the board had planned to have final plans for discussion this coming summer with a membership vote on a potential capital campaign in Fall 2024. However, the timeline has been adjusted to provide an extra year for plan development.
Finally, Chip highlighted Camp’s Net Promoter Score which reflects how likely guests are to recommend Camp to family or friends. This year’s score was 88% (would recommend) which is an outstanding score given that the national average in the hospitality industry is 51%.
“We hear over and over how much the Arcadia experience means to guests and their families. Our outstanding summer and fall staffers plus our management team are responsible for this terrific score,” Chip said.
Board Treasurer Kim Eveler’s report included these ‘23 highlights:
- Strong unrestricted cash and investment balances as of September 30, 2023;
- Net income of $94,307 as of September 30, 2023, and;
- Based on 4th quarter anticipated revenues and expenses, Camp’s annual budget is expected to be met.
Camp’s Donor Relations and Communications Coordinator Sarah Olson reported that the Arcadia Foundation assets surpassed the one-million-dollar mark, now standing at $1,098,322. A strong foundation will help ensure that Camp Arcadia thrives over the next 100 years, including maintenance of Camp’s historic buildings and a vibrant guest experience. She noted that a foundation balance of $5 – $7 million would significantly deepen Camp’s financial sustainability.
Carol Weber provided an update on the Arcadia Cottage Colony Association (ACCA), noting that ACCA members volunteered in various departments during the season, provided meals for the seasonal staff, and helped with the development of a junior camper program. She welcomed new cottage owners including: Leetz, Gilbertson, Conrad, Franke, and Nelsen families.
The meeting concluded with audience comments and questions, and a closing prayer from Pastor Brad.
