Contribute
to the future of Hillsdale Lake
Sign
up today using this Adobe file.
Hillsdale Lake supplies drinking water for
about 30,000 area residents and provides an array of recreational activities
that attract about 1 million visitors each year.
For several reasons, the lake has been aging at a faster rate than expected.
This accelerated process will shorten the life expectancy of the lake due to
increased pollutant and sediment levels.
The long-term impact on area residents is twofold. It diminishes the lake’s
aesthetic appeal and increases the costs of processing the lake’s water at
treatment plants so that it can be utilized as drinking water.
However, this aging process can be slowed with your support.
Local residents can take proactive steps to improve water quality by reducing
the amount of pollution and damaging runoff that drains into the lake through
streams, crops, pastures, construction sites and urban areas.
In 1993, a group of concerned residents began the Hillsdale Water Quality
Project with the future of Hillsdale Lake in mind. The project has received
funding from government grants, however, those funds are being cut dramatically
so the project needs your support.
Send your membership form today so the project can continue monitoring the
lake’s water quality, suggesting corrective procedures and educating residents
of the risks created by many types of pollution.
Benefits
of Your Annual Membership...
Project members gain a sense of ownership and
satisfaction that they are taking an active part in preserving our natural
resources.
Members can become involved with various committees and projects to improve the
water quality in area communities. As a member you will receive a bi-annual
newsletter to stay informed on upcoming events and particular topics of concern.
The small and large business members are encouraged to offer special discounts
on products and services to fellow project members. So once you have joined,
you’ll want to watch your mail carefully for exclusive offers.
You are always welcome to attend board meetings, call or stop by the office
if you have questions or would like to volunteer your time.
Now
that the project has officially become a 501c3 corporation,
your membership fees and donations are tax deductible!
Annual Dues:
$15 Individuals
$20 Families
$100 Small Businesses (gross
revenue less than $100,000)
$250 Large Businesses (gross
revenue in excess of $100,000)
To
arrange for your membership, contact our office today!
hwqp@hwqp.org 913-829-9414
To
insure a solid foundation based on mutual respect, our volunteers are asked to
adhere to an Ethics Policy. This policy was adopted by the project’s board of
directors in July of 2000.
Hillsdale
Water Quality Project
Ethics
Policy
The first two items under
Article III of the “Articles of Incorporation” for Hillsdale Water Quality
Project state that the corporation is organized NOT for profit and is
exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes to (1) create
the general awareness of the need to protect the water supply of Hillsdale Lake,
and (2) to coordinate programs and assist others carrying out local and regional
development plans in the Hillsdale Lake watershed.
In this regard, the
Hillsdale Water Quality Project strives to involve a diverse group of
participants representing many sources including private, individual, business,
municipal, federal and regulatory agencies.
Participants include anyone involved in the project such as staff,
directors, volunteers and any of the other sources previously mentioned.
Hillsdale Water Quality
Project conducts business in a manner that is open to the public.
The project’s efforts to improve the quality of Hillsdale Lake range
from water sampling and testing, land use improvements, tours and educational
presentations, to fundraising activities. In that regard, all participants are
requested to support the following code of ethics.
1.
Comply with all laws, including rules and regulations of federal, state
and local governmental authorities, with respect to matters affecting the
project.
2.
Comply with all laws in a manner that does not discriminate (i.e. age,
sex, race, creed, color, national origin, handicap, size, religion, etc.).
3.
Avoid any activity, which might lead to involvement of the project or
project participants in any questionable unlawful act or practice, either civil
or criminal.
4.
Avoid an activity that would risk the loss of respect for the project or
its participants (i.e. unsupervised activity, inappropriate involvement with
other participants, individual political agenda, misrepresentation of the
project, providing inaccurate information to the public, etc.).
5.
Avoid any conflict of interest (i.e. using information obtained from the
project to promote political or private agenda, providing project funding to
relatives or business associates for personal gain, using information about
project participants for personal gain).
6.
Exhibit the highest possible standards of integrity and honesty in all
project dealings and personal ethics.
7.
Commit to honesty and fair dealing in all relationships and treat others
as they would prefer to be treated.
8.
Embrace individual differences and foster an environment of open and
candid dialog.
9.
Insist on safe practices to ensure the well being of all participants.
10.
Agree to seek training or guidance required to meet an activity’s level
of quality assurance standards (i.e. from staff, regulatory agencies,
consultants, landowners, businesses, municipalities).
11.
Respect and protect the natural environment.
12.
Respect the sensitivity of information obtained from participants, data,
tests, and general information received while participating.
13.
Share project information in a manner that will promote the goal of
improving the quality of Hillsdale Lake and maintain the respect of all project
participants.
14.
Except for paid staff members, participation in the project is voluntary
and without financial compensation.
15.
All participants will respect the individual preferences, ethics and
standards of others in a manner that complements project activities.
16.
Except for paid staff members, reimbursement for expenses such as travel
and meals is considered the responsibility of the participant. However, the project will fund some pre-approved expenses for
activities and provide the necessary tools and training for participation.
17.
Agree to decline participation in areas where training or qualifications
are insufficient until training can be obtained.
The Hillsdale Water Quality
Project needs and desires the participation of the entire community and the
users of Hillsdale Lake. The high
ethical standards listed above are for the most part common sense statements
that reflect the standards of the participants. In the unfortunate event that a participant’s behavior is
inconsistent with these standards, the Executive Director will remind the
participant of the Hillsdale Water Quality Project Ethics Policy.
However, violations of the Hillsdale Water Quality Project Ethics Policy
may be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors at the monthly board
meeting. This Ethics Policy is
necessary to insure the mission of Hillsdale Water Quality Project, which is
essential to assure the future quality of Hillsdale Lake and the very life of
the community.
Adopted by the Board of Directors: July 20, 2000
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