structure, history, membership, communications

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Sheldon Dunes Homeowners Association, Inc., is a non-stock corporation of participating property owners of (1) West Olive Beach Plat, (2) Sheldon Dunes Plat and (3) Sheldon Dunes Plat #2 and is the owner of record for 3 beach accesses in the subdivision. Its goal is to . . . 

 

• Protect the Lake Michigan accesses from being diverted to the Township or general public as a result of any dispute regarding property ownership.
   

• Provide a framework for maintaining, managing and improving the beach accesses, including association-funded liability insurance.
   

• Provide a united front for dealing with local governments and organizations on issues affecting the neighborhood.

 

The Association is governed by a seven-member board of directors, elected to staggered 3-year terms by the general membership at an annual meeting. Directors donate their time. They choose officers and usually meet monthly. They manage the 3 Sheldon Dunes subdivision entrances, the 3  lake accesses and keep members of the Sheldon Dunes community in touch with issues that might affect their unique shared environment.

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History

​When Sheldon Dunes was founded in the early 1970s, developers held ownership of Lake Michigan access sites and maintained the stairways that provided access to the three neighborhood beaches. As more homes were built, the developers asked homeowners to share maintenance of the access sites; and a small group of residents worked together to provide both the funding and labor to keep the access sites usable.

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As shoreline erosion increased, the cost of maintaining the accesses became more than the small group of volunteers could manage. ​On June 25, 1987, the Articles of Incorporation were signed and the Sheldon Dunes Homeowners Association was legally formed.

 

Becoming a Member​

The only requirements for membership are to own property in the Sheldon Dunes subdivision (see the Boundary Map at the end) and pay annual dues ​set by the Board of Directors, elected by shareholders at a meeting held at the Township Hall each fall. Compared to other lakeshore neighborhood associations, SDHA dues have always been extremely low. Dues must be paid before the annual meeting to obtain voting rights on issues presented. The dues are to be remitted to the Sheldon Dunes Homeowners Association by check, cash, or Zelle  transmitted to the Board treasurer (email sdha.secretary@gmail.com to learn where to send dues).

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Membership dues are primarily used to maintain Sheldon Dunes’ 3 entrances, 3 lake accesses and beaches with such things as landscaping, signs, stairways, walkways, decks, benches, bike racks, picnic tables, fire rings and seawalls. A history of expenditures can be provided upon request. Additionally, dues cover the cost of group liability insurance to protect owners against accidents should they occur on shared accesses. Dues also cover minimal administrative costs for running the Association. Communication is via email to save money. Board directors and officers do not receive any compensation for serving the Association, although expenses are reimbursed.​

 

Communications​

If you are a SDHA member, you are welcome to attend board meetings by requesting time and place info from sdha.secretary@gmail.com. 

 

To save money, whenever possible, the Board communicates via email. It's important to send the Board ​​ via sdha.secretary@gmail.com your working phone number(s) and email address, so there's a way to reach you with communications and in the event something happens to your property while you are away. Primary residence addresses are also valuable to provide, if you spend significant time away from Sheldon Dunes, so that you may be included in any postal mailings. ​​

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The Association tries to provide all new owners a complimentary copy of the most recent issue of the SDHA Directory, which contains a subdivision map key-coded to other owners, as well as neighborhood guidelines and resources.

 

Email the Board (sdha.secretary@gmail.com) if you buy or sell a subdivision property or learn of newcomers. A seasonal newsletter is made available to all owners who provide email addresses, this website is similarly available to all as is access to the SDHA Informed Facebook page and the SDHA Women's Book Club.​​