Organization of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network
The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under EIN 16-1556541. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law. Follow this link to copies of our tax determination document and recent tax forms.
Key aspects of our organization are summarized below to provide an overview. For more information including specific procedures, our complete bylaws are linked here.
Overview: The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, Inc. is a community-based, non-profit organization, made up of individual citizens, and individuals who represent businesses, agricultural interests, associations, and local governments. It was founded in 1997 and incorporated in 1998 to protect and bolster the environmental and economic health of Cayuga Lake and its 870-square-mile watershed. The watershed encompasses all or parts of seven counties: three with shoreline on Cayuga Lake (Cayuga, Seneca and Tompkins) and four that share part of the upper watershed area (Schuyler, Tioga, Cortland and Ontario).
Membership and Voting: Membership is open to all community members, including those from businesses, agriculture, associations and government, who reside or have interests within the Cayuga Lake watershed or who have an interest in the purposes of the Watershed Network. Members in good standing for at least 30 days are eligible to vote.
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors consists of not more than fifteen (15) members and not fewer than ten (10) members. Board membership is geographically distributed so that at least two (2) Directors reside in and represent each of the three counties with jurisdiction that includes Cayuga Lake (Cayuga, Seneca and Tompkins). No more than three (3) Directors are designated to represent each of these counties, while the remaining Directors are selected and designated “at large”, and may reside anywhere in, or exceptionally outside, the watershed. Directors are nominated by the Nominating Committee or by any member in good standing and are elected by the membership at the annual meeting or by ballot prior to the meeting.
Committees: The Board carries out its work through standing and ad hoc committees. You do not have to be a Director to serve on committees.
Meetings are Open: All meetings of the Board of Directors, and all committee meetings are open to all members.
Executive Director/Steward: The Executive Director/Steward serves as the public representative of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, under the employment of the Watershed Network and direction of the Board. They are responsible for coordinating and directing activities of the Network.
Regional Leadership & Affiliations: While our focus is the Cayuga Lake watershed, many of the issues affecting our waters extend beyond county and watershed boundaries. We actively participate in regional and national organizations that strengthen watershed science, policy, education, and collaboration. These relationships help us bring new ideas home while ensuring the voice of the Cayuga Lake watershed is represented in broader conversations.