Our bookkeeper, Patti, has requested that our association send all payments (checks) to their office to eliminate confusion between sending them to the post office in Au Gres, where they would have to be forwarded, picked up every two weeks, or sent out to the Sterling Heights office, which is time-consuming and costly. You are still able to pay bills with a credit or debit card through the website (a 3% convenience fee will be applied). You should have, or will receive, a postcard with our bookkeeper’s address. Please keep this postcard for your reference, because this is where you will be sending your payments (checks). Continue to make your checks payable to SLEEPY OAKS CAMPGROUND ASSOCIATION as you normally do. 1. You can still pay by credit card on our website (sleepyoaksaugres.org). 2. The gray box in the Clubhouse will no longer be used after this week. 3. All deposits will be made by the bookkeeper. (with the exception of the laundry and ice money, which the Treasurer will take care of as needed. 4. I will be picking up mail this week, and the treasurer will have a key to check the mail but not on a regular basis as I did before. I realize that we do not like change, but to utilize a bookkeeper was the goal for over two years. Her communication will mainly be done by email. As stated before, please update your email, address, and phone number so the information is correct. I will work with the new Treasurer for this process. DO NOT CALL THE BOOKKEEPER. Any questions or concerns about bills will still be the responsibility of our treasurer. Email or contact the association treasurer, not the bookkeeper. Thank you, Cindy Ayotte

The Board of Directors would like to remind all co-owners that removing, relocating or tampering with private property is strictly prohibited. The Board does not condone the unauthorized moving or handling of personal property belonging within our community. Please respect your neighbors property at all times. If you have a concern about items placed incorrectly, please contact the Board of Directors directly rather than taking action yourself. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community respectful and safe. Sincerely The Board of Directors.

Q: Is electronic voting legal for Sleepy Oaks Campground Association? A: Yes, it absolutely is. The summary: In response to co-owners concerns, we, your Board of Directors, would like to reassure you that it is. We have also had this verified by the Association’s legal counsel. A cursory Internet search leads most people to information that is outdated and conflicts with the current, and relevant, Michigan Common Law (MCL) as it pertains to electronic voting, notification and remote meetings in an organization like ours. Below you will find the MCLs that address the issue. It’s presented in a timeline of events and amendments that clearly explains that it is legal. Q. What about the bylaws and master deed? A. The MCL clearly explains that the 2014 amendment to MCL 450-2405 makes electronic voting, notification and remote meetings the legal default for an organization unless an organizations governing documents expressly prohibit it. Voting and Community: Statements like, “Why would I vote for that? That doesn’t apply to me.” and “I voted for the dredge and it didn’t pass, so why vote for this?” have been overheard around the park recently. Statements like these reflect a self-centered  attitude in our communal environment and are counter productive to our Association and its needs. Your vote always matters. We are all co-owners in this community, and we have an obligation to vote. 66 2/3% is not insurmountable if we all do our part. Of course, you have the right not to vote, but if you don’t vote, it does affect all of us. Voting is how we decide what direction Sleepy Oaks will move forward and grow in. It is how we determine where our limited finances are spent and how we know what projects or ideas reflect the wishes of the majority of our co-owners. The outcome of every vote may not go the way you desire, but your vote does affect the community we share. Moving Sleepy Oaks forward requires your participation. The Law: Timeline of Michigan Nonprofit Electronic Voting Laws: 2008 (Public Act 9 of 2008, Effective Feb 29, 2008): First introduced electronic transmission and remote communication into the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act.  Requirement: Organizations had to explicitly authorize electronic participation and voting in their Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. 2014/2015 Modernization (Public Act 557 of 2014, Effective Jan 15, 2015): Comprehensively overhauled the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act. The Rule Flip: Flipped the default rule under MCL 450.2405 so that remote participation and electronic voting became automatically permitted by default, unless the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws explicitly prohibit or restrict it. Since Jan 15, 2015 to Present: The default rule allowing electronic voting and remote meeting participation remains the active governing standard in Michigan. Michigan Nonprofit Online Voting Laws General Statutory Framework Under the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act, nonprofit organizations are legally allowed to hold online/electronic votes under the following statutory provisions: Remote Communication at Meetings (MCL 450.2405): Members or directors may participate and vote online (via video conference, teleconference, or digital meeting platform). Participating electronically legally counts as being present in person at the meeting. The organization must: ​Verify that each voter is a member or proxy holder entitled to vote. Provide a reasonable opportunity to participate and follow proceedings. Maintain a record of all electronic votes cast. Electronic Ballot Voting Without a Meeting (MCL 450.2408): Members can vote on actions (including electing directors) via electronic ballots without a meeting. Ballots must state each proposed action, offer an opt for/against, and specify a deadline. Written Consent via Electronic Transmission (MCL 450.2407): Actions can be taken without a meeting if written consent is transmitted electronically (e.g., email), subject to authorization rules.   2. Bylaws & Online Voting Rules Permitted by Default: Online voting and remote meeting participation do not need to be explicitly authorized in your bylaws. Under MCL 450.2405, electronic voting is permitted by default unless your Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws explicitly prohibit or restrict it. Older Bylaw Language: Even if older bylaws state that members must be "present in person," Michigan statutory law overrides that language to permit electronic presence unless the bylaws specifically ban digital participation. Under the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act, nonprofit organizations can hold votes online (electronically), provided they adhere to specific legal requirements: Key Statutory Rules Remote Communication at Meetings (MCL 450.2405): Unless restricted by your articles of incorporation or bylaws, the board of directors can allow members or directors to participate and vote online (via video conference, telephone, or digital meeting platform). The organization must: ​Verify that the voter is a member or proxy holder entitled to vote. Provide a reasonable opportunity for members to participate and follow the proceedings. Keep a record of all electronic votes cast. Electronic Ballot Voting Without a Meeting (MCL 450.2408): Members can vote on actions—including electing directors—via electronic ballots without a meeting. The ballot must set forth each proposed action, offer an option to vote for or against, and specify a deadline to return the ballot. Written Consent via Electronic Transmission (MCL 450.2407): Any action required or permitted at a meeting can be taken without a meeting if written consent is given electronically (e.g., email), provided it complies with the authorization rules set out in your governing documents. Note: Always review your organization's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. Michigan law allows these statutes to apply unless your bylaws explicitly prohibit or restrict electronic voting.

The $36 annual (or $18 semi-annual) Specific Tax is a state-mandated fee required under Michigan's Trailer Coach Parks Act. It applies to occupied trailer coaches, RVs, and park models, and takes the place of the standard local property taxes that would otherwise apply to those units. The tax helps fund local municipalities and school districts. Under the State's interpretation of the law, "occupied" includes both permanent and temporary occupancy, so seasonal and weekend use qualifies as occupied. Michigan law establishes the Specific Tax at $3 per month for each occupied trailer coach. As the licensed trailer coach park operator, the Sleepy Oaks Campground Association is required by law to collect and remit this tax to the appropriate local taxing authorities. As a result, the Specific Tax is billed separately as a pass-through charge in addition to regular Association dues. ​The Specific Tax is required by state law and is not a fee established by the Sleepy Oaks Campground Association.