South Shuswap Scoop October 2020
By Nick Nadja
The White Lake Residents Association is managed by an elected board of directors, but the real leadership comes from residents. With a mandate to maintain and enhance the unique character of White Lake, there is no way for only a handful of people to effectively run all the programs and initiatives that WLRA members care about.
That’s why the board has adopted a governance model which relies on interested and dedicated residents who head up numerous committees. WLRA President, Patrick Frank, explains “Anyone who comes forward with a suggestion or concern is invited to join the relevant existing committee, or they are supported in starting up a new committee.
Each committee is sponsored by at least one board director, who acts as the bridge
between the working committee and the oversight of the board. Beyond the executive
governance committees, the current committees operating under the White Lake
Residents Association include:
Water Quality Committee - monitors and works to ensure that the lake meets Canadian standards for drinking water and recreation use. This includes testing for siltation, bacteria and nutrients, and other contaminants that are hazardous to humans and a healthy lake ecosystem.
Lake Stewardship Committee - works in collaboration with Parks, Fisheries, Forestry and other government agencies, as well as lake users such as local Fish and Game clubs, to ensure that community input and values are inserted into the management and development plans of the various ministries that operate in and around White Lake.
Forestry Committee - works diligently to review legislation, best practices and fibre
extraction plans, to ensure that forestry operations in the White Lake community watershed are adhered to and that they reflect residents’ values of water protection, forest sustainability, natural beauty, and species protection.
White Lake Trails Committee works with the Shuswap Trail Alliance and the CSRD to insert a residential perspective into proposed projects within the community and surrounding areas.
Fall BBQ Committee - hosts an annual event which invites all businesses and
government agencies involved with us over the past year to join our residents in a community celebration. Past events have featured lake tours and Indigenous drum making.
Community Events Committee - organizes and supports community special events
throughout the year, including a community clean up day and supporting the White Lake
Triathlon.
Roads Committee - works in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation and their contractors to insert community priorities into operational plans and projects to maintain and improve the roads throughout White Lake.
Community Safety Committee - works with law enforcement to monitor and
mitigate emerging safety risks in the community such as break and enters, thefts, and
dangerous activities.
Emergency Preparedness Committee - supports 10 Neighbourhood Emergency
Preparedness zones and are developing response plans and communication networks for residents to rely on in the case of a major emergency or evacuation.
If you are interested in joining one of these committees, or if you are passionate
about another topic that impacts the lakes or the broader White Lake community, please come forward to work with the WLRA to make our community the best it can be.
To find out more information about the White Lake Residents Association, visit
