Western Lake Erie Historical Society
Museum & Archive
To Preserve, Display, and Interpret the Maritime History of Western Lake Erie
2026 - with a new year the society would like to add additional depth to our Board of Directors. Specifically we would like to elect a new Secretary and Treasurer to rolls of the Officers. Please see below for duties and descriptions. Additionally we would to add to the trustees as well.
The SECRETARY shall: 1. Keep minutes of all meetings of the Board of Trustees, of the Operating Committee, of the Annual Metting, and of any Special Meetings as called. 2. Present the minutes of each meeting at the next meeting of the same group. 3. Collaborate with the Treasurer to keep an up-to-date name and address list of all paid-up (active) members. 4. Keep and file all documents, records, and communications concerning the operation of WLEHS, except for those properly the concern of the Treasurer. 5. For each Annual Meeting, send a notice to each member so that it will be received at least twenty-one (21) days before the meeting, giving the time, place, date, Board of Trustees recommendations to be voted on, and Nominating Committee’s recommended candidates. Such notices can be made part of or included with any regular publication (e.g., Member’s Newsletters) that WLEHS may elect to publish, provided that the notice time requirements are met. 6. For each Special Meeting, send a notice to each member so that it will be received at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting, giving date, time, place, and reasons (in sufficient detail) for the meeting.
The TREASURER shall: 1. Collect and hold in the WLEHS name all money payable to the WLEHS. 2. Pay only those obligations contracted for or approved by the Board of Trustees, including those wherein the Board has delegated specific authority to the Operating Committee. 3. Make a financial report at each meeting of the Board of Trustees and of the Operating Committee. These reports will also be made available to any paid-up (active) member upon his reasonable request. A copy of each report shall be filed with the Secretary for inclusion in his file with the appropriate minutes. 4. At the Annual Meeting, submit a financial report covering their term of office. 5. On the specified date(s), send out notices to the appropriate members, such notice to include date, by which if dues are not paid, the member’s rights will be suspended. If the dues are not paid as specified, the Treasurer shall notify all interested committees. 6. Collaborate with Secretary to keep an up-to-date name and address list of all paid-up (active) members. 7. File on time and properly, the Federal and other Income Tax reports as required, and maintain precautions that the WLEHS’s Tax Exempt status is not jeopardized. 8. Perform all other duties normally expected of a Treasurer, including the maintenance of records as good account practice would dictate.
The BOARD OF TRUSTEES shall: 1. Elect a Chairperson from one of its members to preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees. 2. Elect the WLEHS’s officers and Nominating Committee at a meeting to be held immediately after each Annual Meeting. 3. Have all power and authority over the affairs of this Non-Profit Organization, with the overall responsibility of providing the guidance, governance, and functioning of WLEHS, by establishing the necessary policies and rules, other than those already specified in the Code. 4. Approve all annual and long-term budgets, retaining for itself authority for all financial expenditures, except for those budgeted amounts which it may make the responsibility of the WLEHS President. 5. Undertake, either directly or by delegation, the raising of funds, beyond that received from dues, for the proper functioning and growth of WLEHS. 6. Meet as often as required, unless otherwise directed by this Code, for the proper performance of their responsibilities, and as required by the President, or in the case of his incapacity, as required by any Trustee. 7. Make such recommendations, as they deem appropriate for the proper functioning and growth of the WLEHS, to the general membership at the Annual Meeting, or at a Special Meeting so called, in accordance with this Code of Regulations. 8. Meet prior to the Annual Meeting to review the WLEHS Finance and Budget metrics with the WLEHS President and Vice President, regarding the non-profit’s suggested Budget and Dues structure. 9. Submit the Board’s recommendation on Budget, Dues, and any other items requiring consideration or approval, to the Secretary in sufficient time to send notices including these recommendations and other appropriate matters, to the membership so that these notices are received by the members at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of the Annual Meeting. 10. If a vacancy occurs on the Board of Trustees, it shall be up to the discretion of the Board as to either appointing a replacement for the balance of the open term, or to call for an election by the membership. If a replacement is to be appointed or elected, the Nominating Committee or the existing Board shall be asked for the recommendation.
News & Activities
WLEHS would like to extend special thanks and gratitude to Mr. John Greiner, our longtime society president. Mr. Greiner recently stepped down as acting executive and the Board of Trustees has named trustee John Thompson to step into his place. Mr. Greiner is a sailor, sailmaker, boatbuilder, champion racer, and historian. He will continue in an advisory role and retain a seat on the Board of Trustees. He saw this organization through difficult days of dormancy and the stress of rebirth in new accommodations for the museum. Again our great thanks and appreciation.
Mr. Thompson, now acting president, has long served as a War of 1812 historian at Fort Meigs Historic Site. He currently holds historian positions with Bay View Yacht Club, AYC (Associated Yacht Clubs), and I-LYA (Inter-lake Yachting Association). We welcome his energy, thoughtfulness, and experience.
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Current Exhibits
The George King Scrapbook: George King (1878-1956) was the celebrated champion of early sail racing on Lake Erie. His prestige helped to launch gentleman's yachting into the national character and catapulted the Toledo designed catboat to industry renown. This one-of-a-kind collection of photography from the first decade of the 20th century is a stunning array of everything afloat in the age, and the men and women whose smiles lit every harbor on the Great Lakes.
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History Lines: History Lines is the official publication of the Western Lake Erie Historical Society. We are slowly digitizing the collection and making the research available to all. Read recent editions on the Publications page.