Frequently Asked Questions
The Cottage Owners Association is being formed to give cottage owners a collective voice in the decisions that shape our shared Campground community. This FAQ provides background and answers to questions about the Association and topics that are of interest to cottage owners.
Why is the Cottage Owners Association being formed?
The MVCMA board acts as our landlord, setting lease rates and making decisions that directly affect us. Meanwhile, cottage values continue to grow, representing a major investment for every owner. And yet, despite the stakes, cottage owners have no formal input into the decisions of the MVCMA. This imbalance makes no sense. With the increasing value of our cottages and the importance of our Campground community, it is only fair—and long overdue—that cottage owners speak with a unified voice. Together, we can influence the direction of the Campground in a way that no single voice ever could.
How will the Cottage Owner Association identify priorities among cottage owners?
We are recruiting cottage owners to join now and once we reach a meaningful threshold of cottage owner participation, we will survey cottage owners to determine their top issues. Becoming a part of the Cottage Owner Association allows you to play a key part in setting priorities.
Is there any history of Campground cottage owners influencing the board?
Yes. In the 1950s, a group of cottage owners organized to change the board’s makeup from primarily ministers to leaseholders. This was a significant shift for the Campground and serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished when cottage owners speak with a unified voice.
Will my lease be impacted by joining the Cottage Owners Association?
No. Joining the Cottage Owners Association will not put your lease at risk. A lease can only be lost due to violations of lease terms, and membership in the Cottage Owners Association is not a violation.
Is joining the Cottage Owners Association an action against the MVCMA Board?
No, you can be pro–Cottage Owner, pro–MVCMA Board, and pro–Campground all at the same time. Asking for transparency and seeking input into board decisions is not anti-board—it is simply responsible community involvement.
Are there other organizations similar to the Campground that have a Cottage Owners Association?
Yes. The Chautauqua Institution, a summer educational community in New York, has a Chautauqua Property Owners Association representing both commercial and residential owners. The association meets regularly with Chautauqua leadership to advocate for member interests and share concerns.
When did the MVCMA Board change from a 21-member board to a 19-member board?
The slides at the August 24th leaseholder meeting listed all board members, including the newly elected members. During the Q&A period, a leaseholder noted that only 19 members were shown and asked about the missing positions. The board explained that it is not required to fill all 21 seats and had decided to proceed with 19 members, as the remaining candidates did not receive a majority of votes in the first round of voting and the board chose to conclude the election at that point even though there were available candidates remaining.
When did the board communicate to leaseholders that it had voted to amend the bylaws to reduce the number of board members from 21 to 15 over the next several years?
This 2025 change was not communicated in advance nor was it presented at the August 24th leaseholder meeting. New bylaws, which were introduced at a special board meeting July 22nd and passed at the August 16th annual board meeting, significantly alter the board’s composition:
The Associates and Successors provided for in the first section of the Act of Incorporation of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association shall consist of no less than seven (7) members and no more than twenty-one (21) members elected in 2025; no more than twenty (20) members elected in 2026; no more than nineteen (19) members elected in 2027; no more than eighteen (18) members elected in 2028; no more than seventeen (17) board members elected in 2029; no more than sixteen (16) members elected in 2030, and; no more than fifteen (15) members elected in 2031 and for each year thereafter, of whom a majority must be leaseholders, to be known as the Board of Directors of the Martha’s Vineyard Camp-Meeting Association or as the Board.
Why don’t we have much – if any – information on MVCMA finances?
Past boards have proved to be extremely haphazard with financial disclosures, including the annual Treasurer’s Report as mandated in the by-laws. Treasurer Mike Hotaling has promised improved and timely financial information; and the year-to-date Treasurer’s report issued in September was a breath of fresh air.
What will the Cottage Owner Association seek regarding revenues, expenses, etc. in the future?
The Cottage Owners Association is asking the Board to share the past three years’ budgets, as well as details on major expenses, loan repayments and just how event and tour receipts are handled. When the Board proposes projects—such as purchasing 4 Montgomery or adopting a new landscape plan—it must also provide the estimated costs and explain the impact on the overall budget. We believe receiving such data on a regular basis will help us better understand whether the Board is taking into account cottage owners’ interests.
What exactly is the current amount of the debt left from the Tabernacle roof replacement and 4 Montgomery Square projects, and just how will this be repaid so as not to unduly burden leaseholders in the future ?
These questions were not answered at the August leaseholders meeting. Fortunately, the September Treasurer’s report sheds some light on this. As of August 31st, 2025, the principal balance on the 4 Montgomery Square mortgage was $622,000 and the balance on the Tabernacle roof loan was $922,000 – for a total indebtedness of $1.574 million, a not inconsequential amount for an organization whose operating budget to keep the Campground running is approximately $1.1 million per year.
4 Montgomery Square loan – The Board’s intention is just to pay the required interest & principal required by the 27-year 4 Montgomery mortgage agreement. They hope that increased rental income from the Tab House will cover the annual debt servicing. (Please note that such income is running $29,000 LESS than budget in the year through August 31.)
Tabernacle Roof loan – The Board also intends to pay down $300,000 on the Tabernacle roof loan this year from the 2% cottage transfer fees built up over the past several years – leaving the Association with a relatively low cash balance – and expects that future cottage transfer fees will allow the entire loan to be paid off in 6-7 years. (Please note that these fees are first supposed to pay for the annual maintenance of the Tabernacle before being used for other purposes.)
The Cottage Owners Association intends to monitor the progress of these debt repayments and hold the Board accountable since their projected sources for repayment appear a bit optimistic and variable. Cottage Owners will be periodically apprised of any difficulties in these plans which could trigger higher than normal lease increases or assessments.
Will the Cottage Owners have any fun together?
Of course, what would the summer be without socializing in the Campground! We plan to hold some fun events for cottage owners such as a picnic and an ice cream social in summer of 2026. We also plan to have porch chats where members can visit as an open forum. We also care deeply about the unique sense of community that makes the Campground special. Our connections as neighbors serve to keep our religious and historical heritage alive for future generations.
Should I continue volunteering and participating in MVCMA activities if I join the Cottage Owners Association?
Volunteering and participating in events and Sunday services are the lifeblood of the Campground. Members are encouraged to continue to take part in MVCMA events as well as new gatherings hosted by the Cottage Owners Association.
Cottage Owners Association 