The Great Lakes Harbors Association, founded in 1921, was an association of cities, villages, and townships, chambers of commerce, business associations, labor associations and educational institutions that had direct interests in promoting the use, development and administration of Great Lakes ports, the protection and preservation of Great Lakes normal water levels, the development of ocean shipping connections, the increase of waterborne commerce, and the growth of markets, both foreign and domestic, for mid-American products. In short, the GLHA was a lobby, and a significant one.
The Associations's officers included a president, six regional vice presidents, six regional directors, a legal counsel, and a lay counsel, each officer being elected annually at the Associations's annual meeting. Its Board of Directors consisted of the officers, with the president of the Association acting as board chairman. The board met annually, its day to day business being transacted by a five member Executive Committee that was appointed by the president.
The Association as a whole met annually; however, special meetings were called by the Executive Committee upon occasion. The Board of Directors met as it decided or as its business required, if such meetings were considered necessary above and beyond its annual meeting. Members paid annual dues that were fixed by the Board of Directors, and the Board had the sole disbursement authority. The Executive Secretary, who was appointed annually by the Board of Directors, was responsible for the collection of the dues.
The GLHA first adopted its Constitution and By-Laws on September 14, 1954. The Association was largely inactive from 1961 onward, as its primary objective, the St. Lawrence Seaway Project, was completed. The association was formally liquidated in 1969 by Mr. Harry C. Brockel, its last Executive Secretary, and the surviving directors.
