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AlgaetheGoodpage4AssociationSuccessStoriespage13InvasiveSpeciespage6FederationofOntarioCottagersAssociations 20142YouspokeandwelistenedFOCAswebsiteisnowmobile-devicefriendlyeasiertosearchandincludesmembers-onlycontentaswellasinformationaccessibletoeveryone.Visitwww.foca.on.catodaytoexplorethewealthofinformationavailabletoyouusetheResourcespagetosearchforinformationaboutpoliticalaffairslakeenvironmentsassociationtoolsandmorefindandprintdetailsofyourMemberBenefitsoffersandaccesscodeskeepup-to-dateaboutcurrentissuesbyreadingtheThingsYouShouldKnowcompleteyourannualrenewalonlinefindoutmoreaboutourcommunityandyourroleinitAssociationMembersandIndividualSupporterscanrequesttheirLoginquicklyandeasilyherehttpfoca.on.caget-loginAssociationrepresentativespleasesharethisnewswitheveryoneinyourAssociation.CheckoutthenewFOCAwebsite WeatherReviewATaleoftheSeasonsFEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS3GeoffCoulsonWarningPreparednessMeteorologistEnvironmentCanadaWhathasthepastyearlookedlikefromaweatherpointofviewDuringthefirstweekofMarch2014icecoverageacrosstheGreatLakeswasrecordedat91.2thesecondhighesticecoveragesincedetailedrecordsbeganin1972-73.Therecordgoestothe3rdweekofFebruary1979withcoverageof93.9ThispastwintericebegantoformonLakeSuperioraroundthelastweekofNovemberwhichisnormalbutthelasticeonlymeltedduringthefirstweekofJunelaterthannormal.OnLakeHuronicealsostartedtoformaroundthelastweekofNovemberwhichisabout2weeksearlyandthelasticeonHuronfinallymeltedinmid-Maylaterthannormal.WhilelaketemperaturesstartedthespringcolderthannormalmoreseasonaltemperaturesfromthesecondhalfofAprilthroughthemonthofMayandintoJunehavenowreturnedlaketemperaturevaluestoaroundnormallevels.ConcerningsummersevereweatherinOntarioWegotofftoabitofaslowstartthisyearwiththecoolstarttospringbutrecenteventsinJunehaveconfirmedthatwearenowfullyintothesummersevereweatherseason.UptoJune29wehad6confirmedtornadoesintheprovinceofOntariowiththestrongestbeingtheEnhancedFujitaScale2EF2tornadothathitAngusonJune17.AnEF2eventpackswindsof180to220kmhandiscapableoftearingtheroofoffofawell-builthomeseeimage.Ontarionormallygetsaround12tornadoeseachyear.ThisisdefinitelythetimeofyearwhencottagersshouldbepayingattentiontotheskyandstayingontopofthelatestweatherupdatesfromEnvironmentCanada.AgoodwaytostayintouchwiththeweatheristoownaWeatheradioseewww.ec.gc.caweatheradio.MuchofOntarioiscoveredbyaWeatheradiotransmitterandmanyoftheseunitshaveatonealertcapabilitywherebytheradiowillemitapiercingtonewhenawarningisissued.SatelliteimagefromMarch62014aroundthetimetheicecoveragepeakedthispastwinterinsettornadodamageinAngusnearBarrieJune2014.CourtesyEnvironmentCanada. 20144Wenormallyonlythinkaboutalgaewhentheygobadandbecausethistendstoattractpresswemightthinkitsafairlycommonoccurrence.Whenalgaegobadtheycanformbloomsthatareunsightlysmellyandattheirworsttoxicforcingustostopdrawinglakewaterforuseatthecottage.Howeveralgaeactuallyrarelygobad.InMuskokaforexamplesuchbloomsoccurinlessthan1oflakes.Thisdoesntmeanthatalgaeareirrelevantfarfromit.Inmostlakesalgaeprovideuswithvitalservices.Thesimpleandlargelyunrealizedtruthisthatwedbestupidhungryanddeadwithoutalgae.Algaeprosperinplaceswheretherearenutrientsmoistureandlightandthatisprettywelleverywhere.Theycomeinallcoloursredgreenblue-greenyellowgoldenAlgaetheGoodNormanYanandbrown.Theyvaryenormouslyinsizefromamongthesmallestsingle-celledplantsoftheworldtoamongthebiggestofallplants.Giantkelpswayingintheoceancurrentsarealgae.Algaeareoftenstunninglybeautifulatleasttomyeye.TheVictoriansfoundthethousandsofspeciesofdesmidsanddiatomseachuniquelysculptedintomyriadshapessobeautifulthattheyusedthemtomakeartonglassslidesthatcouldonlybeappreciatedunderamicroscope.ButwouldwereallybestupidhungryanddeadwithoutthemYeswewould.Hereswhy70oftheearthssurfaceiswatermostlysaltybutinCanadaalotofitfresh.Algaeinhabitallofthiswaterandtheyarephotosyntheticusingsunlightasapowersourcetoturncarbondioxideandwaterintocarbohydrateandreleasingfreeoxygenasaby-product.Takeadeepbreath.Nowtakeanother.ThatsecondbreathisagiftofalgaethatproducehalfofthefreeoxygenKathleenRhland FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS5intheatmosphere.Wedbedeadwithoutthisoxygendeadwithoutalgae.Withoutalgaewedbehungrybecausethefruitsoftheworldswatersprovideabout10oftheproteinthathumankindconsumes.Wealsomightbestupidwithoutalgae.Roughlyaquarterofourbrainislipidandthekeylipidsarethelongchainessentialfattyacidswereadsomuchabout.Whatsthesourceofthekeyomega-3fattyacidsItsalgaethatmakethempassingthemupthefoodchaintothefishandseafoodweenjoy.Sonexttimeyoulookatyourlakethinkforaminuteaboutalgae.Withoutalgaeinyourlaketherewouldbenofishnoloonsnoottersandnofrogs.Infactitwouldbealifelessswimmingpoolwithoutafoodbasetosupportlife.Yesalgaecanoccasionallygobadusuallybecausewehaventlookedafterthewatershed.Butthemajorityofthetimeandinthevastmajorityofplacesincottagecountryalgaeareprovidinguswithessentialserviceswithoutwhichourlakeswouldntbethespecialplacesweallenjoy.Dr.NormanYanisaprofessorintheDepartmentofBiologyatYorkUniversity.Hestudiestheimpactofmultipleenvironmentalstressorsonanimalplanktonwhichhecallsthelittlelivinglawnmowersoflakes. 62014FOCAisveryconcernedaboutthepotentialimpactsofintroducedspeciesandtheeffecttheywillhaveonourqualityoflifeinOntario.WehavealreadyseentheimpactsfrommanyexistinginvasivespeciesintroductionsincludingforestpestsliketheEmeraldAshBorerandaquaticsliketheZebraMusselandAsianCarp.Theseinvadershaveproventheycanaltertheenvironmentdamageoureconomyandnegativelyimpactourcommunities.FOCAhaspartneredwiththeOntarioFederationofAnglersandHuntersOFAHandtheMinistryofNaturalResourcesMNRtodeliveranAquaticInvasiveSpeciesAISMonitoringProgram.Thisvolunteerprogramwillinvolvecottageassociationmembersinmonitoringforaquaticinvasiveplants.Neweducationalresourcesareavailabletoeducatevolunteersonaquaticinvasiveplantidentificationandhowtoconductmonitoringusingacitizenscience-basedaquaticplantmonitoringprotocolwhichutilizestheEarlyDetectionandDistributionMappingSystemEDDMapS.Contactinfofoca.on.catolearnmoreaboutgettinginvolved.InvasiveSpecies-WhatcanyoudoIfyouidentifyanyinvadingspeciesorthinkyouhaveseenaninvadernearyourcottagethissummercalltheInvadingSpecieshotlineat1-800-563-7711orvisitthewebsiteoftheOntarioInvadingSpeciesAwarenessProgramatwww.invadingspecies.com.ThisOFAHprogramalsooffersfreeanalysisforZebraMusselsorSpinyWaterFleaforsamplescollectedbylakestewardsandothervolunteers.AISWorkshopheldbyFOCAandOFAHinMarch2014NEWPROGRAM FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS7MattSmithOFAHThetermAsiancarpreferstofourinvasivefishspeciesin-cludingBigheadCarpSilverCarpGrassCarpandBlackCarpcurrentlyestablishedintheMississippiriverbasin.Al-thoughnotknowntooccurintheGreatLakesAsiancarpwouldcausesignificantdamagetotheGreatLakesecosys-temsandthefisheriestheysupportiftheyweretobecomesuccessfullyestablished.BigheadCarpandSilverCarparepoisedtocausethemostsevereenvironmentalharm.Theselargebodiedplank-tivoresmeaningtheyfeedonzooplanktoncanweighupto40kgsandconsumeupto20oftheirbodyweighteachday.Toputthatintoperspective...Agrownmanof180lbswouldneedtoconsume36poundsoffoodinonedaytokeepupwithaBigheadorSilverCarp.ThisvoraciouseatinghabitwoulddisturbthenaturalbalanceoftheGreatLakesfoodchainandcouldhaveveryseriousnegativeimpacts.SilverCarparealsoknownforjumpingoutofthewaterwhenexcitedbythevibrationsofboatmotorscreatingapotentialhealthrisktoboatersthatmaystrikethem.TheGrassCarpfeedsprimarilyonvegetation.Thismayeliminatefoodsourcesordisturbsensitivespawningandnurseryhabitatfornativefishspecies.ThefeedinghabitsoftheGrassCarpmayalsoleadtoalgaebloomsandincreasedturbidityinthewaterstheyin-vade.TheBlackCarpisamolluscivoremeaningtheyfeedonmolluscsandposesaconsiderablethreattonativesnailandmusselspeciesmanyofwhicharealreadyatriskduetoenvironmentalchangesandtheintro-ductionofinvasivespeciessuchastheZebraMussel.WhatcanyoudoHelppreventtheentryorestablishmentofAsiancarpinOntariobyreportingpotentialsightingstotheInvadingSpeciesHotlineat1-800-563-7711oronlineatwww.EDDMapS.orgOntario.Spreadthewordinyourlocalcommunities.SignageandresourcematerialsaboutAsiancarpareavailablefororderatnocost.FormoreinformationaboutAsiancarpandotherUpdateAsianCarpOnMay272014FOCAsTracyLoganpresentedwithOFAHattheInternationalAssociationforGreatLakesResearchIAGLRannualconference.JoiningresearchersfromaroundtheworldattheeventinHamiltonTracyparticipatedinthesessionCitizenScienceOutreachandEducationintheGreatLakesBasin.ShesharedinformationabouttheFOCAAquaticInvasiveSpeciesMonitoringProgramandtheimportantcitizensciencerolethatlakeassociationscanplaybyinvasivespeciesortoorderresourcematerialsvisitwww.invadingspecies.comorcalltheInvadingSpeciesHotlineat1-800-563-7711.TogetherwecankeepAsiancarpOUToftheGreatLakes.InternationalScienceConferencemonitoringforandtherebyfacilitatingtheearlydetectionofaquaticinvasives.IAGLRisascientificorganizationmadeupofresearchersstudyingtheGreatLakesotherlargelakesoftheworldandtheirwatershedsaswellasthosewithaninterestinsuchresearch.IAGLRmembersencompassallscientificdisciplineswithacommoninterestinthemanagementoflargelakeecosystemsonmanylevels.FOCAsTracyLoganandAlisonKirkpatrickofOFAHAquaticInvasiveSpeciesOutreachspokeatIAGLRMay2014 FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS9MichellePalmerEnvironmentalMonitoringandReportingBranchMOEIn2013theFederationofOntarioCottagersAssociationstheCentralAlgomaFreshwaterCoalitionandtheMinistryoftheEnvironmentMOEinitiatedacollaborativeprojecttoinvestigatethefactorsthatpromoterecurrentblue-greenalgalbloomsinOntariolakes.Algalbloomscanoccurwhenthereisexcessgrowthofthealgaeinalake.Thesebloomsareofconcernbecausetheycancauseunpleasanttastesandodoursandsometypesofblue-greenalgaecanproducetoxinsthatcanaffecthumansandotheranimals.VolunteerlakestewardscollectedsamplesfromfourlakesintheAlgomaareaofNorthernOntariobetweenMayandOctoberof2013.Threeoftheselakeshaverecurrentalgalbloomswhilebloomshavenotbeenreportedinthenearbyfourthlake.Over500samplebottlesoflakewaterand40temperatureanddissolvedoxygenprofileswerecollected.WatersampleswereanalyzedbyMOEforwaterqualityincludingnutrientschlorophyllaciditymetalscarbonandionslikecalciumandchloride.Thealgaesamplescollectedwillbeanalyzedtoidentifythetypesofalgaepresentandhowabundanttheyareoverthegrowingseason.Samplescollectedbythelakestewardsarealsobeinganalyzedforalgaltoxins.TheseresultswillcontributetotheMicrobes-CyanotoxinsProjectoftheGlobalLakeEcologicalObservatoryNetworkwhichisworkingtoidentifydriversofalgaltoxinproductionataglobalscale.EarlyanalysesbyMOEsuggestsurfacewaterphosphoruslevelsarehigherandnitrogentophosphorusratiosarelowerinthelakeswithrecurrentalgalblooms.WhenMOEsanalysisiscompletedareportontheresultsofthestudywillbemadeavailable.Getmoreinformationonlineatwww.foca.on.casearchbluegreenalgae.UpdateBlue-GreenAlgaeMonitoringImagecourtesyHKPRDistrictHealthUnitToreportasuspectedblue-greenalgalbloomcontacttheMOESpillsActionCentre1-800-268-6060oryourMOEDistrictoffice. FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS11Ontarioborders4ofthe5GreatLakesandmanyFOCAmembershavepropertyontheGreatLakesorareaffectedbydevelopmentsontheGreatLakes.InApril2014theeighthCanada-OntarioAgreementCOAonGreatLakesWaterQualityandEcosystemHealthwaspostedindraftformforpubliccomment.COAisaprincipaltoolforOntarioandCanadatocoordinatetheirworktoaddressrespectiveandsharedcommitmentstoprotecttheGreatLakes.TheAgreementwillremaininforceforfiveyears.FOCAjoinedwithover20signatoriesfromCanadaandtheUSAtoprovidecommentsontheproposedCOAtothegovernmentsofOntarioandCanada.ReadtheremarksontheFOCAwebsitesearchGreatLakesstrategyUpdateGreatLakesStrategyWithsomechangesasrecommendedbyFOCAandotherstheMNRchangedtheworkpermitrequirementsforthefollowingactivitieseffectiveJanuary12014maintenancedredgingrelocationofrocksandorbouldersforboatingandswimmingaccessmechanicalremovalofnativeaquaticvegetationforswimmingorboatingaccessmechanicallyremovinginvasiveaquaticvegetationconstructionofbuildingsformineralexplorationanddevelopmentmaintenancerepairorreplacementofexistingerosioncontrolstructures.ProponentsarenolongerrequiredtoobtainworkpermitsfortheseactivitiesbutinsteadwillberequiredtovoluntarilycomplywithrulessetoutinregulationsunderthePublicLandsAct.Projectsthatdonotcomplywiththeproposedrulesstillrequireaworkpermit.Knowtherulesprotectyourlake.BackgroundWorkpermitsarearegulatorytoolusedbytheMNRtoNewPermitsforShorelineWorkCrownLandcontrolspecificactivitiesoccurringonpubliclandsincludingthebedsofmostnavigablewatersandshorelands.Thisincludesconstructingorplacingabuildingconstructingaroadtrailorwatercrossingdredgingorfillingshorelandsandtheremovalofaquaticvegetation.In2013MNRreleasedapolicypaperdescribinghowtheyplannedtomodernizetheirapprovalsprocessandremoveanumberofregulatorycontrolsincludingeliminatingtheneedforapprovalsfromMNRwhereanactivitywillhavelittleimpact.Theapproachinsteadreliesuponestablishingrulesthatmustbecompliedwith.ThesechangesarespecificallyrelatedtoOntarioRegulation23913andpermitsmadeunderthePublicLandsActActivitiesonPublicLandsandShoreLandsWorkPermitsandExemptions.FOCAexpressedconcernedthatthispermitbyruleapproachcouldreducetheprotectionsaffordedourimportantresources.FOCAandourmembersarecommittedtothesustainableuseandresponsibleoversightofourwaterfrontsandournaturalaquaticassets.Moreinformationisavailableonlineatwww.foca.on.casearchpermit.FormoreonthisandotherpolicytopicswatchtheFOCAwebsiteandgetontheFOCAElertlistforbreakingnews. 201412FOCAacknowledgesthehardworkofourmemberassociationswiththeannualFOCAAchievementAward.Memberassociationsarepeer-nominated.TherecipientischosenbytheFOCABoardofDirectorsandisrecognizedfornotablerecentactivitiesrelatedtoenvironmentalstewardshiplanduseplanninginitiativesresearchoreducationpoliticalinvolvementandotherinnovationsorsuccessesinlinewithFOCAsmissiontoprotectthrivingandsustainablewaterfrontsacrossOntario.In2013thePikeLakeCommunityAssociationreceivedtheFOCAAchievementAward.PikeLakeCAisagreatexampleofhowasmallerassociationlessthan100memberscanmakeabigimpact.Theyhavebeenextremelyactivewithlakestewardshipprojectsincludingsepticinspectionsresponsibleboatingeducationshorelinenaturalizationloonmonitoringfishhabitatenhancementandwatertesting.ThePikeLakegrouphasworkedtobuildrelationshipswiththelocalTayValleyTheFOCAAchievementAwardDidyouknowThenextFOCAAchievementAwardwillbepresentedattheFOCAAGMinMarch2015.YoucannominateaFOCAmemberassociationbycompletingandsubmittinganominationformbyNovember15th2014.Findtheformonlineatwww.foca.on.casearchawardFOCAsExecutiveDirectorandMembershipCoordinatorpresentthe2013AwardtoPikeLakeCottageAssociationaboveandHonourableMentiontoPeninsulaLakeAssociationleftcouncilandtoprovideinputtoprovincialandmunicipalpoliciespertinenttolakestewardship.HonourablementionthisyearwenttothePeninsulaLakeAssociationawell-establishedgroupwhoheldtheir113thregattain2013TheycreatedoneofthefirstlakeplansinOntariowhichwasessentialinanOMBrulingagainstthedevelopmentofaquarryoverlookingthelake.Withapproximately250membersPenLakeAssociationwasrecentlyinvolvedintheLoveyourLakeshorelinemonitoringprojectaswellasatributariesinventory.CongratulationstothewinnersReadmoreaboutotherFOCAMembersuccessesonthefollowingpage. FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS13SustainableLivingCongratulationstotheOtterLakeRatepayersAssociationinSeguinTownshipaFOCAMemberAssociationthathasbeenworkingwiththeirmunicipalityonalocalstewardshippilotprogramtoincreaseeducationandencouragepositivepeer-modelling.BuildinguponthemomentumofthepublicationLivingSustainablyinSeguinTownshipa24-pageresourceguidepublishedbytheTownshipwiththeparticipationofseverallocallakeassociationsOtterLakehasembarkeduponaprojecttorecognizepropertyownerswhomakeimprovementstotheirpropertyorprotecttheexistingnaturalenvironmentthroughstewardshipchoices.ResidentsareprovidedwithaPropertyEvaluationchecklistandself-assesstheirdegreeofcompliancewithvariousshorelinein-waterandlifestylepractices.HerearesomeexamplesRateyourpropertyfrom5highto1lowMowedlawnsareabsentoratleast20metresfromtheshoreline.Docksarefloatingcantileverorpoleconstruction.Noconcreteorconstructedwallspresent.Weinspectandmaintainoursepticsystemregularlyanddependingonusagepump-outeverytwotothreeyears.Wepracticenightskylightingprinciples.Thosewhoachieve75ormoreonthesurveyandhavetheirpropertyreviewedbyaprogramrepresentativecanreceiveapennantflagtodisplayontheirdockoratthewaterfronttorecognizetheachievement.WhatagreatwaytoencouragebestpracticesFindoutmoreherewww.olra.caMemberSuccessStoriesGrowingbyleapsandboundsTheLakeWahnapitaeHomeandCampersAssociationLWHCAintheSudburyregionhasbeenaFOCAmembersince2012.HavingrevivedtheirincorporationinNovember2011theyjoinedFOCAthefollowingMaywith25members.By2013theyhad100members.Thisyeartheyhave169AltogetherLWHCAestimatesthatthereareapproximately550residentsaroundthelakeone-thirdareseasonal.FOCAispleasedtoreportthat9outof10ofourmemberAssociationsrecentlyreportedmembershipfiguressteadyorupoverthepastyearneverthelessLWHCAsresultsarespectacular.FOCAaskedLWHCAPresidentEricStuarttosharethesecretsoftheirrecentmembershipsuccess.HereishisreplyIalwayssayyoudonthavetobethesharpesttoolintheshedtodowhatImdoingbutyouhavetobethemostusedSurroundyourselfwithsmartpeopleandshowresultstomaintaininterest.SinceourrevivalinNovember2011wehavedevelopedaveryactiveLakeStewardshipCommitteenetworkedwithlocalminingcompaniesindustrygovernmentWahnapitaeFirstNationsandlocalorganizationsinthelakesidetownofSkeadinitiatedacompleteshoalmarkingproject-13zones13participantsdevelopedawebsiteandarecontinuallyupdatingbuiltaGoogleMaildatabaseourkeytototalcommunicationCanadaDayCelebrationincludingfireworksdisplayandparadeoflightsboatshowwithassistancefromCelebrateCanadaCanadianHeritagefundingFinaltipHaveinterestingspeakersatgeneralmembershipmeetings.AgainabigthankyoutoallofthosewhocameforwardandactivelyparticipatedEricStuartLWHCAPresidentCongratulationsLWHCAonyourbusyscheduleandmembershipsuccessFindoutmoreherewww.lwhca.com 201414NickPasquinoBordenLadnerGervaisLLPAssummerarrivesthefurthestthingfrommostpeoplesmindsisyourAssociationAGMbutitissoonuponusHereareafewthingstothinkaboutwhenyounextpulloutyourassociationsby-lawstoprepareforyourannualmeeting.MembersWhoareyourmembersWhoactuallygetstoexercisethevoteofthememberIsitthepersonwhopaysthefeeIsitthepersonregisteredontitletothecottageCanby-lawsregulatememberconductseeonlinearticleformore.MembershipStructureDoesyourassociationhavedifferentclassesofmembershipBLGsgeneralrecommendationistohaveassimpleamembershipstructureaspossiblei.e.oneclassonlyunlessyourassociationhasaverygoodreasonforamorecomplexstructure.GovernanceTune-UpTipsforAssociationsNoticeNoticesmustbeinwritingandthesamenoticeneedstobedeliveredtoeachmembersoeveryonehasthesameinformation.BesafeandmakesureyoutakestepstoensureallmembersareawareofupcomingmeetingsAGMBusinessTheusualbusinessatanannualmeetingistheelectionofdirectorsthereceiptoffinancialstatementsandtheauditorsreportonthosestatementsandtheappointmentoftheauditorfortheensuingyear.Allotherbusinessisspecialbusinesswhichrequiresaspecificdetailednoticebecirculatedinadvanceofthemeetingsothatmembersareabletomakeaninformeddecisiononthespecialbusinessinquestion.QuorumProxiesElectronicTelephoneMeetingsCheckyourby-lawstoconfirmtheminimumnumberofmembersi.e.quorumthatmustbepresenttoconductNoteTheseareexcerptsfromthefullarticlewhichisavailabletoFOCAMembersonlineatwww.foca.on.caresourcessearchtermONCAandincludestipsaboutamendingyourbylawsunderONCAformembershipstructurevotingrightsproxyandotherissues. 15business.Ifyouregularlyhavetroublereachingquorumconsiderreducingquorumbyamendingyourby-laws.seeonlinearticleformore.SPAMStartingJuly12014cottageassociationsaresubjecttoCanadasAnti-SpamLawCASL.Technicallyasingleemailsenttoapersonthathasacommercialpurposebroadlydefinedfallsunderthislaw.Consentexpressorimpliedfromtherecipientcontentdetailsi.e.theparticularsofthesenderandanunsubscribefunctionarenecessaryforallmessagessentafterJuly12014.FormoreinformationoncompliancewithCASLcheckouttheBLGsitehttpblg.comantispam.AccesstoRecordsDoyourby-lawsexpresslyauthorizememberstohaveaccesstoassociationrecordsIfnottheonlycorporateinformationamemberislegallyentitledtoaccessisthelistofmembersoftheassociationtheauditedfinancialstatementsandtheauditorsopinionandmeetingminutesfrompriormembersmeetings.Memberstypicallyhavenolegalrighttoanyotherassociationinformation.i.e.theydonothavealegalrighttoaccountingandfinancialworkingpapersboardmeetingminutescontractscorrespondenceetc.RulesofOrderIfyourby-lawsaresilentonaproceduralissuerulesoforderfillinthegap.Someby-lawsidentifyaspecificsetofrulesoforderthatapplyifyourby-lawsaresilentitisuptothechairtoselectrulesapplicabletothemeetinginadvanceofthemeeting.NickPasquinoisalawyerspecializinginadvisingnot-for-profitandcharityclientsoncorporatecommercialandgovernancematters.FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS 201416byCadeAssociatesInsuranceBrokersLtd.ForthehundredsofassociationsacrossOntarioconcernedwiththemaintenanceandupkeepofroadwaysfrequenttopicsofdiscussionincluderiskmanagementlosspreventionandinsurance.Withrespecttoroadmaintenancetheeffortsofindividualvolunteerskeepthousandsofseasonalandyear-roundpropertiesaccessible.Itiscriticallyimportantthatthesevolunteersandthepropertyownerstheyservetakemeasurestomitigatelossandminimizeriskandthiscanincludearrangingforappropriateandadequateinsuranceprotection.ManyRoadAssociationshaveavailedthemselvesoftheFOCAAssociationInsuranceProgramofferedasoneofFOCAsmemberbenefits.ACommercialGeneralLiabilityCGLpolicywillrespondtoclaimsofbodilyinjurypropertydamageandpersonalRiskManagementandInsuranceforRoadGroupsinjurylibelslanderwrongfulevictionetc.tothirdpartiesthatariseoutoftheactivitiesandoperationsoftheAssociation.TheCGLpolicyrespondstoinvestigateanddefendtheclaimandtopaythosecompensatorydamagesforwhichtheAssociationbecomeslegallyliableuptothelimitsofthepolicy.VolunteersactingonbehalfoftheAssociationareinsuredunderthepolicyandareprotectedbytheAssociationsCGLpolicyagainstanyclaimsbroughtagainstthemdirectlyasaresultofconductingtheirvolunteerdutiesunderthedirectionoftheAssociation.IntheabsenceofanAssociationinsurancepolicyathirdpartyclaimingdamagemightinsteadlistallpropertyownersEditorsNotemembershipinFOCAdoesnotprovideanyautomaticinsurancecoveragebutdoesprovideaccesstomemberratesfromourexclusiveproviderCadeAssociatesInsuranceBrokersLtd. FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS17ontheroadrequiringthehomecottagepoliciesofeachindividualpropertyownertorespond.Itisimportanttonotethatpropertyandliabilityinsurancewordingsarenotstandardized.Thereforepropertyownersonaprivateroadshouldobtainfromtheirownpersonalinsuranceproviderwrittenconfirmationthattheirhomeownersorcottageinsurancepolicywillprovidethemwithliabilitycoverageintheeventthattheyarenamedinaclaimarisingfromanincidentoccurringontheirprivateorcommonaccessroad.SomepersonalpropertyinsuranceprovidersinOntariodonotofferthisprotection.TheFOCAinsurancepolicyautomaticallyincludesliabilityprotectionfortheAssociationsmembersingoodstanding.SokeepyourduespaymenttoyourlocalAssociationup-to-dateEachroadisuniqueandrequiresacustomizedinsurancesolution.IfyouhaveanyquestionsorwouldlikemoreinformationregardinginsuranceforyourRoadAssociationcall1-844-CADE-1STorwww.cadeinsurance.comfoca.FOCAsAssociationInsuranceProgramcoverageisalsoavailableforlakecottageandland-owningassociations.ContactCadeAssociatestofindoutmore.WithrespecttoriskmanagementandroadswedorecommendthatAssociationsspecificallyconsiderthefollowingContractorsManyAssociationshirecontractorstoprovideservicesthroughouttheyearincludinggradingandsnowremoval.TheAssociationshouldrequestthattheircontractorprovideaCertificateofInsurancewhichclearlyidentifiestheAssociationasanAdditionalInsuredonthecontractorspolicy.ThisensuresthatthecontractorspolicywillrespondtodefendtheAssociationiftheAssociationisnamedinaclaimarisingoutofthecontractorsactivities.TheCertificatewillalsoprovideevidenceofthecontractorsinsurancelimitsandcoverages.Contractorsareabletoobtainthiscertificatenormallyatnoadditionalchargefromtheirinsuranceprovider.DependingonthenatureofthecontractorsworkonbehalfoftheAssociationaWSIBClearanceCertificateshouldalsobeprovidedbythecontractor.SignageSignageatroadwayentrancesthatreadsPrivateRoadcanassistinlimitingaccessanduse.Appropriatespeedsignsshouldbepostedalongtheroadway.Furthersignageshouldbestrategicallyplacedinadvanceofanysignificantchangeintheconditionoftheroadbeitasharpbendblindcornerorhillorsignificantdrop-offontheroadside.FeeCollectionAlwaysadifficultAssociationtopicInsurersstronglyrecommendagainstthepostingofnamesofmemberswhosefeesareoutstandingtoavoidexposuretoclaimsoflibel.IntheunfortunateeventthatcollectionoffeesrequiresfurtheractionthecourtsystemSmallClaimsCourtoffersanalternativetoaCollectionAgencyandminimizesexposuretoclaimsoflibelandslander.FinalnoteFOCAmemberRoadAssociationscanaccessadditionalresourcesatwww.foca.on.casearchroad FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS19TheInternationalJointCommissionsIJCInternationalLakeoftheWoodsBasinWaterQualityPlanofStudyTeamhasbeendevelopingaWaterQualityPlanofStudyfortheLakeoftheWoodsBasin.AdraftPlanofStudywasreleasedforpublicreviewonJuly222014.Themulti-jurisdictionalnatureofthisBasinrequirescommitmentandresourcesfromawidevarietyofpartnersandthePlanofStudywilldrawongoodsciencetomakeitsrecommendationsandwillbuilduponsynergiesalreadyatworkwithregardtothesharedresponsibilityofprotectingitswaterresources.TherecentlyformedInternationalRainy-LakeoftheWoodsWatershedBoardestablishedbytheIJCin2013tomonitorecosystemhealthintheentireLakeoftheWoodsBasinseemapwillusetheinformationprovidedfromtherecommendedstudiesactivitiestobettermonitorthetopecosystemissueswithintheirjurisdictionnutrientsandharmfulalgalbloomsaquaticinvasivespeciesandsurfaceandgroundwatercontaminationincludingfromheavymetals.ThePlanofStudywillalsoprovidetheBoardwithinformationontheimpactsofclimatechangeandhydraulicregulationontheseecosystemissuesandmakerecognitionoftheimportanceofindigenousknowledgeinvolvementandtheroleofgovernanceandpolicyineffectiveimplementationofbi-nationalstrategies.AfterreviewingthePlanofStudyTeamsreporttheIJCwillmakeitsrecommendationstothefederalgovernmentsofCanadaandtheUnitedStatesbytheendof2014.TheStudyTeamappointedbytheIJCconsistsofaU.S.Co-chairMarkBrighamwiththeU.S.GeologicalSurveyaCanadianCo-chairDr.GlennBenoywiththeInternationalJointCommissionandaSecretariatKelliSaunderswiththeLakeoftheWoodsWaterSustainabilityFoundation.TheInternationalLakeoftheWoodsBasinWaterQualityPlanTeamhasbeentogethersinceearly2014andguidedbyitsDirectiveandTermsofReferenceisworkingtowardsafinalreporttotheInternationalJointCommissioninearlyOctober2014.TheIJCisasix-membercommissionestablishedbyCanadaandtheUnitedStatesundertheBoundaryWatersTreatyof1909tohelppreventandresolvedisputesovertheuseofwaterssharedbythetwocountries.TheIJChashelpedthetwocountriesmanagewaterquantityandwaterqualityissuesintheLakeoftheWoodsbasinsince1912whenitlaunchedamajorstudyofpollutionofboundarywatersandreviewedanapplicationforadamatKettleFalls.ThecurrentWaterQualityPlanofStudywasrequestedbytheGovernmentsofCanadaandtheUnitedStatesfurthertorecommendationsmadebytheIJCinJanuary2012.Getmoreinformationherewww.ijc.orgen_LWBWQPOSLakeoftheWoodsisanenormouslakeinnorthwesternOntariowhichborderstwoprovincesandonestateandincludesmorethan14000islands.LakeoftheWoodsDistrictPropertyOwnersAssociationisFOCAslargestmemberassociation. 201420BlakeHurstYoumeetaneighbourwalkingherdogonthecottageroadandremarkYourelookingwell.HerreplyisThanksIfeelprettydarngoodconsideringIsufferedastrokelastmonth.Thepersoninfrontofyoudoesnotmatchyourmentalpictureofastrokevictim.HowdidthismiraclehappenAlmostinvariablyasthestoryunfoldsitwillturnoutthatyourneighbourandthepeoplearoundherinstantlyrecognizedwhatwashappeningasstrokesymptomsandmadeafastandfirmdecisiontocall911.ThehealthcaresysteminOntariohasworldclassprotocolsforthetreatmentofstrokeandIalwayssaythebestentrypointintothesystemisthroughthebackdoorofanambulance.ParamedicsareskilledatrecognizingstrokemanagingthepatientandmostimportantlytransportingquicklyandsafelytotheappropriatehospitalwhichisnotalwaystheclosesthospitalThewindowofopportunitytoreceiveclot-bustingTPAtissueplasminogenactivatortherapyandhavetheRespondingtoStrokeinCottageCountrytreatmentworkitsmagicisthreehours.ThepatientmustgotoahospitalthatisequippedtoperformaCTScantoconfirmthatitisindeedthetypeofstrokethatwouldbenefitfromTPAtherapyandthatcanadministerthetherapywithinthethree-hourwindow.Thesoonertheclotcanbedissolvedandbloodflowtotheaffectedpartofthebraincanberestoredthegreaterthelikelihoodofarapidandcompleterecoverywithminimallife-changingdeficits.Distancesincottagecountryincreasethetimefromparamediccontactwiththepatienttothedeliveryofdefinitivetreatmentbydoctors.Thetimevariablethatcottagerscancontrolisthetimefromwhenstrokesymptomsarefirstobservedtowhenthe911callismade.Theonsetofstrokeisusuallysudden.SymptomsmayincludeconfusionortroublespeakingorunderstandingspeechtroublewithvisioninoneorbotheyesnumbnessorweaknessofthefacearmorlegespeciallyononesideofthebodytroublewalkingdizzinesslossofcoordinationsevereheadachewithnoknowncauseIfyouobservethesesymptomsinapersonofanyagemakethemcomfortableandcall911immediately.BlakeHurstisaprofessionaleducatorandconsultantspecializingincardiacemergencyresponseprogramming.ContacttheFOCAofficeinfofoca.on.catobeconnectedwithBlakeforgrouppresentationsaboutstrokeandheartattackpreventionatthelakeandtheuseofportableAutomatedExternalDefibrillators.FOCAhaspartneredformanyyearswiththeMinistryoftheEnvironmentonvolunteerwater-qualitymonitoringpro-grams.ThegoaloftheLakePartnerProgramLPPistobetterunderstandandprotectthequalityofOntariosinlandlakesbyinvolvingcitizensinavolunteer-basedwaterqualitymon-itoring.TheLPPisaprovince-wideeffort.IsyourwaterbodybeingsampledFindouthowtogetinvolvedwww.foca.on.casearchlakepartnerLakePartnerProgram FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS21WorkingwiththeTrentCentreforCommunity-BasedEducationearlierthisyearFOCAinvestigatedchallengesandbarrierstowastemanagementinruralmunicipalitiesacrossOntario.ThankyoutoeveryonewhoparticipatedinthesurveyHereareafewhighlights23ofrespondentswereseasonalruralresidentsandtherestwerepermanent74saidtheirassociationfieldsquestionsaboutgarbageandrecyclingfrommembersHalfofrespondentsareinterestedtoorganizelocalelectronicswastecollectioneventswhichcoulddoubleasfundraisingopportunitiesfortheassociation.Communicationbetweenresidentsandmunicipalitiesemergedasakeyfactorinwastemanagementsuccess.FOCASurveyCottageCountryWasteManagementLargermunicipalitiesarebetter-equippedtoprovideeducationorspecialdisposaloptionsforelectronicwastelargefurnitureandmore.Lookformoreinformationandlocalconsiderationsonyourmunicipalwebsite.ForlinkstoyourmunicipalityvisittheFOCAwebsitewww.foca.on.casearchmunicipalBorrowthisideaAtipsheetisagoodwaytoencouragefolkstotakeafewnewstepssuchaskeepingbatteriesoutoflandfill.Sharethedetailsinyourassociationnewsletterandatlakemeetings. FEDERATIONOFONTARIOCOTTAGERSASSOCIATIONS23excerptsfromFOCAmemberPikeLakeCommunityAssociationWakeWisepublicationMay2013MostofusarefamiliarwithgeneralboatsafetyandetiquettebutareweasfamiliarwiththeimpactofboatwakesBoatsmovingthroughwatercreatewavescommonlyknownaswake.Thelargerthewakethegreaterthepotentialforundesirablesideeffectsincludingincreasederosiondisturbedsedimentsanddrowningthenestsandyoungofthecommonloon.Peopleimpactsincludedangertoinexperiencedswimmersotherboatersanddamagetodocksormooredboats.HowyoucanbeWakeWise1.Beawareofthesizeofyourwakeduringdisplacementtransitionplaningspeeds.2.Positionyourpassengersthroughouttheboatinordertoreducethetimespentintransitionspeed.3.Lookbehindyoutoseeunderstandtheimpactofyourwakeonshorelinesdocksorotherstructures.Adjustyourspeeddirectiontominimizeimpact.4.Respecttheshorelinezone.ReduceyourspeedtolessBoatWaketipsthan10kmhwithin30metresofanyshoreincludingthenarrowchannelsbetweenislands.5.Waterskitubewakeboardwellawayfromallshorelines.Trytomakeuseoftheentirelengthofthelake.6.Considerthesizeofthewakeproducedwhenpurchasinganewboat.Forthefullpaperandmoreresourcesvisitwww.foca.on.casearchwakeCourtesyPikeLakeCommunityAssociation MAILEDUNDERCANADAPOSTAGREEMENT40034069andlake-stewards-in-training1.maintainastripofplantsalongyourshorelineatleastametrewideitwillhelpsaveyourpropertyfromerosionandcandetergeesefromvisitingyourproperty2.helpkeeptheskyfullofstarsreducebulbwattageforfloodlightsaroundthecottageusemotiondetectorsandordirectlightingdownwards3.avoidusingfertilizersonyourlawnastheywilleventuallymakeitintoyourlakeandnegativelyimpactwaterquality4.watchyourwakewhileboating5.keepyoursepticbedclearoftreesandotherlargeshrubsandonlygrowshallowrootedplantsthatarelesslikelytodamageyourseepagetilesTipsforLakeStewardsTOPTEN6.keepboatsatleast30metresfromshorelinetoavoidswimmersnearshoreandadheretospeedlimits10kmhwithin30metresofshorelinewhereapplicable7.encouragenativespeciesofflowersshrubsandtreestolimityourmaintenanceworkandprovidesheltertolocalwildlife8.haveyoursepticsysteminspectedevery3-5yearsandpumpedifrequired9.cleanandinspectyourboatbeforemovingittootherlakestohelpcontrolthespreadofinvasivespecies10.getontheFOCAElertlistforupdatesvisitwww.foca.on.casearchElertContactusattheFOCAoffice705-749-3622infofoca.on.caShareyourAssociationsuccessstoriesCoverphotobyKirkDoughty