Lake Associations are the backbone of waterfront communities across Ontario. FOCA wants volunteer associations to thrive!
FOCA’s network of member associations has combined knowledge on a variety of topics important to volunteer waterfront and road groups! There is no need to “reinvent the wheel” when there are handy resources to be shared among members.
FOCA is the hub of a network of over 525 member Associations across the province. This network has key peer information to share about governance practices, engagement, success stories and shared experiences.
Check out this video highlighting “Associations in Action” created by FOCA and posted on YouTube. Please share this in your own member news, as part of a membership drive, or on social media.
Use the resources on this webpage, and then share your own success stories with FOCA, so your peers can benefit from your knowledge and experience!
You Asked: “How can we best use FOCA resources and show our members the value of our FOCA membership?” Click to download FOCA’s answer (PDF, 1 page), including links to our top tips for Associations.
Member resources related to good governance:
We refer to these resources as a ‘Toolkit’ for volunteer associations like yours.
Here are some highlights about what current Association Members can access below:
- tips for starting & building a successful Lake Association or Road Association (just starting an association? Contact the FOCA office for assistance!)
- governance guidance (annual filings, meetings, taxes and more), including tips for managing during the pandemic, and what incorporated associations need to do now, in order to comply with the Ontario Non-profit Corporations Act that comes into full effect in 2024
- samples of a “welcome sheet” for the lake, a template Association Binder you can customize
- sample by-laws
- tips for finding and engaging more members & volunteers
- risk management & insurance considerations for volunteer groups
- help with digital communications (website, social media, virtual meetings)
- and much more…
You're missing members-only content!
The following governance resources are only available to members of our Member Associations & current Friends of FOCA (our annual supporters).
If you are already registered on the FOCA website, please login below with your Username and Password.
Need help with your login? Contact us for assistance during business hours. Not yet a Member Association? Find out why you should be!
Make sure you’re using all your Association membership benefits and services!
Here are more Member Association resources, and links to additional webpages:
- Member Association Webpage Offer (download PDF, 2 pages) – FOCA will create a basic web presence for current member Associations, as a sub-page of the FOCA website that will be visible to online search engines
- visit our webpage about rural road issues for more about getting everyone to pay and liability considerations
- visit FOCA webpages for more information on rural property issues (septics, taxes, land use planning, mining, energy and utilities)
- access FOCA’s extensive Lake Planning Handbook for community groups
- share FOCA Publications, Videos and News! (Please credit FOCA as the source)
- Cottage safety information (insurance, fire, boating)
- Special offers and benefits from our corporate partners, including access to the first group insurance program for cottagers, exclusively available to FOCA members.
You're missing members-only content!
The following resources about ONCA are only available to members of our Member Associations.
If you are already registered on the FOCA website, please login below with your Username and Password.
Need help with your login? Contact us for assistance during business hours. Not yet a Member Association? Find out why you should be!
The following is members-only content!
“Welcome” information, to help new property owners and visitors to understand the in’s-and-out’s of life at your waterbody.
Choose from short samples, or a full binder template that you can customize:
You're missing members-only content!
The following resources about welcome sheets, etiquette tips and renters' guides are only available to members of our Member Associations.
If you are already registered on the FOCA website, please login below with your Username and Password.
Need help with your login? Contact us for assistance during business hours. Not yet a Member Association? Find out why you should be!
You're missing members-only content!
The following resources about managing a volunteer association through the pandemic are only available to members of our Member Associations.
If you are already registered on the FOCA website, please login below with your Username and Password.
Need help with your login? Contact us for assistance during business hours. Not yet a Member Association? Find out why you should be!
You're missing members-only content!
The following resources about Board & Volunteer recruitment and retention are only available to members of our Member Associations.
If you are already registered on the FOCA website, please login below with your Username and Password.
Need help with your login? Contact us for assistance during business hours. Not yet a Member Association? Find out why you should be!
Insurance & Risk Management considerations:
Consult the FOCA Association Risk Management manual for extensive risk management information for volunteer groups like yours.
Member Associations access a member rate on insurance offered through the FOCA Liability Insurance Program administered by Cade Associates Insurance Brokers. NOTE: this paid coverage also includes unlimited access to a Legal Helpline for your Association.
Access these resources puls additional tips and information on our related webpage: Risk Management.
Help with Digital Communications:
FOCA wants our member Associations to thrive and find ways to stay digitally connected! If your Association does not yet have a website or a Facebook page, FOCA can help:
- Facebook 101 for Lake Associations (download PDF, 2 pgs; created by FOCA in 2017)
- Association Webpage Hosting Offer from FOCA (download PDF, 2 pages)
- Association Digital AGM Hosting Offer from FOCA (download fillable PDF, 3 pages)