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 550 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.
At the 2025 FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar, governance consultant Don McCreesh presented “Top Five Ways to Ensure You Address Your Governance Duties” with non-profit organizational practices for volunteer associations. Login below for a PDF of his talk, plus additional resources like a 2019 governance tips sheet on the different reporting and taxation considerations for incorporated versus unincorporated groups:
You're missing members-only content!
The following governance tips 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!
Looking for new Board Members for your Association, or volunteers for a one-time project or annual event? Consider posting the job on Charity Village. First, create a free account as a nonprofit “Employer”, then “Post a Job” and choose “Volunteer” as the category. (Tip: search “Board volunteer” or other terms to see existing job postings by others, for ideas about what amount of information a posting should have.) We hope you find your dream candidate!
A reminder to any of our Member Associations that are incorporated in Ontario:
September 30, 2023 is the final date to hold your board meetings or member meetings electronically, if your bylaws prohibit this. During COVID-19, the province temporarily suspended this condition, allowing associations to meet electronically even if their bylaws said otherwise.
(Note: member meetings of incorporated associations cannot be held via email, as two-way communication must be allowed.) For more, visit: https://nonprofitlaw.cleo.on.ca/recent-changes/ and consult the member materials below about good governance and ONCA compliance.
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 under the Member login, 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.
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 governance resources 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!
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!
You're missing members-only content!
The following resources about Welcome information 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.
Also on that webpage, review tips for record keeping and filing requirements for incorporated (provincially, federally) versus unincorporated associations, from a 2019 talk to FOCA members by governance lawyer Ted Hyland.
DID YOU KNOW?
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 plus 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)