FOCA’s Toolkit for Associations

FOCA wants lake associations to thrive!

Our Member Associations have special access to resources and information that is tailored to help Ontario lake and road associations.

Links to these resources are provided below…

You Asked: “How can we best use FOCA resources and show the value of our membership in FOCA?” Click to download FOCA’s answer (PDF, 1 page), including links to our top tips!

Association “Toolkit” Resources:

NOTE: You will need your FOCA Member Login to access some of these materials. Apply by email, and we will send you back your member Login, during business hours.

Member resources related to governance during COVID-19:

Tips for holding an AGM during the pandemic, banking advice for not-for-profit account holders, governance advice during the pandemic, and more…

Association Governance advice during COVID-19, Annual Meetings during the pandemic & Online banking advice during Covid-19 - Members: LOGIN TO ACCESS THIS RESOURCE

FOCA Members: Need your Login password? Contact Us!

Don't know if your Association is a FOCA member? Find out here.

Tips for starting and building a successful lake or road Association (Members only – contact the office if you are starting a new group; we can help!)

March 2019 – Association governance tips: annual filings, meetings, taxes and more – comparing incorporated versus non-incorporated organizational requirements, from lawyer Ted Hyland (as presented at the FOCA 2019 AGM)
Members: LOGIN TO ACCESS THESE RESOURCES

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FOCA Members: Need your Login password? Contact Us!

Don't know if your Association is a FOCA member? Find out here.

Looking for more about Board and volunteer recruitment and retention?
- First, check out FOCA’s posts about Engaging Youth and “Volunteers Needed”.
- Next, review the presentations on volunteerism from FOCA’s 2017 Fall Seminar.
- Finally, review these publications from OMAFRA: Recruiting Volunteers and Starting an Organization (including an overview of duties for various Board titles). While these are older resources, the principles are still sound!
- “Menu of Engagement Activities for Associations” – compiled from responses to the 2015 FOCA Association Survey, and anecdotal responses to the 2014 Lake Plan survey by French Planning, the “Menu of Engagement” was circulated to FOCA members in attendance at our 2015 Fall Seminar. What will you try next?
NEW! FOCA’s “Lake Association Welcome Binder” is a full template your Association can personalize and circulate to new members and/or visitors to the lake.
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Existing Users Log InUsername or Email
Password
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FOCA Members: Need your Login password? Contact Us!

Don't know if your Association is a FOCA member? Find out here.

This amazing resource is adapted from a member Association’s own document, now available for you to customize, as part of your FOCA membership. Chapters include: what the Association does; water quality considerations; fish and boating best practices; emergency info; garbage and recycling; rental responsibilities, and more!

Association Risk Management manual and access to the member rate for the FOCA Liability Insurance Program – NOTE: this paid coverage also includes unlimited access to a Legal Helpline for your Association

Facebook 101 for Lake Associations (PDF, 2 pgs)

Association Webpage Offer from FOCA, to enable Associations to have a web presence (PDF, 2 pages)

Information on rural road issues (including Who’s in Charge and How to get everyone to pay)

Information on rural property issues (septics, taxes, land use planning, mining, energy and utilities)

Tools and tips for working with various levels of government – “Who Does What?“

Access to FOCA’s Lake Planning Handbook for community groups

Updates on FOCA’s advocacy files and policy updates important to you and your community

Fact sheets and videos on a variety of topics – feel free to share these resources! (Please credit FOCA as the source)

Environmental stewardship resources and library

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, and a teleconferencing offer for your Association

Looking for info on a particular topic?

1) Visit the Resources page and type a word (or words) into the “SEARCH” box to find all FOCA information posted on that topic.

2) Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact the FOCA office.

Additional Resources

Get additional resources for nonprofit organizations, here: http://nonprofitlaw.cleo.on.ca/current-law/top-nonprofit-law-resources/ with information about holding meetings, taking minutes, incorporating, and more.