The View from Here A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT As the President of your FOCA Directors, I see first-hand the wide range of issues FOCA manages on your behalf. The Board and Staff work year-round with partners in scientific, institutional, governmental and environmental organizations. I can safely say that in 2017 FOCA had one of its busiest years yet! In late 2016, FOCA’s staff announced their ‘Wish List’ in a year-end video address: 1. That our members continue to build strong lake Associations, utilizing the many tools FOCA has to offer; 2. That you connect with us online, on social media, and by subscribing to receive the FOCA Elert, filled with monthly cottage country updates; 3. That you support FOCA in our ongoing efforts on behalf of sustainable waterfronts, good public policy, and affordable waterfront living for Ontario families. Thank you for helping us to realize these wishes in 2017. FOCA’s membership is strong, and our communications channels continue to expand—particularly our video capabilities with the addition of some new equipment in 2017, as well as a partnership with the Environmental Visual Communication program (a joint initiative of Fleming College and the Royal Ontario Museum). You’ve told us you rely on our Elert for policy, environmental and event updates. And you’ve attended our popular member events to learn about association best practices and to collect new tools and peer contacts to help your local association. At the Annual General Meeting in March 2017, the membership approved a small fee increase of $0.25 per person, to go into effect beginning in April 2018. For details, see: https://foca.on.ca/association-members. Your Board of Directors worked diligently this past year within committees dedicated to FOCA’s most important files and strategic themes. Find out more about our work, our governance structure, and your Board, here: https://foca.on.ca/our-work. I extend my thanks to the volunteers and staff who have carried the organization forward this year. For over 50 years, FOCA has been the voice of the waterfront. Read onward to hear about our vibrant member associations, our important programs and policy work, and the member services that drive this organization. Thank you for your ongoing support. Terry Kennedy President, FOCA Board of Directors Terry Kennedy speaking at the March AGM SUPPORTING STRONG LAKE ASSOCIATIONS Tools and Resources FOCA continues to create vital tools and resources for lake associations and waterfront property owners. We maintain the FOCA website, https://foca.on.ca, with cottage country news, policy updates, calls-to-action, benefits lists and other resources for you. Find out about CottageFirst group insurance, exclusively available to FOCA members, and all your other FOCA Member benefits, here: https://foca.on.ca/benefits/.