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FOCA Elert - February 2019
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FOCA 2019 AGM & Spring Seminar
Association Planning: Getting it Right
Saturday, March 2, 2019 at the Boulevard Club in Toronto.
Thanks to everyone who registered, our annual event is now fully booked!
While we're
sold out
of in-person seats, you can still register to vote in the AGM
by webinar
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(webinar option: $20 per participant)
Webinar participants will be able to tune in at 9:00 am (prior to the AGM at 10:00 am)
to see the presentation about FOCA's
2018 Year in Review
and top priorities for 2019.
Our members, partners and supporters are encouraged to review FOCA's strategic direction and consider how we can most effectively work together in the coming years.
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Invasive Species Corner
Pick up your Kit!
If you're coming to the FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar this Saturday, be certain to pick up an information kit for your Association about Asian carps and tips for preventing the spread of invasive species.
Find out more on the topic, here:
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Upcoming Events & Regional Notices
Asian Carp public education event
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 - Point Edward.
FOCA will be part of an expert panel at this upcoming public education event to discuss the threat of an invasion of Asian carps, and how they could impact Ontario's freshwater lakes. If you are in the Sarnia area, please plan to join us! Find event details and a link to register,
here:
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Public Meeting - Lake of the Woods water quality
Tuesday, March 12, 2019 - you are invited to register to attend a Public Workshop as part of
the International Joint Commission's project to develop recommendations for water quality and aquatic ecosystem health for the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed.
Get details here:
Also note: the final 2019 Forum Program & Abstracts for the 16th annual International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum is now available: Download a copy (PDF, 43 pages). The Forum takes place March 13-14 at Rainy River Community College in International Falls, Minnesota.
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Spring Cottage Life Show
March 21-24, 2019 - Toronto. Save the date, and plan to visit FOCA at the Spring Cottage Life Show!
Details of all the main stage talks are listed here
, so you can plan your visit over the four days of the show. FOCA's Terry Rees
will speak on Thursday and Friday about "Moving your Business to the Cottage: Opportunities & Obstacles," while Peter Lillico (the estate lawyer who leads FOCA's Cottage Succession Seminars) speaks Friday through Sunday.
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Teeny Tiny Summits 2019
various dates and locations: April 4 - Calabogie.
April 8 - Black River-Matheson.
April 10 - Thorndale.
April 11 - Orono.
June 7 - Haliburton.
FOCA will be part of a panel at the first of these events, on April 4th, about our 2018 report on the important role of waterfront property owners in rural Ontario economies. Register to attend an event near you, for discussions of key local issues, success stories, and networking opportunities. Details and links to register, here:
http://www.teenytinysummit.com/
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FOCA's Gold-level Sponsors
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Sponsors
support our work!
Please, support them.
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FOCA on the Road in 2019
As part of FOCA's strategic commitment to engage broader audiences who use and love Ontario's lakes and rivers, this summer FOCA will be attending local events such as farmers' markets and regional gatherings to bring stewardship messages to the general public.
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We're Hiring
FOCA Seasonal Outreach Assistant (2019)
If you are
under 30 years of age and passionate about water stewardship, see the
job posting for an Assistant to represent FOCA at events across central Ontario throughout the summer.
Please spread the word!
Details are here:
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Policy & Political Updates
No more support for land use planning appeals
When the Province replaced the Ontario Municipal Board with the
Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) in 2018, they created a
Support Centre to provide information and guidance for participating in the land use planning and appeal process. Now, FOCA has learned that the Support Centre is being closed. Read more, here:
https://foca.on.ca/omb-ontario-municipal-board-changes/
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Fish Hatcheries Advocacy
On January 22, 2019, FOCA wrote the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) John Yakabuski, and local MPP Laurie Scott, to register our concerns upon learning that the Bancroft District MNRF was planning to discontinue their very modest support for two local fish hatcheries. This decision undermined both the local fisheries, and the significant contributions that are made every year by local volunteers, many of whom are directly connected to local Haliburton lakes and their associations.
Click to read a copy of FOCA's letter. (PDF, 1 page) FOCA has received no response from the Ministers, as of this Elert.
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Environmental Notices
Wood Ash Project
The
Friends of the Muskoka Watershed are recruiting 100 to 200 Muskoka residents to donate their wood ash as part of the
ASHMuskoka project, Canada's first non-industrial wood ash recycling program designed to solve the calcium decline problem in Muskoka's forests and lakes. The ultimate goal is to take the project province-wide! Find out more by downloading an
info sheet on the project. (PDF, 2 pages)
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Funding Opportunity
The
Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network
is
accepting applications
for grants of up to $500 from organizations planning events such as BioBlitzes, invasive plant pulls, native plantings, educational workshops and more.
Events must take place between May 1 and June 30, 2019 in celebration of
International Day for Biodiversity
(May 22th) with its
2019 theme:
"Our biodiversity, our food, our health."
Apply by March 22, 2019
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Partner Profile
Interested in waterpower generation in your area?
The
Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA) has offered to connect with FOCA member Associations, to talk about waterpower generation and water management planning affecting Ontario's lakes and rivers.
To learn more about this initiative or
to schedule a presentation at your Association meeting
(subject to booking availability), contact Stephanie Landers by email slanders@owa.ca or phone
1-866-743-1500 ext. 24.
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FOCA's Silver-level Sponsors
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Sponsor Updates
Welcome, VIQUA
We are very pleased to welcome
VIQUA as FOCA's newest Silver Sponsor!
VIQUA is a Canadian-based, global supplier of residential and light commercial ultraviolet (UV) disinfection systems. Part of a complete water treatment solution, UV systems provide chemical-free disinfection for water contaminated with bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, without changing the colour, taste or smell of the water.
Rather than hauling cases of bottled water or huge water jugs, many Ontario waterfront property owners are already tapping into nearby water supplies to generate great-tasting water which is free from bacteria.
Find out more about how proper water treatment can give you access to great-tasting water:
http://info.viqua.com/foca-alternative-to-bottled-water
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Updates on Offers for FOCA Members
These are two additional updates we want you to know about:
Teleconferencing - "Audability" has become "Genesis Integration." The offer still stands, for our member Associations who register for teleconferencing, and the
amazing FOCA rate has not changed:
2.5 cents per minute
, per participant. However,
there is a new phone number to call to access the deal.*
Coleman Canada products - this deal has gotten even sweeter! Members of FOCA (through our membership in the Canadian Safe Boating Council) can now get 40% off for Coleman products purchased online with the access code.* Spread the word, and be sure to take advantage of this great discount.
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Associations: share this news with your members - this is one of the many benefits of your FOCA membership!
* To see the access codes for these offers, you will need to have (or apply for) the FOCA member web login Username and Password.
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Safety & Preparedness
The required dates for ice fishing hut removal across Ontario
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image Kirk Doughty
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depend upon where the hut is located. The earliest date is March 1st (or before ice breakup, if sooner). Get all the details, by Fisheries Management Zone, from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, here:
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Municipal Profile
Electronic Permitting
The Township of Douro-Dummer recently announced the launch of the first phase of its electronic building permit application system: "e-permits". The online system is intended to enable owners and applicants to apply for a building permit from the convenience of their home or office.
Click to download the Township notice. (PDF, 1 page)
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FOCA likes to share progressive stories from our Municipal partners!
Rural Ontario: we're in this together.
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FOCA's Bronze-level Sponsors
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Association Tools
Planning your Association AGM or Newsletter?
FOCA can help with that.
Have a 5 or 10 minute spot on your meeting agenda? Show one of FOCA's videos! Stream them on YouTube if you've got internet access, or contact us for tips on downloading to a laptop:
Got some extra space in your Newsletter? Please include this little FOCA ad (click the image at the side to download a PDF - reproduce at 4" width, maximum) to remind your members about our work and all the benefits they receive, as
FOCA members!
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FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations,
the voice of the waterfront for over 55 years
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