FOCA Elert - February 2015
http://bit.ly/1ux2kko FOCA
Register now for the AGM!
Members: join us for the FOCA Annual General Meeting and Spring Seminar on Saturday, March 7th in Toronto.
This is an important opportunity to network with fellow associations from across Ontario, and to interact with our expert presenters on hot cottage country topics, including legal tools and tips, organizing for success, and safety and crime prevention. And don't miss the presentations from our featured member associations!
Next FOCA Webinar:
Due to popular demand, we will be hosting another webcast of FOCA's Cottage Succession event, "Keeping the Family in the Family Cottage," on April 17, 2015. Sign-up details will come in next month's Elert - stay tuned for details!
Great Lakes Water Level updates
The International Lake Superior Board of Control says water levels in the lake are at a 17-year high, and that Lakes Huron, and Michigan are similarly at multi-year highs for the month of January. See more about the Great Lakes and this recent news here: http://foca.on.ca/great-lakes-strategy-and-action/
Recap of the Toronto International Boat Show
The 2015 Toronto International Boat Show was a great opportunity to gear up for the coming boating season, in the midst of a dark January!
More than 70,000 boat enthusiasts took in the show. FOCA was pleased that so many of our members took advantage of our free passes. We saw familiar faces and met lots of new and enthusiastic boaters.
and much more
I was at the Boat Show on January 10th, and spent a fair bit of time at the FOCA booth. Found out about several new initiatives planned for this year. If you go to the Boat Show this year drop by the FOCA both
Last FOCA news updates of 2014 in the December Elert
http://bit.ly/1GrleLA FOCA
Webinar #2: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 - Environmental Commissioner of Ontario - the Environmental Bill of Rights and You
This webinar will help FOCA members interested in participating in environmental law-making that impacts your waterfront experience and communities - through Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR).
FOCA members: Watch your Inbox for sign-up details in mid-January!
Boat Show
We are very excited that FOCA will be part of the "Boating Community Program" at the Toronto International Boat Show from January 10-18, 2015, where we will be meeting boaters, and dreaming of an early summer... Plan to join us there.
LAST CALL for free tickets!
FOCA has 2 free tickets to the Boat Show for each and every one of our member associations. Thanks to all the Associations who have already contacted us to claim their tickets.
IMPORTANT: Associations MUST email FOCA by December 31, 2014 with the designated names for the 2 tickets, which will be held at the entry to the Boat Show.
New Municipal Councils now in place
December 1st was the first day for the newly sworn-in municipal councils in Ontario.
Congratulations to all the successful candidates now sitting as councillors, mayors and reeves. FOCA looks forward to a long and productive relationship between local government and the waterfront property-owning community, represented through local cottage, lake and road associations.
A message from FOCA to Municipal Councils:
We encourage you to utilize the considerable resources within local residents' associations!
As stakeholders in nearly 300 Ontario municipalities, FOCA's 50,000 members not only provide a significant amount of local property tax revenue (over $800-million/year), but also have important perspectives on local living, land use planning, economic development and maintaining sustainable local environments.
A message from FOCA to our members:
We encourage you to make yourselves known to your elected officials; they are making decisions that will affect you and your community for the next 4 years! One important time to get involved is during the municipal budget process.
