Social Media for the Cottage Associations Part 4

I have been cottaging pretty much since I was born, at our family cottage on Georgian Bay. I have great memories of events organized by the Clearwater Beach Ratepayers Association when I was growing up. Since about 2000, I have had the pleasure of serving my cottage association. First as a volunteer for a number of years at our Fun Day/BBQ, then joining the board in a number of capacities, first as Secretary, then Vice President, and now President. Part of the job of the board of a Cottage Association is keeping your members informed. Social Media can give you a great tool kit for both getting information and sharing it to your members.

This is the fourth of several posts on using Social Media for a cottage association. This post is just an overview. I will be going in to more detail in future posts.

The idea behind this series is that it is not so much a "this is what and how to do it' manual, but more a "here are a bunch of ideas/tools you can pick and chose from". You need to figure out what works for you and your association. I will be using the sources that I use for my association as examples, you should be able to find similar sources in your area.

This will not be a static post, I will update it as errors are found or when someone sends me information that fits in. If I have missed a tool or source that you use, please let me know. I am always looking for ways to better serve our association.

Sources

There are a number of great sources for information. Plug in to as many sources as you can, but watch out for information overload,

Your members are a great source of information.

Government at the  Local, Regional, Provincial, and Federal levels
     Web Sites
     Twitter Accounts
     FaceBook Pages

Shows/Expositions 
     There are a number of cottage shows/expositions, 2 of ones that I love to go to are the Cottage Life shows (they have a Spring and a Fall show) and Ottawa Cottage and Backyard show

Associations
     Cottage related associations like FOCA
     Local business associations

Police
     Many local police forces have a web site, Facebook page, twitter stream. The OPP is a great source of info in Ontario.

Magazines
     Magazines have great information, in the magazine, on their web site, Facebook page, Twiter stream

Newspaper
    Local newspapers have great information, in the paper, on their web site, Facebook page, Twitter stream...

TV
    Local TV stations have great information, in the news cast, on their web site, Facebook page, Twitter steam.... 

Web Sites
     There are a lot of great websites on cottaging. 

Blogs    
     There are number of great blogs focusing on cottaging and cottage related things.

Books
     There are a lot of great books out there on cottaging. 

Facebook
     There are a number of Facebook pages that are cottage related or cover the area your association is in.

Twitter
     There are a number of Twitter feeds  that are cottage related or cover the area your association is in.

Google Plus
     There are a number of Google Plus feeds  that are cottage related or cover the area your association is in.

2017 fishing license

Just a reminder you need a 2017 fishing license link takes you to the fees page then you can get to order on line

Fishing licence fees: Ontario residents

https://www.ontario.ca/page/fishing-licence-fees-ontario-residents

Glamping at Georgian Bay Islands National Park

If you do not like the thought of sleeping in a tent, you might like Glamping. Glamping short for “glamorous camping,” is fancied up way of getting your outdoor fix,  Instead of tents and sleeping bags think luxury cabins.

Read a great article on it 

http://bit.ly/24qzONw Explorers Edge

Avoiding capital gains tax with Michelle Kelly

Not sure what the capital gains tax means for cottage owners?
Editor Michelle Kelly will walk you through how it applies to you and how you can save some cash by making one simple change.

http://bit.ly/1TlV4Ok Cottage Life

Social Media for the Cottage Associations Part 3

I have been cottaging pretty much since I was born. I have great memories of events organized by the Clearwater Beach Ratepayers Association when I was growing up. Since about 2000, I have had the pleasure of serving my cottage association. First as a volunteer for a number of years at our Fun Day/BBQ, then joining the board in a number of capacities, Secretary, then Vice President and now President. Part of the job of the board of a Cottage Association is keeping your members informed. Social Media can give you a great tool kit for both getting information and sharing it to your members.

This is the third of several posts on using Social Media for a cottage association. This post is the 2nd one focusing on the kinds of information you may want to pass along to your members.

The idea behind this series is that it is not so much a "this is what and how to do it' manual, but more a here are a bunch of ideas/tools you can pick and chose from. You need to figure out what works for you and your association. I will be using the sources that I use for my association as examples, you should be able to find similar sources in your area.


This will not be a static post, I will update it as errors are found or when someone sends me information that fits in. If I have missed a tool or source that you use, please let me know. I am always looking for ways to better serve our association. 

Information

There are many of kinds of information that you may need to or want to pass on to your members. This is part 2 of a quick list and overview of information you might want to share with them:

Local events

One of the comments I hear from time to time is "there is nothing to do at the cottage". Well there are many local events to enjoy around the cottage area all year long.

For a lot of cottage country there are a large number of festivals within about 1 to 2 hour drive of your cottage. 2 Festivals within a 20 min drive from my cottage are Ontario's Best Butter Tart Festival http://bit.ly/1Tt2jIR and Festival du loup http://bit.ly/1os4lMq . In the spring the are maple syurp festivals like Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival  http://bit.ly/231MyyD There are lots of fall festivals to enjoy too. 

Many villages, towns, and cities have summer concerts, these can be part of a fun evening out. These are usually listed on the community calendar and/or put out on social media. Near by in Midland they have the Midland Cultural Centre http://bit.ly/1Tt4ooj part theater and part miusic venue. They keep a scheduled on their web site and put reminders out on social media, I republish as much as I can, because you never know what someone in your association may like.

Local attractions
Throughout cottage country in Ontario there are lots of great local attractions. 

National Parks are located all across Canada. When at the cottage I get to look at
Georgian Bay Islands National Park every day.
http://bit.ly/1Vg34XC Parks Canada

Provincial Parks are are a great local place to go and have a day hike. 
http://bit.ly/1XplP8i Ontario Parks

Museums, lots of great local museums in my area with lots of fun events all year long.
Huronia Museum http://bit.ly/1Uqs6BW
Penetanguishene Centennial Museum & Archives http://bit.ly/1VGkeNU

Historic Sites are a great place to spend a day. There are many all accross Canada, here are 30 that are in a 30 dirive of my cottage.
Discovery Harbour http://bit.ly/1WALo7X
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons http://bit.ly/1pWk1by
The Huron/Ouendat Village at the Huronia Museum http://bit.ly/1WALD2D
Boat Cruises, being on the southern end of the 30,000 Islands boat cruises are fun afternoon out. Here are 2 close to my cottage
Miss Midland  http://bit.ly/1VGkxZg
Serendipity Princess  http://bit.ly/1X2HXqW

Local Companies
    Any companies that sponsor your association should be kept in your members minds. Boost your sponsors as much as you can, but do not overload your members... 
    
    Great restaurants in the area, because sometime you just want eat out.

    Any good bars in the area? Sometimes you just need a night out. But remember do not drink and drive. 

    Is there a local store close to your association that is great for picking up that one food item you forgot and does not charge an arm and a leg for it?

    Is there a sidewalk sale in town? Is the local mall having an event?
      
Elections
    Local elections, who is running for what. Is there a cottager running?
    Provincial elections, which party's platform is cottage friendly?
    Federal elections, which party's platform is cottage friendly?

Association History
     We have a good history of our association and we have a member who is working with a number of members to get the history of their cottage written down.  http://www.clearwaterbeach.ca/?cat=3

2016 Open Water Fishing Seascon

The ices is mostly off the bay, and our thoughts turn to open water fishing. I have been looking at new tackle, and know I need to get some new fishing line to respool my reels. But I have to get the most important item.... My 2016 Fishing License!

Do you have your 2016 Ontario Fishing License? You can order it on line or get in person at a Service Ontario Center. Click on the link for more information or to order.

http://bit.ly/1puRwRP ontario.ca 

Spring Clean Up, what to do with your yard waste

It is spring again.... and as there is a new for 2016 by-law against burning leaves you either need to compost or put them out for collection.

For Clearwater Beach our Spring Yard Waste Weeks are:
Week of May 9th
Week of May 23
Week of June 6th

Leaf and Yard Collections

Bi-weekly yard waste collection in the County of Simcoe is provided during designated weeks in the spring and fall. Yard waste must be at the curb by Monday at 7 a.m. of your collection week; collection will occur at some time during the week and does not necessarily coincide with your garbage collection day.

Yard waste must be placed in:

Kraft paper yard waste bags
Compostable bags
Cardboard boxes
Open-ended rigid containers

Plastic bags are not permitted. Brush must be contained as above or bundled securely with string, be no larger than 2 metres in length and 30 centimetres in diameter.

The County reserves the right to limit quantities. Leaf and yard waste may also be taken to County waste management facilities during regular operating hours at no charge.

Outdoor Burning in Tiny Township 2016

Outdoor Burning in Tiny Township:

Full details on the Tiny website

http://www.tiny.ca/Pages/Fire--Emergency-Services.aspx

But here is a quick summary

Fire Permit Information

New in 2016!! The burning of leaves is strictly prohibited

Fire permits can be purchased through the Township of Tiny Office, at 130 Balm Beach Road West, Perkinsfield (9:00 am to 4:30 pm) Monday to Friday.

They can also be purchased for $20.00 cash only at the 6 (six) following locations:

1) Lafontaine SuperMarket, 345 rue Lafontaine Road West, Lafontaine

2) Wyevale Jug City, 870 County Road 6 South, Wyevale

3) Mailloux Jug City, 594 Champlain Road, North West Basin

4) LA Hill Esso Station, 2 Lafontaine Road East, Lafontaine

5) R&P Gas, 2236 County Road 92, Elmvale

6) Country Corner Variety, 1 County Road 6 South, Perkinsfield

You can also download a copy of the Fire Permit application and rules, by clicking on the link located on the left side of this page entitled "Fire Permit Application".

It is the applicant's responsibility to know if a Fire Ban is in effect.

For FIRE BAN INFORMATION contact the Township of Tiny office at (705) 526-4204 ext 226 or check the Fire Rating Symbol on the Home Page

REMEMBER IT'S ILLEGAL TO BURN WITHOUT A VALID FIRE PERMIT

Did you know?

That IF you wish to burn a pile that's larger than 1 meter in diameter or height that you require a special permit?

Burning in a 45 gallon drum or barrel also requires a Fire Permit, NO EXCEPTIONS

Boating Safety Guide

Boating Season is just around the corner, read Transport Canada's Boating Safety Guide to keep you afloat this summer. 

http://bit.ly/1oI57ov Trasport Canada

Clearwater Beach Ontario Fishing Contest

We have just created a new Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/clearwaterontariofishing/ it is a public Facebook page for our fishing contest. This will allow members who are not on Facebook to see what is going on.