Meetings

Minutes of the Directors Meeting

Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Sands on Golden Lake

Present

Kevin O’Connor, Kathy Lampi, Mike Johnson, Gail McPhee, Doug Yourth, Bill Clark, Stephen Butler, Jeff Raisbeck, Karen Utronkie, Hubert Weber, John Gulland.

Call to Order

President Kevin O’Connor called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. by welcoming everyone and thanking members for attending. He showed the new card that Dave Lemkay had prepared that can be dropped off by membership canvassers. It contains a short message about the activities of the Association. A second blank version was also produced to be used for thank you notes.

Kevin summarized all the GLPOA activities this summer and congratulated everyone on their efforts.

Secretary’s Report

Bill Clark reported on the new process in which he picks up the mail and distributes it as appropriate.

Bill also wanted to discuss Board succession planning, especially considering that there will be some major changes for next year. He suggested a committee of himself, Kevin, Dave Lemkay and Howard Bernard to begin considering candidates. He also asked all directors to think about new candidates they might know and advise the committee.

Action: Bill Clark and members of the nominating committee.

He also mentioned that the constitution needs to be updated. In particular, the change in the association fiscal year should be recorded.

Action: Bill Clark to review the constitution with a view to updating it.

Kevin suggested that a notice be put on the web site to seek new board members and others who are willing to participate on GLPOA meetings.

Action: John Gulland to put notice on the web site.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Kathy Lampi reported a bank balance of $12,543.35 as of September 18, 2009.  Bank deposits since August 28 totaled $5045. Expenses totaled $1636.08, including the insurance payment.

It was moved by Bill Clark, seconded by Gail McPhee to accept the Treasurer’s report as read. Carried.

Considering that the Association has built up significant reserves since its inception, there was a discussion about the advantages of having a sizable reserve fund and what requirements or limitations exist for non-profit corporations like GLPOA regarding such reserves.

Action: Steve Butler agreed to provide Kevin with the government guidelines for the disbursement of revenues for non-profit corporations.

Membership

Gail McPhee gave the membership report, saying that the volunteer canvassers, especially Michael Johnson, did a terrific job. This year we have 366 paid members out of an estimated 500 property owners, which is a very high percentage. Our proportion of paid memberships is high relative to other local lake associations.

Communications

John Gulland asked for input on board and committee chair lists. Kevin noted that the directory of sponsors/advertisers on the web site is great and he will undertake to urge more sponsors to submit their ads.

AGM

It was agreed that the 2010 AGM should be held June 5. There was positive feedback on having the OPP officer present to talk about their activities at the spring AGM.

Gail mentioned that a member said AGMs are boring, but that geese and erosion are problems that could be addressed at the AGM. It was agreed that some special information be offered at next year’s AGM. Directors were asked to think about what special content could be provided that members would appreciate.

Water Quality

Chair Mike Cayer was unable to attend. He is busy with his snowmobile club activities and said he would be willing to step down as chair if someone else was willing to serve in that capacity.

It was moved by Bill Clark, seconded by Gail McPhee that John Gulland be appointed chair of the water quality committee. Carried.

Karen Utronkie talked about the sludge collecting on the beach at Harrington road. There was a brief discussion about future work to investigate its cause.

Water Levels

Kevin reported that the committee consists of himself, Dave Lemkay, Lucy King, John Gulland and Gord McMillan.

Steve said he thought that the water is low now, but others said that the level is normal for this time of year.

Kevin reported that RLPOA had invited GLPOA to tour the lake to look at damage on vulnerable properties, but that no convenient date had been set.

Kevin mentioned the amendment to the management plan that is currently being discussed. He proposed that RLPOA and GLPOA water levels committees meet once the amendment proposal is circulated, later this fall. There was agreement that this would be a good idea.

Gail said maybe there should be ‘ice watchers’ assigned for each zone to report to the board on conditions during the spring freshet.

Some possible contacts to discuss forming and ice watchers group include Gail, Doug, Ken Kruger, and Roger at Bonnechere Lodge.

Waterway Hazard Marking Program

Kevin mentioned that he met with Dave Lemkay who chairs the group of marker volunteers. Plans are in place to have all the buoys brought in safely. John Gulland reported that he plans to write an article about the job of managing the buoys and to update the web site to provide better information for boaters.

Mike Johnson heard a complaint about someone in a pontoon boat being damaged by bolts sticking out of the Deacon bridge structure. Others said boaters should be able to control their boats enough to avoid a problem.

Gail mentioned that kids jump off the bridge right in the path of boats going under it. Should there be a sign there to caution about jumping off, particularly in the section of the bridge where boats pass under?

Launch Site Billboard Advertising

Kevin reported that vandals have damaged the billboard at Islandview drive. Kevin and his son and law put the sign back in place.

There are now 20 sponsors on the signs and it is hoped that the full 22 will be advertising soon.

Pleasure Craft Operators Course, July 3

The date is set for next year’s course. The fee will be the same as last year at $35. Should there be coffee offered for participants? Consideration will be given to this.

CPR Course, July 10

The date is set. Next year the plan is to take the money up front to encourage those who sign up to actually attend.

Septic Seminar

It was agreed that the septic seminar was a great success and an important service we can provide to our members and the public. It was agreed that we should repeat the seminar next year. The tentative date for next year is August 28.

2009 Regatta/Fun Fest

It was a good event this year for the first attempt. The proposed date for next year is July 17. Everyone agreed to invite McMillan Road Crew to entertain again.

Poker Run

The poker run was a great success. Mick, Howard and Weldon did a great job organizing the event. The tentative date for next year is July 31. From the proceeds of the poker run, the association purchased a sound system. John Gulland will check with Jim at Bob’s music in Pembroke to find out if a cordless clip on mic can be added to the system.

Maps

There was a brief discussion of map sales and the effectiveness of that program. Kevin reported that map sales are good and that retailers are pleased to offer them to the public.

It was suggested that a notice be put on the web site and newsletter that memberships and maps are available at the Sands.

Action: John Gulland

Other Business

Kevin summarized the events for this year, reporting on which ones generated revenues and which ones used resources.

He also mentioned that he will again attend the FOCA conference. He also suggested that John Gulland might also attend.

It was moved by Gail, seconded by Bill Clark that some expense money be provided to John to assist with travel costs. Carried.

Kevin mentioned that an interlake group will meet on October 3. Kevin asked that Gail also attend that meeting.

Kevin noted that the Laurentian Waste site has agreed that Bonnechere can join the partnership. It is expected that the Township will soon report on comparitive costs.

Adjournment

President Kevin O’Connor adjourned the meeting at 11:55.