Presidents Message – Summer 2023

The West Carling Association (WCA) held its annual meeting of members (AMM) on July 29. Mayor Susan Murphy provided updates on the new transfer station, the proposed Parry Sound Pool, proposed new firehall, proposed Nurse Practitioner Clinic, communication with residents and, boat docking and parking for water access properties.

Nicole Carpenter from Georgian Bay Forever provided an overview of the invasive plant phragmites and reported on some recent mapping of phragmites stands that she carried out with WCA Board Member, Richard Wilson.

Year in Review

Daryle Moffatt, Co-president reported on Board activity since our last AMM which includes:

• Advocated on your behalf on critical issues such as Morlock Island, Bill 23, and the invasion of Floating Cottages
• Attended and reported on Carling Council meetings
• Hosted an all-candidates meeting ahead of the 2022 Municipal Election
• Conducted a member survey with 50 per cent of members participating
• Development and sale of logo merchandise as a marketing and recognition initiative
• Meeting with the presidents of other Carling ratepayer associations to discuss mutual concerns and issues
• Published three newsletters a year, and frequently post relevant articles and updates on our website
• Participation on Georgian Bay Association Board and committees
• Events includeda boat cruise on the Chippewa, a virtual photo contest, and a table at the Carling Market on Sundays.

Plans for the Year Ahead

The survey we conducted in 2022 provides a clear road map for the next few years. Our members have told us that they are most concerned with:

• Protection of the natural environment from over-development (e.g., water quality, invasive species)
• Maintaining an open, working relationship with the local Municipal government to maintain basic services and prudent use of tax dollars.

Although events and social activities ranked lower in the survey responses, 53 participants in the survey showed interest in attending events.

Donna Tucker, Co-president spoke to our priorities for the coming year.

Nature and Environment

• Working with Georgian Bay Forever on waterfront phragmites eradication in Carling Township
• Task group working on replacement of Osprey Nest platforms

Municipal Affairs

• Continuing attendance and reporting on Carling Council meetings. There is streamed access to meetings. We would like to see meetings recorded and available on YouTube or similar
• Lobbying for Council agendas to be sent out earlier (currently agendas are sent out on Fridays before a Tuesday meeting providing little opportunity to react or ask questions of our Councillors prior to the meeting
• Following up on recommendations from the meeting re: Morlock Island (e.g., use of drone technology to monitor building sites)
• Continued monitoring of the Parry Sound pool project, proposed firehall, proposed nursing clinic and integrated transfer station
• Forming a task group to work with Carling Council to address docking and parking for water access properties
• Forming a task group to work with Carling Council to address waterfront recreational activities in Carling (e.g., docks on the Pancakes, Huckleberry Island and Franklin Island)
• Lobbying for improved by-law enforcement
• Meeting with other ratepayers’ association in Carling to share mutual concerns and solutions

Board Governance

• Succession planning to involve a younger demographic
• Revision of by-laws to become compliant with the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act by October 2024
• Implementation of a policy for reserve funds

Events

We have planned another cruise on the Chippewa on August 17 and we will begin planning for next year’s events early in 2024.

Financials

Murray Hogeboom, Treasurer presented the financial statements. Currently we have approximately $17,000 in cash with some unpaid additional expenses that will come in before year end.  In 2022, we ran a deficit of nearly $1500.  For the year to date we have a net surplus of nearly $1400 with some outstanding expenses that will likely place us in a small deficit position by year end.

Membership

Allison Needham, Membership Director reported that we have 176 members as of the AMM which includes 140 Primary Members and 27 Associate Members which is tracking closely with 2022 given that we gain and lose members each year. We continue to be active in recruiting members through our presence at the Carling Market, email communication about events and activities and personal follow-up with individuals that express interest. We have added 11 new members this year.

The West Carling Association has some unique opportunities and challenges in terms of recruiting and retaining members. We have a large geographic area spread across numerous access points, both road and water access properties with differing needs and a wide range of age and interest demographics among members and potential members.

Similar to other associations we face the challenge of attracting the middle and younger generations that are now part of the multigenerational properties in our catchment area. We developed an Associate Member category to address this and have seen some growth in this category.

Election of New Board Members

We have had an overall change of 6 Board Members with the following Directors retiring as of our AMM as below along with Pam Wing and Bruce Kelly who left the WCA Board in October, 2022 upon their election to Carling Council—many thanks to these dedicated volunteers who shared their time and talent.

Retirees:

• Christina Caap
• Bruce Davidson
• Murray Hogeboom
• Daryle Moffatt

We welcomed 4 new Board Members and look forward to a productive year ahead.

Incoming Board Members:

• Tom Betts
• Bruce Milburn
• Cynthia Milburn
• Katherine Yantzi