The president reports yet again about foam
along the Bray Lake shoreline.
A $20 donation will get you unlimited personal liability
Bray Lake Cottage Association started out with good intentions:
The Bray Lake Cottage Association's (BLCA) origins date back to 1986; Cathy Reno was the principle organizer. While hydro, telephone, dam reconstruction and lake levels were the original consolidating issues, it was Cathy Reno's personal commitment, passion and enthusiasm as BLCA president that inspired and boosted membership in those early years. Newsletter were published and information meetings were scheduled on an as required basis. No need for a "treasurer" as no dues were collected. If there was expenses, the membership at any particular meeting would reach into their pocket and donate to the cause.
While the original intent of the newly formed BLCA was to achieve "official" recognition and standing at the Township, MOE and OPG, these objectives were never attained because the organization was in name only as it was never incorporated as an Association. There were no by-laws, no mission and vision statements about who they were and what they wanted to do. While, membership in Federation of Ontario Cottager's Association (FOCA) was considered plus a co-operative association with the Eagle Lake Conservation Association (ELCA) were considered neither were pursued. In those early days, Cathy Reno's name and the name Bray Lake Cottage Association although unincorporated had sufficient weigh and recognition in personal presentations and written correspondence to move hydro, telephone and lake level issues forward. After much lobbying with Ontario Hydro and the local MPP, Parry Sound- Muskoka, hydo was approved and telephone service was just a matter of time.
Then in the 1990's executive changes marked the beginning of the demise for the BLCA. Essentially it self destructed due to partisan feuding and factionalism This happened because there still were no by-laws or vision statements providing organization direction. Polarization developed because the BLCA executive was a 'friends group' from the south end of the lake; as a result, the Association become a south Bray Lake social club. North Bray Lake cottagers became alienated without Association representation and because the Association had no agenda or any real interest in helping them out with their specific road access issues on Riding Ranch Road beyond the King Lake turn off.
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annual membership fees became an issue for may!
Signage for "Bray Lake Cottage Watch" was really the only legitimate and approved Association project that required funding. As a result, the BLCA annual membership fee accumulation was invested in GIC's. The Association never even bought a truck load of gravel to assist north end property owners with Riding Ranch road repairs beyond where Machar Township assumed responsibility.
Without any published accounting for the annual $20 membership fee accumulation, questions arose as to: - how membership fees were being spent and the issue became "Why collect $20 annual membership fees when there are no conservation or environmental projects to be implemented". - the President had expenses (i.e. travel, business cards) paid for by the BLCA; so, the questions were Are these legitimate expenses considering that this is a 'voluntary organization'?; What's this business card BS? - because the executive and specifically the "Secretary" were low functioning and internet challenged, the Association mailed a hard copy newsletter that could have been easily done online for no cost. Darwin lives the BLCA executive is still evolving as Newsletters continue to be mailed out. - never any declaration of the BLCA Secretary expenses --- hardware / software Without even the most fundamental by-law requiring an audit to assure Association membership that the organization's resources / funds are being managed in a business like manner and within some agreed to regulations for their use !
Breach of the 'Rules of Natural Justice'
This incident in early 2000, where there was a major breach in the 'Rules of Natural Justice' had its origins after a member chose to directly ask Machar Council for 'caution pedestrian signs' along portions of Bray Lake Road rather than going through the then BLCA president for approval. Because the 'Mayor aka President of Bray Lake' considered even Machar Township road safety issues fell under his purview that member was expelled from the Association with only the 'patsy' executive approval and not the full BLCA membership. Legal proceedings were started by the expelled individual resulting a sizable legal settlement to that member and his reinstatement as "a member in good standing" whatever that means. Many cottagers considered that the 'legal settlement payout' without membership approval was a Breach of Fiduciary Trust and should have been pursued in the civil and criminal Courts.
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"the worst case of (cottage) association executive and officer abuse ever reported"
When this incident was reported to the Federation of Ontario Cottager's Association (FOCA) it became a discussion issue at one of their Annual Meeting being described as "the worst case of (cottage) association executive and officer abuse ever reported" to FOCA. Discussions were started with Cottage Life to do a feature story regarding this incident from the perspective of the expelled member, the BLCA and FOCA but were terminated when the censured BLCA President passed.
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in the summer of 2012 everything changed:
The prophet of Bear Island showed up at the annual social club gathering and read the riot act about the gathering's disrespect for private property. Enough of the unlawful intrusions on Private Property, because "No" means "No", future transgressions would be prosecuted under the Trespass to Property Act R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER T.21 Sc 2(1).
Then came the revelation that the ill-informed social club gathering had no comprehension, 'that without incorporation and liability insurance the members of the BLCA were at great financial risk'. This revelation like 'the sermon on the mount' was a source of profound moral truth for the gathering of neighbours
immediately "A motion was put on the floor as follows: The BLCA is being dissolved and we are changing our name to 'Friends of Bray Lake'. We are not incorporated nor are we an official body. We are just friends." (from newsletter fall 2012) So now it's official the south Bray Lake Social Club has become just south side 'Friends on Bray Lake'
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finally you would think that the farce had been put to bed but it gets better now that there has been an official declaration "We are just friends." (from newsletter fall 2012)
This new "We are just friends" group continues to have elected or appointed officials:
- the President will now be Chairman of the "We are just friends." Why would a group of friends need a Chairman? - "We are just friends" continues to have a lower case vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and directors
- Good news the $20 membership fee is now a "$20 donation" and "Your donations will be able to be deposited by tele-banking"
- Now that they are planning a "fun day" at the Park; there are "official fun day organizers" who are accepting "fun day ideas" WOW WTF is this BS for real? Let's do Gangnam dancing on the beach. Psy would be proud.
Is it possible that "We are just friends" is so naive to think that by changing their name that they have no personal liability for the actions of their Chairman and other lower case executive. The family fun day being planned will be a elevated day of risk. An unexpected injury to a participant or guest brings with it expensive claims and settlements that must be born by the members.
- fortunately the Newsletter will continue "Motion (from the floor) to advance Patti $300 to produce a news letter"; so good news for everyone the Just Friend's Newsletter will still be publishing the latest breaking news and information aggregated from sources all over Bray Lake. For that kind of money "We are just friends" group can buy the lower case secretary another new printer but not just an ink-jet she should have a laser.
News from the Fall 2012
- "the water level is down about 10 inches" in case you have not noticed!
- "some members have noticed a boat at the Boat Launch and it has been there for several days"
- "friends could not leave because it was raining"; so, they stayed behind, collapsed in to a circle holding hands and sang a rousing rendition of 'Kum ba yah, my lord, Kum ba yah! / Kum ba yah, my lord, Kum ba yah! / Kum ba yah, my lord, Kum ba yah. / O Lord, Kum ba yah / ' that could be heard around the lake
- this Bray Lake event to remember was posted on youtube
And who could forget the news from last year:
News from the Fall 2011 where the President has reported results on a major scientific study:
- "the condition of the lake looks good .... Lots of frogs, fish, snakes and loons." (from newsletter fall 2011)
- "we (as in Royal "we") feel that the fish population in the lake has grown" It gets better:
- A recipe with a redundant name "Baked Italian Antipasto" --- no indication as to whether Mozzarella could be substituted for the Swiss Cheese.
- "no fish cleaning on the picnic tables"
- there was a side bar discussion about fornication occurring on those same picnic tables not reported
- "Philip and I will be heading for Florida shortly"; but no news as to what John and Olga are doing for the winter? ; this is "need to know news"
News from the Spring 2011
- "12 cords of wood, 2 shear pins on the snow blower and a whole lot of scrabble games"; this is leading edge need to know information for every BLCA member
- and, can you believe a facebook group is in the works; can a twitter account be far behind?
- "OPG relies on mother nature to help keep the levels constant" OMG can this be true?
Thank you reader because you have been so
diligent in reading to the end of this blog, I would like to direct you to a
Bray Lake site that you may find refreshing:
Bray Lake Stewardship
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