Ensuring the beauty of the Bay of Islands, Ontario is maintained for today and future generations.
President’s Report Delivered at the 89th annual member meeting of BICA on July 27, 2024, by Board President Patrick Thoburn
Here we are back in the beautiful great room of the historic Island Lodge where the stories of so many of you who visit the Bay each year began as many as five generations ago. Thank you to Steve, Anita, and company for opening your doors to us.
Our community has been meeting for the past 89 years on these shores with the same unwavering purpose: To preserve and protect the Bay for future generations.
Your board and association have been hard at work over the past twelve months, and I’d like to highlight some initiatives:
Unglamorous but necessary: We’ve made bylaw amendments bringing us in compliance with ONCA, the new legislation governing non-profit corporations in Ontario. Thanks to Trevor Marshall, Scott Boatman, and Ron Kivikink.
Fire safety: Training provided this Summer by NEMI volunteer fire department chief and colleagues has been invaluable. With a grant from Firesmart we were able to support the work of our local fire department through a donation. Last of the 10 new pumps are being installed. Thanks to David Gallup for leading our fire safety efforts,
We launched a WhatsApp Community. Thanks to Lisa Alison for leading all our community communications efforts.
Social Events continue to see record high attendance. Fish Fry, Raffle and Auction, Family Day, check calendar. Thanks to Celesta Bjornson, Sheila Williams, and the rest of the board for pulling the events together with the support of a cast of volunteers.
Wec continue to support GBA and FOCA and value the leadership of Liz Phillips at GBA. GBA continues to advocate on our behalf on issues like floating homes, aquaculture and invasive species.
We are in the midst of 90th Anniversary planning! More to come but special teaser: there will be Merch! More on that next Spring. Thanks to the planning committee of Sheila Williams, Celesta Bjornson, Lindsay Richards, Lisa Allison and Laura Farner.
Board Renewal. Our longest serving member Scott Boatman, including several years as president has retired from the board. We thank Scott sincerely for his service. We welcome Ron Kivikink to the board. The many volunteer hours given by the board are so appreciated by all of us.
Please spread the word about BICA, invite your neighbours and family members to join. Our membership is at a record high thanks to the organization of Celesta Bjornson, our membership director. We rely on the volunteer spirit of the community to keep going. Thank you for your support, enthusiasm, and membership in our association.
BICA Annual Members Meeting 2024
10:10AM - 11:25 AM EST Saturday July 27, 2024
Ireson Island – Island Lodge
Minutes
Call to Order 10:10am EST– Patrick Thoburn
Approval of Minutes 2023 – Patrick Thoburn
Moved - That the general membership approves the minutes of the 2023 BICA AMMMoved – Patrick Thoburn
Second – Phillip Rockwood
Passed: Unanimously
President’s Report – Patrick ThoburnNew BICA BylawsFire SafetyWhatsapp CommunityGBA brief update90th AnniversaryThank you to Scott Boatman for his many years of service.
Welcome to new Board member Ron Kivikink.
Treasurer’s Report – David FarnerReport presented by David Farner.
Moved - That the general membership approves 2024 Treasurer’s ReportMoved – Patrick Thoburn
Second – Ted Cowan
Passed: Unanimously
Whitefish River First Nation Update - Chief Rodney NauwegahbowWRFN has about 1520 members and 100 employees.Have recently formed a local Coast Guard Rescue group including the purchase of a large rescue craft. Coast Guard is looking for volunteers from the local community.WRFN has an active volunteer fire dept. as well.
Thanks to Chief Rodney!
NEMI Update – Mayor Al MacNevin
Introduction by Laurie Cook
In Memoriam -Lyn Baker - words by Jeff Baker.Lisa Allison read a tribute to Bobette Jones written by Marianne Schafer.
Rick Sterne - Read by son Eric Sterne.
90th Anniversary Planning - Sheila Williams and Celesta BjornsonTentative Date for celebration is Aug. 2nd, 2025New edition of Voices of the Bay will be produced, deadlines for submissions to be Nov. 1st, 2024.
New BICA “vintage” sweatshirts to be available for sale in 2025.
The Island Lodge’s Next Chapter – Anita O’Connor
Amended Bylaws – Trevor MarshallThanks to Ron Kivikink. and Scott Boatman for help on the Bylaws committee.Thanks to the MBA for their valuable assistance.Brief review of new Bylaw Requirements.
Moved - That the general membership approves 2024 Bylaws as distributed on June 27th, 2024.Moved – Trevor Marshall
Second – Jim Montgomery
Passed: Unanimously
Board Nominations – Trevor MarshallNew slate of directors read by Trevor MarshallLisa AllisonJeff BakerCelesta BjornsonDavid FarnerDavid GallupRon KivikinkTrevor MarshallLiz PhillipsChris RedstonPatrick ThoburnSheila Williams
Moved - That the general membership approves BICA Board of Directors for 2024-2025.Moved – Trevor M.
Second – Jeff Baker
Passed: Unanimously
New Business
None.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:25 AM EST
Minutes drafted by Trevor Marshall
Saturday's fish derby & fry was another tremendous success for our Bay community! Our biggest social event of the year, it takes a school of volunteers to make happen.
Thanks to our hosts with the most, John and Celesta Bjornson, for graciously opening up Ruby Island to the day’s events and so much more. To the fish cleaners, Lee “Knife” Tremblay, Reg and Thomas Drolet, and Rick Fournier. The cooks, Dan Lunham, Thomas and Abbie Drolet, and David Bousquet. Potato peelers Julie Devoe, Sheila Williams, Laura Farner, Celesta Bjornson, and on-the-ground team Bill Williams and Lisa Allison. And to Lee Tremblay for hauling garbage and recycling the next day, thank you all!Big thanks to Ryan Burton and Paul Sidi for organizing the derby and providing generous prizes. Thanks to John Bond for the kids’ prizes. And to Roc and Carolyn Lariviere for your support. Congratulations to Russell Vance for biggest catch of the day, and to Reg Drolet’s crew for biggest overall catch by a boat. To all the anglers, thanks for participating! On behalf of the BICA board, sincere thanks to everyone involved, and here’s hoping we can do it all over again next year!
Russell Vance with his winning fish
Thomas and Reg Drolet with largest catch of the day
Our Councillor, Laurie Cook, shared the following update from NEMI Ward 1:
The Recreation Centre sees events all year long. Hockey and curling and pickleball, along with fitness and cooking classes are popular ways for people to stay active. Pickleball continues year-round and always welcomes new players. They meet Mon. Wed. and Fri. mornings. Contact Lisa Hallaert @ 705 368 2825 or lhallaert@townofnemi.on.ca for more information on this and other programs. And new this year will be a Home, Cottage and Culinary Show on Aug. 9,10, and 11 held at the Recreation Centre.Also watch for "Junk in the Trunk" dates during the summer when you can bring your "treasures" to the Rec Centre parking lot to sell, or maybe go home with someone else's!
Lisa also manages the Centennial Museum in Sheguiandah (705 368 2367) which has some fascinating exhibits and frequent art shows. The Fall Fair on Sept. 14 is always a great family event.
And nearby, the Sheguiandah Archeological Site tour is becoming an interesting day trip, with entrance to the museum and it's relevant exhibits included with your ticket.www.shegsite.ca
Also very popular is the NEMI Public Library (50 Meredith St West Little Current - 705 368 2444 www.nemi.olsn.ca ) and its growing number of services available to Ward 1 residents. They have recently added a Lending Library of tools and a huge array of sports and craft equipment. There are multiple programs on offer for all ages, along with free Wi-Fi and computer use, hundreds of movie and TV CDs, e-books and on-line audio resources. All you need is a NEMI Public Library card - available to Ward 1 residents.
https://nemi.olsn.ca/tsd-lending-library/?fbclid=IwAR02N4HJkdgmxBirmwJ8UT4H0kXnPyrVJom66zd-Yr_hAxNLonZ
The landfill on Hwy 6 is open Tues. and Sat. from 9 to 3p.m. and on Sundays from 12 to 5p.m.
The recycling bins are also back in Birch Island at McGregor's Landing. Please read what is accepted for recycling - and as always, no garbage! This is a service that we alone pay for from our Ward 1 taxes. And speaking of taxes - some welcome news is the recent announcement that our 2024 taxes in Ward 1 will be going up 1.67% instead of the anticipated 2.26%. This is due to MPAC's updated assessment figures for new building, although there is still no definitive date for MPAC to do its next Province-wide assessment. This simply means that properties are still taxed at their 2016 values (barring any new builds or significant renovations. See www.mpac.ca for updates.)Lastly, if anyone is interested in applying to the McLean's Mtn. Windfarm fund for community group projects, please contact the Town Clerk, Pam Myers for more information. She can be reached at 705 368 3500 ext 228 or at pmyers@townofnemi.on.ca.I hope you all have a wonderful summer and do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns. 705 282 7076 or hlaurie.cook@yandex.comAnd if you want to watch a Council meeting virtually - Zoom into Meeting # 489 313 1974 or call 1 587 328 1099
And as always - visit www.townofnemi.on.ca for more information or follow the NEMI FB page to see upcoming events:
https://www.facebook.com/townofnemi?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Laurie CookCouncillor Ward1NEMI
The ONCA (Ontario Not for Profit Corporation Act) was updated in 2010 and only recently came into force on October 19th 2021. There are new requirements for operating a not-for-profit outlined in the Act and our Association has until October 18th, 2024 to update our Bylaws and Articles to follow the new requirements. The BICA Board of Directors formed a Bylaws committee to review the new requirements, draft an updated set of Bylaws, have them approved by the BICA membership, and then file the appropriate documents with the Government to make it official. Many thanks to Trevor Marshall for leading this project and also to Ron Kivikink and Scott Boatman for their contributions.
Below you will find a final copy of the proposed 2024 BICA Bylaws, which we will ask the BICA membership to approve by Special Resolution at our Annual Members Meeting on July 27th, 2024.
Please review these Bylaws ahead of our meeting on the 27th. While reviewing the Bylaws, you will see clarifications and additional information in footnotes that will help explain where new content and requirements come from. If you would like further information, the following website is also an excellent resource with a clear and well organized breakdown of the new ONCA requirements and a how-to guide for transitioning here - https://nonprofitlaw.cleo.on.ca/transition-to-onca/.
Where new information has been included (information not contained in previous BICA bylaws) it has been highlighted in yellow. Where wording has been updated by the Bylaws committee or Board of Directors, it has been shown with blue text.
For quick reference, the following is a summary of the updated Bylaws operational highlights:
The three classes of Membership remain the same as the previous Bylaws; Full Membership, Associate Membership, and Honorary Life Membership (HLM).
Full Members and HLMs have voting rights.
Associate Members do not have voting rights, but are entitled to enjoy all the privileges of membership, including receiving notice of and attending all Meeting of Members.
The Members shall elect a Board of Directors having a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 13 Directors. From these Directors the following Officers of the Board shall be appointed; a President or Co-President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The Board of Directors shall be elected by a majority vote of those Members present at the Annual Members Meeting.
Quorum for the Annual Members Meeting or a Special Meeting of Members is 25% of Full Members in good standing.
Quorum for a Board Meeting is a majority of acting Directors.
The term of a Director is 3 years. Directors shall be eligible for re-election for further 3-year terms.
The Bylaws must be reviewed at a minimum every 5 years.
Voting members are allowed to elect a proxy to vote in their place.
Members meetings and Board meetings may take place by electronic means.
Thank you on behalf of the BICA Board of Directors and the Bylaws Committee for taking the time to read these Bylaws. We hope to see you at this year's Annual Meeting on July 27th.
BICA-By-Laws-2024-for-Member-Review-1Download
BICA has received the following information from the Georgian Bay Association and we would like to make sure all of our American members are aware of the new US Government rules for dogs crossing the border.
There are new rules that you must follow to bring your pet back to the US. This new policy takes effect 8/1/24. Please check out their post:https://georgianbay.ca/news/new-us-border-rules-for-dogs-could-inconvenience-owners
It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that our beloved friend and long-time BICA member, Lyn Baker, passed away on February 4, 2024.
Lyn and her husband Jim first came to the Bay of Islands in 1972 as guests of Tom Patterson, who invited the Baker family to his camp called Scioto Lodge. Ten years later, Jim and Lyn were offered the opportunity to buy the camp along with their dear friends Don and Betty Kieft. They spent every chance they could to clean up, maintain, and build life-long friends ever since. Lyn absolutely loved the serenity and relationships that camp afforded. Together they spent their retired summers at their rustic camp in the Bay of Islands with a community of friends like no other.
We know you join us in sending your condolences to Lyn's three sons, Jeff, Scott and Danny, who are carrying on their traditions at Scioto Lodge, along with Lyn and Jim's four granddaughters.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Lyn Wallace Baker was held at Grace Episcopal Church in Willoughby, OH on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Her son, The Reverend Jeff Baker, delivered her homily, which we have posted to the BICA website. Here is the link to the Obituary information for Lyn W. Baker.
Dear Friends,
We lost a good friend to the Bay of Islands this past December. Rick Sterne, a long time islander, past BICA president, past BICA treasurer, and lover of The Bay of Islands passed away on Tuesday, December 5th. He will be missed. Rick’s family first came to the Bay of Islands in the mid 1920’s and fell in love with the area. The Sterne family bought the west end of Island 2502 in 1939 and called it West Point, which they still call it today. Rick first came to the Bay of Islands as an infant. As a boy, he enjoyed spending his days, fishing, swimming, and building forts. Rick served as BICA treasurer for seven years and then served as our president from 2013 to 2017. He was a strong supporter of our mission and was a wonderful mentor to all who served on the board with him.
Below is the link to Rick’s obituary. https://brantfordexpositor.remembering.ca/obituary/richard-sterne-1089152842
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has pushed back the deadline for compliance with the Underused Housing Tax (UHT), a new federal tax on vacant or underutilized housing. Taxpayers will now have until April 30, 2024 to file tax forms and pay any amounts owing for the 2022 calendar year. The deadline to file and pay the tax for 2023 remains April 30, 2024.
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Bay Of Islands Community Association