2025 BICA AMM Meeting Minutes

BICA Annual Members Meeting 2025

10:00 to 11:45 am EST Saturday July 26, 2025

River Lodge – Whitefish Falls

Minutes

  1. Call to Order – Patrick Thoburn
    1. Patrick welcomed members to the 90th Annual Member Meeting.
    2. Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow from the WRFN regrets that he was unable to attend due to a family emergency.
  1. Approval of Minutes 2024 – Patrick Thoburn
    1. Motion – That the general membership approves the minutes of the 2024 BICA AMM.
      1. Mover – David Gallup
      2. Second – Jeff Baker
      3. Passed: Unanimously
  1. President’s Report – Patrick Thoburn
    1. Full report appended to these minutes.
    2. Big thank you to Steve and Jacquie from the River Lodge for allowing us to hold the meeting in their historic lodge.
    3. The first Association meeting was held 90 years ago, and at the time there were 7 American and 7 Canadian attendees. An important item on the agenda was the installation of shoal markers!
    4. Patrick reviewed some of the 2024/2025 BICA Board initiatives, that included the following:
      1. Build closer partnerships with WRFN and McGregor Bay Association to address common issues such as water quality, water safety and invasive species. Chief Rodney from the WRFN is very supportive of these initiatives because of the shared responsibility to protect the waters and the environment.
      2. Support the initiatives of FOCA and the GBA. A large portion of our annual dues support these organizations, and they are lobbying hard for legislation to address environmental threats to Georgian Bay.
      3. Organize Social Events. Big thank you to all the volunteers that helped organize and execute several very successful events that build community and foster closer relationships.
      4. Launch an Online Store for the sale of the latest Voices of the Bay III, hats and an anniversary BICA sweatshirt. Thank you to Sheila Williams for organizing this.
      5. Promote Fire Safety. BICA conducted two very well-attended fire safety seminars in Whitefish Falls. Thank you to the Whitefish Falls Volunteer Fire Department for the training and Bay Villa Lodge for allowing the space. Thank you to David Gallup for organizing these events and for securing a $500 FireSmart grant that was used to purchase and distribute fire blankets to members.
      6. Update BICA Bylaws. New bylaws are now posted on the BICA website that bring us into compliance with ONCA requirements. Big thank you to Trevor Marshall for spearheading this work.
      7. Key social event for 2025 – 90Th Anniversary Celebration at Ireson Island (the old Island Lodge), that will feature a Pig Roast and live music led by Dean Purdie’s band.
  1. Treasurer’s Report – David Farner
    1. David gave a high-level review of the financial situation.
    2. Highlights were attached to the back of the Meeting Agenda distributed to meeting attendees.
    3. Motion – That the general membership approves the Treasurer’s Report for 2025.
      1. Mover – Zachary Shewchuk 
      2. Second – Gary Clacket
      3. Passed: Unanimously
  1. Guest Speaker – Nicole Carpenter from Georgian Bay Forever (GBF)
    1. Nicole gave a very interesting presentation about the role of the GBF, GBF initiatives, the overall state of the waters in Georgian Bay, threats to the environment and the effect of climate change on our waters.
    2. Nicole was very supportive of the work BICA is doing to fight invasive phragmites and is committed to providing ongoing support for our partnership with WRFN and the McGregor Bay Association.
  1. Water Quality – Ron Kivikink
    1. Ron described updates to the BICA website to include information on water quality and historical data on water testing done through FOCA’s Lake Partner Program.
    2. Ron described recent water testing of three sites in the Bay of Islands paid for by BICA. Unfortunately, test results were not available in time to be presented at the meeting.
  1. Guest Speaker – Jeff Wahl from Wahl Water
    1. Jeff provided an overview of UV water treatment systems and the importance of maintenance, annual disinfection and water testing to ensure that drinking water is not contaminated with E coli and coliform. 
    2. Jeff described the difference between disinfection and decontamination, and how U V systems do not decontaminate the water. Jeff encouraged members to consider more in-depth testing and further treatment using systems such as reverse osmosis to remove metals and other pollutants not addressed by UV systems.
  1. NEMI Presentation – Councilor Laurie Cook and Mayor Al MacNevin
    1. Patrick thanked both Lauri and Mayor Al for listening to our members and addressing our concerns about the proposed Louisa Island development. 
    2. Laurie highlighted the 1.41% decrease in our annual property taxes, reminded members of the recycling facilities available at J&G Marina, that NEMI landfill accepts dock foam for free in the general household waste bins, and that NEMI has a fund available to community groups that could possibly pay for additional water testing that BICA may want to conduct.
    3. Mayor Al spoke about progress toward bridge replacement, water treatment, and the impact of increased rainfall on sewage treatment.
  1. In Memoriam: Joan Granning
    1. Lindsay Richards delivered a thoughtful and heartfelt tribute to Joan, the impact that she had on the Bay, and the many relationships with BICA members.
  1. Champions of the Bay
    1. Liz Phillips presented GBA’s Champions of the Bay Award to Celesta Bjornson and Sheila Williams in recognition of their Love Your Bay Day shoreline cleanups initiatives.
  1. Bylaws and Board Nominations – Chris Redston
    1. Chris presented the 2025-2026 BICA Board of Directors nominations:
  1. Patrick Thoburn
  2. Sheila Williams
  3. Celesta Bjornson
  4. Liz Phillips
  5. David Farner
  6. Trevor Marshall
  7. Jeff Baker 
  8. Lisa Allison
  9. David Gallup
  10. Ron Kivikink
  11. Chris Redston
  1. Motion – That the general membership approves the Board of Directors for 2024-2024.
    1. Mover – Chris Redston
    2. Second – Sarah Monger
    3. Passed: Unanimously
  2. Chris described two proposed amendments to the BICA bylaws:
    1. Article 5 – Protection and Indemnification
      1.  The wording, “To the extent that the Association’s insurance covers the claim,” shall be deleted from items 5.2 and 5.3.
    2. Article 4 – The Board of Directors
      1. Under 4.10, the wording, “a two-thirds majority”, which refers to the number of votes cast at a Meeting of the Members necessary for passing a resolution to remove any elected Director before the expiration of their term, shall be deleted and replaced with, “50%+1”.   
  1. Motion – That the general membership approves the proposed amendments to the BICA bylaws.
    1. Mover – Chris Redston
    2. Second – Zach Shewchuk 
    3. Passed: Unanimously
  1. New Business – Patrick Thoburn
    1. None.
  1. Adjournment – Patrick Thoburn
    1. Meeting Adjourned at 11:45 EST

Minutes drafted by Chris Redston, Secretary

Presidents Report 2025 by Patrick Thoburn – appended to these minutes.

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