President's Message
A Note to our Members
As we head into the fall, with 2024 almost behind us, we can reflect on the many things that occurred in 2024 and look ahead to 2025, a fascinating year marking the 70th anniversary of TLCA.
After the handoff meeting with Linda, our Past President, I received the many boxes of history that accompany this role. I explored all of the boxes reviewing the work that the Board members and participants have accomplished over the years. One piece of history that struck me profoundly was a green journal from 1955 detailing the first meeting of a group of like-minded people. On Thursday, September 27th, 1955, at the Canadian Legion Building in Sudbury, with eighteen people in attendance, and Harry Harrower acting as Chairman, the origins of TLCA were born. The first order of business was the election of a President – Ed Clare and a Secretary/Treasurer – Ed Zettler. The next order of business was the naming of the organization. Moved by Harold Heale and seconded by Peter Boluk the organization formed was to be known as Trout Lake Campers Association. This is our history!
I am incredibly proud to be part of this association, its history and legacy. I hope that you feel proud to be part of it too. Our members are our foundation.
What Does Your Board Do?
Safety
- Installation and maintenance of safety markers around the lake
- 12 fire pumps available and maintained for use in the event of a fire
- Education around safe boating rules; courtesy
Environment
- Water quality testing and monitoring
- Participation in the Ontario Lake Quality Program
- Education and Protection of lake and forest resources
- Education about plants and animals; invasive species
Communication
- 4 digital issues of the Trout Lake Times; 2 printed Bulletins mailed out to our members
- Facebook page for current news and community messages
- The website includes previous issues of The Trout Lake Times and Bulletin
- Surveys to our members
Administration & Finance
- Administering of the organizations’ records, financial records, insurance (liability for board members and volunteers)
- Membership of FOCA (Federation of Ontario Cottager Associations)
- Meetings of the Board of Directors; minutes, agenda correspondence, emails, telephone calls, liaison with various government, organizations and groups etc.
- Keeping accurate financial records, reporting to the board and members, lottery licensing and reporting
- By-laws and policies, procedures, legal compliance, arranging audits
Advocacy
- Representation of our members on issues with garbage, taxation, lake developments, social issues etc.
Social
- Planning, organization, and co-ordinating of the Annual Picnic a free event for all our members; other activities occur periodically
Forestry
- Consultation with the Ministry when Forest Management Plans are being developed; negotiation when required; monitoring of forestry activities and mining activities
Fishery
- Liaison with the Ministry of Northern Development regarding fish stocking programs
- Education regarding sustainable fishing practices, species, techniques
Email Marketing Tool MailChimp
TLCA has migrated to a digital platform called MailChimp. MailChimp is an email marketing software that allows us to communicate to our paid members. Hopefully, by now everyone has enjoyed reading the Trout Lake Times newsletter that goes out in June, July, August and September on the 15th day of the month. The tool is also used to conduct surveys, send out membership renewal notices, follow-up notices and information on any special events or important messages. The benefit of leveraging Mailchimp is it streamlines communications, allows for a consistent format, and provides metrics on performance such as how many people opened the newsletter so that we can track engagement.
I want to thank our Director of Membership, Lesley Conley. Lesley has been an absolute champion in managing MailChimp. Peter provides Lesley with the content. Then Lesley publishes through the tool. It also allows us to manage our membership lists and our advertiser lists. Thank you, Lesley!
Garbage Update
This summer the Watt family visited Dodd Lake to find over 40 pounds of garbage left behind by some thoughtless people. I have reached out to the By-Law officer responsible for our community to determine what can be done and how we can prevent this from happening in the future. I doubt this is an easy solution. Stay tuned.
There are 4 options for garbage disposal in our community.
- The Alban Transfer Site by the Community Centre – open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- The Landfill Site at 330 Houle Rd, Noelville
- Monday – 8am – noon
- Tuesday – closed
- Wednesday & Thursday – 7am – 5pm
- Friday – noon – 5pm
- Saturday – 7am – 5pm
- Sunday – closed
- The Noelville Transfer Site
- Saturday – Opens at 6pm
- Sunday – open
- Monday – open
- Tuesday – open
- Wednesday – closes at 7am
- Thursday – closed
- Friday – closed
- Shaw Road – open until further notice
Happy Summer Village / Lake Capacity Assessment
As a result of our survey this summer, members asked for an update on Happy Summer Village building plans. Nothing has changed from what was reported in the Spring 2024 Bulletin. Happy Summer Village has approval for up to 37 units on the property. I’m certainly grateful we have Lake Trout in our lake. The government mandates increased protection for Lake trout producing lakes. Currently, the dissolved oxygen level is low in our lake at 7.0 mg/L dissolved oxygen meaning our lake is at capacity. There will be no more new development on Trout Lake for the next 5 years. This includes development such as severance and development of new lots. Another Lake Capacity Assessment should be done in 5 years.
Finally, I would like to thank all of our Board Members, Advertisers/Sponsors and of course our members. We can’t do all the things we do without your continued support. Please remember to renew your membership!! And please continue to support our terrific advertisers.
Michelle Stewart, President
troutlakecasd@gmail.com
