Reports on the 2001 Annual General Meeting
and First Board of Directors' Meeting
of Friends of the Tay Watershed
The first membership meeting of Friends of the Tay Watershed was held in November 2001 and was attended by 43 of the 56 registered members. David Taylor, Orion Clark, David Crowley and Cameron MacLeod were introduced as the Association's interim Board of Directors. The interim Board agreed to serve as a nominating committee to develop a slate of candidates for the first Board of Directors (one year duration) and to establish the Association's objectives, activities and priorities. There was a call for additional nominations for the interim Board. No additional nominations were received.
The Association has been incorporated (non-profit status) and David Taylor provided a review of the Association's By-Laws. Following the Membership meeting, Friends of the Tay Watershed received charitable status.
A bank account has been established at CIBC in the name of the Association. David Taylor, David Crowley and Orion Clark have signing authority on an interim basis, with two signatures required on each cheque. David Taylor has been providing the accounting on an interim basis until a bookkeeper can be found. A copy of the most recent financial statement was provided as a display on the entrance table.
Lynn Preston (RVCA) reported that the draft of the Management Plan is being prepared and will be presented to the participants of the Round Table and Technical Advisory Committee in the next few weeks with the objective of completing and publishing the Plan in the coming spring.
A Tay River website (www.tayriver.org) has been established to promote the Management Plan. The site is being up-dated to reflect the next stages of the watershed activities, including the activities of Friends of the Tay Watershed.
Membership Meeting News Bites
Orion Clark reported that the Federal Government has provided $40,000 for a Tay Fish Habitat Study. The plan for this study will be ready early in 2002. Mr. Clark also reported the Watershed Watch Program will carry out nutrient enrichment studies of six selected lakes in the watershed.
Mike Mosher (BBS) reported that Lanark County has asked for funding from the Province for a Lanark County Groundwater Study and is awaiting a response. The study will it will cover Lanark County as well as parts of Renfrew, Leeds-Grenville and Frontenac Counties.
Cathy Hamlen presented her proposal to establish a Water Quality Monitoring Program of the Tay River in the Perth area. An application for funding has been submitted to one granting agency and alternative funding opportunities are being pursued.
Board of Directors Meeting
February 2002
Nominations were received and the following acting officers were chosen:
Chair/President: David Taylor
Vice Chair: Carol and Mel Dillon
Treasurer: (to be filled)
The 2002 Board of Directors of Friends of the Tay Watershed is Don Boyle
Susan Brandum
Sulyn Cedar
Orion Clark
David Crowley
Carol Dillon
Mel Fleming
Cathy Hamlen
Jim Humphries
Cameron MacLeod
John Miller
Roger Nuttal
Joe Slater
David Taylor
Monika Taylor
Dan Wicklum
Friends of the Tay Watershed now has 65 members. We have joined the Ontario Environmental Network (OEN) to help develop a network of contacts and have access to training sessions.
It was recommended that the Association produce 4 newsletters per year. Cathy Hamlen will coordinate the newsletter. To minimize printing and distribution costs, the newsletter will be distributed via email and/or the website unless postal delivery is required.
Board of Directors Recommendations
David Taylor suggested the Association should develop a letter regarding our concerns about the Ontario Government's lack of capacity to monitor and control the environment issues facing it and our community, especially following the cutbacks in provincial funding for this sector.
Cam MacLeod presented a draft letter to the Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans expressing his concerns over the environmental screening process. The Board supports sending a letter of concern to the Minister and offered suggestions for the letter.
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