Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Sunday May 17, 2009 at Eilean Gowan Island.
1. Welcome and Call to Order:
President, Ian Cook called the meeting to order and welcomed the cottagers present.
2. Minutes of the 2008 AGM:
Mary Sedgewick read the minutes of the last AGM.
MOTION: Moved by Russ Black and seconded by Chris Sherk that the minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Tri-Island Residential Group held on May 18, 2008 at Indian Head Harbour Marina be adopted as read. Carried.
3. Financial Statements:
MOTION: Moved by Stu Snyder and seconded by Pat McFarlane that the financial statements for 2008 be accepted as presented. Carried.
David Sylvester questioned whether membership fees should be increased from the current $25. The President informed David that this suggestion had already been raised and would be discussed at the next meeting of the Board of Directors.
4. Membership:
Chris Sherk reported that 69 membership renewals had been received to date for 2009. There were a total of 110 in the previous year, which was 60% of the total cottage properies on the three islands.
MOTION: Moved by Chris Sherk and seconded by Jerry Rose that the by-laws be amended to state that by joining the TIRG a member was in agreement to allowing his name and address to be published in a printed membership directory. Carried.
The President informed the meeting that the Executive were planning to do a marina and individual cottage dock drop to encourage more members to join.
5. Website and Data Base:
Mary Sedgewick reported on the Association website that was now up and running- tri-island.ca and ideas for an awareness campaign were discussed. The website is posted on any communications sent out.
Jerry Rose suggested selling advertising on the site to increase hits and to possibly generate some revenue. This idea was referred to the Executive Committee for consideration.
Chris Sherk suggested posting the local weather each day,as was currently being done on other websites. President Ian Cook agreed to follow up on this.
Kathy MaGee Hayman undertook to call realtors, Iris and Jim Gardiner to see if they would share their cottage owners list with us. If they were agreeable, this may eliminate the tedious job of our Communications Director, Mary Sedgewick going through the public records at the tax office to compile an up-to-date list.
6. Election of Directors:
MOTION: Moved by Stu Snyder and seconded by Jerry Rose that the following TIRG slate of Directors be accepted for 2009-
Russ Black, Ian Cook, Jamie MacFarlane, Pat McFarlane, Mary Sedgewick, Chris Sherk and Stu Snyder. Carried.
7. McVittie Nature Reserve
Russ Black reported that in 2008 only minor work had been necessary on the walking paths. However, they currently require some maintenance and the Executive had agreed to hire Adam Archer of Muskoka Cottage Service to clear the walking paths.
The objective is to have all the paths located within the nature reserve. In September of 2008, an inspection of the paths had been done, and in some areas the paths are outside the reserve on privately owned cottage property. This needs to be addressed and would necessitate the creation of some new paths and possible boardwalks in low areas. Eventually there will be a completely circular path all around the Island, well marked and all contained within the nature reserve boundaries.
Sandy Tulloch is ready to mark the paths with the offically accepted trail markers used by the Canadian Trail Association. She needs help to do this. Kathy and Mary both volunteered to help with this. Sandy is the TIRG representative on the Heritage Trust. Members meet once a year at a mutually convenient date during the summer convened by Don McVittie. Mary and Pat will contact Sandy to get an update and to invite her to the next TIRG Executive meeting.
Russ Black encouraged everyone to become a member of the Muskoka Heritage Association.
8. Any Other Business:
It was noted that pollution no longer appeared to be such a pressing concern to cottagers. Unofficially, the water quality of Lake Muskoka appears to be improving. Air, light and noise pollution were not a big concern, although it was noted David Sylvester did find the noise from the diesel engines of the “Lady Muskoka” tour boat offensive.
9. Adjournment:
MOTION: Moved by Ian Cook and seconded by Jerry Rose that the meeting be adjourned. Carried.