Turtle Lake Watershed Partnership Minutes 

Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004

John Cameron’s residence

Kopp’s Kove, Turtle Lake

In attendance:

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 10:07 A.M.

Motion 04-005: Terry Kotyk

To adopt July 17, 2004 Board meeting minutes:

Carried

Business arising from July 17 minutes

Terry informed the group that Mona Kirkland the Director representing South Bay has resigned because of other demands on her time. Brian Manegre said that they would look for someone else in the hamlet to serve on the Board.

Also the Communications and Projects & Social subcommittee still require chairpersons. George Rozdilski volunteered to take on the chair for the Communications sub committee until someone else is found. The Projects & Social committee chair position is still vacant.

Motion 04-006: Bob Gourlay

That the Turtle Lake Watershed Partnership be registered as both a non-profit corporation under the Saskatchewan Corporations Act and also to register as a charity with Canada Customer and Revenue.

Discussion:

Bob Gourlay presented a list of the advantages of registering as a non-profit organization, and also to register as a charity:

Advantages of a non profit incorporation

 Directors are protected from public liability suits, because awards are limited to the assets of the corporation. Volunteer activities such as water testing and shoreline clean ups do represent some risk to people and property. Also litigation from others whose objectives are at cross purpose to ours. I.e. resource industry companies i.e. oil, forestry, mining, agricultural.  a non profit corporation can enter into contracts, buy land, borrow money and have a bank account in its own name, as opposed to listing the directors.

 the continuity of a non profit corporation is assured while the membership changes.  The ability to take (and receive) legal action in its own name, as opposed to the Director's  Improved chances of receiving government grants because of the stability an incorporated organization appears to have

 Organizations wishing to incorporate as non profit corporations need to submit their articles of incorporations; i.e. name of org., directors and by-law for a cost of $85. ($65 for filing and $20 for a name search) an annual fee of $10 is required to maintain the registry.

 Non Profit organizations do not need to file taxes, but must submit financial statements annually to the Corporations Branch of the Dept. of Justice. Not an issue as I have QuickBooks Accounting software and will use it to manage the TLWP accounts.

 Non profit organizations must have an auditor review and verify the financial statements (based on the information given to him), and must present a statement to the members at the annual general meeting. The auditor can be a member, but cannot be a director or officer of the corporation. The auditor does not have to be an accountant. The auditor is elected at the AGMs

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TLWP Minutes Aug. 21, 2004

Advantages of registering as a charity

 Non Profit corporations that are registered as a charity with Canada Customs and Revenue are not subject to corporate taxation.

 Registered charities can solicit donations from the public and issue tax receipts  Registered charities can receive government grants in excess of 10% of their yearly income.  there doesn't appear to be any cost to register

I also talked with Glenn Lowes of the Murray and Jackfish Lakes Watershed Steward Inc. and he strongly recommended that we incorporate and also register as a charity as they have. In conclusion that's my recommendation also. I'll make the motion at the Aug. 21 meeting and prepare the documents in anticipation of it being approved. In the mean time I'll set up a bank account with the Turtleford Credit Union. I have everything I need to set up the bank account and the people at the bank tell me that we can do the incorporation after the account is established without any incremental costs, or inconveniences. I'll hold off on having any personalized cheques printed until we finalize the incorporation issue.

Motion 04-006 carried by show of hands.

DFO Funding

Terry Kotyk announced that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) had approved the TLWP application for funding and has sent a cheque for $3,000. Another $1,500 of funding is set to follow based on progress milestones outlined in the Statement of Work.

Treasurer’s Report

Bob Gourlay reported that the TLWP currently has $3,293.13 cash. A bank account has been established at the Turtleford Credit Union. Bob is awaiting President Terry Kotyk and VP – Jim Range to sign the authorization cards, after which time he will deposit the funds.

Bob is also preparing sectionalized binders for the Board of Directors. The binders will contain: A directory of Board members, and their contact information, meeting agendas & minutes, a map of the drainage basin, a calendar, budget & financial statements, projects, and correspondence.

SNOWS Training for Directors

Terry reported that the Saskatchewan Network of Watershed Stewards provides training for Board members. He will make arrangements this fall to make this training available to all TLWP Board members.

Membership Committee

Una Faber distributed a draft membership pamphlet she had prepared. There was some discussion as to who the TLWP would market these private memberships to, and how they would differ from the memberships of the hamlets, villages, IR’s and RM’s. Terry suggested that we revisit both the nature and price of private memberships to the TLWP.

Shoreline Clean-up

Terry K reported that the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up was to run from Sept. 11-18. More information could be obtained from www.vanaqua.org/cleanup.

Next Meeting & Year End Social

Saturday, October 2, 2004, 10:00 A.M. – Noon,

John Cameron’s, Hermitage Ave., Kopp’s Kove

This meeting will be followed by a free lunch at the South Bay restaurant.

Meeting Adjourned: 12:22 P.M.

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TLWP Minutes Aug. 21, 2004