From your GBA Rep. – Claudette Pintwala 
 

“We’re really at this important juncture in Great Lakes history. We’re entering a period of increased water tensions. Almost everyone agrees that the current system to protect the Great Lakes is dysfunctional.”

I have been Director with the GBA Board for 8 years now, and increasingly, there is more and more tension surrounding the environmental issues and projects that GBA monitors and lobbies government for on the behalf of its members (YOU). Folks, the GBA and the GBA Foundation is finding itself at a crossroads and having to redefine itself. And we are working diligently to do that. We are now more than your umbrella cottage association watchdog group. The problems we face are now bigger than the sum total of our memberships’ property lines. It is a very exciting day for GBA and for those like the SCA members, who support it. We look forward to communicating to you, as we step towards proactive change spearheaded by our talented and passionate Executive Director, Bob Duncanson, and proceed through the visioning and strategy building exercises that the GBA Foundation, GBA Executive, GBA’s 24 Directors and your SCA (and other Association) executive will be engaging in. 

Some seem not to care about important issues about the Bay. The way I see it, those who live and play on Georgian Bay either get up to speed with the environmental issues surrounding the aquatic environment that is so much loved and depended upon, or they appear to be part of the problem. Ignorance may be bliss, but it can also be very dangerous. 

Rest assured. If you believe in the role of GBA as Steward of the Georgian Bay environment, and so are pleased that a portion of your SCA membership is going to support it, and if you believe that the GBA Foundation needs your dollars to support the scientific studies and educational projects, and so donate extra of your hard earned money to those campaigns, then you are part of the solution!  If you like to learn and get involved in ways you can, (even those casual, friendly, conversations at the dock or around the kitchen table) with passing on news and/or awareness of the pristine and fragile place we are in the “business” of protecting, then you are part of the solution!  But if you only want to play here and turn a blind eye to the “troubled “ waters by which you play, then, know that there are others who are shouldering the burden of your play because they want their grandchildren to have the same privileges that have so very much DELIGHTED us in both our youth and old age.  By its natural wonders and opportunities for reveling in its enchantment, Georgian Bay just IS a gift from Mother Nature. Let’s keep the gift shinny and new and treasure it like the heirloom it is meant to be. Many of our members have wonderful stories to tell about their Georgian Bay experience – stories about communing placidly with nature, about historic events of courage and camaraderie, stories big in bounty to the anglers and varied species of its fish, timeless folklore, and stories of the mighty challenge to uphold shelter through storms of the seasons. 

Please share those stories, especially with the children. While on that drive to hockey or to dance class, help them dream dreams for their Georgian Bay vacation. Take them to some environmental events – and remind them of the precious Georgian Bay environment that we all miss visiting over the long winter months. Our children are vital to what moves us to be good stewards. Help our children remember what Georgian Bay means to family, to tradition, to well-being, and to shared experience in common wonder of nature. 

Here’s a Heads –up on how to get started and motivated for summer cottaging. Make this the year of those who care! 

It’s worth the Drive to Toronto, or Cleveland! 

 
 
 
 

(See more information on these exciting events on the www.georgianbay.ca site) 

Other Significant Dates:

 
 

⇒ Important Reminder!  Choose GBA Foundation as your #1 Charity of choice for 2008.