President’s Letter May-June 2026
Announcement: Annual General Meeting and Director Election, July 11, 2026
The Annual General Meeting will be held on July 11, 2026 from 930 to 1230 pm. The location of the meeting, the Agenda, election information, and other AGM documents will follow in the coming weeks.
If you are interested in becoming a candidate for the Board of Directors, please see the end of this newsletter for how to submit your candidacy.
Proposed Bylaw Changes
A big item on the AGM Agenda will be a thorough set of proposed Bylaw changes. With the help of two lawyers on our lake, Bob Abrams and David Laws, as well as the leadership of Thomas Bourke and Andrea Patch-Smith, the Board of Directors has been hard at work revising our Bylaws to correct errors, clarify inconsistencies or ambiguities, or otherwise bring them up-to-date.
The revised bylaws can be reviewed by clicking on ENGLISH or FRENCH. To see the original bylaws, click HERE.
Besides alerting you to the upcoming discussions at our AGM on the proposed bylaws changes, I want to share with you my personal, deep appreciation for the dedication and care that the Directors put into this effort. The Board held several extra and often quite long meetings to examine the issues and perspectives related to the more impactful bylaws. The discussions were frank and sometimes quite challenging. The proposed solutions the Board will present were not always ones each Director loved, but neither were they quick compromises. The Directors examined each challenge diligently, trying different approaches until we arrived at solutions that all or at least most of the Directors agreed were the best possible in meeting the full set of members’ concerns and wishes.
Loon babies are arriving
Citizen scientists on the lake are helping keep track of loon visitors on our lake. I’m sure you all agree that they are a beautiful part of our lake experience. Their presence and health are also a good overall indicator of the lake’s health. Sadly in the last two years, we have not seen any young loons survive the summer.
To find out more about what the loon study group is doing and how you can help loons have successful babies, click HERE.
Lake Manitou Safety & Courtesy Guide
I think we all agree that we prefer a peaceful and respectful lake. The AALM’s Water Safety and Education Committee includes members representing a diverse set of perspectives about sharing Lac Manitou. They have written the Lake Manitou Safety and Courtesy Guide to help members understand and adjust their activities on the lake such that we can all enjoy it in peace, no matter what activity(-ies) one favours.
AALM Upcoming Events
Again, the AALM and its committees are organizing a long list of fun, educational, and otherwise worthwhile events. There will be no lack of social and outdoors activities for the physically, culturally and mentally active.
Please note that this list includes:
Trails Club events that you can only attend if you join the Trails Club. You can join using this LINK).
LMCC events that AALM members are also invited to attend. More information on attending LMCC events can be found after the list of events.
The confirmed events for 2026 (with a couple of events to have their dates announced later in the next newsletter and on the website), are just below. This list will also be on the AALM website shortly at this location. Many thanks to the Committees and the LMCC for all the hard work they put into organizing these events!
Also, keep in mind that some events require a registration, like the Savour the Story: A Culinary Arts Celebration with Local Chefs. If you sign up and haven’t paid your dues, you cannot attend. Pay your dues HERE.
List of Events
MACC – Saturday, May 30th: Savour the Story: A Culinary Arts Celebration with Local Chefs (Organized by Kathie, hosted at Palik / Prupas residence)
LMCC – Saturday, July 4th: Opening cocktail party
LMCC – Monday, July 6th to August 14th: Summer program (Monday – Friday)
Environment – Foraging for Medicinal Plants (date TBD, but some time in July)
MACC – Saturday, July 18th: Slim Williams Rock, Soul, and Pop (Cantor hosted boat-in event)
TRAILS – Summer Hike, July 18th, 10am. (Trails Club members only).
MACC – Saturday, July 25th: Art Fair (Curated by Alan Coopersmith, hosted at Gilman / Flinker residence)
MACC – Saturday, July 25th: Art Class (Organized by Jefferson – Artist TBC)
MACC – Thursday, July 30th: Manitou Musicians Outdoor Concert (Title to be confirmed, organized by Sheri, hosted at Smith residence)
LMCC – Saturday, August 1st: Annual Regatta
Environment – Meteorite and star-gazing (date TBD, but some time in August)
LMCC - August 8/9: Tennis tournament
LMCC - August 8th: Docktails
MACC – Saturday, August 15th: Borod/Henry Concert (Henry / Borod boat-in event)
MACC – Saturday, September 26th: North American Ivry Art Exhibit (Curated by Jefferson Adler, hosted by TBD)
TRAILS – Saturday, October 24th: Annual Trail Clearing
Participating in LMCC Events
There are two ways for AALM members to participate in LMCC events. One, AALM members can pay a $10 per event fee (except the Swim Around the Lake event, which is co-organized with the AALM and is free for AALM members). Two, they can join the LMCC, gaining access to all the events, the LMCC tennis courts, and the summer camp for kids. Note also that some events may have a preference for LMCC members where there is limited capacity. To join the LMCC, use this link: Register for your membership
Debut of the Ivry Citizen Environment Day
The City of Ivry-sur-le-lac is hosting its first ever Citizen Environment Day on May 23. The event starts at 9am at City Hall. Activities include the distribution of tree seedlings as well as educational workshops on invasive species, boat washing, erosion management, fertilizer management, boating, septic tanks, and more. For more information, use the following LINK.
Election – Invitation for Candidates
The AALM is holding its biannual election for Director positions on the Board. If you want to be a candidate, we request that you submit your candidacy to my email (president@aalm.ca) by June 12, 2026.
The subject of the email should be: “Candidate for 2026 AALM Election.” That email text should include the following:
Your name,
the names of 3 members in good standing who support your candidacy and whose email addresses should be included in the Cc. field of the email, and
a short biography of up to 150 words which briefly describes the skills and experiences that you would bring to the Board.
To be deemed a valid candidate, you must have paid your dues (and thus be an active member).