KAPOA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SATURDAY, July 4, 2026 10:00am – 12:00pm
Barry’s Bay Legion, 250 John Street, Barry’s Bay
Lynne MacLean declared the meeting open at 10:05 a.m. There were 23 people and 6 directors present.
The meeting was duly constituted with a quorum of at least 12 members. Lynne then reviewed the agenda and then passed a motion as follows:
Lynne MacLean put forward a motion to accept the AGM minutes from 2025. Second by Barbara McIntyre and agreed by all.
Lynne then turned the floor over to Greg Zdzienicki
Greg Zdzienicki welcomed members and introduced himself as President. Greg then put out a call for new volunteers since there are going to be three directors resigning this year. He stressed how important volunteers were to this organization and how KAPOA would not exist without them.
Greg then did a recap of last year’s activities and continued with our 2026 Initiatives:
Watersheds Canada Fish Habitat Project Recap, Aug 2025
Thanks to an army of KAPOA volunteers, we deposited over 50 brush bundles in Kamaniskeg and Negeek Lakes and conducted a clean-up and gravel addition to an important fish spawning bed near Sand Bay point. Our volunteers created and donated brush bundles, navigated the lakes with 2 pontoon boats, lugged bundles, cement blocks and gravel to staging areas and into the lakes, donated their waterfronts for staging the bundles and blocks and scrubbed the fish spawning bed. Home Hardware chipped in to offset some cost of the 100 cement blocks, and Watersheds Canada secured sponsorship to offset the cost of supplies.
This work is important to the health of our lakes and the fish populations within them. As proof of that last October, at the Water Canada Awards in Toronto, Watersheds Canada staff proudly accepted recognition from nearly 200 water protection leaders. Their Fish Habitat Program was the winner of the small project conservation award for the ambitious walleye spawning bed restoration project that included the work done on our lakes. As recognition of the importance of the work done by Melissa Dakers and her team at Watersheds Canada, KAPOA donated $1,000 to the charity at the end of the exercise. This helps to offset travel and other costs incurred by the teams who come out to our lakes to guide this work. Thank you again to all those KAPOA members who assisted in this project last summer, there are far too many to name. We could not have undertaken the project without each and every one of you.
Upcoming Initiatives
KAPOA is in a financial position to perhaps be involved in the revitalization of Hinterland Beach. Greg expressed his disappointment with the Municipality of Hastings Highland, advising that they will not be involved in any revitalization except for putting gravel on the boat launch to the high-water mark. KAPOA would like to create a committee of interested members to put together a plan for the revitalization of the beach. This may include picnic tables, washrooms, a gazebo and grading of the beach. It would be our intention to reach out to local contractors to see if they would join us in this endeavor. Judy McKennell has offered to take on this commitment.
North Hastings Fish Hatchery Tour
Kerra Wylie advised that KAPOA has arranged a tour of the North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery on Tues July 14 at 9am. The process of collecting and raising lake trout fingerlings to help restock naturally reproducing lakes is run entirely by volunteers. Going on a Tuesday we will have the opportunity to participate in some of the weighing and feeding operations conducted by volunteers which could be especially fun and educational for kids and grandkids. All ages as well as members or non-members of KAPOA are welcome. The location of the hatchery is 140 Hysert Road in Bancroft. Please email kapoacares@gmail.com as soon as possible to secure your spot, we have room for 12-15 people, and we’ll be opening it up in the week preceding the tour to other lake associations in the Hastings-Highlands Interlake if we can’t fill it ourselves.
Forestry Operations 2026
Kerra Wylie advised that The Annual Work Schedules (AWS) became available earlier this year to review on the Natural Resources Information Portal. These describe planned harvest, tending and replanting activities for the April 2026 to March 2027 period in our membership area. 2 different forest licensees are responsible for planning forestry operations which are reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Ottawa Valley Forest Company (OVFI) conducts harvesting to the east of Highway 62. Their work schedule is reporting planned harvest to the north, west (not quite reaching Crooked Lake) and south of Gun Lake this year. Access to the harvest area will be primarily accessed from Long Lake Road, along an existing Thomas P. Murray trail. This road corridor work is supposed to have been started by now, and it will impede use of the trail system that accesses Tom’s Lookout unfortunately for the balance of this year. We do have assurance from OVF that the modified harvest prescription that was negotiated with them will be complied with during these operations. That prescription provides for modified tree removal within 30 meters on each side of the trails and to remove any debris that falls over the trail so that it can resume use after operations.
Dane Riemenschneider, Registered Operations Forester, has confirmed that while most of the operation will be poplar clear cut, there will be a few different prescriptions including Selection and Stand improvement which are partial harvests that will still leave significant amounts of residual trees.
The Bancroft Minden Forest Company annual work schedule now includes harvest north of Rose Creek and West of Kamaniskeg Lake Road in the current year. Immediately behind Hinterland Beach and down to Rose Creek will be a clearcut harvest while the larger area behind it will involve shelterwood cutting (in keeping with the species that require shade from the trees left behind to re-grow). This has been in the 10-year plan (2021-2031) and is now upon us. Specific timing for the harvest is after Thanksgiving weekend which will impact fall recreational and hunting activities.
There is a flat portion along the Kamaniskeg Lake Road within the clearcut poplar area that could be planted with red pine that the forest licensee, BMFC, will be keeping an eye out for the opportunity to transition some of that area.
Reassessments in the clearcuts that will be naturally regenerating (white pine, poplar) will be 10 years from the harvest date (unless BMFC are able to do that conversion to red pine). The shelterwood harvests have enough residual trees that the post harvest assessment will be sufficient to know that the remaining stand meets “Free To Grow” standards. Road signage will be installed during active operations to ensure that safety of all users, that is a requirement of all operators.
ACTION: A member inquired regarding the approach that the harvest operator will be taking to/from the Hinterland operations – south along Kamaniskeg Lake Road (not ideal due to impact it will have on the road condition), or north out to Siberia / Centre Roads. Kerra Wylie to inquire with BMFC and share on the kapoa.ca website.
Membership
Lynne MacLean advised that to date, we have 205 members paid for 2026 membership. In 2025, we had 250 members. She was pleased to let folks know that e-transfers have become more popular and are greatly appreciated. This year 26 folks paid at Bay Day, 9 paid at the AGM, 5 mailed in their cheque and the remainder was by e-transfer. This year we have not had reps go door to door because we do not have enough members committed to this task.
Lynne advised that she is resigning as Secretary and director of membership and called upon anyone to take on the task.
Poker Run
Lynne MacLean introduced Gerri Lucas who will be chairing the poker run this year.
Gerri encouraged folks to sign up for the poker run and that she had a tap machine on hand at this meeting. She announced that proceeds of the poker run would be going toward x-ray equipment in our new emergency room at St. Francis Memorial Hospital. She also thanked our sponsors for their contributions.
Gerri explained that there would be some changes in the set up of the poker run this year. Instead of drawing cards at the 7 docks, people will be handed a coloured chip. At the beach, the chips will be handed in for 7 cards and if you don’t like your best 5 card poker hand, you have the option to buy another card for $20.
This year, there will be pizza, popcorn, slushy drinks and cake to eat and Gerri encouraged everyone to come out and meet their neighbours and join the festivities.
Regatta
Greg Zdzienicki advised that the regatta would once again be held on the Saturday of August Civic Holiday, Aug 1/26.
There will be swimming races, noodle races and canoe races for young and old and of course our tug of war finale.
There will be $1 hotdogs and drinks. Greg reminded folks that this was run by KAPOA volunteers.
Judy McKennell reiterated that there were many small tasks required at the regatta, such as holding the rope at the finish line, handing out the chips for the winners to collect their ribbons, 50/50 draw collectors, judging the sandcastles and clean up. She encouraged folks to participate themselves or encourage younger family members to help out.
Treasurer’s Report
Candice Langlois distributed financial statements for the 2025 Financial year. These statements are also available on our website at kapoa.ca
2025 Revenue was $9,198.70 and expenses were $4,405.10. It was noted that 2025 FOCA dues were not paid until January 2026 and were not reflected in the 2025 statements.
Donations were substantially higher from the 2024 year because of the $1,000 donation to Watersheds Canada.
On our balance sheet, the bank was $12,296 and our term deposit was $13,502. Kerra Wylie noted that our cash is really getting too high for a non-profit thus our decision to perhaps be involved with the revitalization of Hinterland Beach.
Candice Langlois put forward a motion to accept the 2025 financial statements. 2nd by Barbara McIntrye. Agreed by all.
Candice Langlois put forward a motion to waive the services of an auditor. 2nd by Melissa Gibbons. Agreed by all.
Other items from the Floor
Greg Zdzienicki opened the floor for any questions.
Eva Black asked about the road construction on River Road.
Peggy Olbrycht advised that the Municipality will be finishing the ditches along River Road next week after which they will spread calcium on the road. They will then continue with the installation of the new culverts and will then again put calcium on the road. All this is in preparation for paving of the road in 2027.
Barbara McIntryre asked if KAPOA had ever considered becoming a charitable organization. Kerra Wylie said that we had not but would give it some consideration. Candice Langlois did explain that charitable organizations do have restrictions in their reporting and activities that could be limiting to KAPOA.
Director Nominations
Greg Zdzienicki advised that Candice Langlois, Lynne MacLean and Peggy Olbrycht will be resigning this year and called for replacements for Treasurer, Secretary and Director of Membership.
Barbara McIntrye volunteered her husband Shane Pitts.
2 additional members will give consideration to the open positions. A member suggested that perhaps we could issue a bulletin explaining the responsibilities of these positions. Kerra provided a brief explanation of the open positions for purposes of the meeting, and explained that not living locally is not a hindrance to participation in KAPOA.
Kerra Wylie put forward a motion to accept Greg Zdzienicki,
Kerra Wylie, Judy McKennell and Shane Pitts as directors for the 2026 year. 2nd by Lynne MacLean, agreed by all.
Greg Zdzienicki put forward a motion to close the meeting at 11:13 a.m. 2nd by Ed Byers, agreed by all.
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DIRECTOR MEETING
Greg Zdzienicki nominated Kerra Wylie as Treasurer, Second by Lynne MacLean
Greg Zdzienicki nominated Judy McKennell as Director at Large, Second by Lynne MacLean
Kerra Wylie nominated Greg Zdzienicki as President, Second by Lynne MacLean
Kerra Wylie nominated Peggy Olbrycht as Membership Director, Second by Lynne MacLean
Greg will contact Shane to discuss and confirm his participation.
Prepared by Lynne MacLean
July 5, 2026
