Otty Lake Association

Welcomes You!

Membership

Volunteering

Join a Growing Community of OLA Volunteers

At last count, the OLA has over 66 dedicated individuals who are actively volunteering on a variety of projects and activities around Otty Lake.

Otty Lake Association volunteers contribute in countless ways, from supporting annual events and programs,  conducting water quality research, acting as lake ambassadors, writing for our newsletter, or serving on the Board. No matter your interest or skill, there’s a way for you to get involved and make a difference.

If you are interested in volunteering, please send an email to [email protected]  and tell us a bit about yourself.  Someone will be in touch to discuss what task might suit your interests.

Our volunteer needs are currently grouped into “one day” and “ongoing roles”.

 “One Day” Volunteer Needs   

Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Sunday, June 7 

  • One or two individuals are needed to assist at the registration table.   You would be  greeting people,  checking them off from a printed list, and accepting membership fees if necessary.  Ideally you could consider taking the lead on this function for the 2027 AGM, too, or even become our new Membership Coordinator! Contact Susan Murray if you can help.
  • Tech Support – We would like someone on hand who can assist with technology if we run into difficulty.  We will be using a laptop, projector, big screen and microphones.   Contact David Murray if you can help.

Wildlife Home Building – Sunday, July 19

  • Wood Cutters/Kit Assemblers – Organizers could use one or two people to cut the wood pieces to required sizes and assemble them into kits for participants to use.  Needs to be done  in advance of the workshop day.
  • Assembly Assistants – A couple of people familiar with working with wood are needed to help the participants with assembly of their wildlife homes on the day of the workshop
  • Contact David Murray through [email protected].

Paddle Power Day – Sunday August 9 (rain day August 16)

  • Drone Owner / Operator
    We would like someone to get some drone coverage of Paddle Power to use on Facebook and our website.   Kim Bolton is coordinating.
  • Paddler Leaders
    We could use a couple of people to help direct the paddlers and let them know what is happening.
  • Contact Kim at [email protected] to help with either of these roles.

Ongoing Volunteers Needed for Key Roles 

Membership

We are looking for a new Membership coordinator.  This person needs to maintain the excel database with member data and payments.   They will need to coordinate with Treasurer on payments, provide data extracts to the Lake Ambassador coordinators twice a year, and an extract for snail mail Canada Post newsletter mailings.  Most of job can be done by email so could be done from “anywhere”.  Year round commitment needed but more activity in spring and summer.  Contact David and Susan Murray at [email protected].

Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting Volunteers

If you’re passionate about preserving the health of Otty Lake and want to play a meaningful, hands-on role, we’d love to hear from you. We’re seeking people with knowledge and/or interest in environmental stewardship and water quality and who can commit approximately 2-3 hours per month during the sampling season (May – October) to help collect, record and report on water quality data for the OLA.  Access to a motorboat is helpful but not essential.  Contact David Murray at [email protected].

Lake Ambassadors

If you are outgoing and enjoy talking to your neighbours and you live or cottage on Otty Lake South West Shore Road, Sunset Ridge, McKay Farm Road, Bishops Way, Sunset Drive, Maple Glen, or McLaren Point, this might be the volunteer opportunity for you. Lake Ambassadors play a vital role in supporting the recruitment of new members to the Otty Lake Association (OLA) and advancing its objectives by coordinating the annual spring membership renewal and dues collection process and communicating with members in designated Lake Zone Areas.  Contact Heidi at [email protected]. 

Board Member

Our OLA Board currently has 11 directors, but our by-law allows for 15. So, there is room for you to join our dedicated team! We usually have four regular board meetings by Zoom and at least one in person meeting at someone’s home per year. So it is not necessary that you be a full time resident on the lake, just be a paid up member!  The board is also responsible for organizing our annual general meeting held in person in early June, usually on a Sunday afternoon.  Contact Jen or Barb at [email protected].

 

 

From some of our volunteers

“We are blessed to own lakefront property and thankful for each sunrise and sunset.  We believe we should all respect and conserve the natural environment we live in, as those before us have diligently done – especially now!” – Jay and Richard Hendry

“After moving here, volunteering with the OLA Board and working on individual projects was a great way to meet people in the community. There is so much to learn about our lake, the fish and wildlife, as well as the natural environment. I also learned about municipal and conservation authority roles and processes, shoreline health, septic systems and ways to adjust lives and activities to better contribute to the health of our lake.” – Christine Kilburn

“I love to contribute set hours where I feel my expertise is needed (iNaturalist, eBird, bass spawning sanctuaries, Facebook).” – Kit Muma