Well, this summer and fall have been interesting! The Public Health guidelines for COVID-19 loosened somewhat over the summer, allowing some clubs to organize events (with restrictions). The increased infection rate in November has led to much more restrictive guidelines, which has greatly limited what we can do as member clubs. I am waiting for an update in early January, but I am not hopeful of any significant loosening of guidelines.
I urge all members to keep up to date on the current guidelines and apply them to activities planned by individuals and clubs. The FMCBC will continue to monitor the situation and contact Public Health officials regularly to clarify how the guidelines apply to group activities in our situation.
With the current restrictions keeping our ‘bubbles’ restricted to immediate family households, the options for member club activities are extremely limited or impossible. When the restrictions are eased, check the FMCBC website at www.mountainclubs.org to find useful advice for club activities.
DONATE TO THE FMCBC
With the year-end rapidly approaching, now is the time to donate to the FMCBC, a registered charitable organization. Visit www.mountainclubs.org/donate to donate. Once you provide a one-time or reoccurring donation, you’ll automatically receive a tax receipt online to apply to your 2020 tax return.
You can also view this webpage to find out about how you can support the FMCBC and choose where to allocate your donation, including advocacy efforts to reduce threats to backcountry access.
One significant case is the ongoing conflict between the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club case and the Douglas Lake Cattle Company. Commercial and private interests influence provincial and regional decision-makers. We need to have the resources to be able to monitor and counter proposals that would restrict access to the backcountry – for our member clubs and general non-motorized backcountry recreationalists.
2020 AGM
The FMCBC postponed the 2020 Annual General Meeting until September 2020 as we hoped to be able to host an in-person AGM. Unfortunately, this was not possible, so a virtual, online AGM was held on September 26. We weren’t able to meet with you in person, but we did address the annual meeting requirements and elected a new Board of Directors.
Our previous President, Dave Wharton, had resigned prior to the AGM, but he remains our representative with the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC. We hope to hold the 2021 AGM in May 2021, but also have a contingency plan for holding another virtual AGM if in-person events are still restricted.
SHARING IDEAS
Let us know how you and your club are keeping your membership involved at a club level and with the FMCBC. Have you read the November 2020 monthly E-Newsletter from the FMCBC? You’ll find a series of online seminars to keep engaged and informed. You can find the latest edition of the E-Newsletter here.
Our Administration and Communications Manager, Chandra, edits and publishes the newsletter and the semi-annual Cloudburst. Make sure you are subscribed to receive the latest editions at mountainclubs.org/subscribe. You can contact us by sending an e-mail to fmcbc@mountainclubs.org
Dear Ron, Good for you and thank you for the walk down Memory Lane, with such detail and appreciation in your words. We have much to be thankful for in our lovely B.C. playground, in part because of the efforts and leadership of the clubs over the years. And you and the Chilliwack club rank right up there.
Happy New Year all, Patrick Duffy in North Vancouver