Archives – Seminars

THIS SUMMARY SHOWS SEMINARS HELD from WINTER 2009 – SPRING 2012

Seminar Series

SEMINARS are presented for Sandycove residents by the Home Owners’ Association. These sessions were started in 2009 and have continued with successful seminars presented and a regular basis. These are information sessions specifically focusing on the interests of Seniors and retired folks. When scheduled they are held the 3rd Monday of the month at the SPOKE and are generally well attended and generate a number of questions about our community and life style.

If you have further questions or wish to make a suggestion for a Seminar contact us at info@scahomeowners.com

THIS SUMMARY SHOWS SEMINARS HELD from WINTER 2009 – SPRING 2012

 

(shown in reverse date sequence – most current first)

TOWN HALL MEETING – Monday April 16th 2012 Many thanks to those of you that attended the TOWN HALL Meeting. We had a very informative and successful meeting with Mayor Barb Baguley and Counsellor Maria Baier and Home Owners Vice President Dave Cooper acting as moderator.

ESTATE PLANNING – April 2nd, 2012 – Thanks to lawyer Deborah Wall-Armstrong for once again joining us to speak about ESTATE PLANNING. Deborah was back by popular demand and once again was able to answer all the questions the residents asked. Working with Deborah this time was Gregory Damas who is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. Greg took us through a number of different options in types of investments that can help ensure a safe investment. For more information please contact Deborah Wall-Armstrong at www.wall-arm.ca or e-mail at info@wall-arm.ca

GARDENING IN SANDYCOVE – March 19th, 2012 – Nearly 80 Sandycove folks joined us at the Spoke for the presentation by Master Gardener Judith Rogers. Thanks goes to Judith and you may reach her by clicking on her photo. Judith was pleased that there were so many interested in gardening and especially with this year’s early start to spring the timing for these hints and ideas was great. Again, thanks to everyone. T Judith Rogers can be reached at www.lavendercottagegardening.blogspot.ca and please watch for her articles in the Innisfil Scope newspaper

PHONEBUSTERS – February 20th, 2012 – his was a special presentation by The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or PHONEBUSTERS. Learn all about telephone and computer SCAMs and go to the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre by clicking here.

FUNERAL PLANNING SEMINAR – Monday November 21st 2011 – WHAT YOUR EXECUTOR NEEDS TO KNOW – was presented by representatives from Steckley-Gooderham funeral home, one of the largest and most respected in Simcoe County. This was a very informal and light presentation to understand death benefits that an executor may be eligible for. There were also a number of handouts and useful checklists available. The session was OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS

CRIMESTOPPERS – Monday, October 17th, 2011 – This special Crimestoppers Seminar helped us understand how you can participate in keeping our community safe and secure. An OPP police officer answered questions by outlining the history, how did it start, what is Crimestoppers, what happens when you call? Does it work and generally answer your questions. The session was OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS

LEGAL ADVISOR – May 16th, 2011 – The return of Deborah Wall-Armstrong was again a terrific success. Nearly 40 people attended a very informative session where Deborah answered numerous legal questions relating to Wills, Power of Attorney, beneficiaries, estates, etc. This was a MEMBERS ONLY event where a number of new members signed up.

HYDRO TIME OF USE introduction – April 18th, 2011 – This session was attended by over 75 residents and thank you for attending a most informative session on the new TOU (Time Of Use) billing being introduced to Innisfil June 1, 2011. This is eventually province-wide with nearly 1 million homes already on TOU billing. For more information watch this site as we update info from the seminar or go to INNISFIL HYDRO by clicking here.

GROUP INSURANCE – March 21st, 2011 The Seminar outlined and discussed the GROUP INSURANCE PLAN which is available to members. A number of residents have already signed up with this insurance plan and have found the prices and coverage to be very competitive and perhaps even provide you with a less costly plan. If you’re not sure, you can get a no obligation quote. This plan covers Home and Automobile insurance.

HYDRO CONSERVATION – October 14th, 2010 – INNISFIL HYDRO presented a very informative sessions discussing the new Time Of Use (TOU) process that comes into action in May 2011. A number of useful hints were provided to the 50 participants regarding winter conditions for heating and general hydro use. Some great prizes were awarded to a number of lucky participants. Great presentation and it will be repeated.

MUNICIPAL ELECTION INFORMATION – September 20th, 2010 – This was a repeat of the August Seminar with the vote fast approaching on October 25th. The vote in Innisfil is essentially a mail-in vote and there has been some confusion in the past. These sessions will help you understand the vote and ensure your vote counts. OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS.

VOTE BY MAIL introduction – August 16th, 2010 – The first session of this year addressed a very important subject, specifically the MAIL IN VOTE that will be used in October for the Municipal Elections to be held October 25th. ALL balloting in Innisfil for Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Ward Councillors will be conducted through the MAIL IN VOTE. Sandycove residents are in WARD 6. Amanda Flynn and Kim Creamer from the Town Of Innisfil made a very informative presentation to about 32 very interested residents of Sandycove. A number of questions were asked and answered and everyone was comfortable with the MAIL IN VOTE. This session will be repeated September 20th for those that missed this session. What to watch for – basically Voter Kits will be sent out to all registered voters by early October. If you do not get one by then contact the Town of Innisfil and with proper identification they will register you so you can vote.

LEGAL SEMINAR – November 16th, 2009 – Returning for the second year Deborah Wall-Armstrong and Cesia Green once again made a great presentation to 56 interested and enthusiastic Sandycove residents. During the presentation they discussed the Pros and Cons for the following:

1. Will & Power of Attorney Kits – Pro & Con
2. Planning for the “unplannable” – using wills and power of attorney to manage life’s surprises.

SELLING YOU HOME THROUGH SANDYCOVE ACRES SALES OFFICE – October 19th, 2009 – This season’s Seminar series opened with an outstanding presentation made to 129 Sandycove residents at the Wheel. Rod Rice, Trevor Robertson and Denyse Beattie of Sandycove Acres spoke to us about selling our homes through the Sandycove Sales office. They discussed why they are in a position to market your home and explain the costs and other benefits of dealing with Sandycove Acres Ltd. There were a number of questions from the floor for which our guests addressed each one.

DRIVE WISE – May 25th, 2009 -Another in our series of successful seminars was conducted with 42 attendees and lots of interest. The McLennan Group, Lombard Canada and CARP have teamed with the Ontario Provincial Police to bring a free Drive Wise seminar to our community. The presentation was an informative and enlightening presentation and was presented by an on-duty OPP officer. This will help to improve the safety of mature drivers and help preserve your right to drive. Time was allocated for questions and answers.

FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY – April 20th, 2009 – This seminar was presented by Bob Ewen (pictured below), a Vice-President and Portfolio Manager from National Bank Financial. Bob reviewed the current economic crisis with an emphasis on the investment prospects suitable for Seniors and those on fixed incomes as the crisis and recovery unfolds. A question and answer period followed.

HOW TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR – March 16th, 2009 – This session showed you how to look for and select a qualified contractor to do the work around your home. The presenter talked about what you can expect from a contractor and what do you need to do as a customer to ensure a satisfactory outcome when the job is complete. Along with the annual Home Fair sponsored by your Association you will be in a much better position to select vendors wisely.

Selling Your Home – Property Guys Presentation – February 23rd, 2009 The “Property Guys” presented a third alternative in selling your home – by private sale rather than through Sandycove or a Real Estate Agent. Although selling privately has always been an option, the Property Guys approach permits you to have a professional, planned, approach to selling while not paying real estate fees. Their presentation discussed the differences in the modern real estate market, especially the modern emphasis by buyers on using the Internet to locate potential homes and examined the advantages and disadvantages of their method. The various tools available to you, including a selling plan, were shown. Of special note was that you do not need your own computer and Internet access to use their system – they can do it for you. Their fees are a flat rate of $358 – you save the entire real estate fees – potentially $1000’s saved.

In the second part of the seminar, “staging” your home was discussed – that is, preparing your home for sale so that it shows in the most attractive way. The emphasis was on making the potential buyer visualize themselves, not you, in the home. Services available range from as little as presenting you with a plan as to what to do, to actually helping you carry out the recommendations. This can include decorating, arranging storage of excess items etc. Further services connected with your actual move, such as disposal of surplus items when downsizing and packing assistance are also available.