Welcoming Letter - Fairwinds Community Association

PO Box 281
Nanoose Bay, BC
V9P 9J9
Dear Neighbour:
We are very pleased to welcome you to Nanoose Bay and to our special community of Fairwinds.
We would like to introduce the Fairwinds Community Association (FCA) to you and tell you about what we do and
how we work within our community for the betterment of all who call Fairwinds home.
We are a volunteer board, made up of 7 residents of Fairwinds who have been elected by the membership. Our
mission statement is: “Striving for Community Excellence”, and we are a team fully dedicated to achieving this
mission.
You may wonder why a Community Association is necessary and whether you should become a member. This
community, by its nature, needs a Community Association that can provide structure and communication on issues
of importance to our residents. Perhaps the best way to explain is to give you examples of the types of issues we
face as a community which in turn drive the initiatives of the FCA.
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Fairwinds & Local Government: While we live in a planned community with urban style housing, streets,
sidewalks and lighting, we belong to a rural district. Street standards in rural districts are not generally the
standards we would like for Fairwinds. Rural districts, unlike incorporated municipalities, are not structured
for the more urban style of our community. The FCA, on behalf of all residents, works with the Fairwinds
Corporation, Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI)
and other government agencies to ensure our unique needs in this respect are heard. The FCA reports
regularly to its members on the status and progress of these and other important initiatives. In addition, the
FCA has been instrumental in bringing the community out to public meetings on such matters as future
development and water quality.
Water Quality: The FCA played an important role over several years in working with the RDN to improve
water quality in Fairwinds, which was achieved via a new water treatment plant installed in 2013.
Beautification & Community Projects: We plan and coordinate community projects, such as invasive plant
(broom) removal, unauthorized signage removal, cleanup of roadside garbage in our area, and have
created and posted signs on vacant lots to discourage dumping of construction and other materials.
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Restrictive Covenants: We encourage covenant compliance and mediate any neighborhood disputes. The
FCA is currently looking for a means to better address breach of covenants and is currently having
discussions with the RDN on the viability of expanded or new bylaws for Fairwinds.
Membership: We work to ensure as many residents as possible become members of the FCA so all
residents are informed and included in important initiatives and events affecting the community.
Emergency Preparedness: We have a committee doing emergency preparedness planning to ensure we can
help each other in emergencies such as earthquakes and other events that may cut us off from services for
extended periods of time.
Social & Educational: We provide information about interesting seminars, community events, and social
events within the community, including the Fairwinds Gala.
In addition to being kept informed on any important initiatives as outlined above, as a member, you will receive
notice of occurrences and events within the community that may interest or affect you. For example, notices you
might receive may include:
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Wildlife Sightings: We live close to nature, and it is not unheard of for the odd bear to wander down your
driveway or cougar to be passing through unannounced. The FCA is the mechanism to let our residents
know of any sightings to ensure our own safety and that of our pets.
High Fire Hazard: We are surrounded by forest and challenging terrain, and are serviced by a volunteer
fire department. We therefore need good stewardship by all of our residents to ensure our mutual safety
from threats, such as forest and grass fires. The FCA provides a reminder to our residents during times
when extra vigilance is required.
Theft & Criminal Activity: Our larger lots provide nice privacy, so our homes are not always readily visible
from the road or to neighbours. This is generally a very safe community and not subject to much theft or
other criminal activity, however it does happen occasionally, and the FCA will inform its members of any
such reported activity in the area so you can take extra measures to ensure personal and property safety.
We hope the information we have provided herein will inspire you to take a couple of minutes to visit our website
www.fairwindscommunityassociation.org and complete the membership application or simply fill out the form
attached and return to us.
Membership costs just $25 per year or $60 for three years. However, as a new member we are pleased to offer
you free membership for one year. In addition, as a new member we will enter you in our next semi-annual draw,
which takes place in July and December, for a $100 gift certificate which can be used at Ben’s Lounge in the
Fairwinds Clubhouse. You will be notified if your name is selected!
Once again, welcome to our beautiful community of Fairwinds.
Dave Patterson, President
Fairwinds Community Association
[email protected]
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / RENEWAL
DATE: ______________________________
Name(s):
_____________________________________________________
Street Address:
_____________________________________________________
Postal Code:
V9P ________
E-Mail:
_____________________________________________________
Telephone:
_________________________
Please mark your payment choice:
RENEWING or
REJOINING MEMBERS:
1 Year Term
3 Year Term
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$25.00
$60.00
Please attach cheque (if applicable) and mail to:
Fairwinds Community Association
PO Box 281
Nanoose Bay, BC, V9P 9J9
NEW MEMBERS ONLY
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Complimentary
$40.00

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