Our History, Our Story
Written by Bob Humphrys, assisted by Lyall Berndt
What You Should Know About Your Club
Introductory Comments:
It has been said that those not aware of the past are limited in their ability to cope with the present and plan well for the future. The following is an attempt to help assure that all Jovial members have a good knowledge of their Club's history and, thus, be better able to savour and appreciate what they are part of.
The 1890s – Jovial's First Decade:
When you approach Lady Lake with guests who are first time visitors to Jovial be sure they becomes aware that the Jovial pioneers who started this Club got to the Lady Lake area by first taking the train to Thurso and then canoeing 20 miles up the Blanche River while toting provisions for a two week stay. When they reached Smallian's Farm the parties traveled into Fork Lake by horse and wagon on a logging road. They were hardy folk but they knew how to enjoy themselves. Within a few years after constructing the Club's first Camp, on Fork Lake, the camp furnishings included a Billiard Table. The determination and initiative of Jovial's early members is impressive.
The Jovial story begins in 1888 when groups of businessmen, from Ottawa and Montreal, began using the area north-east of Buckingham for fishing and hunting. By 1891 they had formed themselves into four or five Clubs, each with a different territory.
The first lease for exclusive use of Provincial property, termed a “Lease of Lands, Conveying Fishing Rights”, was for Lady and Fork Lakes and was issued to John Graham on March 26, 1890. Mr. Graham was one of the founding members of Jovial and he formally assigned this lease to the “Jovial Fishing Club” on May 5, 1891
The Jovial Fishing Club was incorporated on May 18, 1891. It needed to be a legal entity in order that it could have a lease issued in its own name and be able to contract with third parties. The first lease issued directly to the “Jovial Fishing Club” was dated July 10, 1891 and was for Bark Lake (some five miles north of Lady Lake). Both leases had fixed terms that ended on December 31, 1898. The leases provided for the use of land three chains in depth around the lakes. This, presumably, authorized the building of Camps on the perimeter of a leased lake and the Jovial membership proceeded with the building of a Camp on Fork Lake. A construction contract for $100 was made with Marshall French who had underbid Charlie Berndt by $25. The Provincial Lease required the Club to employ a year round Guardian to enforce the Quebec fishing laws. The Club Guardian was required to be sworn in as a Deputy Game Warden. The first Club Guardian was Paul Laforce from 1891 to 1901.
The first Hunting lease, giving Jovial exclusive hunting rights over a 10 square miles area surrounding the leased lakes, was issued in 1898.
A second Jovial Corporation was Chartered under date of October 5, 1899, this time with the name “Jovial Fish and Game Club”. It is not clear as to why a new Jovial Corporation was considered necessary at this time. It could well have been simply a change of name procedure. The Jovial Corporation was the owner of the capital assets that were erected and subsequently acquired, including parcels of land that were purchased over the years. This Corporation issued shares to the then current members and to the incoming members for about the next forty years. No provision was made for the shares to be returned for cancellation on death or resignation. This led later to years of uncertainty as whether or not the Corporation was controlled by the Estates of deceased members rather than the then current membership of the Club. It was not until 1982 that it was determined with certainty that the issued Shares were simply Membership Certificates with no ownership interest. The 1899 Incorporation document referred to Members only, and did not in any way create shares or shareholders and thus the issuing of shares was outside the power of the Jovial Corporation.
The Charlie Berndt Era – 1901 to 1942:
Jovial life proceeded pretty routinely in the early 1900s under the guidance of Charlie Berndt, who commenced his duties as Club Guardian in 1901 at the age of 28. The fishing and hunting were outstanding. Surprisingly, in the 1920s Members decided that catching Trout was not exciting enough and imported Small Mouth Bass from the Rideau Lakes. This did not destroy the Trout fishing but it certainly did not help it.
One story of the early automobile era that deserves to be passed on concerns the day two young Jovial Bucks (possibly Hugh Carson and John Bingham) on their way into Jovial paused near the old Schoolhouse (the building is still there) just before you reach Little Long Lac. The Schoolmaster assumed that they were School Inspectors and invited them in. They soberly made their inspection of the pupils and their school work, announced their satisfaction and promptly declared a School Holiday for the rest of the week.
With poor roads and primitive autos, it was an adventure getting into Jovial in this era also. The route into Jovial was the same as now taken until after passing Blanche Lake. Instead of the right turn we now take at the Cemetery, members proceeded northward. During this era Jovial acquired ownership of small lots on the west side of Hawk Lake for parking and boat storage and, in 1937, it purchased the portage strip of land running through our present Parking Lot from Hawk to Lady Lake. The Club owned at least 30 boats, all built locally (initially by Charlie Berndt and later by August Berndt) with docks, boats and storage sheds on eight lakes. The boat storage/dock on Bark Lake had sleeping quarters for six.
A major acquisition of property occurred when Hugh Carson, a well to do Ottawa businessman, 'donated' to the Club the 165 acres running north from Lady Lake. Mr. Carson, clearly a driving force in Jovial from when he became a member in 1902 until well into the 1940s, had acquired this property at an earlier date in order to protect Jovial's interests and generously donated it to the Club in 1937.
The Percy Berndt Era – 1942 to 1989:
Percy Berndt took over his father's responsibilities as the Jovial Guardian in 1942, also at the age of 28.
The Rock Camp, which occupied land rented from the Provincial Government, was purchased from a Mr. Forbes-Watkins of Toronto in 1943 for the sum of $ 500 (furnishings included).
The Kimber Cottage was extensively rebuilt in the late 1940’s entirely by the efforts and enthusiasm of Dr. George O. Hutchison and Percy Berndt. Dr. George was the Hugh Carson of his era, the 'get-it-done member' that every Club needs. In 1954, a beautiful single room stained log camp was built on Bark Lake. It could sleep six and had a propane refrigerator and lights plus a wood stove. What a glorious and peaceful retreat - on a lake with great fishing both spring and summer!
New arrivals at Jovial usually got their first taste of Jovial life at the ten day Spring Fish that ended on Victoria Day each year. Based at the Club's Main Camp on Fork Lake, they would proceed out on day trips to other lakes. With so much new to absorb, it is no wonder that confusion resulted when first time visitors heard members referring to all these camps, 'Bark Lake Camp', 'Rock Camp', 'Kimber Camp', 'Lady Lake Lodge', 'The 3Ls'. More than one inquiry was made, asking if there was another Lake and another Camp that was still to be visited. Kimber Camp, it turned out, had two aliases.
At the February 2, 1959 AGM, Percy Berndt, to the great pleasure of all, was made an Honorary Member of Jovial. For the next thirty years Percy's presence at the AGM always added substance and common sense to these meetings. Also, he seemed to take great joy in attending these annual get togethers, which were always held at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.
During the early 1970s a wonderful buying opportunity arose when the Carson and Cameron properties at the south end of Lady Lake became available to purchase. It will seem regrettable to some that this opportunity was missed but one must wonder if a quality road into Lady would ever have been built had Jovial acquired ownership of this land. With no suitable road for transporting building supplies into Lady Lake, would the new Kimber Lodge ever have been built?
The 'share' problem review was initiated at the 1970 AGM. But this was quickly put on the back burner, when, in the fall of 1970, all Private Fishing Clubs in Quebec were advised that their current leases (which granted exclusive fishing and hunting rights on specified lakes) would not be renewed.
By 1975, the Cameron and Carson properties had been sold to subdivider Carl McInnes and soon Jovial began to share Lady Lake with strangers. There has been an excellent working relationship and respect between Carl, the new residents and Jovial over the years. Jovial supplies financial support for services such as road maintenance from the Gate to Lady Lake as a member of the Hawk & Lady Lakes Property Owners Association. We worked with Carl on fish stocking programmes during the 1970s and 1980s. For the past ten or so years stocking has been abandoned on the advice of the experts in this field.
Jovial was one of the few Club's that saved anything from the trauma of losing its leases. The fact that Lady Lake was saved for the Jovial that we have today was due to the dedication of Donald Macdonald, Pierre Boudreault and Roland Auger. Jovial was indeed fortunate to have as members, a Federal Cabinet Minister, a Quebec Lawyer (later a Judge) and a businessman, all with valuable contacts in Quebec City.
It is probable that our ownership of the 165 acre Kimber property had a bearing on Quebec's decision to move the southern perimeter of the Papineau-Labelle Reserve (that originally went across the south end of Lady Lake) northwards to exclude Lady Lake. It is said that the 99% of Quebec Fishing Clubs who had their Camps on Government owned leased land had to just walk away from their beloved retreats when their leases expired during the 1970s. Years later all Clubs received modest expropriation settlements. Jovial got about $5,000 for two buildings, 20 boats, 6 docks and 5 lean-tos.
Starting in 1975, when Jovial found itself confined to Lady Lake, doubts arose about the viability of trying to continue. There was at least one attempt to arouse interest in a new location for the Club. Jovial decided not to admit any new members until it became satisfied that it had a future.
The traditional Annual Spring Fish, held now at the Rock Camp, continued but was shortened to 3 nights. A separate Father/Son Spring Fish also took place for several years. This had the effect of a creating a large backlog of potential members who fell more in love with Jovial and what it meant on each visit.
By 1980, after Jovial had somewhat recovered from the trauma of the 1970s, the dwindled membership, having decided that Jovial was going to survive after all, returned to the 1970 issue of the corporate Shareholders. This was resolved as noted above.
Percy Berndt, our beloved Guardian, confidante and advisor for so many years was sadly lost to us during the summer of 1989. Harold Berndt had big shoes to fill as the new Club Guardian. He did this admirably for the next ten years, until June, 1999 when Lyall Berndt assumed these responsibilities.
The Modern Era – 1989 to Now:
The Modern Era actually begins in 1986 when the membership doors flew open again and new members, men of a different breed, flowed in at a steady rate. These young men were 'doers' in the manner of the first Jovial members of the 1890s.They saw what could and should be done with Jovial's Lady Lake facilities and, to their credit, they swept the old timers along with their enthusiasm.
1991 was Jovial's Centennial Year and special events were held, in May at Lady Lake, and in early July, when there was a well attended weekend party at Hudson QC. We all got to know each other better in 1991.
Pushed by the vitality of its newest members, Jovial, at a fully attended Special General Meeting at the Kimber Camp in September 1992, decided to tear down the now fully depreciated building and construct the Lodge we now enjoy on this site. Construction was started in the fall of 1992 and the New Kimber was ready for use by September 1993. This project was accomplished with an estimated 3,800 hours of volunteer time, generously and enthusiastically donated by Club members and their friends. This project ranks as a major highlight in Jovial’s long history.
It seems that all significant Jovial events have a traumatic moment. The New Kimber was no exception. Project costs were to be limited to the available funds of some $50,000. which had been built to this level by most members contributing $1,000 as prepaid fees which augmented the original 'nest egg' of about $25,000. In early July 1993 when the bills were added up it was found that the overly enthusiastic Building Committee had rendered the Club insolvent. Several members came to the Club's financial rescue with short term loans and all bills were paid on a timely basis. Jovial then negotiated a term loan of $30,000 from a generous member, which was scheduled to be repaid in equal annual instalments over the next 15 years. The loan was fully repaid in 7 years as a result of cash donations totaling $8,000 from eight members, who converted their 1992 prepaid fee arrangement into donations, and to the unanticipated income from a two year wood harvest that commenced in May, 2000.
An important milestone occurred in August 1994. Negotiations with the Quebec Government that had started in the 1970s finally bore fruit when we exchanged the north one third of the Kimber land for the land running along the west side of Lady Lake that extends both north and south of the Rock Camp. It was a satisfying highlight of their Jovial careers for the then President and Treasurer when they attended at a Notary's office to sign the necessary documents which solidified Jovial's ownership status of the Rock Camp building. Several good friends of Jovial had worked hard behind the scenes to make this land exchange happen.
A significant financial decision was made at the February 2003 Annual General Meeting when it was decided to discontinue fire insurance coverage on our two Camps. It had been a combination of good luck and great care that there has never been a serious fire on the Jovial property. Over the years, the Jovial membership had been loyally contributing a significant portion of their annual dues to cover insurance premiums in order to assure that there would always be a Rebuilding Fund (in the form of insurance proceeds) for what most believed was almost a certainty, be it a nearby lightning strike or a careless camper. Our insurance coverage since 1993 was well in excess of $300,000. However, it had become clear that our insurers recognized that Jovial was a high risk situation and the premiums were skyrocketing. After a thorough discussion, the 2003 membership decided to retain liability coverage ($ 5,000.000) at a cost of about $1,500 per year and put aside an amount equivalent to the then fire insurance premium ($3,600 pa) into what became the “Reconstruction / Self Insurance Fund”. This 'project' lasted five or six years until it was realized that the Club could well afford the necessary fire insurance premiums that are necessary to assure that a substantial Rebuilding Fund will be in place if ever needed.
The most recent major capital improvement project commenced in September 2005. This involved the replacement of the three bedrooms on the ground floor of the Rock Camp with four new bedrooms and an extended lounge area. This project came in well under its $50,000 cash budget. The volunteer labour provided by Club Members probably had a market value of a similar value. The kitchen and bathroom facilities of the Rock Camp had been modernized in prior years.
The Corporate Status:
The following information is presented for the purpose of assuring that all Jovial Members are fully and equally informed regarding inner workings of the Jovial Corporation.
The 1899 Corporation was 'Continued' on May 26, 1981 under Part lll of the Quebec Companies Act as a 'Not-for-Profit' Corporation without share capital, with the name “Club De Pêche Et De Chasse Jovial / Jovial Fish & Game Club”. A French name, with the option of an English version added, is now a requirement in Quebec. The affairs of the Corporation are managed by a Board of Directors elected at a required Annual General Meeting of Members. All major decisions such as changes in By-Laws must be confirmed by majority vote of Members before they come into effect. Decisions such as expenditure for Capital Assets (the annual Capital Fund Budget) as well as the selling of capital assets must have the formal approval of the membership prior to being implemented. Because individual Jovial members are not shareholders, none of us has a direct ownership interest in the land and buildings in the manner that a shareholder has. Members come and members go, but the Jovial corporation will continue its existence and purpose for as long as the majority of the Jovial membership wishes it to do so. There has been a tacit understanding over the years that Jovial's capital assets would only be sold if, as and when there was no other option available. In other words, the membership is honour bound not to wind-up Jovial for their own pecuniary gain.
Jovial, like all Canadian not-for-profit Corporations does not pay corporate income taxes on its net income. However, because it falls within a special category of not-for-profit corporations, namely those in the “Social and Sporting Club” category, it is required to pay income tax (at maximum personal rates) on property income in excess of $2,000 per year. Included in the definition of property income are 'taxable capital gains' (currently calculated as 50% of capital gains). Should Jovial dispose of its capital assets it would have the option of donating the net sale proceeds to a Charitable Organization tax free, or, paying Federal and Quebec income taxes on the taxable capital gain generated by the sale. For example, the portion of sale proceeds attributable to land would be almost entirely capital gain due to a very low 'cost base' for the land.
The decision as to how the after tax proceeds would be shared within the membership upon the wind-up of the Jovial Corporation is a matter that has been discussed but yet to be finalized. The current suggestion of a point system whereby each member receives one point for each year of membership, or some variation of this, has been suggested and seems logical.
The foregoing shows that each member does in fact have a monetary interest in Jovial, but only while he is a member. If, in the future, pressures arise within the Club for the sale of Jovial assets simply to realize this financial interest, it will be a tragic break with a hundred year old tradition of willingness of Jovial members of each era to forego this temptation in favour of seeing Jovial's facilities continued to be enjoyed by others, especially their own children and grandchildren.
To help members understand the Club's Fund Accounting approach to the administration of its finances, it is suggested that members view Jovial as being operated as two distinct businesses, as follows:
- There is an Operating Fund which is in the business of collecting fees (Annual Dues/Reservation Fees/Guest Fees) and expending these funds for the recurring annual maintenance and overhead costs.
- Fee revenue that is generated in excess of the recurring annual 'operating' costs must be turned over to the Capital Fund which is administered by the Property Committee. In practice this transfer is rounded in order to leave the Operating Fund with a nominal Surplus of less than $1,000 to commence its following year's operations.
The Capital Fund's main source of income is the annual 'grant' it receives from the Operating Fund. It also receives such income as the Initiation Fees paid by new members as well as cash donations from members who wish to make special donations towards a capital improvement project.
The Capital Fund is in the business of carrying out all Capital Improvement Projects which should, as a general rule, be timed in accordance with the Fund's available cash resources.
Respectfully submitted by:
Robert B. Humphrys
Treasurer (1984 to 2004)
The assistance of Lyall Berndt in the preparation of this material is gratefully acknowledged.
Revised October, 2012
Written by Bob Humphrys, assisted by Lyall Berndt
What You Should Know About Your Club
Introductory Comments:
It has been said that those not aware of the past are limited in their ability to cope with the present and plan well for the future. The following is an attempt to help assure that all Jovial members have a good knowledge of their Club's history and, thus, be better able to savour and appreciate what they are part of.
The 1890s – Jovial's First Decade:
When you approach Lady Lake with guests who are first time visitors to Jovial be sure they becomes aware that the Jovial pioneers who started this Club got to the Lady Lake area by first taking the train to Thurso and then canoeing 20 miles up the Blanche River while toting provisions for a two week stay. When they reached Smallian's Farm the parties traveled into Fork Lake by horse and wagon on a logging road. They were hardy folk but they knew how to enjoy themselves. Within a few years after constructing the Club's first Camp, on Fork Lake, the camp furnishings included a Billiard Table. The determination and initiative of Jovial's early members is impressive.
The Jovial story begins in 1888 when groups of businessmen, from Ottawa and Montreal, began using the area north-east of Buckingham for fishing and hunting. By 1891 they had formed themselves into four or five Clubs, each with a different territory.
The first lease for exclusive use of Provincial property, termed a “Lease of Lands, Conveying Fishing Rights”, was for Lady and Fork Lakes and was issued to John Graham on March 26, 1890. Mr. Graham was one of the founding members of Jovial and he formally assigned this lease to the “Jovial Fishing Club” on May 5, 1891
The Jovial Fishing Club was incorporated on May 18, 1891. It needed to be a legal entity in order that it could have a lease issued in its own name and be able to contract with third parties. The first lease issued directly to the “Jovial Fishing Club” was dated July 10, 1891 and was for Bark Lake (some five miles north of Lady Lake). Both leases had fixed terms that ended on December 31, 1898. The leases provided for the use of land three chains in depth around the lakes. This, presumably, authorized the building of Camps on the perimeter of a leased lake and the Jovial membership proceeded with the building of a Camp on Fork Lake. A construction contract for $100 was made with Marshall French who had underbid Charlie Berndt by $25. The Provincial Lease required the Club to employ a year round Guardian to enforce the Quebec fishing laws. The Club Guardian was required to be sworn in as a Deputy Game Warden. The first Club Guardian was Paul Laforce from 1891 to 1901.
The first Hunting lease, giving Jovial exclusive hunting rights over a 10 square miles area surrounding the leased lakes, was issued in 1898.
A second Jovial Corporation was Chartered under date of October 5, 1899, this time with the name “Jovial Fish and Game Club”. It is not clear as to why a new Jovial Corporation was considered necessary at this time. It could well have been simply a change of name procedure. The Jovial Corporation was the owner of the capital assets that were erected and subsequently acquired, including parcels of land that were purchased over the years. This Corporation issued shares to the then current members and to the incoming members for about the next forty years. No provision was made for the shares to be returned for cancellation on death or resignation. This led later to years of uncertainty as whether or not the Corporation was controlled by the Estates of deceased members rather than the then current membership of the Club. It was not until 1982 that it was determined with certainty that the issued Shares were simply Membership Certificates with no ownership interest. The 1899 Incorporation document referred to Members only, and did not in any way create shares or shareholders and thus the issuing of shares was outside the power of the Jovial Corporation.
The Charlie Berndt Era – 1901 to 1942:
Jovial life proceeded pretty routinely in the early 1900s under the guidance of Charlie Berndt, who commenced his duties as Club Guardian in 1901 at the age of 28. The fishing and hunting were outstanding. Surprisingly, in the 1920s Members decided that catching Trout was not exciting enough and imported Small Mouth Bass from the Rideau Lakes. This did not destroy the Trout fishing but it certainly did not help it.
One story of the early automobile era that deserves to be passed on concerns the day two young Jovial Bucks (possibly Hugh Carson and John Bingham) on their way into Jovial paused near the old Schoolhouse (the building is still there) just before you reach Little Long Lac. The Schoolmaster assumed that they were School Inspectors and invited them in. They soberly made their inspection of the pupils and their school work, announced their satisfaction and promptly declared a School Holiday for the rest of the week.
With poor roads and primitive autos, it was an adventure getting into Jovial in this era also. The route into Jovial was the same as now taken until after passing Blanche Lake. Instead of the right turn we now take at the Cemetery, members proceeded northward. During this era Jovial acquired ownership of small lots on the west side of Hawk Lake for parking and boat storage and, in 1937, it purchased the portage strip of land running through our present Parking Lot from Hawk to Lady Lake. The Club owned at least 30 boats, all built locally (initially by Charlie Berndt and later by August Berndt) with docks, boats and storage sheds on eight lakes. The boat storage/dock on Bark Lake had sleeping quarters for six.
A major acquisition of property occurred when Hugh Carson, a well to do Ottawa businessman, 'donated' to the Club the 165 acres running north from Lady Lake. Mr. Carson, clearly a driving force in Jovial from when he became a member in 1902 until well into the 1940s, had acquired this property at an earlier date in order to protect Jovial's interests and generously donated it to the Club in 1937.
The Percy Berndt Era – 1942 to 1989:
Percy Berndt took over his father's responsibilities as the Jovial Guardian in 1942, also at the age of 28.
The Rock Camp, which occupied land rented from the Provincial Government, was purchased from a Mr. Forbes-Watkins of Toronto in 1943 for the sum of $ 500 (furnishings included).
The Kimber Cottage was extensively rebuilt in the late 1940’s entirely by the efforts and enthusiasm of Dr. George O. Hutchison and Percy Berndt. Dr. George was the Hugh Carson of his era, the 'get-it-done member' that every Club needs. In 1954, a beautiful single room stained log camp was built on Bark Lake. It could sleep six and had a propane refrigerator and lights plus a wood stove. What a glorious and peaceful retreat - on a lake with great fishing both spring and summer!
New arrivals at Jovial usually got their first taste of Jovial life at the ten day Spring Fish that ended on Victoria Day each year. Based at the Club's Main Camp on Fork Lake, they would proceed out on day trips to other lakes. With so much new to absorb, it is no wonder that confusion resulted when first time visitors heard members referring to all these camps, 'Bark Lake Camp', 'Rock Camp', 'Kimber Camp', 'Lady Lake Lodge', 'The 3Ls'. More than one inquiry was made, asking if there was another Lake and another Camp that was still to be visited. Kimber Camp, it turned out, had two aliases.
At the February 2, 1959 AGM, Percy Berndt, to the great pleasure of all, was made an Honorary Member of Jovial. For the next thirty years Percy's presence at the AGM always added substance and common sense to these meetings. Also, he seemed to take great joy in attending these annual get togethers, which were always held at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club.
During the early 1970s a wonderful buying opportunity arose when the Carson and Cameron properties at the south end of Lady Lake became available to purchase. It will seem regrettable to some that this opportunity was missed but one must wonder if a quality road into Lady would ever have been built had Jovial acquired ownership of this land. With no suitable road for transporting building supplies into Lady Lake, would the new Kimber Lodge ever have been built?
The 'share' problem review was initiated at the 1970 AGM. But this was quickly put on the back burner, when, in the fall of 1970, all Private Fishing Clubs in Quebec were advised that their current leases (which granted exclusive fishing and hunting rights on specified lakes) would not be renewed.
By 1975, the Cameron and Carson properties had been sold to subdivider Carl McInnes and soon Jovial began to share Lady Lake with strangers. There has been an excellent working relationship and respect between Carl, the new residents and Jovial over the years. Jovial supplies financial support for services such as road maintenance from the Gate to Lady Lake as a member of the Hawk & Lady Lakes Property Owners Association. We worked with Carl on fish stocking programmes during the 1970s and 1980s. For the past ten or so years stocking has been abandoned on the advice of the experts in this field.
Jovial was one of the few Club's that saved anything from the trauma of losing its leases. The fact that Lady Lake was saved for the Jovial that we have today was due to the dedication of Donald Macdonald, Pierre Boudreault and Roland Auger. Jovial was indeed fortunate to have as members, a Federal Cabinet Minister, a Quebec Lawyer (later a Judge) and a businessman, all with valuable contacts in Quebec City.
It is probable that our ownership of the 165 acre Kimber property had a bearing on Quebec's decision to move the southern perimeter of the Papineau-Labelle Reserve (that originally went across the south end of Lady Lake) northwards to exclude Lady Lake. It is said that the 99% of Quebec Fishing Clubs who had their Camps on Government owned leased land had to just walk away from their beloved retreats when their leases expired during the 1970s. Years later all Clubs received modest expropriation settlements. Jovial got about $5,000 for two buildings, 20 boats, 6 docks and 5 lean-tos.
Starting in 1975, when Jovial found itself confined to Lady Lake, doubts arose about the viability of trying to continue. There was at least one attempt to arouse interest in a new location for the Club. Jovial decided not to admit any new members until it became satisfied that it had a future.
The traditional Annual Spring Fish, held now at the Rock Camp, continued but was shortened to 3 nights. A separate Father/Son Spring Fish also took place for several years. This had the effect of a creating a large backlog of potential members who fell more in love with Jovial and what it meant on each visit.
By 1980, after Jovial had somewhat recovered from the trauma of the 1970s, the dwindled membership, having decided that Jovial was going to survive after all, returned to the 1970 issue of the corporate Shareholders. This was resolved as noted above.
Percy Berndt, our beloved Guardian, confidante and advisor for so many years was sadly lost to us during the summer of 1989. Harold Berndt had big shoes to fill as the new Club Guardian. He did this admirably for the next ten years, until June, 1999 when Lyall Berndt assumed these responsibilities.
The Modern Era – 1989 to Now:
The Modern Era actually begins in 1986 when the membership doors flew open again and new members, men of a different breed, flowed in at a steady rate. These young men were 'doers' in the manner of the first Jovial members of the 1890s.They saw what could and should be done with Jovial's Lady Lake facilities and, to their credit, they swept the old timers along with their enthusiasm.
1991 was Jovial's Centennial Year and special events were held, in May at Lady Lake, and in early July, when there was a well attended weekend party at Hudson QC. We all got to know each other better in 1991.
Pushed by the vitality of its newest members, Jovial, at a fully attended Special General Meeting at the Kimber Camp in September 1992, decided to tear down the now fully depreciated building and construct the Lodge we now enjoy on this site. Construction was started in the fall of 1992 and the New Kimber was ready for use by September 1993. This project was accomplished with an estimated 3,800 hours of volunteer time, generously and enthusiastically donated by Club members and their friends. This project ranks as a major highlight in Jovial’s long history.
It seems that all significant Jovial events have a traumatic moment. The New Kimber was no exception. Project costs were to be limited to the available funds of some $50,000. which had been built to this level by most members contributing $1,000 as prepaid fees which augmented the original 'nest egg' of about $25,000. In early July 1993 when the bills were added up it was found that the overly enthusiastic Building Committee had rendered the Club insolvent. Several members came to the Club's financial rescue with short term loans and all bills were paid on a timely basis. Jovial then negotiated a term loan of $30,000 from a generous member, which was scheduled to be repaid in equal annual instalments over the next 15 years. The loan was fully repaid in 7 years as a result of cash donations totaling $8,000 from eight members, who converted their 1992 prepaid fee arrangement into donations, and to the unanticipated income from a two year wood harvest that commenced in May, 2000.
An important milestone occurred in August 1994. Negotiations with the Quebec Government that had started in the 1970s finally bore fruit when we exchanged the north one third of the Kimber land for the land running along the west side of Lady Lake that extends both north and south of the Rock Camp. It was a satisfying highlight of their Jovial careers for the then President and Treasurer when they attended at a Notary's office to sign the necessary documents which solidified Jovial's ownership status of the Rock Camp building. Several good friends of Jovial had worked hard behind the scenes to make this land exchange happen.
A significant financial decision was made at the February 2003 Annual General Meeting when it was decided to discontinue fire insurance coverage on our two Camps. It had been a combination of good luck and great care that there has never been a serious fire on the Jovial property. Over the years, the Jovial membership had been loyally contributing a significant portion of their annual dues to cover insurance premiums in order to assure that there would always be a Rebuilding Fund (in the form of insurance proceeds) for what most believed was almost a certainty, be it a nearby lightning strike or a careless camper. Our insurance coverage since 1993 was well in excess of $300,000. However, it had become clear that our insurers recognized that Jovial was a high risk situation and the premiums were skyrocketing. After a thorough discussion, the 2003 membership decided to retain liability coverage ($ 5,000.000) at a cost of about $1,500 per year and put aside an amount equivalent to the then fire insurance premium ($3,600 pa) into what became the “Reconstruction / Self Insurance Fund”. This 'project' lasted five or six years until it was realized that the Club could well afford the necessary fire insurance premiums that are necessary to assure that a substantial Rebuilding Fund will be in place if ever needed.
The most recent major capital improvement project commenced in September 2005. This involved the replacement of the three bedrooms on the ground floor of the Rock Camp with four new bedrooms and an extended lounge area. This project came in well under its $50,000 cash budget. The volunteer labour provided by Club Members probably had a market value of a similar value. The kitchen and bathroom facilities of the Rock Camp had been modernized in prior years.
The Corporate Status:
The following information is presented for the purpose of assuring that all Jovial Members are fully and equally informed regarding inner workings of the Jovial Corporation.
The 1899 Corporation was 'Continued' on May 26, 1981 under Part lll of the Quebec Companies Act as a 'Not-for-Profit' Corporation without share capital, with the name “Club De Pêche Et De Chasse Jovial / Jovial Fish & Game Club”. A French name, with the option of an English version added, is now a requirement in Quebec. The affairs of the Corporation are managed by a Board of Directors elected at a required Annual General Meeting of Members. All major decisions such as changes in By-Laws must be confirmed by majority vote of Members before they come into effect. Decisions such as expenditure for Capital Assets (the annual Capital Fund Budget) as well as the selling of capital assets must have the formal approval of the membership prior to being implemented. Because individual Jovial members are not shareholders, none of us has a direct ownership interest in the land and buildings in the manner that a shareholder has. Members come and members go, but the Jovial corporation will continue its existence and purpose for as long as the majority of the Jovial membership wishes it to do so. There has been a tacit understanding over the years that Jovial's capital assets would only be sold if, as and when there was no other option available. In other words, the membership is honour bound not to wind-up Jovial for their own pecuniary gain.
Jovial, like all Canadian not-for-profit Corporations does not pay corporate income taxes on its net income. However, because it falls within a special category of not-for-profit corporations, namely those in the “Social and Sporting Club” category, it is required to pay income tax (at maximum personal rates) on property income in excess of $2,000 per year. Included in the definition of property income are 'taxable capital gains' (currently calculated as 50% of capital gains). Should Jovial dispose of its capital assets it would have the option of donating the net sale proceeds to a Charitable Organization tax free, or, paying Federal and Quebec income taxes on the taxable capital gain generated by the sale. For example, the portion of sale proceeds attributable to land would be almost entirely capital gain due to a very low 'cost base' for the land.
The decision as to how the after tax proceeds would be shared within the membership upon the wind-up of the Jovial Corporation is a matter that has been discussed but yet to be finalized. The current suggestion of a point system whereby each member receives one point for each year of membership, or some variation of this, has been suggested and seems logical.
The foregoing shows that each member does in fact have a monetary interest in Jovial, but only while he is a member. If, in the future, pressures arise within the Club for the sale of Jovial assets simply to realize this financial interest, it will be a tragic break with a hundred year old tradition of willingness of Jovial members of each era to forego this temptation in favour of seeing Jovial's facilities continued to be enjoyed by others, especially their own children and grandchildren.
To help members understand the Club's Fund Accounting approach to the administration of its finances, it is suggested that members view Jovial as being operated as two distinct businesses, as follows:
- There is an Operating Fund which is in the business of collecting fees (Annual Dues/Reservation Fees/Guest Fees) and expending these funds for the recurring annual maintenance and overhead costs.
- Fee revenue that is generated in excess of the recurring annual 'operating' costs must be turned over to the Capital Fund which is administered by the Property Committee. In practice this transfer is rounded in order to leave the Operating Fund with a nominal Surplus of less than $1,000 to commence its following year's operations.
The Capital Fund's main source of income is the annual 'grant' it receives from the Operating Fund. It also receives such income as the Initiation Fees paid by new members as well as cash donations from members who wish to make special donations towards a capital improvement project.
The Capital Fund is in the business of carrying out all Capital Improvement Projects which should, as a general rule, be timed in accordance with the Fund's available cash resources.
Respectfully submitted by:
Robert B. Humphrys
Treasurer (1984 to 2004)
The assistance of Lyall Berndt in the preparation of this material is gratefully acknowledged.
Revised October, 2012