FORCE FAQs

• What is FORCE?
  
• When did FORCE start?
• Who picked the name?
• Why do we need to incorporate the organization as a not-for-profit corporation?
• Why do we need to fundraise?
• How much money do we need to raise?
• How do I make a financial commitment?
• How do I know that the canvasser is a FORCE representative?
• Since FORCE is a not-for-profit corporation, will we receive a charitable tax receipt for our financial commitments?
• Will we receive receipts for our financial commitments?
• What is being done with the money?
• How do I know that my money is being well managed?
• How do I know that I am not the only person making a financial commitment?
• How will I know what is going on? How can I submit my ideas?
• What is FORCE's Conflict of Interest policy (60 KB)
• What is FORCE's Privacy policy (59 KB)

What is FORCE?
Friends of Rural Communities and the Environment (FORCE) is a citizen-based advocacy group that has formed to protect our local communities and environment and to oppose the proposed Lowndes aggregate operation on 11th Concession East. FORCE is a team made up of you, your friends and neighbours. We need your support in name, your financial commitment, and your volunteer time and experience. Together, we can succeed!

When did FORCE start?
A community meeting on June 9, 2004 led to the formation of the organization. A Steering Committee was nominated and unanimously appointed to incorporate a not-for-profit organization and to direct the community's activities.

Who picked the name?
Members of the community and the Steering Committee offered suggestions for possible names. Corporate searches were undertaken to ensure that the name was available for the not-for-profit corporation and not in use by some other organization. The Steering Committee selected the name. Friends of Rural Communities and the Environment speaks clearly to who we are and positively about what we want to protect.

Why do we need to incorporate the organization as a not-for-profit corporation?
Incorporation as a not-for-profit corporation is a requirement so that the community can participate in future legal proceedings, should that become necessary, before administrative tribunals like the Ontario Municipal Board. Without incorporation, the community would not have "standing" and could not appear, on its own or represented by legal counsel, as a "party" to a hearing.

Why do we need to fundraise?
In order to make our case that no reasonable person would approve the proposed quarry on these lands, FORCE has retained an experienced environmental lawyer and will need to hire experts in areas like hydrogeology and ecology. We must be professional and science-based, data-driven. We will need to document the potential threat to the quantity and quality of drinking water; the potential harm to provincially significant wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas; and the implications of truck traffic for air quality and safety, among other relevant issues.

How much money do we need to raise?
A review of other communities who have faced this type of situation, including those in the Caledon area, shows that citizen-based groups have had to spend in the order of $100,000 per year. Some have been making financial commitments of this amount for over 6 years.

How do I make a financial commitment?
Please write your cheque to FORCE or Friends of Rural Communities and the Environment. You can mail it to FORCE, Lawson Park Ltd., Box 15, RR#1 Freelton, ON L0R 1K0 or you can give your cheque to a FORCE canvasser when one comes to your door.

How do I know that the canvasser is a FORCE representative?
FORCE canvassers will be identified with a FORCE badge.

Since FORCE is a not-for-profit corporation, will we receive a charitable tax receipt for our financial commitments?
FORCE is in the process of incorporation (as at June 29, 2004). FORCE will be a not-for-profit corporation but it will not have charitable registration status. We cannot be a charity, under government rules, because our organization's purpose is not purely educational. FORCE has an advocacy role to protect our communities and the environment and to oppose the proposed Lowndes aggregate operation.

Will we receive receipts for our financial commitments?
Yes, receipts will be issued for financial commitments. If you write a cheque when a canvasser comes to your door, a receipt will be issued immediately. If you mail your cheque, a receipt will be completed when your cheque is received and it will be mailed to you.

What is being done with the money?
A bank account has been opened and all financial commitments will be deposited. Funds will be used to pay FORCE's lawyer, its scientific and technical experts, and other expenses. Some of these will include the printing and distribution of information to the community, signs, and other simila