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CAMA Holds Quarterly Board Meeting in Nation's Capital
 
 
 
The Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) held their quarterly meeting in Ottawa on November 30th, 2017.
 
The Board dealt with a number of issues, and what follows are the highlights of those discussions:
 
Presentation by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Matt Gemmel, Policy Advisor for Policy and Government Relations with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), joined the Board to provide an update on Phase 2 of the Infrastructure Program, the National Housing Strategy, Cannabis Legislation and the Smart Cities Challenge.  CAMA will continue to work with FCM in assisting them in these areas of work where possible. 
 
Dinner for Federal Representatives
In the evening, the Board invited a number of senior Federal staff members to join them for a networking dinner to discuss a number of topics important to Canadian municipalities.
 
Mentorship Program
Thanks to those that completed our survey to get your thoughts on CAMA offering a formal Mentorship Program to our members.  After discussion and considering the feedback, the Board felt that we would have limited success with a formal Mentorship Program because our members tend to reach out to colleagues that they know and are comfortable with, on their own.  However, we will continue to market the importance of mentorship and succession planning in your own organizations through articles and other resources.
 
Political Acumen Toolkit Project
The Board has been considering several opportunities to assist our members through the lifecycle of their careers.   Through a recent survey it was clear that the political acumen topic is one that the members feel that CAMA can help the next generation so they are better prepared to move in to leadership positions.   
 
When asked what advice would help the next generation several comments were received which were grouped into the following five common themes:
•   Clarity of Roles and Responsibilities
•   Mentorship, Experience and Training
•   Governance
•   Relationships
•   Managing Personal Risk
 
The Board has struck a Committee to look at ways to strengthen political acumen as a competency.  The goal of the Committee will be to create a toolkit that will support experienced and new CAO’s, direct reports and the next generation of leaders that are already in local government jobs.
 
Expanding the CAMA Membership
Members were also asked in a recent survey to rank their support of opening up CAMA membership to potential future leaders who may currently be working in positions that do not report to the CAO.  Although there was some support for an Associate non-voting member category for these individuals, the Board felt that the support from the membership is not strong enough at this time to make a substantial change to the current membership criteria, however this will be revisited in the future.
 
As well, an awareness campaign will be developed for the First Nations Band Administrators on the benefits of joining CAMA as an Affiliate.  We will be looking for you, as our members, to reach out to any Band Administrators in your area to encourage them to join our Association.  Watch for more details.
 
2018 Conference
 
Join us for the 47th Annual CAMA Conference being held in Fredericton, at the home of the CAMA National Office, from May 28-30, 2018.  The theme is “Maximizing Opportunities – Minimizing Risk” with speakers focusing on  topics like the future of local government, cybersecurity, succession planning, employee engagement, the next generation in today’s workplace, just to name a few.  The Casual Night Out will be feature an all you can eat lobster Maritime Party and the President’s Dinner will be a wonderful way to end the event with a reception at the beautiful Beaverbrook Art Gallery followed by a dinner and dance at the Convention Centre. 
 
We are pleased to be partnering with the Canadian Network of Asset Managers (CNAM) to deliver a full day workshop on Sunday, May 27th, 2017 on asset management.  Plan to come a day early to learn more on this topic.
 
We have had an overwhelming response with the Conference hotels (the Hilton and Crowne Plaza) being sold out on the first day, however there are still rooms left at the Delta.  The Full Conference Program and on-line registration will be available at the end of February 2018.  If you haven’t already made your hotel reservations, please visit our website.
 
Update on Communications/Marketing Plan
Communications Chair, Louis Coutinho updated the Board on his Committee’s recent activities of the Communications/Marketing Plan. CAMA was very pleased to welcome our 600th member (Scott Spicer, City Manager for the Rural Municipality of Alexander, Manitoba) as we reached this milestone in November.  CAMA currently has 613 members and is pleased to have gained over 100 members over the past two years.
 
As part of the Board’s new social media strategy watch for more details on how you can become more engaged and some tips on how to do it!
 
Recruiting the Next Generation Project
We are excited to be officially launching our Recruiting the Next Generation Project entitled ”Making Life Happen” in January 2018.  CAMA and our six Provincial Territorial Association partners (AMCTO, OMAA, ARMAA, LGAA, AMANB, and LGMA) have worked hard over the past three years to develop a toolkit that can be used by our members to recruit the next generation in to  local government. As part of this initiative the new website Making Life Happen website will also be unveiled!
 
CAO Performance Evaluation Committee Update
The Marketing Campaign for the CAO Performance Evaluation Toolkit, including a series of presentations to the elected officials, has begun and will continue for the next year across the country.   This information has also been provided to the Deputy Ministers and Assistant Deputy Ministers for the Departments of Local Government across Canada.  They were asked to include information on the toolkit in their regular communication to municipalities and in their orientation to Councils after elections.
 
Our toolkit has a lot of gears and options that might, at first glance, make it appear to be dauntingly complicated.  It’s not! It’s really a simple tool.  CAMA is pleased to provide you with a webinar (approximately 20 minutes in length) that is designed to show you just how easy it is to use and how it can be customized and scaled to your municipality. 
 
Hopefully this additional information will encourage you to use the toolkit if you haven`t already done so.
 
I had the pleasure on December 1st to attend the NAM Conference in Iqaluit to make a presentation on the toolkit to the Nunavut elected officials.  It was a tremendous experience!
 
Member Services/National Office Update
Jennifer Goodine, Executive Director, updated the Board on various subjects.  Of note were the following:
  • The Executive Directors of the Provincial/Territorial Administrator Associations continue to meet quarterly to discuss areas of mutual interest across the country.
  • CAMA is pleased to be partnering with Public Sector Digest for the Paper Writing Competition in Municipal Management once again.  Details will be released in the near future.
  • Watch for the new schedule of webinars for 2018 for the ICMA Coaching Program.
  • Long service award notices will be sent out in the new year.
  • The on-line nomination forms and details for the 2018 CAMA Awards of Excellence Program will be made available in January 2018.
ICMA
Marc Landry, CAMA External Relations Chair and former Third International Vice-President of ICMA, provided an update on the activities of ICMA.   
 
Treasurer’s Report
Jake Rudolph, CAMA Treasurer, updated the Board on the Association’s finances.  CAMA continues to be in a healthy financial position. 
 
The next meeting of the Board will be held in Mississauga from March 14-16, 2018.
 
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2018!
 
 
Janice Baker
CAMA President
 
 

Expression of Interest for FCM's Jordan Municipal Support Project - Deadline December 17, 2017
FCM is implementing a five-year project - Jordan Municipal Support Project (JMSP) - to support municipalities in the Central and Southern regions of Jordan.  For more information, see the complete opportunity description.
 
The aim of the project is to strengthen the resilience of Jordanian municipalities. This will be done by:
  • Strengthening the leadership, training and administrative capacity of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MoMA) and 12 municipalities to plan/deliver more inclusive services;
  • Working with 12 municipalities to implement more inclusive planning and effective strategies in solid waste management; and
  • Strengthening public engagement and knowledge sharing in Jordan and in Canada.
The project will also focus on community engagement, gender equality and social inclusion as mainstreaming strategies to ensure project success and sustainability.
 
JMSP receives funding from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
 
HOW TO APPLY
Municipalities interested in engaging in JMSP should apply by December 17, 2017 here:  https://fcmcareers.wufoo.eu/forms/z2l7oaf1ctgvs0/  Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

For additional information or inquiries on the JMSP program, or to be added to our e-mail distribution list for updates and notification of future opportunities for this program, please send an email to Elayna Katz at [email protected]  or Lynda DeGuire at [email protected].
 
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La FCM met en œuvre un projet de cinq ans, le Projet de soutien aux municipalités de Jordanie (PSMJ), dans le but de soutenir les municipalités des régions du centre et du sud de la Jordanie.   Pour tout complément d'information, veuillez consulter la description détaillée (pdf).  
 
Ce projet vise à renforcer la résilience des municipalités jordaniennes. L’objectif sera atteint en :
  • renforçant les capacités de leadership, de formation et administratives du ministère des Affaires municipales (MAM) et de 12 municipalités à planifier et à offrir des services plus inclusifs;
  • travaillant à la mise en œuvre de stratégies de planification plus inclusives et efficaces en matière de gestion des déchets solides avec 12 municipalités;
  • renforçant la mobilisation du public et le partage des connaissances en Jordanie et au Canada.
 
Le projet portera également sur l’engagement communautaire, l’égalité entre les sexes et l’inclusion sociale à titre de stratégies d’intégration pour assurer la réussite du projet et sa durabilité.
 
Le PSMJ est financé par le gouvernement du Canada par l’entremise d’Affaires mondiales Canada (AMC).
 
COMMENT POSTULER
Les municipalités qui désirent s’engager dans le PSMJ doivent poser leur candidature au plus tard le 17 décembre 2017 à la page suivante :  https://fcmcareers.wufoo.eu/forms/z2l7oaf1ctgvs0/
Veuillez noter que nous communiquerons uniquement avec les municipalités présélectionnées.
 
Pour tout renseignement ou toute demande supplémentaire concernant le programme du PSMJ, ou pour vous inscrire à notre liste de distribution par courriel afin de recevoir des mises à jour ou des avis sur les nouvelles possibilités liées à ce programme, veuillez faire parvenir un courriel à Elayna Katz, à [email protected], ou à Lynda DeGuire, à [email protected].


Congratulations to FCM's Climate and Asset Management Network Members
 
CAMA would like to congratulate the 19 communities from across the country that will be participating in FCM’s Climate and Asset Management Network. 
  • Capital Regional District, BC
  • City of Corner Brook, NL
  • Cowichan Valley Regional District, BC
  • County of Grande Prairie No. 1, AB
  • City of Guelph, ON
  • Town of Halton Hills, ON
  • City of Kenora, ON
  • City of Kitchener, ON
  • City of New Westminster, BC
  • District of North Vancouver, BC
  • City of Prince George, BC
  • City of Saint John, NB
  • City of Saskatoon, SK
  • City of Selkirk, MB
  • District of Summerland, BC
  • City of Toronto, ON
  • City of Thunder Bay, ON
  • City of Wetaskiwin, AB
  • City of Yellowknife, NT
This Program will allow these municipalities to receive peer-networking opportunities, training and a total of $1.6 million in grant funding to strengthen their asset management skills. Between November 2017 and December 2019, network members will integrate climate change goals into decision-making about infrastructure assets and services, such as roads, buildings, and water and sanitation systems.
 
Participants will each develop or refresh an asset management policy or strategy to align with their climate action and sustainability goals. Some municipalities will undertake additional projects to strengthen their asset management approaches.

A second group of participants will be selected in 2018. If you would like to learn more please visit the FCM website.


IPAC National Leadership Conference and Awards -February 5th and 6th, 2018, Toronto
IPAC National Leadership Conference will provide an opportunity for over 200 leaders, practitioners, academics and students working in the public service or not-for-profit sector to explore the dynamic leader. On February 5th and 6th at The Dynamic Leader: responding to an uncertain world, globally-renowned thought leaders will focus on three key themes:
  • Leading in an uncertain world How Dynamic Leaders work with their teams Integrate dynamic leadership in your organization.
What will the next 10 years look like?  Are our government institutions positioned to respond? Are our public sector leaders up to the challenge?  Our conference responds to these questions and is focused on looking forward – preparing our public institutions’ and leaders for the next decade. Register today at http://leadership.ipac.ca/.


Canadian Women in Municipal Government Scholarship--APPLY BY DECEMBER 15TH
FCM's scholarship program for secondary school students began in 2010. There are five awards of $1000, each, with one award to be presented in each of the five regions of Canada (British Columbia, The Prairies and Territories, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada). The scholarship is open to female students enrolled in any year of study in secondary school and who are contributing to their school´s leadership team or student council.  The application period for 2018 scholarships is now open. See the eligibility criteria and apply before December 15, 2017.

The 2017 recipients are:
  • Rachel Sadorsky, Grade 12, Westsyde Secondary School, City of Kamloops, BC
  • Jelyn Dela Cruz, Grade 12, Miles Macdonell Collegiate, City of Winnipeg, MB
  • Kandeel Imran, Grade 12, Middlefield Collegiate Institute, City of Toronto, ON
  • Arielle Alcindor, Grade 8, Collège Regina Assumpta, City of Montreal, QC
  • Jennica Jean, Grade 12, Nackawic Senior High School, City of Nackawic, NB


 
Do you have a story for our next issue?
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CAMA e-Brief is published every two weeks. Watch for the next issue on: The week of December 18th, 2017
To view the last CAMA e-Brief, visit: http://www.camacam.ca/archive		 Job Scene is distributed every week. The Next issue will appear on: Monday, December 18th, 2017
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