2011 CAMA E-Brief Partner:

October 4, 2011

October 11 - 12, 2011 - 10:00am - 11:30am PST
Making the Most of Your Media Relations
Presenter:  Jan Enns, Jan Enns Communications

Working with the media is key to spreading the word about your program or service.  This engaging, interactive and informative workshop is designed to strengthen participants’ ability to work proactively with the media, and hone their skills when it comes to responding to media interviews.
Key points covered include:
• How to work with the media to spread the word
• What to do when the media calls
• How to develop strong, clear and consistent key messages
• How to answer media questions and stay on message
• Some dos and don’ts
• Ongoing discussion and sharing of ideas and experiences

Oct. 18, 19, 2011 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am PST
Enhancing Leadership Skills
Presenter: Tracey Lee Lorenson, Paragon Strategic Services

NOTE: this course is intended for those already in management or leadership positions and facing the challenges of leading through political, community and organizational change
What is the difference between "leadership" and "management"? How can you demonstrate these skills every day regardless of the position you are in? How can you develop the leadership skills of your workforce?  It’s a high priority challenge because leadership is not easy to define or practice – and some people spend their entire lives trying to get it right. This session focuses on eight skills and characteristics considered necessary for effective leadership in any setting, and attendees will also have an opportunity to assess their skills in these areas through an online assessment, including the chance to receive 360 degree feedback if they would like.

To view other upcoming webinars and to register online visit:  http://www.camacam.ca/en/programs/Webinars.asp

2011 Member Needs and Preferences Survey

The 2011 Member Needs and Preferences Survey was circulated to the membership on October 3rd, 2011 and is designed to get your feedback on CAMA’s new Strategic Plan for the next five years (2011-2016). The survey will help improve member services, and determine an action plan to guide the strategic direction of the Board.

To accomplish this we want to hear from you. Your input is very valuable and important to us, and getting your ideas and suggestions will only help to make CAMA an organization that provides the best value to its members. Go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9QGG3B8

 Thank you for taking time to participate in our survey.   

“Call for Submissions” is being requested from the CAMA membership on identifying a municipality that has a successful relationship with an Aboriginal community to serve on a panel for the upcoming 2012 AFOA and CAMA Conferences.  Ideally we would like to have a panel consisting of both the representative from the municipality and the representative from the First Nations community to provide insight on this partnership (i.e. service agreements, governance, etc.).   If you and your municipality are interested or if you know of a model community, please contact Ms. Jennifer Goodine, Executive Director at [email protected].
 

Worldwide local government issues were front and centre at the 97th Annual International City Managers Association Conference (ICMA) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from September 18th to September 21st, 2011.  Jim Toye, President, attended on behalf of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA).

“The state of the economy as a whole and our local economies were discussed along with issues such as infrastructure and budgets,” said Toye. “A lot of us face the same issues in those respects. We also talked about ways to fulfill the wants and desires of our citizens without implementing substantial tax hikes but continued exploration of alternative revenue sources.”  How to engage the younger generations and utilize their talents was another session offered by the ICMA.  “Who will be our next citizens? Who are we planning for?  Who are we developing for?  One of the keynotes dealt with where the future and talent meet,” said Toye. “Millennials, defined as those born between 1982 and 2002, are called the “sunshine generation” -- a generation of optimism, enthusiasm, and hope that we can capitalize on.”

Other discussions at the ICMA conference touched on labour relationships, citizen engagement, priority based budgeting and roles of management and council. “Opportunities such as this allow me to think outside the box and develop my own professional life.”  The mission of the ICMA is to create excellence in local governance by developing and fostering professional local government management worldwide. Over 3000 delegates from 19 countries attended the 97th Annual ICMA Conference.

President Toye also attended the International Committee Meeting on Sunday, September 18th and the International Affiliates meeting on Monday, September 19th.  Mr. Toye provided the affiliate organizations with an update on CAMA’s activities.  Later that evening, approximately thirty CAMA members gathered for dinner at a local restaurant in downtown Milwaukee and were joined by delegates attending the Conference from New Zealand, Australia, Slovakia and Poland including International ICMA Vice-Presidents Mr. Peter Agh (Slovakia), Ms. Noelene Duff (Australia) and Mr. David Johnstone (Canada).  CAMA is pleased to have affiliate agreements with ICMA, SOLGM, SOLACE and LGMA. 

Margaret Taylor, Municipal Training Organization Board – Secretary/Treasurer,  David Gourlay, Public Sector Head - Global Transaction Services, Citibank Canada and Jacques Des Ormeaux, CAMA Past President

Nunavut Municipal Training Organization, Household Hazardous Waste Management Training Program for Operators

A household hazardous waste diversion training program for municipal employees, developed by the Nunavut Municipal Training Organization, will help create safer communities in Canada’s North and bring landfill operations into compliance with existing environmental acts and regulations.  

Through the initiative, the Government of Nunavut Department of Environment is piloting a two-week training program for municipal landfill operators.  The training program will provide hands-on instruction to support the development of hazardous waste diversion programs for communities.

This program has been in development for more than two years, and addresses a real need to assist Nunavut communities in achieving compliance with Federal and Territorial environmental protection legislation. It has the potential to significantly improve waste management practices by instructing operators how to effectively sort and store household hazardous waste materials entering landfill sites.

This initiative will have tangible and lasting impacts for the people of Nunavut.  Plans are underway to build on the success of this pilot program and see it expand to all Nunavut communities in the future.  This new course has also attracted the attention of other jurisdictions, and may potentially be used as a model program for First Nations and other small communities across Canada that face similar challenges.

The Nunavut Municipal Training Organization is a non-profit agency formed as a partnership between the Nunavut Association of Municipal Administrators and the Government of Nunavut Department of Community and Government Services.  Its mandate is to identify, develop and implement programs to provide municipal staff with skills and knowledge that can contribute to excellence in municipal program and service delivery.

Congratulations to the Nunavut Municipal Training Organization on this outstanding achievement!

Welcome to the following new member:

• Lisa Quessy, Administrator, Village of Canwood, SK

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