e-Brief March 4, 2021
Deadline is Tomorrow for Nominations for the 2021-2022 CAMA Board of Directors - British Columbia Position
In accordance with the requirements of the CAMA by-laws, one position has opened up for the CAMA Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 year:  the position for British Columbia. 

The Nominating Committee invites all Regular CAMA members to express their interest in letting their name stand for the election of the above noted position by completing the nomination form (including the names and signatures of two nominators who are Regular members of the Association), accompanied by a photo, and a one-page bio (with a maximum of 500 words) including a paragraph on why you are interested in this Board position.  Photos and bios will be posted to the CAMA website.  Please note that only Regular Members resident in British Columbia are eligible for election in that region.

Nominations should be sent to Ms. Jennifer Goodine, CAMA Executive Director (and Returning Officer), via e-mail ([email protected]) by 4:30 p.m. PST on Friday, March 5th, 2021.

Further information regarding the procedures for voting will be distributed electronically to all CAMA members eligible to vote, prior to the commencement of the voting period.  Please also note that only CAMA members in good standing with membership fees paid for the current fiscal year (April 1st, 2021 to March 31st, 2022) will be eligible to vote.
Jeff Renaud
CAMA Past President/
Chair of Nominating Committee
Election of the CAMA Board of Directors – E-Voting Process

The election of the CAMA Board of Directors is governed by an e-voting process. Should a member wish to stand for election for an available position on the Board they must complete a nomination form. 

The CAMA Board of Directors shall be comprised of eleven (11) Regular Members who are elected by the membership. The Immediate Past-President shall serve on the Board of Directors and shall have voting privileges.  The eleven (11) elected Members of the Board of Directors shall be regionally represented as follows:
  • British Columbia (Position Available):  1 Member
  • Alberta:  1 Member
  • Manitoba and Saskatchewan:  1 Member
  • Ontario:  1 Member
  • Québec: 1 Member
  • New Brunswick:  1 Member
  • Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island:  1 Member
  • Newfoundland and Labrador:  1 Member
  • Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut:  1 Member
  • Member at Large (Municipality – Population Under 100,000):  1 Member
  • Member at Large (Municipality – Population of Over 100,000):  1 Member
Elections are only held for positions on the Board when there is a vacancy (as highlighted above).

The Nominating Committee shall appoint the Executive consisting of the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President and Treasurer from among the members of the Board of Directors.

Elected members of the Board of Directors shall serve for a four (4) year term except where the member is to serve as the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Treasurer or Immediate Past President. After an absence from the Board of Directors for a period of two consecutive years, members who have previously served shall again be eligible for office.  The term of office of directors shall commence immediately following the CAMA Annual General Meeting being held virtually on June 1st, 2021, at which time they are elected, and shall conclude upon the election of their successors.
CAMA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES - FREE WEBINARS
As part of our ongoing commitment to our members we are pleased to introduce the CAMA 50th Anniversary Professional Development Series for 2021. This new program is comprised of various webinars that are coordinated for the CAO/City Manager, senior managers and their employees.   Along with our own webinar series, CAMA Partner companies will be providing educational and informative learning opportunities that showcase innovative services and products relevant to municipal management.   Free of charge to all CAMA members this will be a wonderful way to provide an eclectic selection of resources to all your employees. Please forward to your staff members.
 
March 24th Webinar: Work Unplugged: Keeping Employees Connected - Hosted by Microsoft Canada
How do you make sure that fatigue from meetings does not set in? How can employees see who they are interacting with and when while remaining safe or in a hybrid environment?

Join us on March 24, 2021 at 1:00 PM EST as Microsoft Canada takes you through the latest findings on employees’ hybrid working environments, thought leadership on a remote work culture, and guidance to ensure employees are leveraging the tools they are provided in the best way possible.  Registration link: Microsoft Event (mktoevents.com)
Political Acumen:  Intermunicipal Organizations
Recognizing the importance of political understanding in the role of senior municipal administrators, also referred to as political acumen, the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) launched a Political Acumen Toolkit.    

Today’s featured category is information on Intermunicipal Organizations. One of the most important external relationships you can build as a municipality is with your municipal neighbours. This is particularly critical when it comes to municipal services that are provided jointly or accessed by residents of another municipality. Progress in intermunicipal partnerships is made through common interests, understanding, and trust.

Intermunicipal organizations come in many shapes and forms across the provinces and territories of our Country. One thing they share in common is that they are almost all created to support the provision of one or more public services. While many of these organizations are formed through a simple intermunicipal agreement, others are set up more formally through the creation of a separate legal entity.

Examples of separate legal entities (or “third-party service providers”) that can act as intermunicipal organizations include:

·        Regional Service Commissions
·        Cooperatives
·        Public/Private Partnerships
·        Municipal Controlled Corporations
·        Companies
·        Non-Profit Societies
·         
Each type of organization has a distinct purpose and benefits, and can be used to deliver the services agreed upon by the participating municipalities.

When entering into a third-party arrangement that includes the creation of a legal entity for the provision of intermunicipal services, municipalities need to remember that they may be delegating authority to this entity to deliver the identified service. This takes control over that service out of the hands of your municipality and Council and gives it over to this new organization instead. CAOs need to be cognizant of this and ensure your Council understand the implications of said arrangements.  
Tucker Goes to City Hall - A Kid’s Guide to Local Government
Who says local government is just for adults? It’s never too early to start learning about what makes your city tick. Wrapped in a fun and easy-to-read chapter book, Tucker Goes to City Hall is the perfect way to introduce lessons about local government.

Join Charles and his dog Tucker on an an adventure that takes them around the City of Excellence – and down to city hall. The mayor, along with a team of city staff, help them find out more about local government.

Written by local government legend George Cuff and daughter Jill Lewis, this book opens the door for kids to understand how municipalities work. Young readers will enjoy this fun and exciting tale, woven over the backdrop of the local stage.    Tucker Goes to City Hall is truly the essential guide to local government – for kids!
The 2020 CAMA Awards of Excellence Submissions
We are pleased to feature the 2020 Awards of Excellence Submissions over the next few editions of e-Brief.  These are valuable sources of information and can also be found in the Members Section.
Submission: 2020 Willis Award for Innovation - Population Under 20,000 - City of North Battleford, Town of Battleford, Moosomin First Nation, Sweetgrass First Nation, Saulteaux First Nation, Little Pine First Nation, and Lucky Man Cree Nation
Sacichawasihc Relationship Agreement
The project was initiated as a response to consistently high crime rates within the Battlefords region and a desire to address the systemic causes of them.  This included (but were not limited to) racism, poverty, addictions, food security, and mental illnesses.  These issues are far too large in scope for a single Municipal or Indigenous Government to deal with on their own, nor do they have the authority to address issues as many are the purview of the Provincial and Federal Governments.  Eventually it became clear that systemic change was required and that this could only be accomplished by aligning the four orders of Government: Federal, Indigenous, Provincial, and Municipal.

Further, it was recognized that these issues impact entire regions.  Concerns like economic development, growth, social issues, crime and other areas of mutual interest to the regional partnership are areas where no single community can operate as effectively as the region when it works together. The Framework provides a pathway to change how the governments work together for the benefit of all.
Submission: 2020 Willis Award for Innovation –  Population Over 100,000 - City of Markham
Leadership in Digital Democracy:  Markham’s Story
 
The City of Markham has been a leader in digital democracy since 2003. It was the largest municipality to first trial online voting and remains the largest lower-tier municipality in the country to offer it today. In 2018, the City offered its most convenient and accessible election to-date via a multi-channel service delivery strategy with more hours to vote than ever before. Voters could cast an online ballot anywhere, anytime from October 12-22 or by paper ballot during the Early Voting Period. It was also the first time offering only online voting on Final Voting Day. Markham’s innovative election model was driven by the City’s Strategic Plan, Digital Markham strategy, rigorous testing, lessons learned over five elections, leveraging key partnerships with our Contact Centre and libraries, academic and professional research and exit surveys from voters.  An award-winning communications strategy was also implemented, helping contribute to Markham’s highest overall voter turnout in decades (38.26%), the highest early voter turnout on record (67%) and the highest online voter turnout in the municipality's history, with 91.3% of voters casting their ballot online, compared to just 6.7% in the 2014 municipal election.
Submission: 2020 Willis Award for Innovation – Population Over 100,000 - The Regional Municipality of Durham
Transparent and Engaging Leadership Approach for Modern Public Service
In late 2018, Elaine Baxter-Trahair was named our CAO. From day one, it was clear Elaine understood the value of an engaged leader. Throughout 2019, she communicated regularly with employees; kept us informed, dismissed rumours, and built trust. She shared what she knew, to ensure we all knew.  It was a solid example of fostering communication and innovation within our modernized public sector.

Elaine has a clear vision and important values—both of which have been shared with staff. By working in collaboration, we move together, down the same path. It’s about highlighting diversity and inclusion. Inviting participation in employee spirit days. Reaching out about sensitive topics. And outlining how our innovative projects are propelling us forward.

But most importantly, Elaine has encouraged us all to embrace new ways of thinking. She reminds our employees that their voice is important.  Invites them to share ideas and suggestions. Why? Because she is listening. And she gives back to those who take the time to share—by thanking them for their insight.  Through various communications activities, Elaine has engaged our staff and proven that people come first.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
 
  • Tim Simmonds, City Manager, City of Owen Sound, ON
  • Matt Fenske, Chief Administrative Officer, County of Newell, AB
  • Tracey Vaughan, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Cobourg, ON
Do you have a story for our next issue?
Let us know by contacting [email protected]
CAMA e-Brief is published every two weeks. Watch for the next issue on: The week of March 15, 2021
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: March 8, 2021
To view the latest Jobs go to: http://www.camacam.ca/jobs
To have an item included in e-Brief, please contact [email protected]
CAMA is a non-profit association open to all senior managers dedicated to improving municipalities in Canada.
Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators
PO Box 128, Station A
Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y2
CANADA