|
CAMA E-Brief
| LAUNCH OF CAMA’S 50th ANNIVERSARY |
 While we would much rather celebrate with all of you in person, we will have to settle for a virtual journey of sorts. Over the next year, we will be revisiting each of CAMA’s five decades of service, and speaking to the people who helped build the organization over the past 50 years. From that first meeting in a board room at an FCM Conference in Western Canada, to today’s thriving network of over 600 strong, our accomplishments are many and varied.
Our story starts at THE BEGINNING– the 1970s. Born out of a meeting of the Canadian Federation of Mayors and Municipalities, CAMA started small and out of a necessity for administrators to engage in their own meetings separate from the elected officials.
A small but mighty group, focused on networking and building up the profile of the profession, it wasn’t until the 1980s, when BIG CHANGES saw the formal incorporation of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators, with a new awards program, exchange opportunities and an improved membership fee structure. Enhanced communications saw more frequent ‘bulletins’ to the membership and more attention paid to engaging the nationwide network. This decade was the foundation for a strong professional organization moving into the future.
BIG IDEAs came in the 1990s, as local government became a federal priority and a task force was developed to generate dialogue and raise the profile of local government across Canada. Several new partnerships and programs were launched and technological advancements drove the second half of the decade. After a few tough years, and a renewed vision and image, CAMA finished the 90s with their first website and a desire to build a bigger and better organization.
Y2K. With the launch of a new century came the launch of the CAMA conferences much like we see them today. Sponsorship improved, the tradeshow expanded and CAMA began to brand itself as an agent for excellence in municipal government management. Electronic mail became a more efficient way to network and grow the membership, and the website was translated and more layers added to meet the needs of the members and adapting to the changing local government landscape. Perhaps the most significant event in BUILDING A MODERN-DAY CAMA took place in 2005, when the administration of the Association moved to it’s new home in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and the governance model that we know today was born.
The LAST TEN YEARS has seen CAMA grow significantly, and since 2010, has adapted and responded to the everchanging needs of City Managers. Membership has grown consistently, and the organization prides itself not only on administrative excellence, but on transparent operations, value in professional development, enhanced guidance and leadership on key issues, and an annual conference that is second to none. The strategic direction of CAMA has built a financially sound and sustainable organization well positioned for the future. And despite the challenges in recent years, including the worldwide pandemic, the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators continues to rise above those challenges. We can’t wait to see what the next 50 years will bring.
We hope you will come along with us as we celebrate 50 amazing years of administrative excellence in Canada and share your memories and experiences along the way. For more information and to connect with us, please visit www.camacam.ca. Check out our video and THE BEGINNING - the 1970s.
LANCEMENT DU 50e ANNIVERSAIRE DE L’ACAM
Nous aurions préféré de loin célébrer avec vous tous en personne, mais nous devrons nous contenter d'un voyage virtuel en quelque sorte. Au cours de l'année prochaine, nous reviendrons sur chacune des cinq décennies de service de l'ACAM et nous présenterons les personnes qui ont contribué à construire et consolider l'organisation au fil de ses 50 années d’existence. Depuis cette première réunion dans une salle du conseil d'administration lors d'une conférence de la Fédération canadienne des municipalités, qui avait lieu dans l'Ouest canadien, jusqu'au réseau florissant d'aujourd'hui, qui compte plus de 600 membres, nos réalisations sont nombreuses et variées.
Notre histoire commence au DÉBUT – les années 1970. Née en marge d'une réunion de la Fédération canadienne des maires et des municipalités (devenue la FCM), l'ACAM a démarré modestement, parce que les administrateurs avaient besoin de se réunir séparément des élus.
Un groupe petit mais très efficace a concentré ses efforts sur l’établissement d’un réseau de relations et le renforcement du profil de la profession. Puis, les années 1980 ont apporté de GRANDS CHANGEMENTS : constitution de l'Association canadienne des administrateurs municipaux, mise au point d’un nouveau programme de récompenses, possibilités d'échanges et amélioration de la structure de cotisation des membres. Les communications ont aussi évolué – les « bulletins de nouvelles » à l'intention des membres se sont faits plus fréquents et une attention accrue a été à la mobilisation du réseau national. Cette décennie a jeté les bases d'une organisation professionnelle solide pour l'avenir.
Les GRANDES IDÉES sont apparues dans les années 1990, lorsque la notion de « gouvernement local » est devenue une priorité fédérale et qu'un groupe de travail a été mis sur pied pour susciter le dialogue et rehausser le profil des administrations locales ou municipales dans tout le pays. Plusieurs nouveaux partenariats et programmes ont été lancés et les progrès technologiques ont galvanisé la seconde moitié de la décennie. Après quelques années difficiles et le renouvellement de sa vision et de son image, l'ACAM a terminé cette décennie avec son premier site web et un fort désir d’amélioration et de croissance de son organisation.
L’an 2000. Le début du nouveau siècle a été marqué par le lancement des conférences de l'ACAM, dans le style que nous leur connaissons maintenant. Le parrainage et le salon professionnel se sont développés et l'ACAM a commencé à se présenter comme un agent d'excellence dans le domaine de l’administration municipale. Le courrier électronique, vite raccourci à « courriel », est devenu un moyen plus efficace de réseauter et de stimuler l’adhésion. Le site web a été traduit et d'autres couches s’y sont ajoutées pour mieux répondre aux besoins des membres et s'adapter à l'évolution du paysage de l’administration locale. L'événement le plus important dans l’évolution vers une ACAM MODERNE a peut-être eu lieu en 2005, lorsque le volet administratif de l’association a été déménagé à Fredericton, au Nouveau-Brunswick, et que le modèle de gouvernance tel que nous le connaissons a pris forme.
Au cours des DIX DERNIÈRES ANNÉES, l'ACAM a connu une croissance importante et, depuis 2010, elle a su s'adapter pour mieux répondre aux besoins en constante évolution des dirigeants municipaux. L’augmentation soutenue des adhésions a renforcé l’association. Elle se félicite non seulement de son excellence administrative, mais aussi de la transparence de ses opérations, de la valeur accordée au perfectionnement professionnel, de l'amélioration de ses conseils et de son leadership sur les enjeux clés, et de sa conférence annuelle qui n’a pas son pareil. L'orientation stratégique de l'ACAM a permis de bâtir une organisation financièrement saine et durable, bien positionnée pour l'avenir. Malgré les défis récents, notamment la pandémie mondiale, l'Association canadienne des administrateurs municipaux continue de s'élever au-dessus de la tourmente. Que nous réservent les 50 prochaines années? Nous avons bien hâte de voir.
Nous espérons que vous serez des nôtres pour célébrer 50 années d'excellence administrative au Canada et faire partager vos souvenirs et vos expériences en cours de route. Pour en savoir plus, consulter le site www.camacam.ca. Regardez notre vidéo et les anneés 1970 - Les débuts!
|
|
| CUTRIC’s 1st Annual ZEB Technologies & Transit Operation Conference |
Join Canada’s leading conference in zero-emissions bus (ZEB) technologies. Learn about the latest technologies in battery electric buses (BEBs), hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) and renewable natural gas (RNG) fuelled buses and their deployments across Canada and the U.S.
Dr. Josipa Petrunic will be joined by Minister Catherine McKenna, Minister George Heyman and other leading experts in the transit, government, zero emissions and infrastructure & technology fields. The conference takes place on March 29, 2021. Register here Visit cutric-crituc.org to learn more about how CUTRIC is making Canada a global leader in low-carbon smart mobility technologies.
|
|
| CAMA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES - FREE WEBINARS |
%20Button%20(E).jpg) 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 24: 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)
|
|
| March 31: Webinar: The New Office : Maximize its Potential - hosted by DataVisual |
Even before the Covid 19 pandemic there was a growing demand for meetings to include those who wanted to join remotely. The nature of Canadian geography all but demands the need to have remote meetings. The pandemic hastened the speed in which this goal needed to be achieved as well as adding the dimension of health and wellness concerns for those in the meeting room. The pandemic highlighted weaknesses in existing remote meeting solutions.
There is a growing demand from those joining remotely for a better experience so they can feel fully engaged as they participate in meetings. The technology used in the meeting room must be easy to use for those running the meeting as well as delivering a great experience to those on the far end. Technology used in meeting rooms needs to be flexible enough to address the multiple conferencing platforms now being used. It is not uncommon to go from a Zoom meeting to a Teams meeting or any other number of platforms.
Technology solutions must reflect the room size. Not all rooms are the same and that means different solutions. Another factor to consider is who is running the meeting. Is it strictly in house or is a visitor driving the meeting? The gear used must be able to accommodate a multitude of circumstances. And don’t forget the need to ensure power is available in all these situations so devices can run.
DataVisual is pleased to present an answer to these concerns with presentations from Barco ClickShare, Vaddio, Nureva and FSR. These presentations will highlight how each of these can work on their own or as a powerful all in one solution.
Please join us on Wednesday March 31, 2021 at 1pm EST if you are looking to maximize your meeting space and have effective and efficient meeting that deliver a great experience to both those in the meeting room and those at the far end. Free registration to all CAMA members and their employees.
|
|
| PSN Canada- 2021 – Smart Infrastructure Planning |
Creating a large-scale infrastructure plan that can move with the times may sound like a paradox, but with the right plan and the right tools to back it up, municipal leaders can deliver on their smart goals. On March 24, Public Sector Network’s Smart Infrastructure Planning virtual event – featuring CAMA President and CAO, City of Nanaimo, Jake Rudolf - will bring together municipal leaders to reimagine infrastructure planning. Hear what is possible for Smart Communities and discover ways that your infrastructure can adapt to changing citizen expectations. Registration is complimentary for public sector employees. Visit the website: https://hubs.ly/H0HL3jV0 for additional information.
|
|
| Temporary Assignments and Contractors for Local Governments of the NWT |
|
The Local Government Administrators of the NWT is seeking Contractors and Professionals interested in providing services or filing temporary assignments with Local Governments in the Northwest Territories. We are looking for professionals interested in temporary assignments with Local Governments and Contractors with expertise in the following areas: Senior Administration, Financial Management, Project and Contract Management, Asset Management, Procurement, Community Land Use Planning, Engineering (Consultants), Auditors, Risk Management, Governance, Human Resources, Communications. If you are interested in being included, please submit the following:
- Company and/or Contact Name,
- Street Address, Mailing Address,
- Telephone Number and Email Address
- Areas of Expertise to Offer
- Northern Experience
- Resume for Individuals and/or Business Profile
- Two (2) Letters of Reference based on previous work.
Please note, that while LGANT oversees and maintains the database, we are not involved in the selection of individuals for contracts or temporary assignments. Contact information will be provided to local governments upon request. Information supplied will remain in the database for one (1) year and will be reviewed and updated at that time. Please submit your information as indicated below to: Local Government Administrators of the NWT P.O. Box 2083 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P6 Telephone: 867-765-5630 Email: [email protected]
|
|
| POLITICAL ACUMEN: PROVINCIAL & FEDERAL MATTERS OF JURISDICTION: KNOWING WHO TO WORK WITH |
 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. Provincial/territorial and federal governments are both important touch points for any municipality. Provincial and territorial governments fund and administer municipalities, and therefore it is critical for CAOs and their Councils to build strong relationships with their local representatives and the Ministers/Deputy Ministers overseeing the departments that govern, impact, and benefit their community. While the federal government has less oversight as municipalities are not their jurisdiction, it too creates policy that directly impacts municipalities and provides grant funding for municipal initiatives.
In this section of the Toolkit, we look at the connections between municipal, provincial and federal and how to effectively work with representatives at higher levels of government.
Politics are nebulous no matter what level you are working at: municipal, provincial or federal. Political acumen is demonstrated by learning and understanding matters of jurisdiction and knowing when and when not to step on the toes of another government body. However, this is not always as easy as it seems.
As described in an article from the March 2017 edition of McMillan LLP’s Municipal Law Bulletin, “Federal Jurisdiction in Municipal Matters,” there are areas of governance where the boundaries are not always clear. An excellent example, and one described in the article, is the environment. Indeed, it can be argued that environmental oversight is the responsibility of all levels of government. However, without clear rules of engagement, it can often lead to different tiers of government unwittingly overstepping their granted authority.
It is important to remember that municipalities do not have any power provided to them by the Constitution. Instead, they only receive power through their province or territory’s legislation. Because of this, they are bound to and a product of this legislation. Taking the time to understand the division of power between different governance levels helps to ensure you are taking the right issues to the right people in power to achieve benefit for your municipality.
Case Study: Falsified Expense Account
|
|
| WELCOME NEW MEMBERS! |
- Adam Homes, City Manager, City of Melfort, SK
- Bryan Teasdale, Chief Administrative Officer / Corporate Officer, City of Rossland, BC
- Thomas Thayer, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk, Municipality of Bayham, ON
- Craig Dalton, City Manager, City of Lethbridge, AB
- Lisa Trent, Director of Corporate & Customer Services, City of Lethbridge, AB
- Jon Stungevicius, Senior Partner, Waterhouse Executive Search, Toronto, ON
|
|
CAMA e-Brief is published every two weeks. Watch for the next issue on: April 2, 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 26, 2021
To view the latest Jobs go to: http://www.camacam.ca/jobs |
| 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 |
|
|
|
