2012 CAMA E-Brief Partner: |
November 29, 2012 |
CAMA Holds Quarterly Board Meeting in Gatineau
The Board of Directors for the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) held their quarterly Board meeting in the City of Gatineau, Québec from November 22-23, 2012 at which time a number of business items were considered.
Strategic Plan
The 2012 Members Needs and Preferences Survey that was recently completed reaffirmed many items that are in the current Strategic Plan. The National Conference will continue to be the primary professional development opportunity for CAMA. We are also seeking ways to inventory and share best practices amongst our members and to develop strategic partnerships with our affiliate organizations and the Aboriginal Finance Officers Association. The Board will continue to work on these strategic objectives.
Communications Plan
A Call for Expression of Interest for “Professional Communications Services – Agency of Record and External Communications Strategy” will be sent out to communications firms in the near future. The primary objective of this plan is to help promote the profession of municipal administration amongst the public. Effective and efficient communication is key to fulfilling CAMA’s strategic objectives. We wish to broaden our image, improve our brand recognition and enhance the credibility and influence of our organization in the eyes of its target audiences.
Members On The Move
CAMA would like to feature our “Members on the Move” in e-Brief. If you are aware of some of your colleagues that have retired or moved to other municipalities/organizations, please let us know at [email protected].
2013 CAMA Conference and Beyond
The room block at the Fairmont Empress Hotel is filling up quickly. If you haven’t already made your hotel reservations, please visit our website at http://www.camacam.ca/en/conference/2013AnnualConference.asp. New at the 2013 CAMA Conference will be a “Young Professionals” (those under 40) Reception along with a Conference Mobile App that will enable delegates to download the program to their electronic devices and have up to the minute tweets and information. Watch for program details and the early bird registration rate in the near future! Looking ahead, our 2014 Conference will be held at the Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in 2015, and the Delta Winnipeg/Convention Centre in 2016. The City of Gatineau, QC has been chosen as the location for the 2017 Conference which will coincide with the 150th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation.
Elections at the AGM
The Board has endorsed a new electronic voting process for elections to the CAMA Board. To make this change it would require a positive vote of the membership at our upcoming Annual General Meeting in Victoria along with amendments to our Constitution. Information will be sent out in the near future about the question of whether the voting should take place nationally or regionally for each vacancy on the Board of Directors, before a decision is made.
Retirement of Two CAMA Board Members
Congratulations to Mr. Kelly Daniels, representative for British Columbia/Yukon and CAMA Treasurer (City Manager for the Capital Regional District) and Mr. Patrick Moyle, representative for Ontario (Chief Administrative Officer for the Halton Region) who will both be retiring from their positions and the Board of Directors at the end of January 2013. These CAMA positions will be available to be filled at the 2013 Annual General Meeting. Mr. Don MacLellan, representative for New Brunswick will assume the duties of CAMA Treasurer from February 1st, 2013 to May 28th, 2013.
Infrastructure Canada Position Paper
CAMA’s Position Paper to Infrastructure Canada on the Long-Term Infrastructure Plan that was presented to Mr. Taki Sarantakis, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Canada on September 24, 2012 was extremely popular on the CAMA website as it garnered the most downloads over the September to October 2012 period.
Membership Services / CAMA National Office
Ms. Goodine provided the Board with a status report on member services and the activities of the CAMA National Office. She advised that CAMA currently has 501 members, 53 Facebook “Likes” and 199 Twitter followers.
Webinars
The webinars that are offered through CAMA’s partnership with LGMA BC are continuing to be very popular. Visit the website at http://www.camacam.ca/en/programs/Webinars.asp and take advantage of this innovative way for alternative training approaches which allow you and your staff to receive training without having to leave the office.
ICMA Initiatives
Mr. David Johnstone, ICMA Third International Vice-President, was in attendance at the meeting to provide a update on a number of ICMA initiatives. CAMA enjoys a close working relationship with the ICMA. Through our affiliation agreement, CAMA members can join ICMA at a substantially reduced rate of $135 (US dollars) per person, an average savings of $800. To participate in this discounted ICMA membership offer, visit the ICMA website and complete the application form http://www.camacam.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/2009-12-MembershipApplicationForm-ICMA.pdf and mail it directly to ICMA. It is important to note on the ICMA application form that you are a CAMA member.
Currently 175 CAMA members hold membership in ICMA. Canadian members of ICMA are by far the largest group of the 30 member countries outside the US. Each year typically 60 Canadian members and partners attend the ICMA annual conference and participate on various committees. The 2013 Annual Conference will take place from September 22-25, 2013 in Boston Massachusetts. Of particular interest is that Mr. Simon Farbrother, City Manager Edmonton and former CAMA President will take over as the new ICMA President at the 2013 ICMA Conference.
ICMA during its 100th anniversary campaign have also launched a publicity campaign to focus on the importance of managing cities. It can be found on the website www.lifewellrun.org
Treasurer’s Report
The Board approved the financial statements for the period of April 1 to October 31, 2012. CAMA continues to be financially stable.
International
The Board received a presentation from CAMA President Ron Shaw in regards to the ICMA Conference held in Phoenix, Arizona in which approximately sixty Canadian delegates were in attendance at the Canadian Dinner held on October 8th, 2012. Mr. Marc Landry was also pleased to attend the LGANT Conference in Yellowknife from October 23-25, 2012 to bring greetings on behalf of CAMA.
2013 CAMA Awards of Excellence
The 2013 CAMA Awards of Excellence packages will be mailed out to the membership the first week of January with a deadline for all submissions of March 1st, 2013.
Future Board Meetings
The following is a list of future CAMA Board meetings:
• March 20-22, 2013 , Bromont, QC
• May 26, 2013, Victoria, BC
• September 11-13, 2013 in Yellowknife, NWT
We look forward to seeing you in Victoria for the 2013 Conference!
Ron Shaw
CAMA President
2012 CAMA Environment Award: City of Edmonton, AB (Population over 100,000)
Don MacLellan, CAMA Representative for New Brunswick; Mark Brostom, Director of the Office of Environment and Sustainable Development, Edmonton, AB; Simon Farbrother, City Manager, Edmonton, AB;
and Jim Toye, CAMA Past President
The Way We Green Environmental Strategic Plan
The Way We Green is the City of Edmonton, Alberta’s environmental strategic plan, which was approved by Edmonton City Council in July 2011. It sets out principles, goals, objectives and strategic actions for Edmonton to live in balance with nature. While this approach is crucial for the wellbeing of the environment, it is equally crucial for the wellbeing of our society, economy, and quality of life.
The Way We Green’s two main focuses are: (a) sustainability: our society’s ability to endure over a prolonged period as an integral part of Earth’s natural systems, and (b) resilience: the capacity of our city to withstand and bounce back intact from environmental disturbances.
The plan’s 12 goals describe what ultimately must be accomplished for Edmonton to be a sustainable and resilient city. They have not been understated or minimized to reflect what we think we can accomplish based on today’s limited solutions and resources. Rather, they indicate what many citizens, stakeholders, and experts think must be accomplished for Edmonton to exist in balance with nature and preserve today’s outstanding quality of life. The Way We Green proposes a systematic management approach that will be applied over the timeframe of this plan, providing a foundation for success. Fundamentally important is the understanding that The Way We Green is a long-term community plan. Becoming a sustainable, resilient city will require inspired community effort over the long-term. Success will mean that Edmontonians understand, value, and practice principles of sustainable living.
Congratualtions to the City of Edmonton on this outstanding achievement!
Welcome New Members
Welcome to the following new members:
John Corbett, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton, ON
Corien Speaker, Chief Administrative Officer, District of Squamish, BC
Gail Pomroy, Deputy Clerk, Town of Conception Bay South, NL
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