e-Brief September 4, 2020
We are pleased to be launching our new Council Orientation Toolkit.  Please feel free to pass this invitation on to any of your staff members that would like to attend.




 
BC Members: Active Transportation Planning Grant
The Province is introducing a new Active Transportation Planning Grant, which will enable local governments to receive funding to incorporate or strengthen active transportation components of their community development plans.   In total, $600,000 will be available over two years for this program. This will help make cycling, walking and other forms of active transportation safe, accessible and convenient for people, while lessening climate pollution caused by greenhouse gases.  Applications will be open from Aug. 31, to Oct. 30, 2020.  Learn more about the Active Transportation Planning Grant: https://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/funding/lgps/active-transportation.html
 
Learn more about B.C.'s strategy for more active transportation: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/active
Science Horizons Youth Internship Program
Students are leaders in the fight against climate change. They are working in their communities to reduce emissions and build a cleaner, more prosperous future. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting students as they develop new skills to support the growth of the clean economy as Canada builds back better from COVID-19.

The Government of Canada is partnering with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) employers across Canada to create 900 internship opportunities for students through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program.  Science Horizons is now open for 2020-21 applications.  Up to $15,000 in Science Horizons funding is available to employers for each intern they hire, and interns will receive experience working on environmental projects lasting six to twelve months. 
COUNCIL & CAO RELATIONSHIP
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.   This resource can be found at politicalacumen.camacam.ca

Over the next few editions of e-Brief (and by direct e-mail to you – our members) we will be featuring each topic that is offered in the toolkit.  Today’s featured category is the relationship between Council and the CAO.

A positive working relationship between a Council and their CAO is vital for a municipality to achieve their goals. A municipality that loses confidence in its CAO is a municipality that begins travelling down the road to replace that individual. Always remember that a CAO is hired at the pleasure of Council. Strong political acuity can help to identify when Council’s direction may be changing, and adjustment is needed. This section outlines various strategies for CAOs to build and maintain a strong relationship with their Council and focuses on the following topics.
  • Relationship with Council:  For more information on harassment between elected officials and the CAO,  please see Council Ethics
  • No Surprises
  • Strategic Planning
  • Praise and Criticism
  • Power Dynamics of One Versus The Whole
  • Councillor Alliances
  • Rogue Elected Officials
  • CAO Performance Reviews
Remember: Elected officials are employers, not friends. It is important to always maintain a professional relationship, even at social events.

Tip: Sending a weekly update email to Council builds trust and keeps them informed on all relevant issues. It also reduces the time and number of messages required to keep Council up to date on each topic individually.
 
Remember: While it may seem obvious, always remember who your boss is. It is Council as a whole, not the Head of Council or any individual Council member.


Please see CAMA’s CAO Performance Evaluation Toolkit for additional information and resources relating to this topic.  
Case Studies
·        Building Rapport with a New Council
·        Council Divide
·        Disclosure of Confidential Information
·        Falsified Expense Account
·        Managing Election Turnover
·        Mayor Intimidation
·        Stakeholder Perception
·        Unethical Dismissal
·         
Downloadable Resources:    CAMA CAO Performance Evaluation Toolkit

Also, don’t forget to share some of your political acumen with your colleagues and sign up for CAMA’s Mentorship Forum which is available to all members at mentorship.camacam.ca. Sign up as a mentor, a mentee or just to network.

Tip for Mentor-Mentee Relationships:  Stay connected: As with any relationship, mentorship is a two-way street of communication. It is as essential for a mentor to check in and provide encouragement, as it is for the mentee to report back and stay accountable to their mentor.

Do you have questions? Want more information?  Contact Jennifer Goodine, Executive Director, CAMA National Office, 1-866-771-2262, [email protected].
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 September 14, 2020
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: September 7, 2020
To view the latest Jobs go to: http://www.camacam.ca/jobs
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CAMA is a non-profit association open to all senior managers dedicated to improving municipalities in Canada.
Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators
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Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y2
CANADA