CAMA E-Brief Newsletter - March 17 2023 - Two Weeks Remaining for Conference Early Bird Registration

Virtual National Forum for CAMA Members: “Staying Ahead of the Curve – Trends and Strategies for Effective Employee Benefit Programs” Hosted by Canoe Benefits

As part of our ongoing commitment to our members we are pleased to introduce you to a Virtual National Forum, hosted by CAMA’s Platinum Partner, Canoe Benefits. This opportunity is free to you and your employees so please share this information.

This forum “Staying Ahead of the Curve – Trends and Strategies for Effective Employee Benefit Programs" will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST with speaker Jeff Nichol, Director of Benefits, Canoe Benefits Program / Vice-President of Public Sector, Lane Quinn Benefit Consultants Corporation,

Who Can Attend this Webinar?: CAMA Members and Their Employees. Non-Members are also welcome to attend.

Registration Cost: FREE but registration is required at admin@camacam.ca

About this Session:

In an ever-changing labor market, building and maintaining a competitive employee benefit offering in the municipal space has become more and more challenging every year. New drugs being introduced to market, increase in dental fees and psychological utilization are just a few examples of financial pressures being added to programs. Please join Canoe Benefits in a presentation on ways to achieve the most value from Employee Benefit Programs – including but not limited to:

-Benchmarking (peers & private sector)

-Protecting your plan against inflation

-Plan design & funding arrangements

-Educating plan members to be informed consumers

-Reviewing programs regularly

-Engaging and communicating change

TWO WEEKS LEFT TO REGISTER FOR THE 2023 CAMA CONFERENCE AT THE EARLY BIRD RATE

Susan Stewart

Opening Keynote Speaker

Registrations are now being accepted for CAMA's 49th Annual Conference being held in Huntsville, Ontario from May 29-31, 2023 at the Deerhurst Resort. The early bird rate is available until April 1, 2023 so don't delay! An overflow hotel room block has also been opened up at the Hidden Valley Resort and a shuttle service will be provided during peak times.

To view the full 2023 Conference Program click here. All other information can be found on the Conference website. Registration is open until May 15, 2023.

This week's "Speaker Spotlight" is Susan Stewart, Opening Keynote Speaker and Motivational Humourist "YOU GOTTA LAUGH: Healing Stress with Humour”

Of course, you don’t gotta laugh, it’s just that you can – it’s always an option – that’s the freedom of choice we were born with – we are always free to choose how we want to respond to our circumstances. In this entertaining hour, Susan will remind you of how important it is to not take things too seriously and share some ways to see the lighter side of life - especially in times of adversity and uncertainty.

Professionally, Stewart has taken a winding road. After earning a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Waterloo, she began performing stand-up comedy in Toronto. Three years into her comedy career, Stewart began battling depression and anxiety, which eventually led her to quit performing. When she got back on her feet, she wanted to know “how the other half lived” and transitioned into the world of human resources as an organizational learning and development consultant with the Ontario government.

A year into her new HR career, Stewart was asked to create and deliver a comical presentation about wellness for an upcoming staff professional development conference. Her presentation was a smash-hit and she eventually left her HR career to return to the stage full-time and use her comedic powers for good. For the past decade, Stewart has been entertaining and inspiring people to not take things too seriously, lower stress, and nurture strong mental health.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION LINK

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! WILGA WEBINAR IN RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: "EMBRACING EQUITY: A CONVERSATION WITH CAOS"

On March 8, 2023, CAMA was pleased to partner with Women in Local Government Administration (WILGA) featuring three of our CAMA members for the webinar “Embracing Equity: A Conversation with CAOs”. This webinar was moderated by Tracey Lorenson with Sheila Bassi-Kellett, City Manager for the City of Yellowknife; Raffaelle Di Stasio, CAO for the City of Montreal-West; and CAO Lisa Spitale, CAO for the City of New Westminster. Did you miss it? Want to re-watch it? Click here.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR THE 2023 CAMA CONFERENCE AND ASKED YOUR STAFF TO ATTEND?

The second and each additional member from your municipality can join CAMA for $155.00 (50% off the first year), so why not encourage some of your direct reports to sign up as a member using our on-line registration form, and attend the Conference at the “First-Time Delegate Rate” of $575.00. All membership information can be found on our website.

CAMA PARTNERS IN

THE "BUCKING THE TREND SYMPOSIUM - TACKLING ABUSE IN THE POLITICAL REALM"

CAMA is pleased to be the Keynote Speaker Partner (Patrick Remo) at the "Bucking The Trend -Tackling Abuse in the Political Realm" Symposium.

Abuse against municipal officials — elected and staff members — has risen dramatically over the past handful of years, and to date, everyone has been dealing with these issues on their own, and often on a case-by-case basis. The ‘Bucking the Trend: Tackling Abuse in the Political Realm’ Symposium allows us to come together in taking on this problem, with real life case studies that drive action, and tactics to take home and to start using in your day-to-day operations.

We can’t eliminate all abuse of officials, but we can take steps to mitigate the impact of those instances — both internal and external — and to put together a toolkit of proactive actions that will help prevent these sorts of abuses moving forward. We’ve put together a dynamic group of speakers and presenters who will help drive positive change, specific to local government.

The abuse of elected officials and local government employees has hit a breaking point. These unfortunate events are having negative impacts on all involved, and are damaging to organizational culture. Stakeholders are scared to get involved in municipal politics in a positive manner, for fear of abuse; and the loud, angry minority has driven a mob mentality that is stoking fear and division. Let’s come together and face this problem in a manner that will actually make a difference.

Visit the event website to learn more and register today!

2023 ICMA COACHING PROGRAM

FREE WEBINARS

Take advantage of ICMA's upcoming free webinars in 2023 and register you and your team. Visit the ICMA Website for further details.

2022 CAMA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE NOMINATIONS

Professional Development Award

Population Over 100,000

Autonomous Vehicle Staff Work Plan and Engagement Program

Richmond has identified autonomous vehicles (AVs) as a disruptive technology that has the potential to transform how the city is planned, built and operated. Staff from multiple departments have developed a unified work plan to expand the City’s knowledge regarding AVs and their potential impacts so that proactive policies and programs that maximize the benefits and address the challenges related to this technology can be developed. While it is difficult to predict all the considerations related to AVs for Richmond, there will be impacts to congestion, parking and jobs. The Project provides an actionable path forward focusing on the policies and decisions related to AVs necessary to improve outcomes of this technology for Richmond.

Implementation of the work plan allows the City to influence the direction of this technology and ensure a coordinated approach is achieved as automated technology matures. The work plan initiatives will be able to inform policies in the City’s Official Community Plan to allow clear communication for staff and the community on City objectives for AVs. A complementary education series for staff is underway to build internal capacity, share information, encourage new ideas, and prepare to adopt AVs.

To view the entire awards submission visit the CAMA Member's Section/Awards of Excellence Best Practices (Search for "Autonomous Vehicle").

Professional Development Award

Population Over 100,000

Records Management

101 eLearning Module

The City of Markham’s City’s Legislative Services & Corporate Communications Department created an eLearning module for City staff to learn about important records and information management principles and corporate policies. The eLearning module informs staff on how to manage information responsibly while maintaining an efficient workplace. The eLearning module also brings awareness to the Corporate Records & Information Management Policy and the Records Classification and Retention By-Law 2017-151 used at the City of Markham.

The eLearning module explains important records management principles that are demonstrated through an engaging and educational video. The module also includes an overview of policies and legislation, as well as interactive components to test comprehension. The electronic delivery of the training material was influenced by the hybrid work environment caused by COVID-19, and the Information & Records Management Audit. On January 10, 2022, the Records Management 101 eLearning module became available for City staff. The eLearning module was met with positive feedback and a City-wide completion rate of over 65 per cent within the first month.

To view the entire awards submission visit the CAMA Member's Section/Awards of Excellence Best Practices (Search for "101 eLearning Module").