CAMA HOLDS QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING

IN ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND 

2023-2024 CAMA Board of Directors

Front Row: Marc Melanson, Bev Hendry, Tony Kulbisky, Brenda Orchard

Back Row: Jamie Nagy, Raffaelle Di Stasio, Mike Dolter, Vincent Lalonde,

Rodney Cumby, Jack Benzaquen

Not Pictured: Sheila Bassi-Kellett and Gary Kent

The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) Board of Directors held their quarterly meeting in St. John's, Newfoundland, from October 25th to 27th, 2023, with Rodney Cumby, Board Representative for Newfoundland and Labrador, graciously hosting the event. 

The Board engaged in substantive discussions, and you can delve deeper into these topics by referring to the Executive Summary to keep you informed about the Board’s discussions and exciting developments within CAMA. Within, you will uncover information on pivotal subjects, including but not limited to:

• 2024 CAMA Conference in Banff: Unveiling the exciting details of our 2024 Annual Conference, set against the stunning backdrop of Banff.
• 2025 Conference Schedule Adjustment: An innovative modification to the 2025 Conference in Mont Tremblant, designed to enhance the overall experience.
• Expanding Conference Horizons: A strategic decision to broaden the scope of future conference locations beyond the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference, fostering diverse experiences for our members.
• New Awards Category: The introduction of the "CAMA Municipal Inspiring Workplace Award" within the 2024 CAMA Awards of Excellence Program.
• New Programs: A glimpse into our newly launched initiatives, including the CAMA Executive Leadership Program and Executive Assistant opportunities in Local Government.
• Upcoming Toolkits: Anticipation builds for two new toolkits scheduled for release in 2024, focusing on Crisis Management and Succession Planning.
• Monitoring Strong Mayor Legislation: Staying vigilant and proactive in response to the Strong Mayor Legislation, ensuring our members are well-informed.
• Bilingualism Policy: CAMA's unwavering commitment to linguistic equality and the adoption of a new Bilingualism Policy.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all CAMA members for your unwavering support, dedication, and commitment to our shared goals. As we move forward, we are excited to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to follow our mission and drive positive change in the municipal administration landscape.

Bev Hendry

CAMA President

RÉUNION TRIMESTRIELLE 

DU CONSEIL DE L'ACAM A ST. JOHN'S, TERRE-NEUVE

Le conseil d’administration de l’Association canadienne des administrateurs municipaux (ACAM) a tenu sa réunion trimestrielle à St. John’s (Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador) du 25 au 27 octobre 2023. Le représentant de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador auprès du conseil d’administration, Rodney Cumby, a gracieusement accueilli l’événement.

Au cours de cette réunion, des discussions approfondies ont eu lieu. Consultez le résumé exécutif pour en savoir plus sur les sujets abordés, les débats du conseil d’administration et les progrès accomplis par l’ACAM. Vous y trouverez aussi des éléments d’information sur de grands sujets, notamment sur les points suivants :

• Conférence 2024 de l’ACAM à Banff – Le point sur cet événement qui se déroulera dans le cadre magnifique de Banff.
• Modification de l’horaire de la conférence 2025 – Une nouveauté qui améliorera le déroulement de la conférence 2025 à Mont-Tremblant.
• Élargir les horizons de la conférence – Une décision stratégique visant à diversifier les endroits où se tiendront les futures conférences, dans des destinations qui ne sont pas nécessairement situées à proximité du congrès de la Fédération canadienne des municipalités (FCM), afin que les membres puissent profiter d’expériences diversifiées.
• Nouvelle catégorie de prix du programme des prix d’excellence 2024 de l’ACAM – Lancement du « prix du milieu de travail municipal inspirant de l’ACAM ».
• Nouveaux programmes – Aperçu des nouveaux projets de l’ACAM, notamment le programme de leadership de direction et toutes les nouveautés qui s’adressent précisément aux adjoint.e.s de direction des administrations locales.
• Prochaines trousses d’outils – Deux nouvelles trousses sont prévues pour 2024. Elles seront consacrées à la gestion de crise et à la planification de la relève.
• Suivi de la loi pour des maires forts – Vigilance, proactivité et solide transmission d’information aux membres de l’ACAM sont de mise face à cette nouvelle législation.
• Politique de bilinguisme – Engagement indéfectible de l’ACAM en faveur de l’égalité linguistique et adoption d’une nouvelle politique en la matière.

Nous tenons à remercier chaleureusement tous les membres de l’ACAM pour leur soutien indéfectible, leur dévouement et leur engagement à l’égard des objectifs communs de l’Association. Nous nous réjouissons à l’idée de relever les défis et de profiter des possibilités qui s’offrent à nous. Ensemble, nous continuerons à défendre notre mission et à opérer des changements positifs dans le milieu de l’administration municipale.

Le présidente de l'ACAM

Bev Hendry

IMPORTANT NOTICE: REVISED DATE FOR ROOM BLOCK RESERVATION OPENING FOR THE 2024 CAMA CONFERENCE FOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The New Room Block

Opening Date is

Thursday, November 23, 2023

at 12:00 PM EST

The first National CAMA Conference for Executive Assistants in Local Government is being held from November 3-5, 2024 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. 

Room blocks have been secured at the Hilton Garden Inn (attached to the Convention Centre), the Crowne Plaza Hotel (directly across the street), and the Delta Hotel Fredericton (2 km from the Convention Centre).  The Conference will kick off with a Welcome Reception on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. The event will conclude with the Closing Keynote at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.  Three to four nights of accommodations will be required. The room block will now open on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at 12:00 Noon EST. All information can be found on the CAMA website.

If your Executive Assistant is in our database, they will receive a direct e-mail with the details on this room block launch, however please pass this new information along to them.

SEEKING MEMBERS FOR THE 2024 CAMA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE JURY

The 2024 CAMA Awards of Excellence Program is set to kick off in January 2024, and this year's Jury will be led by Rodney Cumby, Board Representative for Newfoundland & Labrador and City Manager for the City of Corner Brook. We are in search of five more CAMA members to join the Jury, and the formal call for Expressions of Interest will be sent out shortly. Keep an eye on your inbox for this exciting opportunity!

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - DEVELOPMENT OF TWO NEW CAMA TOOLKITS

CAMA is thrilled to present a range of toolkits meticulously crafted to meet the professional development needs of CAOs and senior managers. We are equally enthusiastic to introduce two new additions to our toolkit collection.

Municipal Resilience Toolkit: Strategies for Crisis Management 

Crises within municipalities can originate from a wide range of sources, encompassing natural disasters, global disease outbreaks, instances of employee or Council misconduct, workplace violence, labor strikes, infrastructure failures, cybersecurity breaches, environmental pollution, social unrest and protests, public safety incidents, economic crises, homelessness and housing crises, and various other unexpected events or issues that disrupt the municipality's daily operations. These crises have the potential to inflict significant financial, safety, security, or reputational damage, depending on their nature and severity.

CAMA is seeking assistance from a professional consultant with local government experience to prepare a toolkit that offers guidance and assistance to Chief Administrative Officers, senior managers, and their teams in planning, executing, and overseeing strategies aimed at effectively guiding and managing their communities during periods of adversity.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders: Municipal Succession Planning Toolkit 

Succession planning stands as a fundamental element of effective management. By proactively identifying and implementing succession planning strategies, municipalities can ensure the seamless and efficient continuation of day-to-day operations even in the absence of key personnel due to retirements or career transitions. The transfer of knowledge from one generation of workers to the next is a vital prerequisite for success within any municipality.

CAMA is seeking assistance from a professional consultant well-versed in local government and human resources matters to create a toolkit designed to equip Chief Administrative Officers and senior managers with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to effectively manage succession planning within their municipality, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership and the continued success of the organization. 

If you are aware of any professional consultants or individuals who might be interested in these projects, kindly get in touch with Jennifer Goodine, CAMA Executive Director at admin@camcacam.ca for the Request for Proposals document.  The deadline for submission is Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Atlantic Time.

ASSISTANTS AND DEPUTIES:

CREATING LINE OF SIGHT FOR EMPLOYEES

Aligning vision, goals, and performance

by Emily Lewis | ICMA Newsletter

In today’s dynamic and competitive environment, organizations must ensure that every employee understands how their individual contributions align with the vision and strategic plan. This concept, known as “line of sight,” is critical for fostering a sense of purpose, motivation, and engagement among employees.

When employees can clearly see how their work directly connects to the overall goals of the organization, they are more likely to be committed, focused, and productive. As deputies and assistants, we often have the responsibility of helping our administrator bring the Board’s Strategic Plan to life for employees. A key component to that success is creating alignment between the organizational goals and operational plans.

Line of sight refers to the direct connection between an employee’s daily tasks, responsibilities, and performance with the broader objectives of the organization. When employees have a clear line of sight, they can answer the fundamental question: “How does what I do every day contribute to the success of the organization?”

Read the Article Here.

REMIXING THE WORKPLACE: MULTIGENERATIONAL EXPERT LINDSEY POLLAK

“For the first time in history, we have five generations in the workforce. We must view generational diversity not as a problem to overcome, but as an opportunity to embrace.”

Stephen Rettie, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Bracebridge, ON

John Jamieson, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Three Rivers, PEI

Joan Marks, Clerk of Council/Executive Assistant to the CAO, Town of Three Rivers, PEI

Fred Behrens, Senior Administrative Officer, Community Government of Wekweeti, NWT

Valerie Critchley, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Amherstburg, ON

Melissa Osborne, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Amherstburg, ON

Jessie Olsen, Director, Economic & Community Development, District of Tumbler Ridge, BC

Gene Peskens, Chief Financial Officer, City of Leduc, AB

Chris Luellman, Chief Administrative Officer, RM Rockwood, MB

Mark Boysen, Chief Administrative Officer, North Salt Spring Waterworks, BC

Amy Gow, Bilingual Executive Assistant, New Brunswick Teachers' Federation / Fédération des enseignants du Nouveau-Brunswick, Fredericton, NB

Typhany Choinard, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Centre Hastings, ON

Alexander Kelly, Director of Finance/Deputy CAO, Municipality of Centre Hastings, ON