CAMA LAUNCHES NEW MEMBER RESOURCE: LEADERSHIP GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE CAO-COUNCIL RELATIONS

Recognizing the importance of building a successful relationship with Council within the Administrator role, CAMA launched a “Leadership Guide to Effective CAO-Council Relations”. It can be lonely at the top – but we’re hoping to make it less lonely, through this new member resource. It is a working relationship that requires a constant balancing act. It is very important for the CAO to set up and support Council for a successful term, but in addition to helping elected officials excel in their role, it’s about ensuring that you’re delivering in your role, as CAO, to the best of your abilities, and that you’re priming the organization for success. Visit the Member's Section (Toolkit Section) for a copy of this latest resource.

CHECKLIST FOR THE 2023 CAMA CONFERENCE

ARE YOU PREPARED?

Registrations are still being accepted until May 15th, 2023 for CAMA's 49th Annual Conference being held in Huntsville, Ontario from May 29-31, 2023 at the Deerhurst Resort. Following is a checklist for you to review prior to arriving at the Conference:

Hotel Accommodations/Cancellation Policy. Have you booked your hotel at one of the room blocks at the Deerhurst Resort (host Conference Hotel) or the Hidden Valley Resort (overflow hotel)? Please note that the deadline to cancel your reservation or shorten your stay at the Deerhurst Resort is at the end of the day on Sunday, April 30th or you will be charged for all nights.

Transportation. Have you booked your transportation from the airport to the hotel? Visit the website for options.

Pre-Conference Activities and Study Tours. There is still space in some of the Monday activities and Wednesday Study Tours. Don't delay in registering. You can go back into your Delegate Portal (on the receipt you received when registering) and book until May 15th, 2023.

What Do you Need to Pack? Check your closet or maybe go shopping! The Conference will be "Muskoka Casual" so pack your best plaid or whatever you are comfortable wearing. However, at the President's Dinner on Wednesday evening you can dress to impress with a semi-formal affair with a black and gold theme to celebrate our 50th Anniversary (which was in 2021). There will be a fun photo booth, many special highlights, and a dance with music by the ABBA Band.

To view the full 2023 Conference Program click here. All other information can be found on the Conference website. This week's "Speaker Spotlight" is The Partnership Group Sponsorship Specialists, who will be participating in one of our Breakout Sessions:

“Corporate Sponsorship and Municipalities: A Knight in Shining Armour…The Devil…Or Somewhere In Between?

Sponsorship is a very big business in Canada.  Every kind of business incorporates sponsorship in its marketing strategy and municipalities are no exception. Municipalities often overlook what they have to offer and what their communities are worth.  Join Brent Barootes, President/CEO, Partnership Group Sponsorship Specialists® and a panel of seasoned CAOs (Jake Rudolph, CAO for the City of Nanaimo BC and Jody Penner, City Manager for the City of Winkler, MB) who will address sponsorship challenges and more.  Join the discussion with your questions and learn about corporate sponsorships, naming rights and advertising in the municipal sector.  Send your questions to Brent in advance and click here to hear what he has to say.

DID YOU MISS THE VIRTUAL NATIONAL FORUMS WITH THE CANOE PROCUREMENT GROUP OF CANADA

AND CANOE BENEFITS?

CAMA Platinum Partners, The Canoe Procurement Group of Canada and Canoe Benefits hosted several webinars over the past few months. Below are links to the recorded sessions for your review or to pass along to your staff

Canoe Procurement Group of Canada

-Transitioning Purchasing on Price to Total Value Procurement / Webinar Recording

-Maintaining a Vibrant Organization Through Effective Procurement / Webinar Recording

-The Evolving Landscape of Public Procurement: ESGs – Do They Matter?

Webinar Recording

Canoe Benefits

-Pivoting Towards Virtual Health Care / Webinar Recording

-Staying Ahead of the Curve – Trends and Strategies for Effective Employee Benefit Programs / Webinar Recording

2022 CAMA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE NOMINATIONS

Collaboration Award with External Organizations

Town of Devon

Relationship Building with Indigenous Peoples

The Town of Devon began its journey down the path of reconciliation and relationship building with Indigenous Peoples in 2019. The Town of Devon Indigenous Engagement and Relationship Building practice focuses on the key elements of the Treaty Relationship, community capacity building and education.

Through education, awareness and relationship building, we have begun to create partnerships between our community and Indigenous Peoples of Treaty Six and the Metis Nation of Alberta Region Four, striving to bridge the gap between cultures and create a more respectful, inclusive and welcoming community for all. Devon’s grassroots approach to this work builds bridges between our community and First Nations of whose Traditional Territories we reside within, including maskêkosihk (Enoch Cree Nation), neyaskweyahk (Ermineskin Cree Nation) akamih (Montana First Nation), kisipatnahk (Louis Bull tribe) and nipisikopahk (Samson Cree Nation). Through continued relationship building, we have created unique opportunities that bring people together through Treaty and cultural-based opportunities. 

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

Collaboration Award with External Organizations

City of Markham

Markham-Eabametoong First Nation Partnership

The first-of-its-kind partnership between an urban Canadian municipality and remote First Nations community aims to promote social, cultural and economic collaboration, promote harmony and goodwill for the betterment of residents and stimulate public awareness.

This agreement stands as a tangible expression of reconciliation and an innovative way for municipalities and First Nations to work together to alleviate the inequalities of Indigenous life that too often lead to despair, drugs and suicide among members of the community. Together both communities work to improve the lives of people of this First Nation whose goal is to develop a healthy, strong community through building its economic capacity.

In the five years since the partnership was formed, Markham and Eabametoong First Nation (EFN) have collaborated on numerous initiatives including providing remote access of Markham’s digital library system to EFN and supplying sports and recreation equipment. Markham has advocated on EFN's behalf and is currently collaborating on the development of new community centre. Eabametoong First Nation has assisted Markham with its cultural and reconciliation efforts through public events and learning opportunities.

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

WELCOME NEW CAMA MEMBERS

Elle Brovold, City Manager, City of Campbell River, BC

Cathy Ryder, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Drummond/North Elmsley, ON

Élise Roussel, Directrice générale, Ville de Shippagan, N.-B.

Marissa Jordan, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of the District of St. Mary's, NS

Kent Edney, Chief Administrative Officer, Brazeau County, AB

Kristine Brown, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Gillam, MB

Jason Olson, Chief Administrative Officer, Village of Kitscoty, AB

Erin Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer, Butternut Valley Rural Community, NB

Keith MacDonald, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of the County of Inverness, NS