A Tribute to Cecil E. Vincent 

CAMA Honourary Life Member and Past President

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of CAMA Honourary Life Member and Past President, Cecil E. Vincent  on Thursday, June 2, 2022.

Cecil was recognized with an Honourary Membership for Life Award from CAMA in 2013.  He had over 40 years experience working in municipal and provincial government, including 30 years of experience as a Chief Administrative Officer. He also worked in a consulting capacity and was respected by his peers and fellow citizens, and was often called upon in his “retirement” to offer advice and assistance to others in Ontario’s Niagara Region.

His career took him from Newfoundland to Ontario. He served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Cornwall, ON from 2000- 2006; the City of Port Colborne, ON from 1994- 2000; the Town Of Labrador City, NL from 1981- 1994; and the Town Of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL from 1977-1981. 

Prior to his municipal career, Cecil worked from 1968-1977 as a Regional Taxation Centre Manager, a Senior Auditor and an Auditor for the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. He studied Engineering for two years at Memorial University in Newfoundland and then took all the required courses to qualify for final examinations under the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. 

Cecil was a member of CAMA since 1977. He spent nine years as a board member serving as President from 1995-96. He was a retired Member of the Ontario Association of Municipal Administrators and an Honorary Life Member and Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators. 

He also served as Chairman, Vice Chairman and member of the Labrador Venture Capital Corporation (1986-1991), as well as Chairman and Member of the Labrador West Economic Development Corporation (1984-1989). 

Over the years, Cecil received recognition from CAMA, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Municipal Administrators, and ICMA (International City/County Management Association). He was also presented with the Ontario Municipal Administrator Award, and in 2013, was the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. 

Most recently Cecil was part of a group of our Honourary Life Members who helped CAMA document the history of our Association over the past 50 years.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Cecil's family, friends, and colleagues at this time.

Registration & Housing Opens on Wednesday – Mark Your Calendar!

Attendee registration for the 2022 ICMA Annual Conference, September 17-21, 2022 in Columbus/Franklin County, OH, opens on June 8 at 12 Noon ET.  View registration details and pricing.

All attendees must first register for the conference before being able to book and reserve an ICMA Annual Conference hotel room. After completing your online registration, attendees will be able to make a hotel reservation in the ICMA Conference hotel block. Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first-served basis beginning when housing and registration opens on June 8 at 12 Noon ET. Please do NOT contact the hotels directly. View hotel information and rates.

Take Advantage of Group Registration Rates

We are pleased to announce that team registrations will be available again not only for the digital event but also in-person! Team registrations are available for five (5) or more attendees and each participant will receive 15% off their applicable registration rate. View registration details and pricing

How to Save on Annual Conference Registration

Make sure your ICMA membership is current prior to registering on June 8. Members enjoy discounted rates. Renew now to get the best deal on the ICMA Annual Conference. Renew here

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, or go directly to the International Application form to download the application and mail it directly to ICMA. It is important that you note on the ICMA application that you are a CAMA member.

Contact membership@icma.org if you have questions about renewing your membership

We are delighted to join CAMA as a Business Partner and welcome all opportunities to train leaders of all levels. Mohawk College Enterprise (MCE) is the corporate training subsidiary of Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. We currently provide leadership training in Ontario with plans to expand across Canada. Our Signature Series consists of Future Ready Leadership (FRL) programs that includes 4 levels of leadership training from entry level supervisory to senior level training.  For example, we are the leadership trainers of choice for the District of Muskoka in Ontario, who have received CAMA recognition for participating in our advanced leadership program, FRL Acceleration. For more information, please watch our overview to our Signature Series of training courses. 

CAMA'S CAO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT TOOLKIT

"ASSESSING THE COMMUNITY &

THE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE"

CAMA's CAO Employment Contract Toolkit provides many tips to Chief Administrative Officers in the negotiation of their employment contracts. 

Today's tip is about "Assessing the Community and the Organizational Culture".

Sometimes a position can look great on paper, but when you dig a little deeper you realize the community, or the organizational culture may not be the best fit for you personally. The organizational structure may be too linear or too hierarchical for your comfort level, or the organization may be in a rebuilding phase or require major changes which you may or may not be willing to take on. The political, social, economic and cultural environment is quite different not only across Canada but even between neighbouring communities, so it is critical that one researches the community prior to applying and certainly prior to an interview. Things to consider include:

Why is the position vacant? If the position was vacated, why did the person leave?

What has been the turnover for that position? Understanding that low turnover does not necessarily equate to a positive culture.

What does the organizational chart look like both above and below your position? Are you comfortable with the reporting structure?

Understand the union versus non-union environment for the community.

For more information on this topic and to view the Toolkit visit the Member's Toolkit Section.

UPCOMING CAMA EVENTS

May 28-31, 2023 CAMA Conference - Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville, ON.  Mark your calendars for this event. Please note that the Conference will be taking place following FCM this year. The room block will be released in the Fall of 2022.

WELCOME NEW CAMA MEMBERS

Kole Steinley, General Manager, Newell Regional Services Corporation, AB

Russell Brewer, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Powell River, BC

Dione Cherneski, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Roblin, MB