|
August 11, 2026
Note: Certain email platforms distort the Rural Dart formatting. It is viewed best as a webpage through your internet browser.
View as Webpage
| | In this edition of the Rural Dart... | |
- Advocacy
- 2026 SARM Midterm Resolution Deadline
- Strategic Communications
- Update Council Member Details on SARM Website for Midterm Badges
- 2027 Lieutenant Governor's Award Nominations
- Insurance & Benefits
- Legal Services
- Programs
- Member Purchasing
- Community Planning
- Finance & Administration
- SARM Classifieds
- Member Services
- HR Services for SARM Members
| | - Rail Safety Improvement Program
| |
- Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant Program
- Strychnine Training Now Available
- Announcements
- Crop Report July 28 to August 3, 2026
| | |
SARM’s Advocacy Team, at the direction of the SARM Board of Directors, meets and speaks with members and outside agencies on issues important to RMs, including bringing concerns forth at the provincial and federal levels.
SARM, through its Act of Incorporation, is mandated to work on files of importance to rural municipalities (RM) and agriculture producers.
| |  |
| |
2026 SARM Midterm
Resolution Deadline
The deadline to submit resolutions for the 2026 SARM Midterm Convention is Sunday, October 4, 2026, end of day.
Resolutions must be received in the SARM office by this date in order to be addressed at the upcoming convention and included in the convention guide.
| | | |
Each resolution must be emailed separately using the fillable submission form.
Please email resolutions to resolutions@sarm.ca.
Refer to the Resolution Writing Tips One Pager and the Resolution Submission Form linked below for details.
| | | SARM’s Strategic Communications Team leads the initiatives, events, and public-facing components of the work we do for RMs. Strategic Communications is responsible for our conventions, the Rural Dart, Rural Sheaf, Rural Councillor, webinars, and many other events and initiatives. | | |
| |
Update Council Member Details on SARM Website for Midterm Badges
Don't forget to update the RM Directory on the SARM website. This will ensure that SARM and the public are kept up to date with current RM council details.
The RM Directory is also used to populate the information for SARM's convention name badges.
To access your RM Directory profile on the SARM website, please log in here and click on the “Manage your RM Directory Listing” link that is located under the Administrator’s Access for Updates heading on the Members Only homepage.
If you require any assistance, please contact coordinator@sarm.ca.
| | | |
|
Lieutenant Governor's Award for
Outstanding Service to Rural Saskatchewan
| | |
Do you know a reeve, councillor, or administrator with an inspiring story?
Nominations for the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service to Rural Saskatchewan are now open!
The 2027 nomination period runs until December 31, 2026.
To submit a nomination or request a nomination form, please contact:
Kathleen Israel,
Selection Committee Secretary
executivecoordinator@sarm.ca or 306.761.3731
2301 Windsor Park Road,
Regina, Saskatchewan S4V 3A4
To learn more about this award and how to submit a nomination, refer to the LGA Guidelines Document linked below or visit the SARM website.
| | | |
SARM’s Insurance & Benefits Team administers and
facilitates various SARM and external partner insurance and
benefit products, including SARM’s fidelity bond, liability, and
property insurance plans, the SARM Benefits Plan, and external group benefits plans.
| | |
| SARM’s Legal Services Team principally represents rural municipalities in legal proceedings where a SARM insurance plan (e.g. Liability Self-Insurance Plan) provides coverage. The team also provides in-house legal services to SARM’s other departments and Board of Directors. In addition, the team provides legal services to individual RMs, which can include researching legal issues, drafting opinions, and drafting agreements, on a fee-for-service basis and as time permits. | | |
| SARM’s Programs Team engages with provincial and federal governments, industry leaders, and program partners, as well as other stakeholders, to effectively deliver SARM programs. | | |
| SARM's Member Purchasing Team provides group purchasing and procurement advising services to save member municipalities money and time through the buying and procuring processes with the goal of being the first stop for all municipalities’ purchasing and procurement needs. | | |
| SARM’s Community Planning Team is driven by a proactive and collaborative approach with municipalities to support growth, certainty for investment and landowners, and the protection and promotion of what already exists in the community. | | |
| SARM’s Finance and Administration Team provides the budgeting, accounting, and reporting functions for SARM, the Insurance and Benefits Funds, all externally funded programs, and the Tax Loss Compensation Trust Funds administered by SARM. In addition, the team provides administrative assistance performing reception duties that include being the first point of contact for all guests and SARM members both in-person as well as virtually by phone and email. | | |
| |
SARM Classifieds
The following municipalities/towns/villages have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service.
| | |
Looking to Hire:
RM of Emerald No. 277, Equipment Operator, Aug 11 - Close
RM of Eyebrow No. 193, Seasonal Grader/Mower Operator, Aug 13 - Close
RM of Eyebrow No. 193, Full-Time Grader Operator, Aug 13 - Close
RM of Craik No. 222, Administrator, Aug 29 - Close
RM of Excelsior No. 166, Administrator, Aug 31 - Close
RM of Huron No. 223, Patrol Operator, Aug 31 - Close
RM of Poplar Valley No. 12, Mower Operator, Sept 5 - Close
RM of Big Stick No. 141 & Village of Golden Prairie, Municipal Administrator, Sept 6 - Close
RM of Blaine Lake No. 434, Seasonal Maintencance/Equipment Operator, Sept 23 - Close
| | | |
Looking to Buy/Sell:
RM of McCraney No. 282, 1990 John Deere 4255 Tractor, Aug 18 - Close
| | | |
SARM Classifieds Submissions
Ad postings for the SARM Classifieds can be submitted
through our online submission forms. For questions, contact 306.757.3577 or sarm@sarm.ca.
| |
| SARM’s Member Services Team is dedicated to providing valuable services that meet the specific needs of SARM's member rural municipalities. | | |
| |
HR Services for SARM Members
SARM now offers Human Resources consulting services to members across Saskatchewan. We understand that this is a need for many RMs, and we are excited to offer advice and support on a wide range of HR issues. RM’s can access services including advice on people issues, hiring, terminations, performance management, compensation, recruitment, retention, change management, conflict resolution, training and many other HR related issues.
Our new HR service is being offered through our partner Knibbs HR Consulting. Knibbs HR is a Métis-owned Saskatchewan firm that has been supporting organizations since 2002 with practical, people-first HR solutions rooted in respect, clarity, and partnership. Their work helps organizations bring strategy, culture, and people systems into alignment while strengthening the internal confidence and capability of leaders and teams. Known for their objectivity, compassion, and actionability, Knibbs HR explains the “why,” shares knowledge generously, and leaves workplaces more equipped than when they arrived. Whether developing HR tools, guiding difficult conversations, shaping culture, or coaching leaders through change, they remain grounded in practical professionalism. Learn more at www.knibbs.ca.
This HR Service principally provides rural municipalities with advice on people issues. Our HR Service also works in collaboration with our Legal Services team, or your usual legal counsel, to provide holistic advice and opinions when employment matters necessitate.
| | |
Fees:
- $230 per hour for HR Consulting
- $95 per hour for Administrative and Support Services
How to Access Services:
If you have a human resources inquiry or require HR services, you can contact: hr@sarm.ca.
| | | |
Rail Safety Improvement Program
Transport Canada's Rail Safety Improvement Program (RSIP) provides federal funding for projects that improve safety at high-risk rail crossings and along rail lines.
The program supports investments in infrastructure, technologies, research, education, and public awareness to help reduce collisions, derailments, injuries, and fatalities.
| | |
Education and Awareness Stream
Applications for funding will be accepted until August 21, 2026.
| | |
This stream provides funding for projects that raise public awareness and understanding of rail safety risks. The available funding for the Education and Awareness stream is up to $3 million over three fiscal years, beginning in 2026-27.
Projects focus on the prevention of hazards and dangers associated with trespassing.
| | | |
Infrastructure, Technology, and Research Stream
Applications for funding will be accepted until September 4, 2026.
| | This stream provides funding for projects that improve safety on and around rail property and rail lines. The available funding for the Infrastructure, Technology, and Research stream is up to $52.7 million over three fiscal years, beginning in 2026-27. | | | |
Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant Program
The program provides up to $100,000 (per location) to municipalities and Indigenous land or territories. The goal of this fund is to stimulate and support local, collaborative action that will increase traffic safety awareness. Local traffic initiatives will help reduce collisions, traffic injuries and fatalities within Saskatchewan.
The program began in 2019 and uses funds from photo speed enforcement tickets.
| | |
How to Apply
To apply for the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant, please visit the Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Online Portal. You’ll be prompted to create an account for your organization. Once you’ve logged on, click “Apply”. If you need any assistance, contact the PSE Program Administrator by emailing PSEProgram@sgi.sk.ca or calling
1.844.855.2744, extension 6042.
The application deadline is September 30, 2026.
| | | |
Strychnine Training Now Available
Producers in the 208 RMs eligible for Emergency Use of strychnine can register for online training through Saskatchewan’s Strychnine Stewardship Program.
| | |
The 90-minute course is mandatory to access two per cent liquid strychnine for targeted RGS control. Early completion of training is recommended to allow sufficient time for records to be shared with RM offices and for users to be registered when product becomes available.
Training can be accessed on the SARM website.
| | | |
While initial strychnine supplies will be limited this spring, those interested are encouraged to complete training ahead of the recommended late summer application window, July 15 to Sept. 1.
For more on the program, including a list of participating RMs and information on product distribution, see Saskatchewan.ca/RGS-Control.
| | SARM is now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @sarm.ca | | | | |
