Rural Dart

January 16, 2024

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In Memoriams for the year 2023 must be submitted to SARM by January 26, 2024, to be included in the 2024 SARM Annual Convention Guide. Please use the online form linked below for all submissions.

Submission Form

2024 SARM Annual Resolution Deadline

The deadline to submit resolutions for the upcoming 2024 SARM Annual Convention is Sunday, January 28, 2024, 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.

Please submit all resolutions using the submission form provided below to resolutions@sarm.ca.

*Please remember that each resolution submission must include a brief (no more than 500 word) background that answers the questions provided in the below resolution submission form.*

Refer to the Guide for Writing Resolutions and the Resolution Submission Form for details linked below.

Guide for Writing Resolutions

Resolution Submission Form

Call for Nominations - SARM Elections

Divisions 1, 3, & 5

Pursuant to the SARM bylaws, the deadline for nominations to be received for Division Directors in Divisions 1, 3, and 5 is 5:00 PM, February 16, 2024 – this date is 28 days prior to the date of the election. The date for Division Director elections is March 15, 2024.

All elected positions are two-year terms.
The two-year terms of office for the six Directors are staggered, with the two-year term for the Directors of Divisions 1, 3, and 5 from the election at the annual convention in an even year and continuing until the completion of the election for those positions at the annual convention two years henceforth.
The two-year terms for the Directors of Divisions 2, 4, and 6 are from the election at the annual convention in an odd year and continuing until the completion of the election for those positions at the annual convention two years henceforth.

Nominations may be submitted by mail, by fax (306.565.2141), or by email. If sent by email, a scanned copy of the nomination is to be submitted to jmeyer@sarm.ca. The candidate’s acceptance form must be filed by the same deadline in the same manner.

Once a nomination form has been submitted you must contact the SARM office at 306.757.3577 to ensure the nomination has been received.

Please see the SARM Governance Bylaw as well as the Board Election Nomination and Acceptance Form linked below.

SARM Governance Bylaw

Nomination & Acceptance Form

Awards/Nominations/Scholarships

This award recognizes individuals with outstanding contributions to rural life in various aspects. Nominate anyone who you have seen exemplify one or more of the following, those who have:

shown outstanding agricultural stewardship through a commitment to sustainable agriculture, responsible land use, and environmental stewardship.
introduced innovative practices or technologies in agriculture, contributing to the growth and sustainability of rural communities.
made significant contributions to education and knowledge dissemination in rural communities.
played a crucial role in improving healthcare access, services, or awareness in rural areas.
dedicated their time and efforts to volunteer work that enhances the quality of life in rural communities.
made outstanding efforts in community development, infrastructure improvement, or the implementation of programs that positively impact rural life.
have made significant contributions to the economic development of rural areas through business entrepreneurship.

Nominations for the 2024 Lieutenant Governor's Award must be submitted to the SARM office by January 31, 2024.

Learn More / Submit Nomination

Information & Resources

Respect in the Workplace Training

Since 2019, SARM has been fortunate to offer the Respect in the Workplace Training at half the cost due to SARM’s partnership with the Respect Group. This program is designed to empower your team with the skills to prevent bullying, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Our goal is to have our members, both council and staff, certify themselves through the training. The program takes approximately 90 minutes and is done online in one sitting, but we recommend you break it up. You can come and go from the modules. The focus of the training is on culture change but of equal importance is the legal risk and liability avoidance it affords.

The certification costs $20.00 per person. Councils and staff simply register for the training. SARM will invoice the members on a quarterly basis based on your activity. It’s as simple as that.

Linked below are the registration and access for Respect in the Workplace. You will also see the “Respect in the Workplace One pager”. Providing these instructions to your users simplifies the registration process for end-users and reduces possible confusion or challenges.

For helpdesk support, please go to https://support.respectgroupinc.com

Registration and Access

Information Page (PDF)

Lifelong Learning: What Do You Want to Learn About?

Presented by: Southeast College

Municipalities have a lot to juggle on their plates in day-to-day operations. Working on various projects and with people, such as ratepayers, other staff, councils, and contractors, there is little time left to dedicate to further education or training. However, lifelong learning is key to being successful and keeping staff engaged.

Southeast College is a longtime partner of SARM and provides safety training, and business courses relating to municipal management, and can work with you to develop training to suit your needs.

In this session, there will be an overview of what Southeast College currently offers; and an opportunity to provide input into future programs and ideas.

Date: January 31, 2024

Time: 10-11:00 a.m.

Cost: Free

MLDP offers a series of modules developed exclusively for elected and appointed municipal leaders in Saskatchewan. Mayors, reeves, councillors and municipal staff are able to benefit from this program that is designed to strengthen local government leadership.

Winter 2024 Modules

Registration Opens January 17th

Strategic and Financial Planning for Municipalities

This interactive and engaging session will see participants gaining insight into how to move from Thought to Action with tips and tools to make sure everyone is aligned and committed to common goals. This module will provide attendees with an overview of financial planning – the budget process, with a focus on where the money comes from. Learn about the relationship between assessment and taxation, tax tools, municipal borrowing and investments and an intro to asset management.

Municipal Economic Development Fundamentals

This module helps find answers to key questions about economic development – what is economic development, who are the players, what role can the municipality play and what are the returns? The course objectives will assist participants to: develop an understanding of economic development principles & theories; review the context for economic development; discuss concerns and problems common to economic development in Western Canada; and introduce processes and skills applied in economic development.

Human Resources in the Municipal Workplace

As employers, Councils need to know: what are your responsibilities to your employees who carry out your directions and deliver municipal services? This highly interactive session gives participants an overview of the labour market, the role of Council and administration, the legislative framework, how to deal with conflict, the hiring and dismissal processes, the importance of orientation and motivation, and how to manage performance.

Strategic Communications for Municipalities

Formerly known as Public Relations and Communications for Municipalities, this module teaches how to effectively communicate with your ratepayers as well as the media. Learn how to become proactive. Special tips will be given on public speaking and techniques used by print, radio, television, and other media.

Community and Land Use Planning

The Community and Land Use Planning module will cover a variety of topics including: the roles and responsibilities of council, administration and the public; the creation, adoption, and amendment process for Official Community Plans and Zoning Bylaws; the subdivision process; servicing agreements; the development permit process; the development appeal board process; enforcing bylaws; the building permit process as well as regional planning.

Learn More / Register

Disclaimer: The following RMs have requested the information below to be distributed and will be billed for using this service.

Looking to Hire:

RM of Progress No. 351, Grader Operator, FEB 14 - Close

RM of Rosemount No. 378, Grader Operator, FEB 14 - Close

RM of Marquis No. 191, Office Assistant, FEB 11 - Close

RM of Newcombe No. 260, Heavy Equipment Operator, FEB 11 - Close

RM of Arlington No. 79, Utility Person, FEB 11 - Close

Town of St. Walburg, Chief Administrative Officer, FEB 11 - Close

RM of Glen McPherson No. 46, Seasonal Equipment Operator, FEB 7 - Close

RM of Glen McPherson No. 46, Seasonal Utility Operator, FEB 7 - Close

RM of Sasman No. 336, Administrator, FEB 3 - Close

RM of Val Marie No. 17, Seasonal Utility Operator, JAN 31 - Close

RM of Val Marie No. 17, Seasonal Maintenance Operator, JAN 31 - Close

RM of Sutton No. 103, Grader Operator, JAN 28 - Close

RM of Mount Hope No. 279, Temporary Assistant Administrator, JAN 28 - Close

RM of Reciprocity No. 32, Public Works Operator, JAN 25 - Close

RM of Reciprocity No. 32, Seasonal Public Works Employees, JAN 22 - Close

RM of Maple Bush No. 224, Grader Operator/Maintenance Worker, JAN 22 - Close

RM of Marquis No. 191, Maintenance Operator, JAN 19 - Close

RM of Corman Park No. 344, Payroll and Human Resources Administrator, JAN 19 - Close

Looking to Buy/Sell:

RM of Frenchman Butte No. 501, For Sale: 2018 John Deere 872G Grader, FEB 11 - Close

If you have questions or would like to post in the SARM Classifieds contact: 306.757.3577 or sarm@sarm.ca

Please send your advertisement in a Word Document.

SARM Classifieds

Applications now Open for the Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive Grant Program

The Government of Saskatchewan announced that applications are now being accepted for the Saskatchewan Secondary Suite Incentive (SSI) Grant Program.

2023 Clubroot Distribution in Saskatchewan

The Government of Saskatchewan released the 2023 Saskatchewan Clubroot Distribution Map outlining the rural municipalities (RMs) where clubroot has been identified since the province started it’s clubroot survey in 2018.

2024 SARM Annual Resolution Deadline

Lifelong Learning: What Do You Want to Learn About?

New This Week