EMBARK ON AN EXCITING NEW YEAR WITH CAMA!

Get Ready for an Action-Packed January and 2024

As we step into 2024, brace yourselves for an amazing line-up of CAMA programs and services heading your way this January and throughout the year. Get ready to dive into a world of opportuities and exciting initiatives that will elevate your municipal experience.

Membership Renewals.  You will be receiving your membership renewal for the April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 fiscal year by e-mail in the next two weeks. The deadline for payment is March 31, 2024 and you can do so by renewing it on line and paying by Visa or Mastercard, doing a direct deposit, or sending a cheque to the CAMA National Office. If you have an Executive Assistant and they are listed in our database, the invoice will also be sent to them for your convenience.

Membership Promotion to Staff and Colleagues.  Encourage your staff and colleagues to take advantage of CAMA's Membership Promotion, offering a 50% discount for the first year on already affordable fees. The primary member's fee is determined by population size, and additional members in your municipality can join for just $160.00. Identify neighboring local government leaders who could benefit from CAMA's resources, or individuals within your organization ready for leadership development. They can register online using this link.

2024 CAMA Awards of Excellence. The call for nominations and on-line registration forms for CAMA’s Awards of Excellence will be available on January 8, 2024 with the deadline being February 12, 2024. This year's categories are Inspiring Workplace (formerly known as Professional Development), Environmental Leadership and Sustainability, Innovation, and Collaboration with Municipal Partners and External Organizations.  All members will receive an e-mail containing the information. Additionally, you can find the details on the website, and the on-line nomination form with accompanying questions is accessible here.

FREE CAMA Webinar hosted by Optimus SBR: Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. EST "Cyber Resilience for Municipalities: Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure -Municipal Cyber Attack Simulation. Click here for details and to register. All staff are welcome to attend.

2024 CAMA Executive Leadership Program. We are excited to welcome the Class of 2024 to the Kingbridge Centre from January 23-26, 2024 for our Inaugral Program. Watch for details in March 2024 announcing dates and details on the 2025 Program.

CAMA EA Master Class - Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. EST. "Navigating Roles & Rules in Local Government" with Tracey Lorenson. There is still time to register here. Also, you can still get the bundled price for all four sessions and receive the recording for the October 19, 2023 webinar including the link to the Presonality Profile.

Long Service Recognition Awards. CAMA's Long Service Recognition Awards Program recognizes and celebrates CAMA members’ dedication to public service and municipal management.  These awards are based on the number of years of full-time, paid employment in municipal government in a management capacity (a Chief Administrative Officer or reporting directly to a Chief Administrative Officer). They are granted at ten years and given in five year increments and presented each Spring. The 10 and 15 year awards are mailed and the 20+ year awards are presented at the Annual Conference.  How do you know if you are to receive an award? Staff will be generating a list of members whose records indicate that they will be eligible for service awards this year.  You will be contacted in late January/early February by e-mail if you are receiving an award. New CAMA members will be awarded their long service recognition pin on their next five-year milestone.



2024 CAMA Conference - June 3-5, 2024 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Get ready to register for the 50th Annual CAMA Conference when the program and on-line registration are launched on January 29, 2024. You won't want to miss out on this event, which will be the best Conference yet! Visit the Conference website for airline discounts and hotel acommodations still available at the Banff Lodging hotels. Watch for a Special Edition e-Brief for an exclusive sneak peak of the Conference soon!

2024 CAMA Conference Exhibitor Tradeshow. There are only 13 booths left! If you know a municipal service provider that would like to showcare their products and services in Banff? Direct them to our Exhibitor Prospectus. 

CAMA Honourary for Life Membership. The Honourary Life Membership in CAMA is an honour presented to long serving CAMA members who have made an extraordinary contribution to the field of municipal administration and to the work of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA). The nomination forms are available now on the website with a deadline of January 31, 2024.

If you have any questions on any of the above-noted programs and services, please contact Jennifer Goodine, CAMA Executive Director at 1-866-771-2262 or admin@camacam.ca.

We hope that you will continue to support our Association and the municipal profession and find value in your membership. See you in Banff!

HOW DO YOU SHOW UP AS A LEADER?

ICMA Article by Dr. Frank Benest

I’m an HR division manager in an urban county. I’ve gotten some feedback that I seem distracted in my one-to-one meetings and when I lead my division staff meetings. People also get upset when I sometimes cancel and reschedule meetings because of more urgent demands on me.

Well, I guess that I am distracted. I have a lot of work that is on my plate; I’m overwhelmed with meetings and email; we’re down several positions; and I feel some uncertainty and anxiety about the future (as do my staff). And, the other HR division managers apparently feel the same way.

Another problem is that I sometimes feel exhausted by mid-afternoon. I don’t have much energy to carry me strongly throughout the work day.

I want to be a good leader for my division team members, but how do I deal with the frustration that my staff feel? How do I deal with my own frustration and anxiety?

Read the Full Article Here.

SEEKING PANELISTS FOR UPCOMING WEBINAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TORONTO NETWORK OF WOMEN

We are excited to announce an upcoming virtual event in partnership with the Toronto Network of Women (TOnow) and the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA). This unique panel discussion, titled "Building a Community of Practice," is scheduled for February 22, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm EST.

This thought-provoking session will delve into the experiences of women leading and participating in networks across Canada. The event will feature a panel of dynamic speakers representing established women's networks, including TOnow. This discussion serves as a platform to share insights, challenges, and successes in building and sustaining impactful women's networks.

The distinguished panelists will explore key themes, including:

-Unique stories behind the creation of women's networks.

-Discuss the challenges encountered in establishing networks and the most rewarding experiences.

-Gain valuable advice for those looking to initiate women's networks within their organizations.

As we strive to strengthen the network of networks community, we invite you to be a part of this significant occasion. For inquiries and expressions of interest in joining the panel, please contact Jennifer Goodine, CAMA Executive Director at admin@camacam.ca

2023 CAMA AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE NOMINATIONS COLLABORATION AWARD WITH EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

Town of Penhold, AB

Outdoor Inclusive/Accessible and Connected Recreation Space withint Penhold

Outdoor Inclusive and Accessible Recreation Space for Penhold is a project where all design decisions were made with the overarching goal to create a space where our entire community; young, elderly, mobile, or not so mobile – will gain access to new opportunities to enjoy outdoor space for exercise, physical recreation, and healthy living.  The focus, connecting parks/trails to recreation facilities; residential areas, and commercial locations, is something that the entire community can enjoy, bringing increased community engagement.  In addition, creating safe outdoor places for active, healthy, lifestyle play.

Parks and shared outdoor spaces are integral features for communities.  The Town focused on partnerships between local organizations like Penhold Community Leaders Society, Penhold & District Optimist Club, and town residents.  In addition, partnering with all three levels of government to support making these amenities a reality throughout Penhold: Critters Corner Accessible Playground, Pump Track/Skate Park, and the Community Hub, with all areas tied into the trail systems.  Restrooms, ball diamonds, a community gazebo, a foot bridge, a boat dock, trail lighting, park furniture all adding to the connectivity throughout the community.

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

Resort Municipality of Whistler, BC

The Whistler Sessions - Possible Futures to Guide Us Beyond Recovery

Before the pandemic, the future of Whistler was seemingly easier to predict; growth in visitation was linear, the general workforce population was strong, though was under strain of adequate housing. 

Since 2020, Whistler has been managing through unprecedented times with no pre-existing road map to guide the way. In summer 2020, a cross section of community members came together to form the Whistler Recovery Working Group (WRWG) to collaborate on a strategic response and recovery for Whistler from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the year to follow, the group was successful in cross-organizational community projects and initiatives as well as creating opportunities for the group to gather, share, learn and challenge one another. A systems approach was taken in this work to look at our community as a connected system rather than silos or special interest groups.

In Fall 2021, to build on the work to date, the RMOW convened the Whistler Sessions: Possible Futures to Guide Us Beyond Recovery.  The Whistler Sessions brought together the WRWG and additional participants to form a diverse group of people from across Whistler, Squamish Nation, and Lil'wat Nation—the scenario team—to work through a structured and creative process to devel

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

Jennifer Gritzfeld, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Strasbourg, SK

Tara Ross Robinson, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Alnwick, NB

Bruce Zvaniga, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON