CAMA E-Brief Newsletter: CAMA Launches Standing Strong Toolkit: A CAOs Guide to Professionalism Amidst Incivility

NOW AVAILABLE TO CAMA MEMBERS: STANDING STRONG TOOLKIT: A CAO'S GUIDE TO PROFESSIONALISM AMIDST INCIVILITY

The CAMA Standing Strong Toolkit: A CAO's Guide to Professionalism Amidst Incivility is an essential resource for Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) looking to navigate the challenges of incivility in local government.

Available to members through the Member’s Section of the CAMA website, this toolkit provides actionable strategies to help CAOs maintain professionalism while fostering a respectful and productive work environment.

Whether dealing with incivility from elected officials, staff, or the public, this comprehensive guide equips CAOs with practical approaches to protect their teams, manage conflicts, and build resilience in the face of hostility. It also covers vital topics like legal obligations, crisis management, and the growing role of social media in exacerbating incivility.

This resource is a must-read for CAOs committed to fostering respect, professionalism, and positive change within their organizations. Download the CAMA Standing Strong Toolkit today to explore in-depth case studies, expert tips, and actionable steps for addressing incivility in local government.

Click here to find the Top 10 Tips for CAOs to Foster Respectful Relationship with Elected Officials to help you set the stage for a respectful and productive working environment.

If you would like to read the Executive Summary of the Toolkit, click here.

La trousse d’outils de l’ACAM « Rester solide : Guide à l’intention des DG pour maintenir le professionnalisme face aux incivilités » sera très utile aux DG d’administrations locales confrontées à des problèmes d’incivilité.

Disponible sur le site Web de l’ACAM dans la section réservée aux membres, cette trousse d’outils propose des stratégies concrètes pour aider les DG à conserver une attitude professionnelle tout en agissant pour un environnement de travail respectueux et productif.

Que les incivilités soient le fait d’élus, de collaborateurs ou du public, ce guide complet dote les DG d’approches pratiques pour protéger leurs équipes, pour gérer les conflits et pour renforcer leur résilience face à l’hostilité. Il couvre également des sujets fondamentaux tels que les obligations légales, la gestion de crise et le rôle croissant des médias sociaux dans l’exacerbation des incivilités.

Cette ressource est une lecture incontournable pour les DG qui ont à cœur de promouvoir le respect, le professionnalisme et les changements positifs au sein de leur organisation. Téléchargez la trousse d’outils de l’ACAM « Rester solide » dès aujourd’hui pour y découvrir des études de cas approfondies, des conseils d’experts et des mesures concrètes pour lutter contre les incivilités au sein des administrations locales.

Cliquez ici pour découvrir les dix conseils aux DG pour entretenir des relations respectueuses avec les élus, afin de vous aider à créer un environnement de travail respectueux et productif.

Un résumé de la trousse d’outils est également consultable ici.

MEET GREG MARIOTTI

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

TOWNSHIP OF GEORGIAN BAY, ON

How long have you been a CAMA member? Since 2022.

What do you like most about being a member? The networking opportunities - the Masterminds Sessions provide immense opportunity to learn from one another, especially from more seasoned professionals; the ability to join various working groups or subcommittees and be a part of shaping the future of municipal administration, and last but not least, the in-person conferences that give the opportunity for professionals from all over the country to learn, reconnect and share war stories.

What career advice do you live by? Who gave it to you? I’ve not lived by advice from any one individual, rather from many, and their advice has been more in the form of what I have learned from their organizational behaviour. How do I emulate good behaviour and not repeat the poor behaviour I have seen in others? I still remember my first “bosses” almost 30 years ago at a large chemical production facility and how I would admire their leadership style, interactions within a workplace and their communication style and decision-making.

What is the favourite place you’ve travelled? The Pacific side of Costa Rica where the sea is amazingly warm, even in February.

What would be the theme song of your life right now? “Life is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a CAO or senior manager in local government? Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and it’s lonely at the top. Both clichés, but if you can surround yourself with a competent team that has your back, that is more than half the battle won. It takes time, and doesn’t happen everywhere but when you find it, it’s nirvana!

What experiences and past roles have led you to where you are today? I’m an ops guy and a jack of all trades, from chemicals, to water/wastewater, organics, metal recycling and public works. In labour intensive and outward facing industries, the largest part of my job has been working with staff and working with external stakeholders, exactly what I’m doing now. I decided to return to public service when Covid hit. It made me want to give back to the community somehow, rather than make fat cats fatter.

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be? Why? My father. As a WW2 veteran and with a diverse life experience he always wanted to write his memoirs. He died during Covid in isolation at 99 years of age and his stories died with him. I’d want to collaborate with him to pen his memoirs.

Describe what a perfect day outside of work would look like for you? On the hook in a quiet cove with a chilled beer in hand.

STRATEGIC PROCUREMENT IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT: BEST PRACTICES FOR TRANSPARENCY, EFFICIENCY, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT

Effective procurement processes are crucial for local governments to ensure transparency, compliance, and efficient use of public funds. By following a structured process—defining needs, soliciting bids, evaluating vendors, etc.—governments can obtain high-quality goods and services at competitive prices. Best practices include adhering to legal frameworks, such as open competition and clear documentation, while integrating modern technologies like purchasing vehicles to streamline purchasing workflows. All of these things help mitigate risks, foster public trust, and support sustainable operations. With careful planning, procurement in local government becomes a strategic tool for driving efficiency and community benefits. To learn more about this visit our blog.

MAXIMIZING MUNICIPAL REVENUE: THE WSC® MUNICIPAL SPONSORSHIP SUMMIT - APRIL 1-2, 2025

PETERBOROUGH, ON

Are you looking to enhance your municipality’s sponsorship program and generate more revenue for you community? Check out and share this information with your applicable administration team members! The 2025 WSC® Municipal Sponsorship Summit is in Peterborough on April 1-2. Experience half-day workshops, breakout sessions, and panel discussions with industry experts on a variety of topics geared towards enhancing your municipality’s sponsorship and revenue program. Register now for the best price. Our early bird special is offering 35% off registration costs. To learn more and to view the entire Summit schedule and all its sessions, please visit our Summit website.

EMPLOYEE GROWTH PLAN VERSUS SUCCESSION PLAN?

An Employee Growth Plan focuses on the overall development and career progression of individual employees, while an Employee Succession Plan focuses on preparing specific individuals to take over key roles in the organization. Both plans are crucial for an organization’s success but serve different strategic purposes.

Growth plans are generally broader, encompassing a wide range of skills and career development opportunities and can be short-term or long-term, depending on the individual’s career goals, whereas succession plans are more targeted and are typically long-term strategies concentrating on preparing employees for specific leadership roles ensuring future leadership continuity and organizational stability. Many organizations incorporate growth plans into their annual performance review process by identifying goals and training for the employee for the coming year.

Employee Growth Plan

An Employee Growth Plan is a personalized development strategy designed to enhance an individual’s skills, knowledge, and performance within the organization. It focuses on the professional and personal development of employees to help them reach their full potential. Key elements of an Employee Growth Plan include identifying and addressing skill gaps through training and education; mapping out potential career paths within the organization; setting specific and measurable performance goals to track progress; providing regular feedback and mentorship to support growth; and offering employees access to tool and professional development opportunities

Employee Succession Plan

An Employee Succession Plan is a strategic approach to identifying and developing employees to fill key leadership positions within the organization in the future. It ensures that the organization is prepared for future transitions and leadership needs. Key elements of an Employee Succession Plan include determining which positions are critical to the organization’s success; evaluating current employees to identify potential successors for key roles; implementing training and development initiatives tailored to prepare specific individuals for targeted future roles; establishing a clear process for transitioning responsibilities when a key role becomes vacant; and preparing for unexpected departures to ensure continuity in leadership.

CAMA's Succession Planning Toolkit

For more comprehensive guidance, be sure to check out CAMA's Succession Planning Toolkit. It offers practical tools and strategies for implementing both Employee Growth and Succession Plans effectively, helping organizations achieve long-term stability and success.