Staff

If municipal government was a train then STAFF would be the engine. 

It's a simple comparison but it works as a visual.

Public servants keep the fires stoked, the wheels turning and are always looking ahead.  Everyone from the CAO on down the line work diligently to keep local government moving forward so elected officials and the public reach their desired destinations.

Okay, we will stop with the metaphor here, but all this is to say there's a great deal of 'knowing' and 'doing' that takes place and staying on top of the responsibilities and job requirements makes the journey much smoother. (Sorry - slipped that in)

We can help keep skills sharp and address the scenarios and challenges that will and do arise.

Review the Sessions Synopsis Below

Raise your hand...

who likes taking minutes?

Effective Minute Taking Workshop

Minute taking is a necessary and strategic skill. This workshop illustrates, demonstrates and hammers home what’s required to create concise, clear and accurate minutes. Good minutes are worth their weight in gold. Knowing the correct way to take them and record them is critical. Participants learn the legislative requirements, types of minutes, structure of minutes, how to do minutes, approval of minutes as well as participate in a discussion on trends, what works and what doesn't.

 Coaching/Mentoring 

This one on one guidance delivers valuable, tried and tested tools for municipal clerks and CAO’s so they can master the challenges of their roles. 

It's not easy wearing multiple hats within a sector that requires continual monitoring of legislative change and community needs but it's easier when you can reach out to  those who have met similar challenges - and survived.

Community Engagement

Community engagement continues to be a viable and useful tool for promoting public dialogue and information gathering. 

Often a 'third-party' organization and delivery is the best policy to avoid any concerns of bias or influence. 

Our experience spans multiple scenarios. We offer stand alone creation for required elements to devise and  execute a complete community engagement plan. In some scenarios we also collate information and/or reports  provided by specialized discipline consultants.

Based on need and methodology, we develop and execute an inclusionary process that wraps around Council and the public  to deliver clear, foundational responses to the question and/or action under discussion or review. 

Timelines and deliverables are customized with Council and staff input. Analyzed results are included in a complete report.

Closed Meeting Procedures

When is a meeting closed and why?

It's a good question and one every elected official and municipal clerk must know the answer to.  It is critical for government representatives to understand the legislation, rules, protocols and procedures surrounding 'closed door' meetings.  The security of the information shared within a closed meeting and details of debate and decisions is strictly regulated and all participants are obligated to follow a strict confidentiality protocol.

Parliamentary Procedure

The Local Government Version

Parliamentary Procedure is a detailed course effectively designed to provide staff with comprehensive head to tails understanding of parliamentary procedures. We cover the details and get right down into the weeds on the how and why. We demystify what’s required to learn the principles, rules and best practices required to conduct efficient and orderly meetings. What's allowed, what's not and how to keep everyone in the correct lane.

Participants take away actionable knowledge and skills that allow them to facilitate informed decisions and navigate the complexities of parliamentary law.  



Municipal By-law Review

Crafting effective, precise and specific municipal by-laws takes time and expertise.  Accessing a trusted knowledge base for constructing  by-laws (and believe us - by-laws have many parts) that not only meet stringent criteria but stand up to scrutiny and challenges, can provide confidence in the final product and be fiscally responsible. 

This is where our collective experience really shines. We  illuminate the legislative pathways for those just beginning to navigate the world of by-law procedures and language or those experiencing time constraints and deadlines. We've done the heavy lifting and provide by-laws written to municipal specifications and current needs. 

Building up a useable knowledge base requires one to start with a strong foundation of tested and trusted material. We deliver on both.

Procedure By-law Review

By-laws - Definitions - Drafting

We cover definitions, purposes, legal framework under the Ontario Municipal Act and the benefits of implementation. 

In creating the framework for a functional by-law one ensures the Council and community requirements are on solid ground. By-laws are in many ways a municipalities  fingerprints. Every one has similarities but no two are exactly alike. The incorporation of individuality and nuances of community set each apart. Being confident in 'how' to take the required framework and make it work in every instance is a skill. Municipal by-laws are fluid by nature and must conform to the needs and wants of the community for which it is written, enacted and enforced.

There are many moving parts in the successful construction of a by-law that is going to meet the needs of the municipality and complies with all legalities and provincial governance.

(There's a reason we cross the t's and dot the i's.)

 COMING SOON

Council-Staff Relations

By popular demand we are developing a comprehensive session that is focused on the balance and collaborative nature of relationships between members of Council and Staff. 

Watch this space.

Customized Sessions

We specialize in customizing sessions and topics for our clients.

Tell us what you need.