Responsible Councils Take the Training: Because the Smaller the Population, the Bigger the Responsibility

In small population communities, the margin for error is small because the impact of every decision can be huge. Councils who understand that are willing to learn, ask questions, and build the skills the job demands. Training is simply part of doing the work well.

By Lorri Matthewson

Founder: Matthewson & Co

www.smallplacesrock.com

Every election cycle brings new people to the Council table—and with them, new energy, new ideas, and an enormous responsibility. Most of the people running don’t fully understand that this is a government, and the decisions you make now, can gut your community 10 years later.

Council training is important, because the roles and responsibilities are often completely misunderstood. Responsible Councillors take the training.

Most of the rules have been in place for years, but what is different now, is that everyone who can use a smart phone can figure out what they should be able to expect from their municipal government. The expectation that Councils are compliant to the legislation is not ignored anymore, and as a result, Councils are coming up against Code of Ethics violations, Code of Conduct violations, and Labour Standard violations. They are learning the hard way that saying “I didn’t know” doesn’t protect them.  The fines cost the community a lot of dollars and prevent the Council from doing anything meaningful while they put out the fires the lack of training causes. Worse still, are those councils who took the training and ignored it, creating a liability for their communities that can take years to fix.

Councils make decisions that affect expenses in the millions of dollars, even in the smallest of communities. There decisions determine the lifespan of your infrastructure, staff wellbeing, community trust, legal liability, and their ability to deliver a level of service that at least supports your existing quality of life. That is a lot to expect from people who are elected based on they are over 18 and live in the province where they are running for election.

People who understand the job, welcome the training because they understand that although they have good skills, those experiences don’t automatically transfer into understanding governance. They take the training because the respect the importance of the role. Training protects Councils, and their communities.

Good training gives Councils:

· Clarity about their roles and responsibilities.

· Confidence in decision making.

· Understanding the legislation.

· Tools to reduce conflict.

· Frameworks for defensible decisions.

· Awareness of risk and liability.

· Stronger relationships with administration.

Good training gives the Council the information they need for effective governance.

Training is about competence, stewardship and honoring the trust the community placed in you. The Councils who take that seriously are the Councils that leave their communities better than they found them.

Book your Council training now.  Contact Anna at anna@smallplacesrock.com.