New Board Member = Sonya Skinner |
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In this last installment in this series OMAA welcomes Collingwood CAO Sonya Skinner to the Board of Directors. |
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| How long have you been a member of OMAA?
I joined in 2021 after being recommended by Grey County CAO Kim Wingrove. I would have joined earlier if I had realized how awesome OMAA is. What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? I grew up in a small community in Newfoundland and Labrador. What’s one thing you learned in the last month? There are five types of Penguins on the Falkland Islands. I learned this at the wonderful and popular Huron Fringe Birding Festival – register on 6am on the day registration opens as spots go quicker than hotel rooms at AMO! Why did you become a CAO? I first became the CAO of a Conservation Authority to move to the southern Georgian Bay area and to transition from a Director position at the Province. It was a wonderful way to be initially exposed to municipal politics as the Board included council members from eight municipalities. What do you love about the municipal sector? Things happen fast! What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
Being the CAO in Collingwood with a fantastic team and a Council that has the courage to make big decisions, including a big new Water Treatment Plant award. Do you have a book or movie recommendation?
Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs and Steel: A short History of Everybody for the last 13.000 years. My book club hated it, but it appeals to my love of tracking the big picture movements in society, and as a precursor to today’s EDI considerations using a non-people-centric perspective. What’s one item you can’t live without? My “everyday carry” bag has all one may need in an emergency – from an epi pen to mini Leatherman scissors. |
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Fall Workshop Registration + Hotel Now Open
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The Fall Workshop will take place October 16- 18 at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville.
The Golf Tournament and other pre-Conference activities will begin on Wednesday morning. The Conference Program will end before lunch on Friday. CAOs, Aspiring CAOs, Retired CAOs, and those serving the municipal sector are eligible to attend. Registration is now open on our website. |
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The room block at Deerhurst Resort is now available for room bookings. Please note: - the link will only show exactly what is available in your block (it won't show pre/post nights) - the link will work until your block fills.
- guests can also call the resort at 800-461-4393 from 8am to 8pm- provide the dates they want to stay and let them know you are with the OMAA group. |
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Robert Baldwin Award Nominations |
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The Robert Baldwin Award is Ontario's highest award for municipal public service. Winners must demonstrate significant and lasting contributions to municipal and local government plus service to the community, the province, and the country.
The award was inspired by the achievements of Robert Baldwin: a principled political figure active in the mid-1800s. Baldwin wrote the first Municipal Act, supported religious tolerance and women's rights, was one of the first proponents of a bi-cultural nation and popularized the idea of "responsible government".
The Robert Baldwin Award is presented at the Fall Workshop when suitable candidates are identified. Nominations are accepted by the Awards Committee, with the name of the selected candidate tabled for Board approval. Nominations will be accepted until 30 September 2024. |
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Huron East CAO Brad McRoberts has asked:
"We have a building in our downtown that has been vacant for several years and there has been lots of rumour or unsubstantiated claims that the building itself is in a very deteriorated condition on the inside, however we cannot obtain voluntary access to the interior to confirm this. Does anyone have any suggestions for a municipality to gain access into the building when owner is uncooperative and we do not have any substantiated evidence to justify entry by our CBO or Fire Prevention Officer."
Anyone with advice please contact Brad McRoberts at (519) 527-0160 Ext 27 or cao@huroneast.com |
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Manager, Finance & Accounting |
The Town of Newmarket is located in York Region and is home to almost 90 000 residents. Newmarket has garnered an international reputation for being one of the country's most dynamic, diverse and desirable towns to live and work in. Newmarket is a progressive place with a reputation for innovation, inclusivity and community mindedness.
Working at the Town of Newmarket means that everyday, you are part of team striving to make this community and the workplace well beyond the ordinary. Staff are at the centre of our well beyond the ordinary work culture that includes broad health and wellness programs, work-life balance, flexibility and a people first focus. As a team we celebrate and enjoy the diversity of talents, backgrounds and interests that make up our organization, we celebrate the personal and professional accomplishments of our colleagues together and we like to spend time together. Whether you want to spend your lunch relaxing, knitting, staying active, playing guitar, having a picnic or taking care of our eco-sphere, there’s something for you.
When it comes to work, our leaders are collaborators, working across departments and organizations to get the best results. We value innovation, especially those that bring efficiency and even better customer service. This is an opportunity for a forward thinking leader who has a passion for finance, and encouraging a talented team. Success will come to the candidate who employs a collaborative yet decisive approach.
The successful candidate will work under the direction of the Director, Financial Services, and as the Manager, Finance & Accounting manage and implement the work and organizational objectives within the Financial Services Department. The Finance and Accounting portfolio includes the accounts payable; corporate purchasing cards; investments; financial reporting and analysis functions; budgets and long range plans; financial policies and strategies; compliance with regulatory reporting requirements; payroll services, as well as to act on behalf of the Director, Financial Services as required. The Manager, Finance and Accounting will fulfill the duties of the Deputy Treasurer under the Municipal Act.
Closes: 8 July 2024
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Chief Administrative Officer |
Reporting to the Mayor and Council, the CAO will be a proven leader with a demonstrated ability to embrace change and guide the municipality, as directed by Council. The CAO’s primary responsibility is to oversee and coordinate the day-to-day administration of the Township of South Glengarry, through its senior management team. The CAO supports the Mayor and Council, in directing and developing public policy, ensuring that Council has timely, comprehensive, and relevant information to make well-informed decisions. The Township of South Glengarry is a vibrant and growing community that is seeking a CAO who can work with Council to further position the municipality for a successful future.
A professional with focused and proven experience in developing, mentoring, and leading a well-functioning team. A collaborative planner with excellent strategic, operational and project planning skills and experience with, and effective at, developing actionable solutions focused on achieving efficiency and the delivery of cost-effective customer service to the public. An effective listener, who is respectful and transparent and who possesses exceptional collaborative, interpersonal and presentation skills. An innovative thinker with the vision and excitement to see opportunity for the community, the wisdom to consult and respond to community interest and needs, and the ability to lead and motivate staff while adeptly recognizing the role of Council in these areas. A professional able to initiate transformative change when required, by motivating and developing their team and volunteers in a supportive, focused, and collaborative manner. A skilled communicator, influencer, and negotiator who achieves solutions by mobilizing organizational, collective, and community effort and the proven ability able to effectively interface and communicate with staff, partners, government, the public and key stakeholders.
Closes: 24 June 2024 |
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Chief Administrative Officer |
At the heart of Bruce County, our beautiful communities in the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie are home to 7000 residents. We are surrounded by natural landscapes where people thrive in a rural lifestyle. Our welcoming farm communities, friendly urban centres and quaint villages are where you and your family can enjoy the perks of small town living. The municipality offers space, affordable housing and safer neighborhoods. This is your opportunity to shape the programs and services that make Arran-Elderslie a truly great place to live!
What’s in it for You?
Enjoy the healthy lifestyle benefits of a small town Be part of a close-knit community that values collaboration and active participation Opportunity to be part of a growing municipality where you can champion valuable initiatives with great staff and volunteers Comprehensive benefits package, OMERS pension and competitive wages based on experience and qualifications Your Opportunity
Manage the operations of the municipality in a responsible and cost-effective manner Ensure timely and effective delivery of programs and services Lead a management team and staff in the implementation of Council decisions Engage, inform and inspire Council and staff Provide progressive policy and strategic advice to Council Provide overall financial management and fiscal responsibility in consultation with the Treasurer |
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Chief Information Officer |
Kingston is a smart, growing, livable city in the heart of eastern Ontario where history and innovation thrive. With a population of over 136,000, Kingston’s stable and diversified economy includes global corporations, innovative start-ups and all levels of government. Kingstonians enjoy a high quality of life with access to world-class education and research institutions, advanced healthcare facilities, affordable living and vibrant entertainment and tourism activities.
The City is seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Information Officer (CIO) to provide strategic leadership to their Information Systems & Technology department.
Reporting to the Commissioner, Corporate Services, the CIO is a senior business strategist who provides technology vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the Corporation in alignment with the goals, objectives, and priorities of the City of Kingston. As a corporate leader, the CIO effectively adapts to changing priorities and ensures technology strategies support how the City works and delivers services to the benefit of the entire Corporation, and ultimately the residents of the City of Kingston.
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2024 Maureen McCauley Bursary Applications Now Open |
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The Maureen McCauley Bursary offers $5,000 annually to support the education of future municipal government leaders.
The Bursary is available to any student in a post secondary program meeting the following criteria:
(1) Is a student residing in Ontario
(2) Is a student that has completed at least one year of an Ontario university or an Ontario community college program that has the potential to lead to a municipal government career.
(3) Has submitted the completed Application Form, accompanied by the noted requirements
The OMAA Awards Committee will assess all submissions under approved evaluation criteria. The successful candidate will be advised of their award in October. Bursary funds will be made available to the successful applicant shortly thereafter. Although not mandatory successful candidates will be invited to attend the OMAA Fall Workshop virtually or in person to receive their Bursary award.
Applicants must complete the application form and also develop a 2-3 minute video which would outline the significance of municipal government service delivery and the value of professional management thereof. Examples are included on our website. Applications close on 30 September 2024. |
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Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But not all opinions are equal. Opinions are as common as grains of sand on the beach, but only a few have the grit to endure the test of thought.
Socrates said, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." He knew that not all voices should be heard with equal reverence, for some carried the weight of reflection, while others were but echoes of ignorance. George Orwell wrote, "In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act." He knew that truth and opinion often stood at odds, that to speak truth was to challenge the easy lie. Orwell reminds us that not all opinions are born of honesty; some are merely convenient fabrications, embraced because they comfort rather than confront.
John Stuart Mill added that "He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that." Mill understood that opinions must be tested by debate as the value of an opinion is in its ability to withstand scrutiny.
The strength of an opinion lies not in its volume but in its substance. The weight of an opinion is measured not by its assertion but by its reflection. It is the voice that has listened, the mind that has questioned, and the heart that has sought truth that will stand the test of time. |
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Interested in being an Interim CAO? |
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Are you a retired or soon to be retired CAO looking to act as an interim? Are you a consultant with CAO experience that provides this service in addition to others?
OMAA is frequently asked for a list of those available to act as an interim CAO by municipalities in need. All those interested are asked to complete a short questionnaire that will be posted on our website shortly. Deadline: 28 June 2024 |
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In, A Jump Start: Providing Infrastructure for More Housing,, funded by Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Canadian Urban Institute is proposing four new approaches to investing the billions of dollars needed to build supporting infrastructure to advance millions of homes across the country. In combination, the recommendations should lower costs to homeowners, help mitigate risks for municipalities, capture value from infrastructure investments, and attract more public and private investment.
This report grabbed some media attention with its opening line:
"Building housing-enabling municipal infrastructure on an accelerated basis is essential to increasing the supply of housing across Canada. In fast-growing parts of Canada, the cost of providing a full range of infrastructure likely exceeds $100,000 per home over time." |
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