INSIDE

The Local Government Management Association of BC strives to promote

professional management and leadership excellence in local government and to

create awareness of the municipal officers’ role in the community.

February, 2002 Volume 20, Issue 1February, 2002 Volume 20, Issue 1

Executive/Committees . . . . .2President’s Report . . . . . . .3Teamworks: Working

Together For BetterCommunities . . . . . . . . .7

MATI 3 – Communication . .8Stress Levels on the Rise . . .9

MATI 2 – The LeadershipExperience . . . . . . . . . .11

Elections Committee Update . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

LGMA Annual Conference . . . . . . . . .12

CivicInfo BC: New Featuresand Services . . . . . . . . .14

Chapter Chats . . . . . . . . .16Northeastern BC

Municipalities toAssume ControlOver Policing . . . . . . . .17

Survival is Not Enough . . .18Member News . . . . . . . . .19Past Presidents . . . . . . . . .20

C itizens care about local govern-ment services. Modest attendance fig-ures at public hearings belie that fact,as do complaint and commendationrecords revealing that the typical citi-zen refrains from expressing eitherpraise or complaints about local gov-ernment offerings most of the time.Nevertheless, citizens really do careabout service quality and cost. In fact,when sufficiently concerned or pro-voked, they have been known toexpress themselves vociferously.

Almost two decades ago, the dis-gruntled voters of California clampeddown hard on the spending habits oflocal governments in that state byapproving Proposition 13 and therebyrestricting property tax revenues.A fewyears later, their Massachusetts counter-parts similarly imposed strict revenuelimitations through a measure calledProposition 21 ⁄2. Eighteen winters ago,severe Chicago storms blanketed thatcity’s downtown with mountains ofsnow that were removed too slowly tosuit a majority of voters, costing themayor his job. Six years ago, the votersof Indianapolis responded to a mayoralcandidate’s promise to provide better,

lower-cost services through competi-tion and privatization by electing thatcandidate, then by reelecting him bymore than a 3 to 2 margin to continuethe job four years later.

A relative calm typically prevails inrelations between citizens and theirgovernments, a calm that only occa-sionally is disrupted by bursts of citizenanger. Yet citizens do care about localgovernment services and the resourcesextracted to support those services.Instances of citizen ire in communitiesacross the nation-incidents that oftenhave been less dramatic than thosecited above or that, because they haveaffected fewer people or occurred in asmaller media market, have been lesspublicized-demonstrate that the publiccan be awakened from quiet acquies-cence by unacceptable performance orwasteful habits.

Local officials sometimes aretempted to flatter themselves byassuming that poorly attended publichearings and the absence of uprisingsreflect citizen satisfaction with the sta-tus quo.That may not be the case at all.Citizens who fall into the broad mid-section of the satisfaction continuum,

into the wide expanse that liesbetween “satisfied customer”and “vocalcritics,” undergird a mood of tolerancerather than one of satisfaction or dissat-isfaction. Poor attendance and theabsence of overt animosity can camou-flage a generally unfavorable citizenattitude that simply has not yet reachedthe boiling point. Hard evidence, eitherfrom personal experience or fromother sources, can nudge some citizensout of their merely tolerant moods tillthey become fans or foes of local gov-ernment. A nudge in the direction of“satisfied customer” is much to be pre-ferred by local officials.

A Role for Performance Measurement and Benchmarks

A big part of the service deliverychallenge to local governments is pro-viding desired services at affordablecosts. The other part of the challengelies in reassuring local taxpayers thattheir resources have been well spent.Good performance measures and theappropriate use of benchmarks canhelp on both counts.

Cont’d on Page 4

Part 1:

Raising the Performance Bar Locallyby David Ammons

February, 2002 2

EDUCATION SERVICES COMMITTEEChair: Mark BrownMembers: Trudy Coates, Ron Poole,

UBCM Rep, MMA Rep. - Alixe KnightonMATI 1 Chair – Anne HoganMATI 2 Chair – Gord Howie

MATI 1 Chair: Anne HoganMembers: Trudy Coates, Diana Lokken, Ken Ostraat,

Ted Tisdale

MATI 2 Chair: Gord HowieMembers: Doug Holmes, Gary Nason,

Florence Paradoski, Ron Poole,Kevin Ramsay, Judy Rogers, Brenda Sims,Linn Teetzel, Ruth Tolerton

Peer SupportChair: Gord HowieMembers: Ron Born, Jennifer Bridarolli, Jim Craven,

Joe Martignago, George Paul, Judy Rogers

CAO’s Forum Task ForceCo-Chair: Rob RoycroftCo-Chair: Mark Brown2003 Forum: Ted TisdaleMembers: Jerry Berry, Kelly Daniels, George Duncan

Bruce Williams Past Chair2001 Forum: Ron Born

Board of Examiners:Jennifer Bridarolli, LGMA Appointee

INTERNAL SERVICES COMMITTEEChair: Paul EdgingtonMembers: Vince Morelli, Harry Mueller

Association Historian - Chad Turpin

Member RecognitionMembers: Ron Poole, David Shipclark

Partners IntiativeChair: Mark BrownMembers: Lee-Ann Crane, Paul Edgington

LEGISLATIVE (OPERATIONS) COMMITTEEChair: Debbie ComisMembers: Jim Chute, Lee-Ann Crane

Community CharterChair: Debbie ComisMembers: Mark Brown, Jim Chute, Ron Poole,

David Shipclark

Approving Officers’ Steering CommitteeChair: Barry LambertMembers: Grant Anderson, Wayne Dickinson,

Lee Dodds, Mitch Fumale, Howard Hunter, Bill Lindsay, Al Paget, Rick Stuckenberg, Igor Zahynacz

Elections Committee:Chair: Lee-Ann CraneMembers: Jim Chute, Carrie MacPhee,

Jillian Matthews, Jim McBride, Brenda Sims, Toireasa Strong

Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Task Force

Chair: Brenda SimsMembers: Robyn Anderson, Wendy Canten,

Trudy Coates, Sandra Doughey, Stephen Fleming, Paul Hancock, Bruce Hawkshaw, Sheila Scholes, Ruth Tolerton

Superannuation Task ForceCo Chair: Mark BrownCo-Chair: Paul EdgingtonMembers: Ken Bayne, Rick Beauchamp,

Jim Tarves, Ken Tollstam, Alan Woodbury

2002 Conference: Mark Brown, Executive LiaisonKamloops Local Arrangements: Wayne Vollrath, Donna Feduik, Cindy Kennedy, Colleen Smith, Sukh Gill, Jim McBride, Alan Benson, Martin Dalsin, Chris Coates, Grant Loyer, Doug Fleming, Joyce Madigan, Joe Barry, Brenda Rayburn

2001 Nominating CommitteeChair: Patti FergusonMembers: Colin Griffith, Gord McIntosh

President Ex-Officio Member all Committees

Chapter 290: Rick Beauchamp, Editor

President: Gerry Kingston1st Vice President: Debbie Comis2nd Vice President: Mark BrownTreasurer: Paul EdgingtonPast President: Patti Ferguson

Directors at Large: Ron PooleJim Chute

Chapter Representatives:Trudy Coates (LMLGMA)Lee-Ann Crane (RMLGMA)Vince Morelli (WKMOA)Harry Mueller (NCMOA)David Shipclark (OMLGMA)Gord Horth (VILGMA)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMMITTEES

LOCAL GOVERNMENTMANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

737 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2V1Tel: (250) 383-7032 • Fax: (250) 383-4879

Web: www.lgma.caE-mail: lgma@lgma.ca

Job Postings: jobpostings@lgma.ca

OFFICE MANAGER: DELENA PATTERSON

CHAPTER 290

220 B West 17th StreetNorth Vancouver, BC V7M 1V6

Tel: (604) 982-0316Fax: (604) 982-0317

E-mail: rbeauchamp@telus.net

EDITOR: RICK BEAUCHAMP

West Kootenay Chapter:President Reid Henderson, Central Kootenay RDVice President Bonnie St. Thomas, Vil. of SlocanSec/Treasurer Jim Gustafson, City of CastlegarPast President Dianne Hunter, City of Castlegar Chapter Rep Vince Morelli, Vil. of Fruitvale

Rocky Mountain Chapter:President Laura Green, Vil. of RadiumVice President Robert Earl, Dist. of InvermereSecretary Karen Cote, Dist. of InvermereTreasurer Genelle Davidson, East Kootenay RDChapter Rep Lee-Anne Crane, East Kootenay RD

Thompson-Okanagan Chapter:President Doug Holmes, North Okanagan RDVice President Monica Dennis, Dist. of Salmon ArmSec/Treasurer Don DeGagne,City of RevelstokePast President Elsie Lemke, Town of OsoyoosChapter Rep David Shipclark, City of KelownaCivicInfo Doug Rasmussen

North Central Chapter:President Warren Waycheshen, Dist. of MackenzieVice President Don Schaffer, City of Prince GeorgeSec/Treasurer Denise Fisher, City of TerraceDirector Grace Fika, City of Ft. St. JohnPast President Jim Chute, City of Dawson CreekChapter Rep Harry Mueller, Dist. of ChetwyndAlt. Chapter Rep Florence Paradoski, City of Quesnel

Vancouver Island Chapter:President Colleen R. Bawn, City of Port AlberniVice President Joni Heinrich, Town of GibsonsSec/Treasurer Shirley Hine, City of ParksvilleDirectors Bev Comeau, Dist. of Sooke

Sandra Keddy, Town of Qualicum BeachKaren Burley, City of NanaimoClifford Strachan, District of Ucluelet

Past President Paul Murray, Dist. of LangfordChapter Rep Gord Horth, Town of Ladysmith

Lower Mainland Chapter:President Tanalee Hesse (also CivicInfo.BC Rep)Vice President Kim Anema, Dist.of SquamishSecretary Paulette Vetleson, GVRDTreasurer Julie Webb, Vil. of Harrison Hot SpringsPast President Trudy Coates, District of SquamishDirectors Susan Brown, City of New Westminster

Suzanne Gresham, FVRDIsabell Hadford, Mun. of Bowen IslandAgnes Hilsen, Dist. of North VancouverElio Infanti, City of Port CoquitlamBrenda Sims, Resort Mun. of Whistler

Chapter Rep Trudy Coates, District of Squamish

The Local Government Management Association of British Columbia (LGMA) provides general information as a service to its members on the understanding that the LGMA and the contributing writers are not engaged in render-ing legal or other professional advice. The LGMA does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, quality, currency, validity, completeness or suitability of the information contained from or through the LGMA for any purpose. Theinformation contained in this publication represents the interpretation of the writers and should in no way be construed as either official or unofficial policy of any government body.

Chapter Executives

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement Number 1748602

February, 2002February, 20023

R ecently, someone walked up to meon a downtown street and asked me if “Icould spare some change”. While I feltfor that quarter that I always have in myleft front pocket when downtown, Imused at the expression and thoughthow ironic the beggar’s question wasand how he really didn’t want tohear the problems I had with“change” now and in the future,so I removed my hand from mypocket and walked on keepingthe quarter for my thoughts.

Think back to last June. Didany of us see the level of change that allof us are facing, to one degree or anoth-er now? Answer honestly. While wemight not have foreseen the actualchanges, I am sure that we all knew wewere in for an interesting ride.Wow!!!!

Is this what they mean when theysay,“If we don’t manage change, changewill manage us?”How many of us are cur-

rently involved in court house closures,hospital service withdrawals or closures,prison closures, large scale reorganiza-tions of provincial ministry staff thatimpacts our operations or communities?Where will it all lead to and when will itstop you ask?

I am unclear where ‘it’ will lead tobut I am confident that it won’t stop.Thechanges we are seeing in our senior gov-ernments and what these changes meanto our municipalities are the current ver-sion of our local society evolving. Wehave all been involved in previous ver-sions and could all sit and recount our

efforts, trials and tribulations. RememberNatural Gas Revenue Sharing? Anti-Infla-tion Board and rollbacks? Six and FiveGuidelines? Railway Taxation and Bill 55?Even greater change has been dealt withby communities such as Gold River andTumbler Ridge, to name only two. We

have seen a great many changes in thepast and while sometimes painful, weas professionals must continue to aidour councils and Boards throughthese changes, finding solutions andcreative ways to tolerate change wher-ever possible.

We grow tolerant of the effects orwe fight the effects of change for as longas our resources or efforts can last. If weare lucky, the effects of change can bemitigated, but I think more often thannot, tolerance and accommodationbecome the mitigation and we evolve,getting on with the next issue.No matterwhat the change, it will be viewed bothpositively and negatively, depending onwho, what, where, when, and why,depending on the problem and ofcourse, with whom you are speaking.

As spoken in the past, the Commu-nity Charter will play out shortly and weall hope that the changes coming fromthe Charter will have positive impactsand outweigh any bad news therein.Cer-tainly the efforts of the Legislative Com-mittee and the direct involvement of JimChute and Ron Born as appointees to theTechnical Committee as well as theappointment of Nancy Gomerich ofBCGFOA should aid the Charter Counciland the Ministry in hopefully, rolling outthe best product possible.

On the subject of change, our Kam-loops conference theme, Leadership ina Changing World certainly is timely and

President’sReport

Practical. Clear. Focused.Advisors to today’s businessesand organizations.

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Serving British Columbia municipalities for over 50 years.

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✓✓✓✓

✓

✓✓✓

Cont’d on Page 4

Practical. Clear. Focused.Advisors to today’s businessesand organizations.

Auditing & Accounting ServicesTax ConsultingComputer Consulting & TrainingForensic Accounting & InvestigativeServices

Management Consulting and AdvisoryServicesBusiness ValuationsMediation & ArbitrationCorporate Recovery & Insolvency Ser-vices

BDO Dunwoody LLPChartered AccountantsManagement Consultants

Serving British Columbia municipalities for over 50 years.

600 - 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8

Telephone: (604) 688-5421 Telefax: (604) 688-5132 Email: bcox@bdo.ca or dharper@bdo.ca Webpage: www.bdo.ca

Provincial contact partners:Bill Cox, CA or Dale Harper, CA

✓✓✓✓

✓

✓✓✓

Gerry Kingston

“No matter what the change,it will be viewed both

positively and negatively…”

Admittedly, performance mea-sures are merely tools.They are limitedin what they can do.At best, they cangauge conditions, identify operationalstrengths and weaknesses, and informofficials about program effectivenessand the success or failure of perfor-mance improvement initiatives. Theyonly inform; they do not prescribesolutions, a role that still belongs tomanagers and analysts.When properlydeveloped, monitored, and reported,however, performance measures caninfluence the effectiveness and effi-ciency of government operations; theycan contribute to improved manage-ment; they can offer systematic evi-dence in defense of worthwhile pub-lic operations that find themselvesunder attack; and they can influencethe public’s perception of its localgovernment.

Unfortunately, most of the benefitsof performance measurement willelude local governments that continueto limit their systems by measuringonly resource inputs (dollars spent,

number of persons employed, or staff-hours devoted to a given activity) andworkload (calls received, applicationsprocessed, arrests made, tons ofasphalt laid, or other raw counts ofoutput). Although measures of inputand workload are important andshould be collected, input is a poormeasure of performance, and neithertype of measure addresses the effi-ciency with which services are deliv-ered, their quality, or their effective-ness. Thus, these measures have littlemanagerial or policy value. For muchthe same reason, they hold little inter-est for the general public and offer lit-tle promise for nurturing publicapproval.

Measures of efficiency (unit costs,units per $1,000, or units per labor-hour) and measures of quality or effec-tiveness (the library’s title fill rate orcirculation per capita, the policedepartment’s clearance rate, and thefire department’s success at limitingfire spread) are measures that haveconsiderable managerial and policyvalue.They allow local performance tobe placed in a qualitative context, tobe compared with relevant standards

February, 2002 4

I urge you to register as early as possi-ble. I know that the Local ArrangementsCommittee is hard at work in makingthis conference in Kamloops, some-thing that we will all enjoy and learnfrom. Elsewhere in this edition you willfind more information.

Lastly, on the subject of change, theAssociation has regretably accepted theresignation of our Executive Director,Sandy Gray, effective January 25, 2002.Sandy wished to continue to pursueother opportunities within the field ofpublic service and local governmentand as such has decided to leave theemploy of the LGMA in order to free histime to pursue such opportunities. Iwould like to thank Sandy for his dedi-cation to the Association as the Execu-tive Director, and I know that same ded-ication and support will be present inhis continued membership and partici-pation in the Association.The Board willcommence a search for Sandy’s replace-ment soon with the hopes of recruit-ment and placement in July or earlier ifpossible. ■

President’s ReportCont’d from Page 3

Raising the BarCont’d from Page 1

February, 20025

or the performance of others, and tobe evaluated on a basis other thanhow much was spent, how manyemployees were involved and for howlong, and how much activity tookplace.

Placing local performance in aqualitative context raises the stakes ofperformance measurement and, espe-cially where comparison with stan-dards or other jurisdictions isinvolved, puts community pride atrisk. By doing so, it makes perfor-mance measurement more interestingto the local media and to citizens ingeneral. Crossing this threshold notonly provides more valuable informa-tion for managing operations effec-tively but also allows local officials tobegin systematically cultivating andnurturing positive public perceptionsof local government operations.

Several local and state govern-ments that are intent on gauging per-formance, establishing targets for per-formance improvement, engaging citi-zen interest, and enlisting citizencooperation have adopted the term“benchmark” and applied that label toperformance targets established byvarious means. Tracking progresstoward achieving these benchmarkshas proven to be a method of report-ing performance statistics that is pop-ular both with the media and with thepublic.

Three Types of Benchmarking inthe Public Sector

Benchmarking captured the atten-tion of the corporate world whenXerox, a pioneer in the application ofthe benchmarking process, demon-strated that it could successfully adaptwarehousing and distribution tactics itlearned from L.L. Bean, acknowledgedto be a world- class performer in thatarena. Xerox had discovered an area ofweakness in its own system, identifieda company that it considered the bestin the business at that particularprocess, and, through the cooperationof its benchmarking partner, foundways to improve its own operations.The significance of the Xerox/L.L.Bean experience and those of otherbenchmarking pioneers was profound.

The practice of benchmarkingspread rapidly in corporate America,and by 1991, the prestigious MalcolmBaldrige Award had folded into its cri-teria the demonstration of world-classor best-in-class status for award recipi-ents, effectively requiring applicants tobenchmark their key processes. Forthe public sector, the benchmarkingexperience of corporations was impor-tant, but rarely has it served as a pre-cise model. A few local governmentshave adopted the corporate model inwhole or in part, but many have adopt-ed the “benchmarking” label andattached it to somewhat differentprocesses.

For many public sector officials, adevelopment of greater significance thanthe particular steps in corporate-stylebenchmarking was the discovery thatcorporations in one industry were find-ing relevant comparisons and importantlessons from benchmarking partners inentirely different industries. After all,many local governments for years hadresisted interjurisdictional comparisons

Figure 1: Corporate-StyleBenchmarking inthe Public Sector

1. Decide what to benchmark.

2. Study processes in your organization.

3. Identify benchmarking partners.

4. Gather information.

5. Analyze the information.

6. Implement for effect.

7. Monitor results and take further action

as needed.

Source: Benchmarking Best Practices, Module 2 of

Results-Oriented Government, a public service curriculum

developed by the Southern Growth Policies Board and the

Southern Consortium of University Public Service Organizations

(Research Triangle Park, North Carolina: Southern Growth Poli-

cies Board, 1997), pg. 5.

Cont’d on Page 6

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simply by claiming that each city orcounty was unique. Clearly, each wasunique; but now it was becoming evi-dent that few were so individual as tonegate completely the relevanceand benefits of comparisons.

In the public sector, bench-marking has taken three forms:• Corporate-style benchmarking.• Targets as benchmarks.• Comparison of performance

statistics as benchmarks.Some local governments

(for example, Arlington, Texas;Reno, Nevada; and Salt LakeCity, Utah) have adopted essen-tial elements of the corporatemodel (See Figure 1).According-ly, they have focused narrowlyon one or two key processes,identified suitable benchmark-ing partners considered to beoutstanding performers in thoseprocesses, analyzed their ownand their partners’ processes indetail, and adapted preferredpractices for their own use. Morepublic sector units, however, haveopted for the second or third ver-sions of benchmarking.

Perhaps the most familiar of allbenchmarking projects in the publicsector has been the initiative knownas Oregon Benchmarks, an example of

the “targets as benchmarks” approach.The Oregon Progress Board wasappointed in 1989 by the Oregon leg-islature to help define a strategic visionfor that state and to monitor progresstoward achieving the state’s goals.As acentral part of its effort, the board

established a set of benchmarks or tar-gets focusing on student achievement,housing affordability, teen pregnancy,air quality, and an array of other con-cerns, thereby bringing attention tothose problems, creating a mechanismfor gauging progress, and garneringnational acclaim. Several local govern-

Raising the BarCont’d from Page 5

ments in Oregon have followed theProgress Board’s lead and have setlocal benchmarks in pursuit of thestate’s objectives and their own.

Other states, including Minnesotaand Florida, and several communities,like Jacksonville and Seattle, have pur-

sued a similar course. Althoughextremely valuable in their ownright, efforts of this second typediffer substantially from the cor-porate form of benchmarking.Where corporate-style bench-marking focuses narrowly on akey process, the targetingapproach typified by OregonBenchmarks has a broad focusthat touches on a wide array ofconcerns and is apt to concen-trate primarily on results or con-ditions, often with little atten-tion to the details of the process-es that contribute to thoseresults or conditions. Targets, orbenchmarks, often are set arbi-trarily, only rarely being tied tostatistical norms or to the per-formance of best-in-class coun-terparts. In many ways, the tar-

geting approach is more akin to strate-gic planning than to corporate-stylebenchmarking.

The third approach — the com-parison of performance statistics asbenchmarks — blends elements of theother two methods. More broadlyfocused than corporate-style bench-marking, the third approach neverthe-less adopts the corporate practice ofidentifying other outstanding perform-ers and comparing the locality’s per-formance with theirs, rather than fol-lowing the second approach’s practiceof establishing benchmarks arbitrarilyLike the targeting approach, however,the third style of benchmarking focus-es primarily on indicators of results,efficiency, and process proficiency,rather than concentrating extensivelyon process details.

In Part 2 we will explore differenttools for different tasks and effectiveuse of comparative performance data.

David Ammons is an associate professor at the

University of North Carolina’s Institute of Government,

Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He is the author of

Municipal Benchmarks: Assessing Local Performance

and Establishing Community Standards.

February, 20027

T eamWorks has been launched! Some initial projects include provid-

ing help to: draft a new zoning bylaw inTofino; conduct a human resources auditin Squamish,create a cultural commissionand improve records management inCastlegar and develop new inter-agencyservice agreements in Zeballos.

TeamWorks is a program of the LocalGovernment Management Associationwith support from the Municipal Financeauthority of BC, CivicInfo BC and BC’slocal governments.The City of Richmondhas also played an integral role in facilitat-ing the launch of TeamWorks and is thefirst local government to sign up as a pro-gram resource.

What are municipal leaders sayingabout Teamworks?

“It’s an incredible program.I gotreally excited when I first heardabout TeamWorks. (When theywere) dreaming this programup, they must have had Tofinoin mind.”

- Ian Howlett, Municipal Administrator

District of Tofino,

first TeamWorks client

“TeamWorks has given me newinsight by allowing me to workin areas outside of my normalfield.I’ve also learned how other

TeamWorks: Working Together For Better Communities

local governments and coun-cils operate.”

- Mark Minson, Project Engineer

City of Richmond

Staff Lead for TeamWorks Zeballos Project

“TeamWorks is really a simpleidea. Together, our local gov-ernments have all the knowl-edge, talent and people neededto meet any challenge.By pool-ing those resources into abank we can all draw upon,everyone will benefit.”

- George Duncan, Chief Administrative Officer

City of Richmond

“Through its long history, theLocal Government Manage-ment Association has workedto promote professional man-agement and leadership excel-lence. TeamWorks expandsthose efforts by encouraging local governments to work together to build better com-munities.”

- Gerry Kingston, President

Local Government Management Association

“Local governments havealways shared information tohelp solve mutual challenges.The Municipal Finance Author-

ity is pleased to support a pro-gram which fosters evengreater co-operation amonglocal governments and en-hance professional develop-ment and mentoring betweenpeers.”

- Jim Craven, Executive Director

Municipal Finance Authority

“The success of CivicInfo BC isa testament to the tradition ofinformation sharing betweenlocal governments. TeamWorksadds another dimension tothat spirit of collaboration.”

- Todd Pugh

General Manager and

Local Government Liaison, CivicInfo BC

For more information on the Team-Works program, visit the websitewww.lgma.teamworks.ca to find outhow the program can help you. ■

Murdy McAllisterB A R R I S T E R S & S O L I C I T O R S

31st Floor, Four Bentall Centre, 1055 Dunsmuir Street, P.O. Box 49059, Vancouver, Canada V7X 1C4Telephone: (604) 689-5263 Fax: (604) 689-9029

Since 1980, our firm has restricted its practice to acting for local government and providingadvice concerning municipal law to other clients, being primarily other lawyers.

February, 2002 8February, 2002

W ould you like to be a more effec-tive communicator in situations likethese?• Dealing with upset staff, managers,

council, unions, the public or out-side organizations?

• Focusing on the issue when han-dling difficult conversations?

• Giving senior team members feed-back about their performance andwork expectations?

• Managing defensiveness—your andtheirs?

• Mediating workplace conflicts?• Handling service delivery com-

plaints?• Addressing below standard staff per-

formance so that improvementoccurs?

• Facilitating problems around sensi-tive issues and community con-cerns?

If so, Capilano College, in partner-ship with the LGMA, has developedMATI 3 — Communication for you,starting in April 2002!

Features of this New Program

Intensive Skill Building: You willhave opportunities to:• Practice incident resolution• Model conflict-reducing language• Reframe workplace conflict• Identify solution-based techniques• Explore interest-based negotiation

• Practice stakeholder-based facilita-tion

• Coach and guide staff perfor-mance

“Learn from the Best of Them!”One-On-One Access to ProminentLocal Government Leaders• Work side-by-side in small groups

with senior local government lead-ers in solving conflict situations anddemonstrating issue-based conversa-tion

• Share the strategies and successesof local government leaders

• Network and exchange local gov-ernment experiences

• Names of local government leadersworking with us at MATI 3 will beannounced as soon as they are con-firmed

Receive Professional Feedbackfrom a Registered Psychologistwho works closely with Local Gov-ernment Professionals• Learn conceptual and issue identifi-

cation tools to help you organizeyour thoughts in conflict or negotia-tion situations

• Get assistance navigating difficultconversations

• Receive individual conflict andnegotiation skill feedback

• Improve skills with hands-on prac-tice and professional feedback

MATI 3 —COMMUNICATIONBowen Lodge, Bowen Island

Sunday April 28 to Friday May 3, 2002

• Receive personal, executive coach-ing by Registered Psychologist, Ger-rie Waugh of Capilano College

In this interactive course we willwork with you to:

Explain ItTry ItEvaluate ItPerfect It!

Course GoalThe goal of the course is to provide

British Columbia local government pro-fessionals with an opportunity to par-ticipate in communication skill basedtraining to strengthen their individualand team performance. It is believedthat managing change, collaboratingand navigating difficult conversationsare essential communications compe-tencies that effective local governmentprofessionals demonstrate daily. Thiscourse will assist participants tobecome more effective in these areas.

College Credit OptionAs with MATI 2, participants will

have the option (not required) ofenrolling in the program as a 3-creditCapilano College course. MATI 3(whether taken for credit or not forcredit) will be accepted as level 3 of

Explain ItTry ItEvaluate ItPerfect It!

February, 20029

the education requirement for the Cer-tified Municipal Clerk designationgranted by the International Instituteof Municipal Clerks.

Application is being made to theProvincial Board of Examiners for thecourse to be approved as an electivefor the Intermediate Certificate (forcredit students only).

Students taking the course forcredit will be eligible to apply to theBoard of Examiners for a scholarship.

Please contact Mary Harkness,Administrator, Board of Examiners.Phone: 250-387-4053 Fax: 250-387-6212 e-mail:mharknes@hq.marh.gov.bc.ca for moreinformation on the scholarship.

FeesThe fee per student is $2,200.This

all inclusive fee will cover tuition,course materials, accommodation, allmeals and refreshment breaks, and allspecial recreational activities.

Application Requirements and Process

Preferred candidates will be per-sons who can show a progressivecareer path, which has or will lead to aleadership position in local govern-ment. Because of the interactive natureof the course, enrollment will be limit-ed to 24 participants. Completion ofMATI 1 or MATI 2 is not a requirementfor acceptance to MATI 3.

To apply, please write a short letterof application including:• current position and areas of

responsibility• work and home addresses including

e-mail addresses• description of previous positions• statement of long term career goals• a brief statement about how you

hope MATI 3 will assist you toachieve these career goals

• education objectives for the course:credit or non-credit IIMC Certifica-tion

Please send your letter by March28, 2002, by fax, e-mail or regular mailto:

Linn Teetzel, ConvenorLocal Government ProgramsCapilano College2055 Purcell WayNorth Vancouver, BC V7J 3H5

Phone: 604-986-1911 Ext. 2340Fax: 604-990-7878e-mail: lteetzel@capcollege.bc.ca

AppreciationThanks to the Municipal Finance

Authority of BC for its financial supportthrough the Len Traboulay EducationFund. The funds provided enabledCapilano College to research and devel-op this course. ■

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Where 62% of respondents in1991 said they were highly satis-fied with their jobs, just 45% feelthe same way today. Similarly, 66%said they were highly committedto their jobs in 1991 but only one-half of respondents feel that waytoday.

The average employee is nowworking 45 hours a week in paidemployment, which is up from1991’s 42-hour workweek. Highstress on the job is twice as likelyas it was 10 years ago and thereare more trips to the doctor andmore cases of depression.

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February, 2002 10

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T he Elections Committee has beenbusy working on updates to the Elec-tions Manual. The calendar for the2002 general local election was mailedto all Manual subscribers at the end ofJanuary. Further updates will bereleased during the month of March.We are not anticipating any legislationchanges for this election so the Manualupdates will be mainly geared to othervoting opportunities and a few otherminor changes. Copies of the ElectionsManual can be ordered from the LGMA– order forms are available on the website.

Elections workshops are beingorganized for the Spring. Dates, loca-tions, and registration informationshould be released by the beginning ofMarch. So far we have confirmed theLower Mainland workshop for March

27th at the Shadbolt Centre in Burnaby.The North Central Chapter will hold asession in conjunction with their Chap-ter meeting scheduled for March 12thto 14th.

It was with much regret that wereceived the resignation of ToireasaStrong and Alixe Knighton from theElections Committee. Their expertisewill truly be missed and we wish themwell along the new paths their careersare taking them.

I would like to take this opportuni-ty to sincerely thank all members of theCommittee (Debbie Comis, CarrieMacPhee, Gillian Matthews, BrendaSims, Jim McBride, and Jim Chute) andthe LGMA office staff for their assis-tance with making the Elections Manu-al an excellent resource for local gov-ernment. ■

Elections CommitteeUpdateLee-Ann CraneChair, Elections Committee

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MATI 2 —The Leadership ExperienceJune 16-21, 2002

Bowen Lodge, Bowen Island

T he 6th annual MATI 2 — Leader-ship Experience— will be held atBowen Lodge on Bowen Island fromSunday, June 16 to Friday, June 21,2002.

Senior practitioners in the field oflocal government have designed thisprogram in conjunction with educa-tors, who are familiar with issues fac-ing local government. MATI 2 willprovide participants with opportuni-ties for discussion and interactionwith a widely diverse group of leadingacademic and local government fig-ures.

The format will provide manyopportunities to learn and practiceskills required for effective leaders,theopportunity to learn directly with andfrom some of the most outstandingleaders in local government in BC,andtime to look at specific issues faced byindividual participants.

More information will be avail-able on the CivicInfo website withinthe next few weeks, and brochureswill be distributed through the LGMA.If you have any questions about MATI2, please contact:

Gord Howie, Municipal ManagerDistrict of North VancouverChairman, MATI 2Phone: (604) 990-2206e-mail: ghowie@dnv.org

orLinn Teetzel, ConvenorLocal Government ProgramsCoordinator, MATI 2Capilano College2055 Purcell WayNorth Vancouver, BC V7J 3H5Phone: (604) 986-1911 Ext. 2340e-mail: lteetzel@capcollege.bc.ca

February, 2002 12

•Centrally located •Easily accessible

by air or car.

BBooookk yyoouurr rroooomm nnooww!! To check hotel accommodations

please check the LGMA website at:

www.lgma.ca

Watch for complete program details in the conference registration package

to be mailed in mid March!

• Royal Roads Univer sity wi l l be presenting a focus on NNeeggoottiiaatt iioonn aanndd CCoonnff ll iicctt RReessoolluutt iioonn SSkkii ll llss .

• Presentation from Capi lano Col lege on CCoommmmuunniiccaatt iioonn SSkkii ll llss .• George Duncan with the essential steps in leading the ttrraannssffoorrmmaattiioonn

ooff aa mmuunniicciippaall oorrggaanniizzaatt iioonn iinnttoo aa hhiigghh ppeerrffoorrmmaannccee ccoorrppoorraatt iioonn..• SSuucccceessssiioonn PPllaannnniinngg - Learn how the City of Richmond has planned for

the impact on the wor k force as the “baby boomers” retire.• FFiinnaanncciinngg - One of the many discussions from MMFFAA wil l inc lude the

impact of the Community Char ter as it relates to f inancing.• EEmmeerrggeennccyy PPllaannnniinngg - Experience real l i fe emergencies from small

communit ies to Ground Zero.

Keynote Speakers

Conference Education Sessions

Dynamic Pre-Conference Themes i n c l u d e t w o s t r e a m s :O n e a d d r e s s i n g L a b o u r R e l a t i o n s & t h e Wo r k p l a c e a n d o n e o n F i n a n c e ( G F OA ) .

Social Programs

L G M A A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E

Lesra Mar tin is our keynote speaker and is an inspiring example of the power that one person has to make a dif ference. His story was the subject of a best selling book entitled Lazarus and the Hur ricane and is an integralpar t of the motion picture “The Hur ricane” star ring Denzel Washington. Lesra will relate his powerful story to ourconference theme “Leadership in a Changing Wor ld” and we promise you will come away inspired and motivated.

As the Executive Director of the Urban Futures Institute, David Baxter is a recognized nationalauthority of the real impact of demographics on the Canadian consumer landscape. His analysis of the massive and far-reaching implications of demographic shifts in population are presented in a dynamic and creative fashion. David will set the stage for our panel discussion on the Community Char ter on Thursday morning.

Lesra Mar tin

David Baxter

• Pr e-Confer ence Go l f ing a t Sun R i ver s • Par tner s Progr am - Bear Br ew ing Tour, Ant ique and Her i tage Home Tour,

R i ver K ayak ing, Fly F ish ing & more !• Superb loca l and pro fess iona l enter ta inment throughout the con fer ence !

June 4 - 6 , 2002

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February, 200213

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D uring the first months of the NewYear, a number of improvements arebeing made to the CivicInfo BC web site,located at www.civicinfo.bc.ca. Specifi-cally we will be offering three new orimproved services:an on-line registrationservice,an improved version of the LocalGovernment Act, and an on-lineeducation component.

The first of these services, ournew on-line registration system, isalready live.Designed to make eventmanagement easier, this service willbe of interest to any professionalassociation or local governmentthat may be hosting a conference,workshop, or seminar. The idea behindthe system is to take most of the paper-work out of managing delegate informa-tion, no matter how large or small anevent might be. Through our system,del-egates register through an on-line form,and event organizers can view instantreports about who is registered, whatthey are registered for, and any otherdetails they may wish to know.

The Municipal Finance Authority iscurrently using the registration system

for its annual Financial Forum and AGM,and this spring it will also be used for theLGMA’s Annual Conference in Kamloops.If you have any questions about how thesystem could work for your event,pleasecontact our Victoria office at 250-383-4898.

The second new feature, animproved Local Government Act, will beavailable soon. Over the last year, wehave offered free electronic access to theAct in partnership with Quickscribe Ser-vices Ltd. This has proven to be verypopular with CivicInfo BC users. Thecurrent version of the Act, however, isstatic, requiring manual updates. In thecoming weeks, though, the Act will betied directly into Quickscribe’s legislativedatabase, meaning that as legislation

changes, those changes will be madeinstantly and automatically.

As an added bonus,Quickscribe Ser-vices has also agreed to make some of itson-line legislative services available toCivicInfo BC members at a discountedrate. More details will be released soon.

The third new feature, an “on-line education” component to ourweb site, is currently under devel-opment. CivicInfo BC is workingwith the University of Victoria andCapilano College to develop thisconcept,and in the coming monthswe hope to be able to provide youwith easier access to information

about the professional developmentopportunities available to you. Moredetails will be announced in the comingmonths.

All three changes are meant to com-pliment existing services availablethrough the CivicInfo BC web site. Forthose who may not yet be familiarCivicInfo BC, those services include, butare not limited to:• A searchable database containing

thousands of full-text documents of

New Features and New Services in 2002by Todd Pugh, CivicInfo BC

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improved services…”

February, 2002

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ATTENTIONATTENTIONATTENTIONLooking for the right person to fill a position?The Local Government Management Association and CivicInfo BC have partnered tocreate an effective job posting service that stretches your advertising dollar further.When you place your ad with our service, it reaches a focused audience of thousands— the professional candidates you want to reach! Why spend thousands advertisingin major newspapers? For just $425 plus GST, we will provide:

1. Distribution of the job via the LGMA’s circular system. E-mailed on Mon-days, mailed by request on Fridays.

2. Immediate posting of the job on the CivicInfo BC web site,www.civicinfo.bc.ca. Postings are viewed over 20,000 times per month!

3. Inclusion of the job in CivicInfo BC’s e-mail newsletter every Friday until thecompetition closing date.

If you are a member of the LGMA, and your local government is also a member ofthe CivicInfo BC Society, you are also eligible for discount posting packages:

• 3-Pack. Three postings, valid anytime for one year, for $1125, plus GST.($375 per job; savings of $50 per posting.)

• 5-Pack: Five postings, valid anytime for one year, for $1700, plus GST. ($340per job; savings of $85 per posting.)

Contact us today at 250-383-4898 or e-mail jobpostings@lgma.ca

to start your search!

ATTENTIONHuman Resource Managers!

interest to local government man-agers. (E-mail us at“info@civicinfo.bc.ca” to share infor-mation from your organization.)

• A job posting service, in partnershipwith the Local Government Manage-ment Association of BC. (A great wayto attract qualified people to yourorganization!)

• Local government news stories.• Information about events of interest

to local government professionals.• A free weekly e-mail newsletter.• A “Supplier’s Directory”, where com-

panies who sell goods services tolocal governments can list their infor-mation at a very reasonable price.

Finally, CivicInfo BC’s Board ofDirectors would like to remind local gov-ernments that our 2002 membershipdrive is now in full swing. CivicInfo BCthanks all those who have renewed theirmemberships so far, and a special wel-come is extended to new members.Without support from members andpartner organizations, CivicInfo BCwould simply not be able to offer theinformation services that are currentlyavailable. With your continuing support,though, we look forward to continuingto serve you in the years ahead. ■

CivicInfo BC is an award-winning, web-based

information service for local governments, launched in

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15

February, 2002 16

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understanding@

North Central Municipal Officers’AssociationSubmitted by Harry Mueller, Chapter Representative, NCMOA

Our Spring Conference and AGMare scheduled for March 12 to 14, 2002in Prince George at the Inn of theNorth. Don Schaffer, our Vice-Presi-dent and City Clerk at the City ofPrince George has worked out a greatagenda for all those who live in theNorth and those who wish they did.Members should have their registra-tion packages by the time they readthis.

The program for Wednesday isshaping up like this:

LGMA Election review: JimChute, Past-President, NCMOA, andLGMA Director and his assistants willprovide a run-through of the electionbinder issued in 1999 by the then-MOABC. Please bring your electionbinders with you.

Community Charter update:Jim Chute (yes the same one as above)will provide an update on the Commu-nity Charter as it sat on March 13,2002. That is, as much as he is allowedto tell us, anyway. . . .

Disability Management: Dr.Henry Harder, chairperson of the Uni-versity of Northern B.C.’s new disabili-ty management education program,will present a clinic on recent issues indisability management. Dr. Harder willalso provide information about themasters’ degree program at UNBC inthis subject area. This session will bepresented in conjunction with theHuman Resources Management Associ-ation of BC Northern Chapter.

The banquet will be in the EvanoffRoom.

For Thursday you can look forwardto:

Annual General Meeting:Includes presentation by LGMA presi-dent Gerry Kingston, as well as elec-tion of officers, report from the Chap-ter Representative, discussion of

revamped constitution, and all mannerof other excitement. Do think aboutrunning for office rather than fromoffice.

Municipal Finance Authorityupdate: Steve Berna will bring alongJim Craven for his last hurrah. Ques-tions and answers will be entertainedat the end of the presentation.

Thursday lunch will be in theEvanoff Room.

Non-culpable Issues in LocalGovernment Employment: MichaelAdam of the law firm of Alexander Hol-burn Beaudin and Lang will present aninteractive clinic on identifying anddealing with non-culpable employ-ment issues.

Core Building InspectionBylaw: On behalf of the MunicipalInsurance Association of BC TomBarnes of the law firm of Barnes,Twin-ning and Short will discuss a bylaw toreduce local government liability.

On Friday a post-conference ses-sion is offered in conjunction withHRMA for an additional cost of $187.

Managing Change: Phil Kolbucof Kolbuc and Associates conducts aone-day clinic on managing change inyour organization and your personallife. Mr. Kolbuc is a well-known andwell-respected trainer in Prince Georgeand area who created the ManagementSkills for Supervisors course at the Col-lege of New Caledonia.

With the AGM come elections tothe executive. Now is the time to startconsidering what you can do for yourorganization. Run for office and makea difference.

The Fall Conference is scheduledfor October 22 to 25,2002 at the Inn ofthe North in Prince George. We do notyet know who the Vice President willbe (maybe you) to arrange the confer-ence. If you have ideas you could callDon Schaffer or me.

February, 200217

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Lower Mainland Chapter ReportSubmitted by Trudy Coates, Chapter Representative, LMLGMA

Spring Conference and AnnualGeneral Meeting

Plan now to join us Friday,March 1,2002 at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Sur-rey for a full day of informative presen-tations and association business includ-ing the AGM and executive election.

The morning will focus on sustain-ability and its implications for theLower Mainland in 2003, 2010 andbeyond. A panel of the CAO’s ofWhistler,Vancouver and the GVRD (JimGodfrey, Judy Rogers and Johnny Car-line) and Ken Baker, Manager, Environ-ment and Sustainability, 2010 OlympicBid Corporation and round table dis-cussion will provide an opportunity todiscuss sustainability initiatives andopportunities: organizational, regionaland in the 2010 Olympic Bid.

Other presentations include:Preparing for the Community Charterand Core Building Bylaw – ReducingLocal Government Liability.

In 2001 we switched to individualmemberships. If you have not receivedan annual dues notice, or wish to con-firm your membership is current,please contact Julie Webb or PauletteVetleson. The current list includes justover 100 members representing 31

local governments. Encourage yourpeers to join!

Plans are underway for the FallConference, tentatively scheduled forBowen Island, September 12/13 (FallConference), 2002. We need your feed-back on location and topics to finalizethe plans. Your participation providesan invaluable opportunity to meet withyour peers, exchange information andshare solutions to the many challengeswe face as local government managers.Be sure to call us with any specific top-ics you would like to see on the agen-da.

Visit the LGMA website atwww.lgma.ca to easily access LMLGMAchapter executive contact information.We would love to hear from you!

As my term as Chapter representa-tive to the LGMA Board draws to anend, I extend my thanks to you for thisopportunity – it has been a great expe-rience! ■

Northeastern BCMunicipalities toAssume Control OverPolicing

FORT ST. JOHN - Solicitor General RichColeman approved a proposal to allownortheastern BC municipalities toassume control over policing through-out the region during a recent open cab-inet meeting at the North Peace CulturalCentre.

According to the Alaska HighwayNews,the proposal aims to merge RCMPdetachments in Fort St. John, DawsonCreek, Hudson’s Hope, Chetwynd andTumbler Ridge into one service deliveryarea - an initiative that would give localgovernments in the area more controlover service levels and resource alloca-tion.

Speaking to the Alaska HighwayNews, Coleman expressed his approvalfor the initiative,noting the possibility ofusing it as a template for the entireprovince.“They’re the first region in theprovince that has taken this initiativeand I actually applaud it because we’llmake this our test case, we’ll turn it intoour model.” Coleman also expressedadmiration for the level of co-operationdemonstrated by RCMP detachmentsand local governments in the area,whichhe believes will lead to a more success-ful model.

Fort St.John city manager Colin Grif-fith, one of the area administratorsinvolved in the initiative, told the AlaskaHighway News that under the newregional policing model, policing costswould be contracted on a region-widebasis and funded through an equal taxlevy. “We think that we should haveresponsibility for policing costs as a localgovernment function,” said Griffith.

Several local government leaderspresent at the open cabinet meetingwere reportedly supportive of anincreased role for local government notonly for policing, but also for severalother issues including transportationand the Community Charter - a rolewhich would require increased financialsupport from the provincial governmentas well as more control over spending.

Source: www.civicinfo.bc.ca

The success of the LGMA is based onmembership participation. The Boardwould like to encourage members to volun-teer for the many committees and specialinitiatives undetaken by the LGMA.

If you would like to volunteer yourtime in any capacity, please contact theLGMA office at 250-383-7032. ■

�YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

February, 2002 19

Lisa Zwarn, City Clerk, City of Langley(formerly Administration Manager,Development Services Department, Cityof North Vancouver)

Darci Thompson, Chief Administra-tive Officer and Director of CorporateAdministration,Village of Tahsis (former-ly Director of Recreation,Village of Tah-sis)

Gary Ross, Deputy Chief Administra-tive Officer and Director of Works andServices,Village of Tahsis (formerlySuperintendent of Public Works, -Villageof Tahsis)

Sharon Armella, Director of Finance,Village of Tahsis (formerly Accountant,Village of Tahsis)

Joe Fernandez, Chief AdministrativeOfficer/Clerk-Treasurer,Town of Lady-smith (formerly Treasurer,Town of Lady-smith)

Bob Robertson, Chief AdministrativeOfficer, City of Hamilton (formerly CAO,District of Maple Ridge)

George Harvie, Chief AdministrativeOfficer, District of Delta (formerlyDeputy City Manager, City of Burnaby)

Member Movement

Local Government ManagementAssociation of British Columbia

• Annual Conference, June 4-7, 2002,Kamloops, BC

• MATI 3,April 28 - May 3, 2002,Bowen Island, BC

• MATI 2, June 16-21, 2002, BowenIsland, BC

• MATI 1, August 12-23, 2002,Kelowna, BC

• TOLGMA spring chapter meeting,April 18-19, 2002, location TBA

• NCMOA spring chapter meeting,March 12-14, 2002, Coast Inn of theNorth, Prince George, BC; fall chap-ter meeting, October 22-25, CoastInn of the North, Prince George, BC

• LMLGMA fall chapter meeting Sep-tember 12-13, 2002, Bowen Island,BC

• RMLGMA spring chapter meeting,May 9-10, 2002, Fairmont HotSprings

• VILGMA spring chapter meeting,April 18-19, 2002, Qualicum Beach,BC

• WKMOA spring chapter meeting,May 9-10, 2002, Fairmont HotSprings

International Institute of MunicipalClerks (IIMC) Annual Conference,May 19-23, 2002, San Antonio TX

Federation of Canadian Municipali-ties Annual (FCM) Conference, May31-June 3, 2002, Hamilton, ON

Government Finance Officers’ Asso-ciation (GFOA) Annual Conference,June 16-19, 2002, Denver, CO

International City Managers Associa-tion (ICMA) Annual Conference, Sep-tember 29-October 2, 2002, Philadel-phia, PA

Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)Annual Conference, September 23-27,2002,Whistler Conference Centre,Whistler, BC

Upcoming EventsOn November 21, 2001, the Board ofExaminers awarded IntermediateCertificates in Local GovernmentAdministration to:Jim Gordon, Deputy Clerk,Village ofChase Diane Hiscock, Deputy Treasurer,Regional District of Fraser-Fort GeorgeRuth Tolerton, former City Clerk,City of Port MoodyAudrey Welk, Deputy CorporateAdministrator, City of KimberlyRobert Woodland, Corporate Admin-istrator, City of VictoriaSheryl Worthing, Director of Finan-cial Services,Village of Burns Lake

Senior Certificates were awarded to:Colleen Bawn, Director of Adminis-tration, District of Powell RiverBrian Woodward, Administrator,Town of Sylvan Lake,AB (formerlyAdministrator, District of Stewart)

A General Certificate was awarded toTrevor Kushner, Superintendent ofPublic Works, City of Duncan

An Advanced Certificate wasawarded toGord Horth, Administrator,Town of Ladysmith

Certificates

The Golden KeyCareer Success and Job SurvivalSecretsTom B. CooperNext Stop Consulting andPublishing Company Inc.www.career-secrets.com

The author touches on everythingfrom personal appearance to makingpresentations, and he outlines a varietyof workplace situations that offeropportunities to boost your chancesfor advancement over other candi-dates.

There is also a chapter thatexplains to you how to know when it’stime to leave your company. ■

Bookmark

February, 200218

Municipal Sector Search Specialist

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e-mail: grant.c.smith@ca.pwcglobal.com

Grant C. SmithVice PresidentExecutive Search

PricewaterhouseCoopers1111 West Hastings StreetVancouver, BC V6E 3R2Direct Phone: (604) 806 7715Direct Fax: (604) 806 7749

Stantec Consulting Ltd.40 Years of Service to B.C. Governments

Stantec provides complete engineeringand planning services from 5 B.C.

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“C hange is out of our control, andthe way we deal with change is out-moded and ineffective. Our organiza-tions assume that we live with a differ-ent, slow time cycle.”

That’s marketing guru, Seth Godin,discussing the realities of today’s busi-ness world in his recently publishedbook, Survival Is Not Enough. Godinobserves that Darwin was right. Evolu-tion is a powerful, fundamental force ofnature. Interestingly, the father of evo-lutionary biology wrote the forewordto Godin’s book. No kidding.

What does Darwin and evolution-ary biology have to do with running abusiness today? Well, believe it or not,plenty. Godin notes that most compa-nies will disappear in the future. It is awell-known fact that 99.9 percent of allspecies that have ever existed have per-ished.This fact of nature doesn’t appearto be well appreciated by senior exec-utives and analysts on Wall Street...yet.

Godin argues that no businessstrategy can succeed forever. There isno fixed law of business that deter-mines the length of time during whichany organization endures. Speciationand natural selection are just as much apart of the business world as the bio-logical world.

Godin notes that there have beenfour significant structural changes inbusiness over the last twenty years.These are:

The speed at which we make deci-sions is now the factor that limits thespeed of decisions.

The Internet has made informa-tion close to free and close to ubiqui-tous, further fueling the need forspeed.

There’s only one market-the glob-al market.

Metcalfe’s law (networks get morepowerful as the number of people andthings connected increases) hasreached infinity.

Godin points out that in the past,all corporate strategy has been basedon one fundamental assumption: Wecan predict the future and influenceits course through our actions. How-ever, the reality is that uncertainty andchaos are better bets to make in thetwenty-first century. As a result, heargues that the uber corporate strate-gy should be this: Build a companythat’s so flexible and responsive, bothin the long term and the short termthat we don’t care what happens inthe future.

Godin believes that as long asthere’s lots of noise, disorganizationand change in the business landscape,this corporate strategy will win. Aschange continues to create more tur-bulence, organizations should remem-ber that evolution-that is, inheritablemodifications over many generations-is the best way for a species torespond to change. He points out thatmany organizations fight hard to stopevolution because they are afraid ofchange. However, change is the newnorm, and organizations will eitherembrace this notion or fade away.

Put simply, in a world of accelerat-ing change, flexible organizations sur-vive and inflexible ones perish.

Source: Trilogy Advisors website. Trilogy Advisors, LLC is a

New York-based investment advisory firm with a simple

mission: to help our clients reach their financial goals

through innovative research and disciplined investing.

They can be contacted through their website,

www.trilogyadvisors.com

Survival is Not EnoughSteve Waite and Max Jacobs

TipsFoster professional growth by

holding “feedback loop” sessions withkey employees. Identify one behaviouryou want them to improve — and onebehaviour you admire and want them tocontinue.

Take control of your career byraising the ante when your boss evalu-ates your performance. Acknowledgeyour manager’s criteria for judging you;then add,“I’ve set even higher expecta-tions for myself”and elaborate if asked.

Arrange job exchanges in whichemployees take on each other’s respon-sibilities for a half-day. Example: Have afile clerk change places with a mailroomsorter.

Source: Communication Briefings, June 2001.

20February, 2002

Local Government Management Association737 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2V1

Return Requested

www.lgma.ca

Visit theLGMA

Website!

Visit theLGMA

Website!

Mark your calendar for the

LGMA Annual ConferenceJune 4-7, 2002 in Kamloops.

The theme of this year’s conference is

“Leadership in a

Changing World”.

1938-39 . . . . . . .1939-40 . . . . . . .1940-41 . . . . . . .1941-42 . . . . . . .1942-43 . . . . . . .1943-44 . . . . . . .1944-45 . . . . . . .1945-46 . . . . . . .1946-47 . . . . . . .1947-48 . . . . . . .1949-50* . . . . . . .1950-51 . . . . . . .1951-52 . . . . . . .1952-53 . . . . . . .1953-54 . . . . . . .1954-55 . . . . . . .1955-56 . . . . . . .1956-57 . . . . . . .1957-58 . . . . . . .1958-59 . . . . . . .1959-60 . . . . . . .1960-61 . . . . . . .1961-62 . . . . . . .1962-63 . . . . . . .1963-64 . . . . . . .1964-65 . . . . . . .1965-66 . . . . . . .1966-67 . . . . . . .1967-68 . . . . . . .1968-69 . . . . . . .1969-70 . . . . . . .1970-71 . . . . . . .1971-72 . . . . . . .1972-73 . . . . . . .1973-74 . . . . . . .1974-75 . . . . . . .1975-76 . . . . . . .1976-77 . . . . . . .1977-78 . . . . . . .

1978-79 . . . . . . .1979-80 . . . . . . .1980-81 . . . . . . .1981-82 . . . . . . .1982-83 . . . . . . .1983-84 . . . . . . .1984-85 . . . . . . .1985-86 . . . . . . .1986-87 . . . . . . .1987-88 . . . . . . .1988-89 . . . . . . .1989-90 . . . . . . .1990-91 . . . . . . .1991-92 . . . . . . .1992-93 . . . . . . .1993-94 . . . . . . .1994-95 . . . . . . .1995-96 . . . . . . .1996-97 . . . . . . .1997-98 . . . . . . .1998-99 . . . . . . .1999-2000 . . . . . .2000-2001 . . . . . .2001-2002 . . . . . .

B.C. Bracewell . . . . .E.S. Fox . . . . . . . .G.H.Dunn . . . . . . .M.F. Hunter . . . . . .F.Jones . . . . . . . .R.Leigh . . . . . . . .W.E. Greene . . . . .H.M. Davenport . . . .J.J. Lye . . . . . . . .H.M. Levey . . . . . .F.L Kitto . . . . . . .A.G. Brine . . . . . . .R.A. Harrison . . . . .C.B. Brown . . . . . .R. C. Palmer . . . . .C.E. Brannan . . . . .R. Thompson . . . . .R.C. Gibbs . . . . . . .C.W.R. Harper . . . . .A. VandeCasteyen . . .l. Garven . . . . . . .R. W. Long . . . . . .R.N. Chester . . . . . .R. E. King . . . . . . .J.C. Mehain . . . . . .G. Hayward . . . . . .E. E. Chace . . . . . .C. A. Jeffrey . . . . . .G. H. Carroll . . . . .H. W. Cooper . . . . .N.E. Woodard . . . . .J. E. Hiebert . . . . .T.M. Youngberg . . . .E.E. Green . . . . . .D. A. Manning . . . . .J. M. McVea . . . . . .D. J. Doubleday . . . .F. Bertoia . . . . . . .P. Pattullo . . . . . . .

R. Hollatz . . . . . . .H. Hall . . . . . . . .L. Ormiston . . . . . .J. Murray . . . . . . .D. G. Morris . . . . . .B. Kennedy . . . . . .C. Crisp . . . . . . . .W. d’Easum . . . . . .N. Cook . . . . . . . .G. Paul . . . . . . . .G. Howie . . . . . . .R. Born . . . . . . . .H. Hansen . . . . . . .K. Tollstam . . . . . .R. O’Genski . . . . . .Brian Ritchie . . . . .Robert D. WilsonM. Warwick . . . . . .A. Carrel . . . . . . .M. Phelan . . . . . . .C. Griffith . . . . . . .G. McIntosh . . . . . .P. Ferguson . . . . . .G. H. Kingston . . . .

PentictonDuncanKelownaVictoriaVancouverPort CoquitlamSaanichMaple RidgePort MoodyKamloopsPort AlbemiNew WestminsterWest VancouverBurnabyRichmondVictoriaVancouverCity of North VancouverNelsonNorth CowichanVemonPrince RupertSurreyPort CoquitlamKamloopsSaanichKamloopsPrince GeorgeRichmondPentictonDistrict of North VancouverComox-Strathcona RDRichmondQuesnelNew WestminsterPowell RiverDistrict of LangleyEast KootenayPrince Rupert

PentictonKelownaDistrict of West VancouverDistrict of Powell RiverDistrict of ColdstreamPrince GeorgeVictoriaComox-Strathcona R.D.District of MissionPentictonDistrict of RichmondCity of KelownaCity of Dawson CreekCity of North VancouverDistrict of North SaanichDistrict of MackenzieCity of LangleyDistrict of West VancouverCity of RosslandDistrict of SecheltCity of Ft. St. JohnIslands TrustCity of ArmstrongFraser Valley RD

Past Presidents of the LGMA (MOA)

* Because of the flooding of the Fraser Valley, there was no election in 1948**June 2000 the Municipal Officers’ Association changed its name to the Local

Government Management Association