Community Development / Citizen Engagement
As voter turnout continues to decrease so does the challenge for elected officials to engage citizens. This course will teach methods on how to remove common barriers to citizen and community engagement. Participants will be taught when to inform, discuss, gather information, engage or partner. The course will examine the role citizen participation plays in building strong, vibrant communities. Elected officials will discuss methods to empower community groups. Participants will also be given tools to guide and support the relationship between council, administration, the public and media.

• Learn how to work with community groups, organizations and other governments to develop services and solutions.
• Develop effective approaches to managing change.
• Understand the impact that municipal governments have on communities and stakeholder groups.

Economic Development
A vibrant economy is the heart of any successful municipality. This course will serve as an introduction to the concepts around municipal economic development. Participants will look at ways to foster development through a variety of techniques including tourism, business development and regional collaboration. . Participants will be better positioned to leverage their community’s assets to create sustainable and vibrant places to live. Topics to be discussed include what to look for when doing market and financial feasibility analyses as well as the right approach to meeting both urban and rural needs.

Supplementary course,
Community Building
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Understand the role of economic development in promoting the community.
• Identify opportunities to work with neighbouring communities to undertake joint economic development

Emergency Preparedness Planning
If disaster strikes, is your community ready? Is your emergency plan up-to-date and does it fully cover the short-term and long-term restoration of services? This course will examine the key components of an Emergency Preparedness Plan and your responsibilities as an elected official. Participants will be taught the importance of continuously refining, updating and improving existing emergency preparedness plans. Topics to be discussed include proven approaches to supporting response efforts as well as how to successfully recover from a disaster.

Supplementary course,,
Community Building
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Understand Alberta’s emergency management legislation and framework.
• Explain the key elements of disaster preparedness and their roles in an emergency or disaster.
• Develop and maintain a municipal emergency preparedness plan.
• Identify and manage risks associated with municipal disaster planning

Infrastructure
Municipal governments face the daunting task of maintaining aging municipal infrastructure while at the same time coping with the increased demand for new infrastructure. This course will teach elected officials strategies to appropriately respond to these challenges. Participants will learn how to assess current resources and the approaches required to build and maintain an effective and sustainable infrastructure base.

Supplementary course,
Community Building
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Create a comprehensive infrastructure development plan to guide capital planning decisions.
• Explain how infrastructure investment and maintenance relates to sustainability.
• Understand how infrastructure condition assessments directs a capital replacement plan.

Affordable Housing
Communities throughout Alberta are under more pressure than ever to provide adequate affordable housing. This course will look at the issue of affordable housing and present a number of innovative options to address the challenges surrounding it. An important discussion will focus on the roles of government, business and nonprofit providers and the importance of cooperation. Participants will be taught the tools and strategies required to engage all stakeholders and build sustainable communities.

Supplementary course,
Community Building
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Define what affordable housing means and understand its impact on municipalities.
• Identify creative alternatives for providing affordable housing.
• Develop communication strategies regarding affordable housing that engage the community and manage expectations.

Sustainability
How do you want your community to look and how can you make this happen? In this course, participants will discuss the challenges faced by municipalities in developing sustainable communities while facing various constraints. Participants will explore how to bring about community-based change through sustainable development. Discussions will be held on the components of sustainability and on how healthy communities incorporate physical, financial, human, cultural, social and political capital into a model of community sustainability. Participants will be taught ways to invigorate local economies into financially viable, environmentally sound, and socially responsible models.

Supplementary course,
Community Building
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Learn how to develop a future vision for the community based on different components of sustainability (example: economic, social, cultural, environmental, governance).
• Learn how to align existing and future plans with sustainability principles.
• Engage the community in a dialogue that will lead to a sustainable future.