Municipal Governance
Governance is the fundamental means by which elected officials connect the public they serve to the municipal entity they represent. This course explores the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and how a council makes effective decisions within the legislative and governance framework in Alberta. Participants will gain an appreciation for basic governance principles of representation, decision making, stewardship and accountability and how to ensure that the powers, duties and functions of the municipality are appropriately discharged.

Core Course,
Effective Governance
Core Competency

2-day session, Fee: $500

• Understand the relationship of provincial legislation, municipal policy and decision making.
• Clarify how a municipal council makes decisions and is accountable for action.
• Identify opportunities to engage public stakeholders.
• Identify ethical considerations in municipal decision making and understand pecuniary interest provisions contained in the Municipal Government Act.
• Understand the Council /CAO relationship.

Municipal Leadership
What qualities make for a strong leader? This course focuses on leadership qualities including creating a vision, setting priorities, seeking solutions, enabling others to act, and managing change. The goal of this course is to encourage elected officials to understand their leadership style, and how this affects decision-making, delegation of responsibility and collaboration with members of Council and the public. Participants will learn about personal leadership growth strategies.

Core course,
Effective Governance
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Understand the differences between leadership and management.
• Understand the importance of effective leadership strategies and the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and the CEO.
• Identify personal leadership styles and how this affects performance and relationships.
• Identify leadership qualities that distinguish effective leaders.
• Develop techniques for improving teamwork and collaborative decision making.

Ethics
Ethics define the nature of public professions, and elected officials who are guided by ethics are more likely to make decisions using professional and moral criteria. This is critical in today’s environment. This course is designed to help elected officials understand their fiduciary, ethical and moral obligations as public servants. Participants will examine pecuniary interest; the balance between transparency and confidentiality; the use of sound moral judgment; and actions that are ethically defensible. Expectations of municipal leaders, and managing competing demands in a way that keeps the public trust will be examined. Participants will learn about ethical principles and their application to situations where conflicting values exist.

Core course,
Effective Governance
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Identify the value and opportunities of working collaboratively within a region to foster the development of self-reliant and sustainable communities and regions.
• Examine the range of municipal services that can be delivered on a regional or collaborative basis.
• Understand the mechanisms and decision making processes under which regional partnerships can be established and operated.

Regional Partnerships and Collaboration
Collaboration within regions is an important step towards effectively serving the public. This course will examine the value and opportunities of inter-municipal partnerships and partnerships between municipalities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within a region. Using a case study method, participants will learn how to identify collaborative opportunities and how to negotiate and establish the parameters for a service partnership. The scope of partnerships, governance structures, delivery mechanisms and cost sharing arrangements will be identified. Efficiency, effectiveness and innovation through regional collaboration will be explored.

Supplementary course,
Effective Governance
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Identify the value and opportunities of working collaboratively within a region to foster the development of self-reliant and sustainable communities and regions.
• Examine the range of municipal services that can be delivered on a regional or collaborative basis.
• Understand the mechanisms and decision making processes under which regional partnerships can be established and operated.

Municipal / Provincial Legislation
The study of law can be intimidating, but knowledge of law is key to strong municipal governance. This course focuses on Alberta’s legislative framework with a specific examination of the Municipal Government Act and municipal regulations. Other legislation to be reviewed is: Local Authorities Election Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Safety Codes Act and the Police Act. Participants will explore ramifications of legal decisions impacting the actions of municipal government. Supplementary course, Effective Governance Core Competency, 1 day session, Fee: $300

Supplementary course
Strategy and Business Acumen
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Review the history of municipal legislation in Alberta.
• Understand how the Government of Alberta develops legislation governing municipalities, and review proposed changes to legislation and what they mean to municipalities.
• Understand the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and other acts that directly impact the governance and operation of Alberta municipalities.
• Understand the policy/management dichotomy established in the MGA.
• Understand the legal ramifications of municipal actions that have been tested in Courts of Law and what these precedents mean to policy decisions.

Effective Decision Making
The complexity and time pressures of public office can leave elected officials with little time to consider public challenges. When elected officials possess a framework for discussing public issues and challenges, they are more likely to engage in effective problem solving. This course will examine techniques and models to assist elected officials with timely and informed decisions.

Core course,
Effective Governance
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Learn how to analyze problems, uncover facts and use information to make effective decisions.
• Identify techniques to uncover underlying issues and use creative problem solving methods to address challenges.
• Examine frameworks and skill sets of collaborative problem solving and decision making, including decisionimplementation techniques.
• Determine which decision-implementation technique will work in different situations.

Land Use and Development Approval
Land use and the development approval process are high profile activities in Alberta’s booming economy and are core municipal functions. In this course, participants will learn how the process works. Participants will explore the role of council and other approval bodies. and factors council should consider in land use planning. Participants will examine how an orderly, consistent system of land use and development approval contributes to healthy and viable communities.

Supplementary course,
Effective Governance
Core Competency

1 day session, Fee: $300

• Understand the importance of land use planning and its link to long-term sustainability.
• Understand the base planning requirements as well as the approval and appeals process for Alberta municipalities.
• Learn the role of council and government approval bodies in the planning process.
• Explain the similarities and differences between inter- and intra-municipal planning.
• Use tools such as MDPs and IDPs to assist in land use planning.