Curious about Local Government? Thinking of running for Council?
When? Monday, August 27, 2018
Hosted by? Your Local Government
Where? 445 – 13th Avenue (Castlegar Community Forum)
Time? 4:30pm - 8:30 pm
Despite your initial reaction, government
is not a four letter word. Too often, we criticize it and complain about it asif it were the enemy. Federal and provincial partisan governments get lumped in
with local government often leaving a sour taste in people’s mouth.
But your local government is different.It is designed to be representative of your greater community. It can and does
respond to local needs. It is you. Your Mayor and Council is made up of your neighbors,your friends, your fellow citizens. They are not professional politicians.
There are no party lines to follow. Despite the inherent criticism, they all run for office to make your
community a better place. Ideas differ. Priorities are not always shared. Thisis a good thing. It means our communities get robust representation. We want to
elect people who care.
However, caring in and of itself, is notenough. Knowing how to govern is slightly more complicated than just having an
opinion. Policy governance takes both understanding and practiced skills. Themost effective elected officials are the ones who understand the system, not
the ones who blame the system. Change comes through knowledge andimplementation, not through tearing down.
With local government elections this
fall, we have an opportunity for the community to give serious consideration towho is going to be representing them over the next term. This matters because local
government has the greatest impact on your day to day life. Local governmentowns and operates infrastructure that provides the foundation for the health,
well-being, and economic prosperity of communities across the country.Dependable core services, such as water, sewer, transportation networks, fire
halls, recreation amenities, and more, make up the built environment and existto provide these basic necessities of life that residents rely on every day. As
a result, leadership practices that promote long term sustainability for futuregenerations are critical.
Excellence in local government demands both
knowledgeable candidates and an engaged, proactive citizenry. Come join twoseasoned politicians with 20 plus years of experience for a community
engagement and candidate readiness workshop! Whether you are thinking of runningfor office or you care about electing the best candidates that will be shaping
the future of your community, this workshop is for you. Invest just a few hoursto get educated and enjoy an interactive discussion as together we explore:
- What are the roles and responsibilities of local government and its elected officials?
- How do we attract and elect the best people for the job?
- What are some attributes that are vital in a local leader?
- What do I need to take into consideration before putting my name forward?
Challenge yourself to deepen your
understanding about what it takes to sustain these services. Set your criticismsand past experience aside and bring a healthy dose of creative curiosity.
All this excitement takes place at Castlegar
Community Forum at 445 – 13th Avenue in Castlegar on Monday, August 27th from 4:30pm to 8:30 pm. Light refreshments will be served. Mark it on your calendar now!