Kamloops Councillors, TNRD directors, and the CAOs of the two arrived in Saskatoon this morning for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)75th annual convention today. As many already know, Councillor Nancy Bepple is running for a seat on the FCM board. I spent a working lunch with her, discussing her election speech. I really enjoy thinking through campaigns.
This is my first time at an FCM convention and it is amazing to meet local government elected folks from across the country. These are people who could form part of a collaborative network of information sharing. Got my hands wide open for business cards!
Checking in for the conference went very smoothly. Of note in the delegate package: a travel size package of Saskatoon berry jams and syrup from the City of Saskatoon, a Kraft hockeyville hockey puck, and an wireless electronic voting pad on a lanyard.
Nancy and I attended a conference related "tweetup" this evening and a Council of Canadians reception (moatly focusing on a new trade agreement between Canada and Europe that the Council of Canadians is concerned about.) The "tweetup" was a great way to meet others in a fun way and to learn more about using twitter as an effective tool in public service. Ended the evening crafting an email with Nancy reporting to BC local governments about plans for the FCM BC caucus meeting tomorrow morning.
Sitting in The Big Chair: Being Mayor for the Day....
Today, I had the honour of chairing a council meeting. Mayor Milobar had to travel to the coast for the first meeting of the new provincial / municipal RCMP contract committee and it is my month to be deputy Mayor. Every councillor takes a month and we all just cycle through the year as the Mayor's backup.
Chairing a council meeting as deputy Mayor is really different than participating when not chairing. Your concerns shift from asking questions and providing meaningful input to making sure all are given a chance to speak and that the meeting moves along in as timely manner as possible. It is a real balance to allow colleagues time to ask questions and speak to motions AND to make sure the meeting is conducted within a three to three and half hour time frame (that's usually the maximum before we all start to get really squirelly). It is pretty intense being in a council meeting, lots of meaty issues, cameras always rolling, media watching.
The actual Mayor does a much better job of chairing the meeting while also asking questions and providing meaningful input. Mayor Milobar has even more respect from me after today. Since being elected again in 2011, I've found Pete chairs a great meeting - but I really had no idea of all the stuff you need to juggle.
Looking forward to getting back to my regular seat next week and also really thankful for the experience and practice.
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