Municipal councils depend on the information provided to them for many of the crucial decisions they make. There is a link between the planning that goes into a staff report and the ease of implementation of the resulting council resolution.

How many times have you heard these comments?

• Staff didn’t provide enough detail in the reports
• Council members don’t read the reports or the agendas
• Council meetings are too long
• That report should also be a presentation
• Staff reports are too long and detailed to understand
• That recommendation needs to be explained better

In this workshop, participants will learn how to hone their report writing skills with instructors covering everything from how to include the necessary details while keeping writing clear and concise, to writing in a way that engages readers and provides them with accurate information and key messages needed to make a decision. Writing staff reports that are reader-centred requires an understanding of the needs of both the reader and the author, along with the public.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the key areas of report writing:
  • Report structure
  • Planning the report
  • Drafting the report
  • Writing the report
• Discover tools and techniques to plan and write an effective report
• Understand what belongs in a report and what doesn’t
• Know how to utilize a report writing checklist for efficiency
• Understand best practices for writing reports for closed meeting items
• Know the guidelines to utilize to write an executive summary
• Understand how staff reports can assist with effective meeting management 

Ideal For:

• Any municipal staff responsible for preparing and writing reports for council.
• Professionals in the public and private sector responsible for drafting reports, memos or documents.
   

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This workshop will explore the various ways in which your organization can meet its legislative obligations for records and information management. We will discuss the necessary policies and procedures for ensuring proper compliance, as well as additional steps for ongoing training and the development of practical tools for staff.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the importance of a functioning Records and Information Management (RIM) program
• Develop a high-level plan for reaching compliance
• Understand the connection between RIM and Freedom of Information/Privacy (FOI/P)
• Develop strategies for effectively managing paper, digital and other records and information formats
• Know how to develop and implement policies, training, and other tools
• Know what to consider for an Electronic Document Records Management Solution (EDRMS)

Ideal For:

• Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs)
• Clerks and Deputy Clerks
• Professionals responsible for record keeping and Freedom of Information/Privacy duties

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Project portfolio management is the effective and efficient high-level oversight and administration of tasks that enables project managers and project management offices (PMOs) to analyze and collectively manage current or proposed projects. In this workshop, discover how organizations implement Modern Project Management by creating an enabling environment, and continually developing their competencies. Learn how to manage diverse project portfolios, engage stakeholders and improve overall project delivery.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand and know how to apply the concepts of Modern Project Management
• Discover how to create an enabling environment to improve project and service delivery
• Understand the difference between Managing Project Portfolio, Stakeholders and Capital Projects
• Understand the evolution of project management and its influence on modern day business
• Discover how to develop and leverage your skills in Project Management to benefit your team and organization

Ideal For:

• Municipal employees, leaders and managers who lead or work on projects and are committed to realize their organizational goals by becoming project champions, project sponsors, project managers and/or project team members

• Individuals who are inclined to experience a deeper dive into project management as a core competency and enabling their organizations to achieve their goals by leveraging from Modern Project Management

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Organizations across Ontario are required to comply with accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. This workshop will review important legislative requirements and provide an introductory-level overview of how to create accessible documents. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand important AODA compliance and review the Guidance on Applying WCAG 2.0 to Non-Web Information and Communications Technologies​​​
• Know best practices for creating accessible documents using:
  •     Microsoft Word
  •     Microsoft Excel
  •     Microsoft PowerPoint
  •     Adobe Portable Document Formats (PDFs)

Ideal For:

• Municipal employees, leaders and managers who develop content using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) who are committed to becoming accessibility champions within their organizations

• Individuals who are inclined to experience a deeper dive into various functions embedded in Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat PDF, to assist in creating accessible documents 
   

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This workshop will provide participants with an understanding of what systemic racism is and where it comes from. Learn about Canada's long history of systemic and institutional racism that often gets overlooked and see how these issues have created a profound ripple effect that is still felt today. Participants will also learn the common mistakes most organizations make when attempting to create a diverse and inclusive environment for employees and clients. Discover what should be done on an individual and organizational level to produce meaningful, positive change.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the complex nature of addressing diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Understand the value and importance of inclusive practices 
• Gain knowledge of foundational truths that will increase desire to be part of the solution 
• Empower individuals to develop and implement action plans 
• Gain tools and strategies to create a diverse and inclusive environment

Ideal For:

• All internal and external service providers 
•  HR managers and recruitment leads
•  All supervisors, managers, and team leaders
• All executive leaders

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Understanding the nuances of body language, tone of voice and the role that trusted relationships play in establishing effective communication is critical when it comes to leading and managing teams. Leaders also need to have excellent listening skills and be able to provide feedback in a way that inspires and motivates. This workshop will breakdown how to build and deliver clear and concise communications using plain language, credible and accurate information, the right tools, timing and channels to get your message across. Learn about core competencies to be able to hone your communication and leadership skills and develop appropriate proactive and reactive responses.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the impact of message clarity 
• Understand and apply communication theories 
• Understand and demonstrate effective use of tone, timing and non-verbal communication
• Identify methods for building and maintaining trusted relationships 
• Appreciate the difference between, and the need for, two levels of trust
• Differentiate between motivational feedback and developmental feedback and the relative importance of each
• Understand and apply an eight-step model for providing effective workplace feedback

Ideal For:

• Municipal managers
• Supervisors
• Department heads and project leads
• Mid-level managers and aspiring leaders
• Those looking to improve their communication skills

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This workshop will provide an overview and understanding of the basic elements and principles of municipal budgeting and financial planning. Participants will explore how to make sense of financial reports and documents, how to evaluate long and short-term operational decisions using financial data, how to support, develop and present business cases using financial data. Discussions on the municipal budget process, best practices and outcomes will evolve through interactive dialogue. Participants will also discuss and review the process of developing, approving, monitoring and reporting on budgets, both operating and capital, in a municipal environment.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify and understand legislation and best practices pertaining to municipal budgeting 
• Understand municipal budget best practices 
• Understand budget trends and forecasting  
• Realize the essential value of communications in budgeting 
• Recognize the impact of property taxation, fees and other revenues 
• Appreciate the growing focus and significance of budgets and financial planning for operations and capital asset management

Ideal For:

• Entry and mid-level municipal staff in operating and support services departments – specifically those responsible for developing, monitoring and reporting budgets

• Administration and customer service professionals responsible for responding to inquiries from key stakeholders 

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The Marriage of Act has many regulations under which an "Officiant" - clerk or designate, must be familiar with and able to perform and administer civil marriage solemnization. In addition, regulations identified under the Municipal Act must be respected. This workshop will review all of the critical components of both the Marriage Act as well as the Municipal Act and the legal obligations which must be addressed within each ceremony. Participants will review the full process – everything from first contact with potential clients up to and until the ceremony has been performed and completed. Participants will also learn about other judicial elements that may not be within the Act, but that are nevertheless critical to the effective process – this includes details around events, documents, venues, and other specific situations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify the right questions to be prepared to ask and answer including communicating important information couples need to know before the wedding date
• Understand how to navigate various ceremony situations that may arise
• Identify key processes and timelines
• Understand potential duties that may be asked of you outside of legal obligations
• Identify the appropriate language to perform ceremonies in

Ideal For:

• Municipal clerks and staff within the clerk’s department
• Individuals who aspire to work with municipalities under the clerk’s delegation and/or what can be expected as a contract agreement
   

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Parliamentary Procedures and its Rules are one of the most basic fundamental requirements needed when participating in a meeting. Regardless of the type of meeting – Council, Board, Committee, Sports organization, etc. – participants expect to have the meeting properly led with business conducted to a satisfactory outcome. While we all expect meeting procedures to be well orchestrated, oftentimes we leave a meeting feeling frustrated and without a clear sense of outcomes or direction. This may be due to a lack of knowledge for proper meeting procedures and rules surrounding effective actions.

Parliamentary Procedures although basic in nature, provide key guidelines around what should be done in meetings and ways in which you can help your meeting Chair and Members to properly manoeuvre the many decisions that need to be made. This workshop will explore the various motions and how best to use them within meeting procedures.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand meeting best practices and the most up-to-date Robert’s Rules of Order
• Know the difference between standing rules vs. administrative rules
• Know how to handle motions and understand the basic steps for the consideration of Main motions vs. other motions
• Know the meaning behind various motions and how to apply them
• Know the difference between privileged motions vs. incidental motions
• Know how to apply the motion of reconsideration vs. a motion to amend a motion previously adopted
• Identify various motions and their functions
• Develop your leadership skills in chairing and managing an effective meeting

Ideal For:

• Individuals required to Chair or lead a meeting
• Individuals required to assist the Chair and its Members
• Elected officials
• Municipal clerks
• Board secretaries
• Committee recording secretaries
• Senior management
• Administrative staff
• Individuals interested in furthering their knowledge and skills surrounding the governance of meetings 

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This workshop engages participants to understand complex customer service challenges in the public sector. Through interactive exercises participants will learn how to respect, manage, and adapt to various customer types using customer service theory and various communication approaches. Working on communication tools, considering an equity lens and practicing de-escalation techniques, participants will leave with a greater confidence in how to overcome various challenges in order to deliver more effective, positive customer service.

Learning Outcomes:

• The ability to hone your customer service even in difficult times
• Understand the nuances of public service customer excellence and which systemic issues need to be considered and addressed 
• Identify, respect and respond to the various types of customers 
• Understand the value of inclusive customer service and how to apply an inclusive approach 
• Develop tools to effectively manage conflict and de-escalate challenging situations
• Gain more confidence dealing with challenging situations

Ideal For:

• All customer service and frontline staff
• Public-facing departments and communication teams
• HR managers
• Managers responsible for refining customer service processes and approaches 

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This workshop will cover the application of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) using real-world examples in an interactive and engaging session. Learn about key MFIPPA topics such as Processing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, legislative exemptions and exclusions, developing a Freedom of Information/Privacy program in your municipality, and gain a stronger understanding of privacy obligations.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the legislative requirements of MFIPPA
• Know how to process MFIPPA requests (including exemptions, exclusions, and third-party consultations)
• Understand how to operationalize privacy obligations
• Know how to develop policies and strategies for Freedom of Information 

Ideal For:

• Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs)
• Clerks and deputy clerks
• Professionals responsible for administering MFIPPA

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Other available workshop topics include:

• Fraud and white-collar crime in municipalities
• Risk Management Practices and Strategies
• Contract Tendering and Legal Requirements for Municipalities 
• Effective Grant Proposals 
• Inclusive Customer Service
• De-escalating and Conflict Resolution
• Clerks 101
• Council Orientation
• Drafting Municipal By-Laws
• Municipal Lottery Licensing Administration
• Crisis Communications
• Building Dynamic Teams in Municipal Government
• Developing and Retaining a High-Performance Staff
• Social media and Municipal Websites

Don’t see what you are looking for on this list? Reach out to our team today!