The School of Community Government

Community Government Management

A program designed for Senior Managers and aspiring managerial staff to manage and administer community government operations.

Who can take the courses?

These programs are open to both existing senior managers or aspiring managerial staff who wish to enhance their present skills, and knowledge or gain new skills and information.

What will I learn?

Learners participate in such courses as community financial management, and municipal law, human resource management as well as office organization and business.

Partners

This Program is offered in partnership with the Local Government Administrators of the NWT.

Program Outline

The Community Government Management Program has been designed to facilitate the work of leadership development by exploring ideas and practices that create shared vision, sustainable government and human services of the highest quality.  

There are 10 courses in the program.  Students are required to complete all courses to be eligible to receive a “Certificate in Management” from the School of Community Government.   Each course is 45 hours.

Core Courses

Specialized Courses:

Course Descriptions

Communications

This course prepares leaders to communicate effectively in writing and speech.  At the end of this course the participant will be well prepared for any communications task required in his or her work as a Northern community leader. Participants will also have developed an appreciation of the value of excellence in personal communication.  Topics include communication theory, the written word, oral communication and the media.

Community Based Planning and Implementation

This course assists community leaders in improving the condition or their community.  Topics include understanding change, understanding your community, the tools of participation, understanding the human component and ensuring a successful progression.

General Financial Practices at the Community Level

This course provides information on the roles, responsibilities and skill sets of a financial manager.  Topics include the role of the financial manager, accounting and financial concepts, internal control, cash management, tax administration and other government reporting.

Governance with you Councils and Boards

This course is about how Councils and Boards work when Council members are: committed to the future of the community; have a clear, written understanding of their roles and responsibilities; and, are actively ‘listening’ to the residents they serve.  Topics include characteristics of a well functioning board, the roles and responsibilities of a council or board, basic principles followed by boards and monitoring and evaluating of boards and councils.

Human Resources, Planning and Development

This course introduces you, as a leader and a manager, to the field of human resources management from a community government perspective.  Topics include human resource planning and job design, recruitment and development, employee relations and personnel administration.

Leadership for Community Managers

This course supports Northern managers to lead their communities towards greater self-government by connecting leadership skills and values with management tasks and decisions.  Topics include determining leadership goals, the many forms of leadership, practicing leadership skills, and leading in a Northern community.

Municipal Constitutions, Bylaws and Policies

This course will introduce the foundations, current practices, and future possibilities of municipal government systems in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.  Topics include Northern community and cultural values, bylaws, policies and procedures and guidelines.

Municipal Contracts, Tenders and Proposals

This course is designed to assist Senior Administrative Officers in managing and implementing contracts at the municipal level.  Topics include: Contracting Framework, Policy and Regulations, The Tendering Process, The Proposal Process, Contract Law, Contract Administration, Risk Management and Ethics.

Municipal Finances

This course is designed to provide Senior Administrative Officers with a comprehensive understanding of their financial responsibilities.  Topics include Financial responsibilities of the Senior Administrative Officer/Role of SAO, Legal responsibilities within the financial responsibilities, reporting to council, government reports, government accounting entities and principles, establishing the budget and conducting variance analysis and goals of government accounting, year end reporting and completing the annual audit.

Municipal Programs, Planning and Implementation

This course will discuss ways to plan, implement and evaluate programs and services.  It will also assist the manager to identify the sources of influence in the community and the role of the local government manager in addressing conflicting demands.  Topics include community dynamics and leadership, managing programs and services, the search for solutions and doing things differently.

Municipal Law I

This course provides an introduction to the law affecting municipalities. The source and extent of municipal authority will be examined, as well as the limits placed on municipal powers by the Constitution and the common law. Topics addressed include the election and operation of council; drafting, enacting and enforcing bylaws; reasons for bylaw invalidity; municipal contracts and tendering; and municipal liability.

Municipal Law II

This course expands on the some of the topics introduced in Municipal Law 1 and deepens the students' understanding of legal concepts, system and practices associated with local authority administration. This includes a brief review of the source and extent of municipal authority, as well as the limits placed on municipal powers by the Constitution and the common law. Topics addressed include public access to municipally held information and privacy issues related to that information; contract law; municipal liability and risk management, finance and taxation; and municipal governments and land use.

Program Advisory Committee:

  • Ron Hardisty, School of Community Government, Yellowknife
  • Ruby Jumbo, Band Manager, Trout Lake

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