Contents

• Who’s on your Team?
• What should Councillors expect of Administration?
• Members of your Community
• Family and Work – Finding the Right Balance

Who’s on your Team?

Serving on Council means more than just attending a monthly meeting. It can be a time consuming, demanding and challenging job. It’s important to remember that you are not alone. You are one member of a team.

By working with your fellow Councillors, the Mayor/Chief and Administration, your family, employer and the entire community, you can build an effective team. It is important to understand everyone’s roles and respect the fact that everyone has a job to do. As a councillor you should:

• Define and understand the tasks at hand;
• Understand and use the authority you have as an elected official;
• Stay within the boundaries of your role;
• Work out relationships and respect other people’s opinions and positions;
• Manage conflict; and
• Set goals and work together to achieve them.

The Main Players

Mayor/Chief

Your Mayor/Chief plays three roles: a member of Council, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Council, and community representative. The Mayor/Chief does not make decisions alone.

As a member of Council, the Mayor/Chief has the same responsibilities as other Councillors.

As the CEO, chairs meetings, ensures that everyone has a chance to speak, signs official papers, works with Administration and ensures Council’s work is done.

Represents the community to other levels of government, hosts special visitors, attends meetings outside the community and speaks on behalf of Council.

Councillor

You represent all members of your community.

You help make the policies that direct planning, financing and community services.

With the Mayor/Chief and the rest of Council, you give direction to the SAO/Band Manager and ensure policies are carried out.

You need to understand what residents in your community want.

Bring to Council’s attention anything that would promote the welfare or interests of the residents of the community as a whole.

Administration (Senior Administrative Officer/Band Manager)

The Senior Administrative Officer/Band Manager is hired by the Community Council to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Community Government and oversee its employees. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Provide professional advice and support to the Council;
• Follow Council direction;
• Manage, lead and direct Community Government staff;
• Maintain Community Government finances;
• Ensure all programs and services are effectively and efficiently delivered;
• Implement and monitor resolutions, bylaws and policies;
• Assist with the development and implementation of the strategic, business and operational plans; and
• Maintain internal and external relations with First Nations and community organizations, local and regional businesses, government departments, professional associations, partners and key stakeholders, and members of the public.

What should Councillors expect of Administration?

Council meeting agendas in advance

Easily understood monthly financial statements that provide a snapshot of the financial state of the Council

Well researched and easily understood reports which contain several recommendations complete with suggestions of possible problems and solutions

Prompt and polite treatment of the public

Timely reporting of problems, complete with analysis and recommendations to resolve the issue            

What should Administration expect of Councillors?             

Councillors who know their roles understand Council operations and are familiar with community programs, services and operations

Councillors who come to meetings well prepared, knowing the issues, understanding the problems and willing to review all options and recommendations with an open mind

Councillors who ask questions and suggest changes to improve recommendations

Councillors who work with and support Administration when less popular decisions are made

Councillors who do not interfere with the day-to-day operations of the Community Government programs and staff

Support for ongoing training and professional development of SAO and other staff       

Members of your Community

The public is the most important member of the community team. Make involving the community the top priority of your Council.

As a Council, ask yourselves: “How and when can we involve the community in this issue?”

Councillors do this by:

• Attending, listening and actively participating in Council and Committee meetings;
• Being visible in the community, attending public events (sometimes just as an observer);
• Visiting people and being available to hear their concerns and discuss their issues;
• Reaching out to the community to get their guidance on serious issues. Going on community radio or hosting a public meeting are great ways to do this;
• Having regular meetings with elders, social workers, RCMP and others to get their points of view;
• Understanding the duties and obligations of your Community Council and how your decisions affect the community;
• Ensuring consultation is “real” by creating a dialogue with residents to help form policy, that you’re not just getting reaction to a pre-determined position;
• Survey residents to find out what issues are important to them; and
• Keep people informed, perhaps by printing and distributing a monthly newsletter, by speaking on the local radio or by creating a community website.

Family and Work – Finding the Right Balance

Also, important members of the team are your family and employer/employees. You need a solid foundation of support at home and at work to be an effective, involved member of your Community Council. You are expected to spend a lot of time in meetings, reading reports and letters, and attending community functions, so make sure you balance the demands on your time.

You can do this by:

• Organizing yourself: set up an office or working area at home. Create a filing system and keep it up to date. Make “to do” lists in a calendar or diary. Make sure your family and workplace know when regularly scheduled meetings are held and give as much notice as possible when unexpected events occur
• Set some goals: Don’t get bogged down in complaints. Learn to say no and make sure the time you spend on Council business is used effectively

Four simple steps to deal with stress             

Know yourself. Remember your priorities; remind yourself what is really important.

1. Understand how you react to pressure and why. Accept that the way you react may cause stress. Review your important goals as a member of Council. Get help if you need it. Don’t be too proud to ask for help.
2. Have support around you – your family, other members of Council, and Administration. Take advantage of training when it’s presented.
3. Be involved in recreation. Exercise helps to relieve stress. Get a hobby. Keep balance in life – there is more to life than politics.
4. Keep your sense of humor. It will help you get through difficult situations. It is also part of a healthy lifestyle.

Get the information you need: We’re often bombarded with details. Have Administration develop a summary of a report that helps you understand an item without having to read every sentence. But don’t be afraid to do some of your own research or ask Administration for more information if it is necessary