A trio of Nanaimo organizations is staging civic-leadership courses in the hope they will result in a less tumultuous city hall after this fall’s election.
“This level of dysfunction and turmoil is record-setting,” said Kim Smythe, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.
Nanaimo city hall has been beset by clashes around the council table and public disputes. There have been investigations by two special prosecutors appointed by the province, and censure hearings against the mayor and a councillor; two senior bureaucrats are on leave.
The chamber, Leadership Vancouver Island and OurNanaimo have put together a non-partisan program to educate citizens about what the job entails.
Courses are open to people who have not held civic office, but are interested in running.
The instructors are volunteering their time and have helped establish the course outlines, Smythe said. They have experience as elected councillors, municipal-finance officials, planners, educators, academics and administrators.
Potential candidates will learn what they can and cannot do as a member of city council, he said.
Russ Burke, president of Leadership Vancouver Island, said the event fulfils that organization’s “mandate to help emerging leaders, their teams and their communities to address today’s complex challenges and demonstrate the power of collaboration to create long-term positive change.”
The introductory session is on April 24, followed by a presentation May 1 on the day-to-day duties of a council member. A session May 3 explains roles and responsibilities of elected officials.
Communications and outreach is addressed on May 7, and the final session is entitled Enabling a Productive Council.
The productive-council session addresses “fundamental leadership skills,” including managing differences and creating a shared purpose.
So far, 15 people have registered, Smythe said, anticipating that 30 to 40 will sign up. There’s room to expand if necessary.
There’s also the possibility that the program could run again before the October election.
Registration is through the Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, go to nanaimochamber.bc.ca.
