Upcoming Kitscoty Election

Municipal elections are fast approaching this October and Council has asked me to encourage Kitscoty residents to considering putting their name forward for Kitscoty Village Council. Municipal elections are democracy at the level closest to people. Municipal governance is residents building their community, their neighbourhood and their lives.

Governance is a difficult topic to define because it has many grey boundaries. If you look up the definition you will find a wide variety of descriptions all which cover the business part in different ways (adhering to regulations, Acts, bylaws, etc) but the common overarching theme is always leadership. Through elections, residents choose Council members they want for their leaders and look to them for leadership. Good Leaders make a difference.

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Leaders have expertise and experience in many varied areas ranging from just graduated high school to just finished a masters degree; from just married to 7^th grandchild just born; from business owner to home maker; from single to married; from 18 years old to 85 years young, you name it!

Leaders are everywhere and a good Council has leaders from different backgrounds and experience. Varied leaders enables Council to look at decisions from all angles before making a final decision – how will this decision affect pre-schoolers; how will this decision affect Seniors; how will this decision affect business owners; how will this decision affect young families – and so on. Kitscoty needs leaders from all walks of life – that means you.

Governance Best Practices - some of the important skills you will need as a Councillor:

• A Willingness to Lead -- Listen, Learn, Decide
• Integrity; Focus on the Issues and Results – don’t get down in the mud
• Seeing the Big Picture and Staying on Track
• Staying Close to and Engaging the People Being Served – Community of Kitscoty
• Respect for Role Differences
• Understanding the Partnership with Administration
• Understanding the Value of Priorities
• Commitment to Openness and Transparency
• Respect for Limitations of Power – Council’s power comes only from motions it passes; Individual Councillors do not have individual power
• Clarity of Accountability; Willingness to Share Responsibility
• Commitment to Sharing Ideas and Authority

Kitscoty needs you – think about it; consider running for Kitscoty Village Council.

Lois Byers, ACE Community Coach for Kitscoty

Smiling LB Consulting