Friday 16 January 2009

Welcome back to you all!

As this is my first enews for 2009, I wanted to remind you that there are lots of updates and events we do not include in this publication (we know it’s so hard to find time to read everything!) but we still carry these on our website for those with particular interests.

… for example … there will a Childcare Forum as well as Place Making Masterclasses you might be interested in if you see VLGA News

Want To Influence Policy & Lead Debate In The Sector?

Walking the talk with regard to broad participation, the VLGA has a long tradition of appointing our members to representative positions when the State or Federal Governments ask us for our views.

Read on if you have a particular area of interest or expertise and you are keen to influence the issue at Board, State and/or Federal levels.

What also sets us apart is that we invite councillors, community leaders and officers who are members to work closely with the Board on Internal Working Groups to set agendas on a range of policy areas.

Existing Working Groups cover topics such as councillor working conditions, council elections, climate change, childcare, affordable housing, gambling, East Timor and women’s issues.

We are now calling for EOIs to be sent to us by 5pm Friday 13^th February. You can download the list of vacancies from our website.

VLGA Board Elections

We are delighted to have our Life Member Peter Johnstone as our independent Returning Officer for our forthcoming Board elections. Peter will oversee the election of a new President and 10 other Board Members for a 2 year period.

Governance of an influential association like the VLGA is an important undertaking. Personally I have found it is both a privilege and a pleasure to serve the whole sector in this capacity and I warmly recommend you consider standing for election.

Now that the Voters Roll has closed, nominations can be received. If you are eligible to nominate you will have received an email earlier today advising you of the process. Further election information can be found on our website.

Essential Mayors Weekend

Our long-standing and unique residential retreat from 22-24 January is almost full. Participants often say this is the most enduring and important networking event of their Local Government careers, and even more so in the important first ‘scene setting’ year of a new Council. I’m aware there’s lots of competition for your attention over this particular period. However I would urge you to prioritize this event which is long recognized as the Premier Mayoral activity for the year. More details can be found on our website.

This weekend is part of our Leading Edge Learning and Development Program which is an extension of the Councillor, Community Leader and Officer Training we’ve been doing for more than 14 years.

Groundbreaking – Accredited AND Subsidised

One of the issues I have long been concerned about is that, while the investment of our valuable time in learning and development programs helps us to govern better, it has not been leading to transferable or accredited qualifications.

This year we are delighted to be able to offer formal Diploma of Management accreditation for most of the courses, so at the end of the day you have something to show for your commitment to professional development . Watch this space for more information.

The State Government has also confirmed that each Councillor in Councils that have recurrent budgets of $50 million or less, is eligible to receive $400 each to attend one or more of our Courses. We will be sending you an update Registration Form soon!

Warm Regards

Beth