Tip #8 Managing Differences & Disagreements
You won’t always get the results you want no matter how correct you believe your position is. Decisions are made through majority votes. Continued re-litigation of an outcome or residual hard feelings because things didn’t go your way can be corrosive both to overall effective governance and yourself as well.
Are you committed to professional governance that reflects Respect & Dignity, Leadership & Collaboration, Integrity & Accountability and appropriate Confidentiality?
Besides just stating “of course I will” during a campaign, you’ll have to formally attest to ethical standards, legal obligations and expectations of professional behavior as a formal part of taking office. The provincial government is amending the Community Charter to transition to a mandatory, provincewide code of conduct for all local government elected officials in alignment with our upcoming October elections. While exact details are yet to be announced, the new code is intended to address issues such as bullying, meeting disruptions, marginalization of members, conflict of interest violations, and staff mistreatment. It’s so appalling it’s come to this in too many other jurisdictions. Stay tuned!
FTR: Salmon Arm has had our own locally developed Code based on best practices for the past 4 years as well as a respectful elected table committed to individual responsible behaviour. It works if elected officials are committed to making things work.
Are you genuinely committed to the best practices of professional governance? You’re going to have to formally swear to that to actually take office!
Aim High Salmon Arm 