2015 Local Government Administrative Professionals Conference

Transcription

1 2015 Local Government Administrative Professionals Conference The Local Government Management Association is pleased to announce the 8 th Annual Local Government Administrative Professionals Conference will be held at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa in Victoria from April 15-17, This exciting conference will provide excellent networking and information sharing opportunities for all levels of administrative professional staff. We have a wonderful showcase of speakers, professionals and practitioners. Please see the program brochure for complete details. Cost includes all meals: $610 + GST Early Bird Rate until February 28, 2015 or $660 +GST March 1st Registration will be limited to 100 Individuals and will close on Tuesday, April 7, Registration is available online at: Delegates are responsible for making their own accommodation bookings. Standard rooms will be offered at a rate of $ per night plus applicable taxes. This rate is in effect until March 25, To make a room reservation, please call the Reservations Department at or locally at To ensure the special rate quoted above, please identify yourself as a participant attending the LGMA Administrative Professionals Conference. For a list of all hotel amenities including onsite spa, swimming pool and fitness centre visit: Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa Cancellation Policy: Requests for refunds/cancellations will be accepted up to April 7, 2015 subject to a $50.00 cancellation fee. No refunds after April 7, Conference attendance is transferable. 1

2 2015 Local Government Administrative Professionals Conference April 15-17, 2015 Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa, Victoria, BC WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 6:30 9:30 PM WELCOME RECEPTION THURSDAY, APRIL 16 7:15 8:15 AM CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST/REGISTRATION 8:15 8:30 AM DELEGATE WELCOME Nancy Taylor, Executive Director, LGMA 8:30 10:00 AM Intervention from the Inside Out Presenter: Beth Page, Dream Catcher Consulting 10:00 10:15 AM REFRESHMENT BREAK Personal and organizational stress are often impacted by our perception of what is taking place. Add some additional tools to your toolbox for looking at change in your life, and in the life of your organization. Examine mental and emotional frameworks for moving through periods of change and transition. Enjoy this presentation and a little food for thought and energy for your organization and yourself. 10:15 AM NOON Develop Your Influencing Powers Despite Limits in Authority Presenter: Fiona Prince, PrinceHeron Communications As administrative professionals you hold the practical and institutional knowledge required to help managers, directors and executive make informed decisions; but you may not be invited to contribute to highlevel strategic and workforce management planning sessions. While you may not have formal authority, when new initiatives are rolled out, you 2

3 may find yourself trying to manage and negotiate corporate demands, such as workload, deadlines, resources, and budgets, with people who you report to. Navigating the layers of approvals required to move projects forward and secure a healthy work environment can be daunting for both novice and experienced administrative professionals. This workshop will give you the knowledge and tools you need to identify your areas of authority and influence within your organization; and, give you opportunities to practice your new skills through hands-on exercises and dialogue. Topics include: Learning about and communicating with different temperaments in the workplace Framing problems in the language your supervisor needs to hear Finding your area of authority within your organization Offering feasible solutions that your management can act on Participating in focused conversations that get results for you and your organization. Part one of this workshop will cover self-assessment, communication styles and influence. NOON 1:00 PM LUNCH 1:00 2:30 PM Develop Your Influencing Powers Despite Limits in Authority Part 2 Presenter: Fiona Prince, PrinceHeron Communications Part two of this workshop will include focused conversations, framing problems and exerting influence. 2:30 3:45 PM Concurrent Session # 1 Managing s and other Records Presenter: Angila Bains, Manager, Information Services, Legislative & Information Services, Capital Regional District How many of you are inundated with s and correspondence and you need some guidance in how to manage it all? Learn the significance of a records management system and how to best manage the volume of s you receive. Specific discussion will include; what do you save, what do you delete, what do you print and what can be used in an FOI? Concurrent Session # 2 Mentorship Presenters: Tom MacDonald, retired Executive Director, LGMA; Sonia Santarossa, Senior Manager, Legislative & Information Services, Capital Regional District; & Paulette Vetleson, retired Director, Board and Information Services/Corporate Officer, Metro Vancouver Whether you are new in your role to local government or a seasoned professional, mentorship can play a pivotal role in your career. Mentoring is a personal enhancement strategy that encourages the sharing of known resources, expertise, values, skills, perspectives and experiences. Having a mentor can have a significant impact on your 3

4 career development; being a mentor can provide an opportunity to give back to others and significantly increase job satisfaction. Open discussion and sharing of experiences will provide food for thought on the benefits of having a mentor, and/or being a mentor. 4:00 5:45 PM Team Building Activity - DRAGONBOATING The sport of dragonboat racing has its origins in China over 1000 years ago. Over the past 20 years it has become of the world s most colourful and fastest growing team sports. Dragonboating is a fun, social and competitive team sport involving boats of 20 paddlers working together. Join your peers in this activity and work as a team to learn the technique of dragonboating. 7:00 10:30 PM DINNER & Live Entertainment FRIDAY, APRIL 17 7:30-8:30 AM BREAKFAST 8:30 AM OPENING REMARKS 8:30 9:45 AM Ethics in Local Government Presenter: Rob Woodland, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Services, City of Victoria Few local governments currently incorporate policies and train their employees in appropriate public sector values and behaviours. As a public servant in local government you are guided in your work and professional conduct by certain ethical principles. Whether you are serving elected officials, the public, or working with your colleagues, you must maintain a balanced framework of public service values. What does this mean and how does it relate to you in your position? This session will discuss the ethics in local government, how it pertains to your daily interactions with the public as well as working with your manager. Time will be given for group discussion on approaches for dealing with ethical situations. Topics include: addressing perceived and/or real conflicts of interest managing confidential information ethics and social media: Facebook, Twitter, and texting in the workplace how your actions affect the ethical climate in your organization 9:45 10:15 AM REFRESHMENT BREAK & HOTEL CHECKOUT (by NOON) 4

5 10:15 AM 11:45 PM Managing Difficult Conversations Presenter: Jennifer O Halloran, Human Resources Consultant Learning and Development, City of Victoria Difficult conversations are a fact of life in any workplace, whether they involve delivering difficult feedback, communicating change or discussing behavioural issues, disagreeing with your supervisor, or responding to bad behaviour. How you communicate is as important as what you communicate. You will leave this workshop with an appreciation of your style and with strategies you can use to help you as you approach difficult conversations. 11:45 AM 1:15 PM LUNCH & GUEST SPEAKER Hot Topics in Local Government Presenter: Todd Pugh, Executive Director, Civicinfo BC Back by popular demand, Todd Pugh will provide a refresher on current hot topics affecting British Columbia local governments in :15 2:30 PM Nuts and Bolts Networking Session In this facilitated discussion, delegates will share their experiences, ideas and solutions to identified topics placed at tables throughout the room. Delegates will have the opportunity to rotate through the identified topics and a compilation of the outcomes will be circulated after the conference. 2:30 4:00 PM Keynote: Mena Westhaver The Power to Make a Difference Because You Can Mena Westhaver has spent her life in active sports as well as focusing on health and wellness. A former Ice Capades figure skater, Body Moves TV Fitness Leader, and UVic Psychology major, Mena is a certified fitness leader, a national level skating coach, and has worked for the District of Saanich for 27 years in the Department of Parks and Recreation. She is the founder of PowerWest Athletics and Sole Sisters Victoria. Mena has taken her passion for healthy living to face challenges headon. When her third son was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, Mena and her family grew an appreciation for living well and doing what they could to help kids with cancer. Mena started Team J.A.C.K. (Journey Against Cancer in Kids), a program that has raised over $120,000 in funds for pediatric oncology. Overcoming many obstacles in life from childhood, through loss, and adversity, Mena s innate strength and gratitude for what gifts she has been given has motivated her to move for those that cannot. Her infectious joy for life inspires others to do the same. 4:00 PM WRAP UP & ADJOURNMENT 5