“ It is incumbent on all of us to be great leaders and managers within our organizations – whether you are a formal or informal leader .”
THE NEW CMO
random audits as they may occur . We have also encouraged the exploration of linkages with recognized education programs that would qualify members for competency credits where reasonable to do so .
Tiered designation It was important throughout our discussions that we consider the needs of municipal professionals who lack supervisory responsibility . As a result , we recommended that a tiered approach to AMCTO accreditation be implemented . While the CMO would address the management and leadership competencies , another level ( with a name to be presented to the AMCTO membership for ratification at the 2015 Annual General Meeting ) should be established . Using the new CMO Competency Framework as a guide to ensure consistency , the competencies to be demonstrated for this second-tier designation will include :
• Municipal Operations
• Communications , Service Delivery
• Government Relations / Citizen Engagement
• Managing Work
Like the CMO , this second-tier designation will be competency based and will require proof of competency through evidence and examples .
Consulting Services Include :
• Municipal / Education Development Charge Policy and Cost Sharing
• Water / Sewer Rate Setting / Water Financial Plans
• Building Permit / Planning and Development Fees
• Long Range Financial Planning for School Boards and Municipalities
• Asset Management / PSAB Compliance
• Fiscal and Economic Impact , Service Feasibility and Needs Assessment
• Growth Management Strategies / Employment Strategies
• Land Needs Studies , Demographics and Fiscal / Economic Impact Analysis
Tel : ( 905 ) 272-3600 e-mail : info @ watson-econ . ca website : www . watson-econ . ca
“ It is incumbent on all of us to be great leaders and managers within our organizations – whether you are a formal or informal leader .”
– Michelle Smibert , CMO , President , AMCTO
Application process and program Through consultation , we heard from the membership that the current application process is viewed as unwieldy . Therefore , we established systems that aim to make the application for both levels of AMCTO accreditation not necessarily easier , but more comfortable and intuitive . We also recommended the establishment of an advisory group to oversee the program to ensure the board is more distanced from program oversight . The advisory board would also oversee periodic reviews of the program to recommend program refinements to the board .
Linkages to other designations There is value in working with other municipally based organizations to explore linkages of the CMO with other technical specific municipal designations . The Task Force has encouraged AMCTO to reach out to prominent organizations such as OMHRA , OMMI , MFOA , OPPI , OMSSA , OMAA , etc ., with whom it already has established relationships . There is value and strength to be gained by working in concert with some of these organizations as we may be able to leverage our respective strengths for the benefit of not only our membership but also for the municipal sector generally .
While it was not part of our official mandate , the task force members believe there is need to pursue a designation specifically intended for municipal clerks . AMCTO staff , at the direction of the board , are exploring this recommendation .
While we are excited about the possibilities that come with this program review , we also appreciate that there are challenges to be faced as we transition to the new structure . That transition plan has been shared with the membership with every attempt made to ensure that nobody currently going through their application or reapplication is adversely affected .
When all is said and done , we do and should care about the CMO . The newly refocused mandate on management and leadership , with the relevant knowledge and skill competency framework , and refined application process , will ensure the success of the CMO designation for years to come .
This is just a first step in an ongoing process of continuous improvement and refinement to meet the constantly evolving needs of the sector . We must continue to work to establish and maintain a system of accreditation of which we can all be proud .
Going back to President Michelle Smibert ’ s inaugural address , she also confidently asserted that : “ AMCTO is the ‘ go-to ’ organization for municipal leadership and management development and will support you in every way .”
With the launch of the new CMO accreditation , AMCTO takes its support for municipal management and leadership to a new plateau . We can proudly claim that the CMO designation is the only professional designation in Ontario ’ s municipal sector that specifically certifies the skill and knowledge requirements for being a successful local government manager . This is extremely important to AMCTO and its members and will be hugely beneficial to the entire municipal profession .
Garth Johns chaired AMCTO ’ s Accreditation Task Force .
12 Q2 2015 www . amcto . com