Kamsack Mayor Nancy Brunt was among mayors and deputy mayors from 44 Saskatchewan municipalities who attended a mayors’ summer school on the University of Regina campus August 20 to 22.
Put on by the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), the summer school was designed to provide “new skills, knowledge, and confidence as they build networks with their peers around the province,” said a release from SUMA.
The one-of-a-kind experience is part of SUMA’s “core function to build capacity for members” and is the third such mayors’ summer school held, but the first one since last fall’s municipal elections.
Former Mayor Rod Gardner had attended the first two sessions and said he had found them helpful, Brunt said last week after returning home from Regina.
“It was good,” Brunt said. “We went through a lot of things, including the municipal act, how to work with CEOs, councillors and the public and mind-mapping which is a term referring to a process of expanding a subject to other areas.”
“SUMA is committed to providing tailor-made educational opportunities to our members,” said SUMA President Gordon Barnhart, who also attended the summer school at the deputy mayor of Saltcoats. “We recognize how important this leadership role is for Saskatchewan hometowns, and this is the best place for them to learn and grow in that role so they can fulfill it to its greatest potential.”
Brunt said she was interested in a presentation from a Prince Albert attendee who discussed that community’s oil spin and the emergency measures that had to come into play following it and discussed how to work with various companies involved.
The summer school was well worth it, she said, adding that it was most useful for new members of councils.
