The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) is proud to announce the release of the Standing Strong Toolkit: A CAO’s Guide to Maintaining Professionalism Amidst Incivility. This comprehensive resource is designed to support Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) as they navigate the increasing challenges of incivility from elected officials, staff, citizens, and other stakeholders.
CAMA would like to extend a special thank you to Jennifer Goodine, Executive Director of CAMA, for her invaluable work as the primary author of this Toolkit. Drawing on 30 years of experience in municipal government, combined with insights from CAMA members nationwide, Jennifer has crafted a resource that equips CAOs to navigate challenges with professionalism. Her deep understanding of the pressures facing municipal administrators, paired with her dedication to the profession, has resulted in a guide that empowers leaders to uphold professionalism in the face of adversity.
We are also grateful to Don Lidstone, who contributed his legal expertise to the Toolkit's section on legal obligations. His guidance ensures that CAOs are equipped with the necessary knowledge to address incivility within a legal framework.
CAMA President Tony Kulbisky (Board Representative for Alberta and the CAO for Westlock County, AB) praised the Toolkit, stating, "This Toolkit is a game-changer for CAOs who face unprecedented levels of incivility in their roles. It is a practical, hands-on guide that equips municipal leaders with the tools they need to handle difficult situations while preserving the integrity of their organizations."
Brenda Orchard, Chair of the Toolkit Taskforce (First Vice-President, Representative for Ontario, and CAO for Lennox & Addington County, ON), added, "The Standing Strong Toolkit is not just a guide, but a lifeline for CAOs facing the growing pressures of leadership in challenging environments. It is a must-read for anyone committed to promoting respect and professionalism in local government."
The Standing Strong Toolkit offers strategies for recognizing early warning signs of incivility, managing conflicts with elected officials, and protecting teams from negative impacts. It includes a legal section, best practices for social media management, and techniques for building resilience among municipal leaders – just a few of the many important chapters.
Thank you to the following CAMA members for their invaluable contributions to this toolkit:
Members of the CAMA Toolkit Taskforce
• Brenda Orchard, CAMA First Vice-President/Board Representative for Ontario/Chair of CAMA Toolkit Taskforce/CAO, Lennox & Addington County
• Nathan Peto, CAMA Board Representative for Manitoba & Saskatchewan/City Manager, City of Portage la Prairie, MB
• Gary Kent, CAMA Treasurer/Board Member-At-Large for Municipalities with Populations Over 100,000/CAO, Region of Peel, ON
• Tracy Thomas, CAMA Board Representative for Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory & Nunavut/SAO, Town of Forth Smith, NWT
• Jeff Gushue, CAMA Board Representative for Nova Scotia & PEI/CAO, Town of Yarmouth, NS
• Mike Dolter, CAMA Member, CAO, Town of Truro, NS
The Toolkit is available in the Member's Section under 'Toolkits.' To access the Executive Summary of the Toolkit, please click here.
