http://womenscampaignschool.org/uncategorized/hello-world/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:42:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 http://womenscampaignschool.org/uncategorized/hello-world/#comment-3 Marilyn Belak Fri, 16 May 2008 13:55:10 +0000 http://womenscampaignschool.org/newsite/?p=1#comment-3 I am a councillor in a small northern city but all local governments are being tasked with more responsibility and less transfer funding. The dismantling of Federal and Provincial programs in such areas as childcare, housing and social services makes it difficult to build and maintain the communities which will be liveable and sustainable for families, women and children. Large Urban Centres are in the ascendance as accessible government which needs to look after its own community in a very holistic and independent way. We are finding that all villages, towns and cities are needing to face the realities of building the communities we want to live in. Women Councillors are often the people identified as caretakers/champions of community wellness and their scarcity in local government creates a significant load to carry for those of us who participate at this level. Local Government is also often the proving ground for political life and many step forward into the larger arena from here. It would certainly be forward thinking, prudent and helpful if your organization would take part in the local association AGM's (we just had the NCMA in Prince George) and in the UBCM. I would suggest both 'Trade Booths' and Breakout sessions. Accessibility is the key to good governance and it starts at the local level. Federal and Provincial ministers attend these meetings but I have not yet seen a special effort to support the minority of female councillors who attend. Sincerely Marilyn Belak I am a councillor in a small northern city but all local governments are being tasked with more responsibility and less transfer funding. The dismantling of Federal and Provincial programs in such areas as childcare, housing and social services makes it difficult to build and maintain the communities which will be liveable and sustainable for families, women and children.
Large Urban Centres are in the ascendance as accessible government which needs to look after its own community in a very holistic and independent way. We are finding that all villages, towns and cities are needing to face the realities of building the communities we want to live in. Women Councillors are often the people identified as caretakers/champions of community wellness and their scarcity in local government creates a significant load to carry for those of us who participate at this level.
Local Government is also often the proving ground for political life and many step forward into the larger arena from here. It would certainly be forward thinking, prudent and helpful if your organization would take part in the local association AGM’s (we just had the NCMA in Prince George) and in the UBCM. I would suggest both ‘Trade Booths’ and Breakout sessions.
Accessibility is the key to good governance and it starts at the local level. Federal and Provincial ministers attend these meetings but I have not yet seen a special effort to support the minority of female councillors who attend.
Sincerely
Marilyn Belak

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