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Baw Baw Shire Council offers workshops on becoming a councillor covering topics like candidacy, campaign essentials, and insights

The Baw Baw Shire Council will host workshops in June and July, covering various topics for potential councillors. Sessions include becoming a councillor, campaign essentials, and insights from women councillors.

By news@gippsland - 6th June 2024 - Back to News

Baw Baw Shire Council will host a series of in-person and online workshops as part of a Pre-Election Candidate Development Program being delivered by the Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA) in June and July. The sessions will cover a range of topics including the basics of becoming a Councillor, election campaign essentials, the importance of codes of conduct, legal and regulatory obligations, and so much more.

Join Baw Baw Shire Council pre-election workshops in June and July, covering essential topics for potential councillors, encouraging consideration of candidacy

Workshop schedules

With Local Government Councillor elections approaching in October this year, now is the time to start considering if a career as a local Councillor is the path for you. Details to the sessions can be found below:

Wednesday 26 June - Becoming a Councillor

This introductory module covers all the foundations of becoming a Councillor. Candidates will learn about their legal and regulatory obligations, participatory decision-making, the importance of Codes of Conduct and essential community leadership skills that promote and model good governance.

• Time: 6.00pm -8.00pm
• Venue: Online

Monday 1 July - Life as a Woman Councillor

In these sessions, women candidates in the region will be provided with an opportunity to hear from previous women councillors about their experiences representing the local community. From standing for office, to getting elected and serving as a councillor, the unique experiences of women will be shared in an informal and relaxed environment promoting discussion and sharing of ideas. Tanja Kovac and Dr Maree Overall will facilitate these sessions.

• Time: 12.00pm - 2.00pm
• Venue: Fountain Room at West Gippsland Arts Centre
• Thursday 4 July - Life as a Woman Councillor
• Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
• Venue: Online

Monday 15 July - Becoming a Councillor and Election Campaign Essentials

This four-hour workshop includes an introductory module that covers all the foundations of becoming a Councillor. Candidates will learn about their legal and regulatory obligations, participatory decision-making, the importance of Codes of Conduct and essential community leadership skills that promote and model good governance. Candidates will then be introduced to the importance of recognising and representing the diverse people, views and needs within the community. The module explores effective campaign techniques, canvassing, as well as developing and using communications and social media to reach community members.

• Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm & 1.00pm - 3.00pm
• Venue: Fountain Room at West Gippsland Arts Centre

Mayor promotes involvement

Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Annemarie McCabe encouraged community members to attend the local sessions and spoke highly of her own experiences as a Councillor. "Being a Councillor gives you a unique opportunity to make a real difference in your own community and I have absolutely loved the chance to get to know my fellow residents."

"It has been a very rewarding experience in many ways, from decision making, attending events, meeting people and advocating on behalf of our community, to name a few," Cr McCabe said.

In addition to these events, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) will organise and deliver 15 hybrid Community and Candidate Information Sessions across Victoria, including three in Gippsland.

Register for the workshops

These sessions will be held in Bairnsdale on Wednesday 24 July, Leongatha on Thursday 25 July and Morwell on Monday 12 August. Baw Baw Shire Council CEO, Mark Dupe, will be part of the panel discussion at the Leongatha and Morwell sessions.

More information and registration details to these sessions can be found at the Municipal Association of Victoria website. To register for one of the upcoming VLGA workshops, or to find out more about these, visit Baw Baw Shire Council - Elections website.

Pictures from Google Images.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com