Welcome to your April edition of In Focus News; designed to keep you informed about our current programs and activities.

LGPRO ANNUAL AWARDS - CLOSING DATE EXTENSION

The annual LGPro Award Program is designed to celebrate the achievement of both individuals and Councils advancing their local communities.

The 2019 Award categories are:

Emerging Leader of the Year
Environmental Leadership and Sustainability
Innovative Management Initiative
Excellence in Community and Service
Partnerships and Collaboration

It’s time to submit your nominations as the closing date has been extended and will now close on Friday 17 May. The winners of the Tasmanian Awards will be entered into the National Competition.

Nominations should be submitted to eo@lgprofessionalstas.org.au

Further information and the submission guidelines are found here.

2019 RAYMOND WEST SCHOLARSHIP

Applications are now open for nominations from emerging Local Government leaders to apply for the Raymond West Scholarship.

Two young Tasmanians will be chosen to attend the LGPro National Congress to be held in Darwin from 31 July – 2 August 2019.

Applicants should:

Be working in local government in Tasmania;
Demonstrate a clear interest in a career in local government;
Be looking for a significant professional development opportunity;
Not have previously attended Congress; and
Be under 35 years of age as at 30 June 2019.

LG Professionals National will meet the Congress Registration costs (including the Welcome Reception and Congress Dinner) and LG Professionals TAS will provide $1,000 towards travel and accommodation. Travel expenses over $1,000 will be met by the winner and/or the Council.

The submission process is found on our website.

Nominations should be emailed by close of business on Friday 17 May 2019.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE - SEEKING YOUR FEEDBACK

Preparations are well underway for the 2019 Conference being held at the paranaple centre, Devonport from Wednesday 16 October – Friday 18 October 2019.

The program is currently being developed and the conference committee is seeking feedback about which speakers our members would like to hear from.

Our focus is on Tasmanian presenters where their impact has been beneficial to Tasmanian communities although, we welcome all suggestions and ideas.

Feedback may be provided to Mary by email or by calling 0438 100 076.

2019 EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM - REGISTER NOW

Registrations for the 2019 Emerging Leaders Program are now open.

The program will take place at the QVMag Museum at Inveresk on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 June 2019.

The program will focus on equipping emerging leaders with an understanding of the key challenges facing Local Government in the future; the skills and competencies to develop leadership ability and the resources to continue learning and practising leadership behaviours.

Program

Day 1

The big issues facing local government in Tasmania and the role of emerging leaders addressing these issues;
The roles, accountabilities and key obligations of Mayors, Councillors, GM’s and Staff under the Local Government Act as the legislative authority that establishes Councils;
Understanding how current leaders think and act around key challenges; and
Understanding leadership.

Evening networking dinner

Day 2

Understanding how people work;
Styles of leadership and change management;
Emotional intelligence and its role in leadership;
Making great presentations; and
Engaging with stakeholders.

Registrations are limited for this event to ensure maximum participation and networking, therefore be sure to get in early to secure your place!

To register online, head to our website or click here.

Download the Emerging Leaders Brochure

Registrations close on Thursday 2 May 2019.

AUSTRALASIAN MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE 2019

The Regional Challenge will take place at the UTAS Stadium, Launceston on Thursday 9 May. A record number of four Tasmanian teams will compete:

Kingborough Council
Break O’Day Council
City of Launceston
Composite team from Northern Midlands Council, Meander Valley Council and West Tamar Council

The Management Challenge is a simulation-based team building, learning and networking program using real local government themes – the types of issues that a senior management team in a council would most likely face.

The teams are challenged to respond to a series of tasks in a unique one-day, fast paced “pressure cooker” environment. Some tasks will require written responses (such as a council report or recommendation document), some will take the form of role plays or presentations and the teams are also scored on observations of how well they display energy, synergy, effectiveness and creative thinking.

The Challenge will be facilitated by Peter Murfett and our former CEO, Jan Davis.

The best performing team from Tasmania will go on to compete in the Australasian final which will be held in conjunction with the Local Government Professionals Australia National Congress in Darwin on 31 July 2019.

All the best to the Tasmanian Teams on Challenge Day!

COMMITTING TO COMMUNITIES

LG Professionals Australia has a goal of securing increased funding for local councils across the country this year.

The Budget announcements laid out a few small gains for local government infrastructure, although the Federal Election sees an opportunity for the local government sector to secure the fair funding it needs to continue delivering for our communities.

LG Professionals Australia is empowering the Local Government professionals in our network to push for this equitable funding through the Financial Assistant Grants and various other Commonwealth funding pools that have failed to rise despite the increasing expectations and responsibility put on councils.

Please download a digital copy of the advocacy brochure: Committing to Communities: the importance of Commonwealth funding for Australian communities.

INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM

LG Professionals Australia is offering a two-week exchange with local council peers in the USA and attendance at the ICMA conference.

In collaboration with International City/County Management Association (ICMA), LG Professionals Australia is offering members a unique opportunity to participate in the International Professional Exchange Program (IPEP).

This two-way exchange between Australia and our US counterpart sees members of the LG Professionals network or National Council Package holders networking with local government practitioners overseas and learning about best practices that they can apply in their own councils and communities.

Examples of past engagements with the program from Victoria and South Australia are found here.

Applications close at the end of May.

For further information click here or download the information pack.

COUNCILJOBS

As a proud sponsor of LGPro in Tasmania, CouncilJobs is an Australian owned and independent specialist recruitment resource for Councils that:

Provides instant matching of all ads to thousands of qualified candidates.
Makes vacancies easier-to-find, with extensive job categories and ordered listings.
Provides continuous feedback [readership statistics] on your ads.
Provides fast & convenient lodgement of ads online directly or by email.
Provides Premium Position, Hot Job and PDF options for your ads to stand out.
Provides unrivaled experience as the first council job site in Australia and New Zealand.

For further information visit their website or contact Tony Miller by email or call 0411 100 001.

We are very interested to know if you have any ideas or requests for activities, programs or services you wish to have on offer during the next financial year.

You are welcome to call or send me an email if you have any specific requests or ideas.

Best wishes to all,

Mary Frost