SILGA UPDATE

Save the Date President’s Corner

 Local Welcome to the first SILGA resenting Premier , newsletter! The goals of the and Colleen Misner representing Government 2013/14 SILGA Executive are MLA Linda Larson who came Advocacy, Communication and along as schedules permitted to Accounting 101: Education – we want to be the assist us. What great support! political voice of the region and “Is there an app collectively address issues and We have a few “shout outs” to for that?” concerns that are impacting com- share. Congratulations to SILGA munities. Director Gary Litke for his win as Mayor of Penticton. The incom- As part of the SILGA advocacy, ing President for UBCM is our SILGA took the bold initiative and own SILGA Past President Rhona met with many Ministers at Martin. We applaud Rhona for October 30, 2013 UBCM. We asked for your input her many years of service to the Marg Spina 10am to 3:30 pm and brought those issues forward. SILGA executive and know that Lunch included We were fortunate to receive you will blaze a trail with UBCM. SILGA President meetings with Ministers Pat Pimm, We also wish to congratulate Bill Bennett, , and Kamloops Councillor Arjun Singh We’ve heard from our members, . Please visit for his success at being voted finances are a big issue and can be www.silga.ca for details on each of Director at Large for UBCM.  Taught by BDO daunting to grasp all the key is- these meetings. A highlight of the sues. “IS THERE AN APP FOR and KPMG meetings was certainly meeting Advocacy, Communication and THAT?” aims to bring increased with our Premier, where she Education – your SILGA Executive clarity and deeper understanding  Can be applied to expressed enthusiasm for regional is committed to these goals. We to the budget and finance issue. representation and was pleased shared our advocacy at UBCM, LGLA certification For only $25 / person (including that her riding is within the SILGA we hope that you enjoy this first lunch) we are excited for an in- region. newsletter (thank you to SILGA  Offered to our formative session! This course Director Angelique Wood for can be applied as a credit to SILGA member- We were grateful to have our pulling this together). LGLA certification. SILGA MLA’s join in our meetings. ship for only $25 Our thanks go out to MLA’s Dan We really hope that many of our Let us know how we are doing – Ashton, Greg Kyllo, Norm Let- communities will join us on Octo-  Coast Kamloops we are your resource, your SIL- nick and Jacquie Tegart for taking ber 30, 2013 for a new session on GA voice. Conference time out of their busy schedules Municipal and Regional Finances

to be part of our conversations. where we have brought together Centre: All the best, We also wish to thank constitu- experts from BDO and KPMG to Marg Spina, President  250 Rogers Way, ency assistants Cheryl Doll rep- break down the budget process. Kamloops, BC

MIA Good News story 2nd Vice President Ryan Nitchie For insurance geeks it was equivalent to providing exceptional service and at MIABC to learn more about the SuperBowl...high fives and hand- coverages at competitive premiums. this new and exciting program shakes abounded amongst MIABC Board at [email protected] SILGA AGM and members and staff following the unani- The roll out of the new property insur- Convention mously endorsed resolution during the ance program will be conservative MIABC AGM directing the Board and staff and calculated starting in 2014 as staff 2014 to work towards offering its members work to develop the coverages, policy property insurance coverage. wordings, rates and underwriting criteria but undoubtedly the members Penticton This marks a bold but calculated effort on of MIABC will have more options April 30 - May 2 behalf of the MIABC to expand its cur- available to their local governments rent mandate as solely a liability insurer for insurance coverage. to a much broader insurance pool. The ultimate goal of the MIABC is to offer Local governments should encourage its members a full coverage spectrum their staff to contact Sherman Chow Working to develop the best educated local government officials in British Columbia

IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? SILGA can be contacted at the following address: Health care recruitment and retention has become a pressing community 1996 Sheffield Way need for the SILGA region but also brings about a number of questions Kamloops BC regarding the process around recruitment. V2E 2M2 “How can our community help and encourage local recruitment”? “What are the first steps”? “What can we expect as part of the recruitment pro- cess”? “What model are we recruiting for and where do we start”? Phone: 250-374-3678 As part of the annual spring conference, SILGA will be hosting a half day Fax: 250-374-3678 session on healthcare and addressing the bigger issues facing communi- ties and we want to hear from YOU! What are your community health Please feel free to contact any of care issues? Let us know so we can develop a panel discussion that is our SILGA team directly using interesting and relevant to all. the contact information below Additionally, at UBCM, the SILGA executive connected with many our Pro- vincial Ministers and advocated for fair and equitable recruitment and lo- Shelley Sim cum assistance as well as encouraged participation in the SILGA dia- Director at Large logue. We know health care can be a daunting issue, but we’re ready to have the courageous conversations needed to ensure positive community www.silga.ca action and resiliency.

The SILGA team 2013

President Back row: Garry Litke, Mayor of Penticton; Ryan Nitchie, Armstrong Councillor, Angelique Wood, Area [email protected] Director, Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen; Chad Eliason, Salmon Arm Councillor, Patty Hanson, Area Director, Central Okanagan Regional District; Tim Pennell, Area Director Thompson-Nicola Regional Past President District; [email protected] Front row: Alison Slater, Executive Director, SILGA; Janice Brown, Mayor of Spallumcheen; Harry st 1 Vice President Kroeker, Merritt Councillor, Marg Spina, Kamloops Councillor, Shelley Sim, Clearwater Councillor; Susan [email protected] Roline, Mayor of Merritt 2nd Vice President [email protected] E. A. Director [email protected] Director at Large [email protected] Director at Large [email protected] Director at Large [email protected] Director at Large [email protected] Director at Large [email protected] Director at Large [email protected] Executive director [email protected]

 ADVOCACY

SILGA RESOLUTIONS  COMMUNICATION PENTICTON CONVENTION FINANCE COMMITTEES HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY  EDUCATION 2013/14: EDUCATION

NEWSLETTER DESIGN BY DIRECTOR AT LARGE ANGELIQUE WOOD