To Latornell Conservation Symposium November 21, 2017 Deborah Martin-Downs, CAO, Chair CAU The CA Answer to Succession Planning: Conservation Authorities University
To Latornell Conservation Symposium November 21, 2017 Deborah Martin-Downs, CAO, Chair CAU
The CA Answer to Succession Planning:
Conservation Authorities University
Outline
• The CA Succession need
• The CAU concept
• Community based succession
The Issue
• Lack of resources for more formal Masters of Public Administration or other management training
• May need to field talent outside CA community who will need training
• Wave of retirements means we need trained candidates to be able to move into senior positions, capably and quickly
4
Q2: Please rate your priority for training
The Opportunity
• Cost Effective approach to training
• Improve performance and competency among rising stars
• Improve consistency of approaches among CA’s
• Develop CA networks
Conservation Authorities University
The Purpose
• to accelerate succession planning at the leadership level,
• to share current and best practices, procedures and interpretation throughout the CA network and increase resilience of the network,
• to collaborate across CAs on finding solutions to issues specific to CA work,
• to engage the most experienced leaders in the field to share their experience and knowledge about the fundamentals of managing a strong, vibrant Conservation Authority.
The Concept
• Develop Curriculum content based on priority topics
• Develop Product Binder for participants
• Identify candidates to determine demand and locations
• Deliver training - in person training in multi CA groups; - retreat location - intensive multi-day immersion - certificate course(s)
• Identify ‘Mentors’ for continued support
Value to CA’s
• Enhanced professional efficacy of CA leaders and increased capacity across the CA network;
• Enhanced leadership-level succession planning
• An assemblage of up-to-date standards, templates, exemplars, and resources related to CA administration,
• Stronger relationships between the senior CA leaders across the network and expanded personal and professional support
• Formal knowledge transfer and continued engagement with the most experienced senior leaders in the network.
CAU Teaching Methods
– Panel discussions with invited guests
– Lectures and PowerPoint presentations
– Video presentations
– Readings and case studies
– Small group discussion and presentations
– Small group exercises
– Individual exercises and assignments
– Informal discussion and “unstructured” learning opportunities
Working
Networking
Pillars of the CAU
CAU
Public Administration
CA Governance and Policy
CA Business Areas
• CA Law • Human
Resources • Public Sector
Leadership
• Planning and Regulations
• Floodplain Management
• 6 other key areas
• CA Finance • Strategy • Performance
Management
• CA Boards • Legislation • Government
Relations
Meeting 1: CA Governance
(September)
Meeting 2: CA Public
Administration I (December)
Meeting 3: CA Public
Administration II
(March)
Meeting 4: CA Business
Areas (June)
Learning about our history
Conservation Authorities Act
Budgeting - General Levy
Municipal Funders % Apportionment
Funding $000s
% Change
Region of Peel 91.7366 $8,290 3.58 Halton Region 4.9673 $449 3.76 Township of Amaranth 0.0111 $1 2.35
Township of East Garafraxa 0.0568 $5 1.78
Town of Erin 0.6459 $58 0.19 Town of Mono 0.1129 $10 3.22 Town of Orangeville 2.4695 $223 1.40 TOTAL 100 $9,036 3.51
Strategic Planning
Conservation Authority Business Areas
• Watershed & Integrated Shoreline Management Planning/Science
• Water Quality & Quantity Monitoring and Modeling • GIS/Information Management • Land Use Planning & CA Regulations • Watershed Stewardship & Restoration • Source Water Protection • Flood and Erosion Control & Prevention • Natural Heritage Protection • Conservation/Outdoor Education • Lands & Conservation Areas • Communications & Outreach
Business Area
• Purpose of the business area in the CA context • History of the business area in the network • Key Legislation, Policy, or governance matters • Key disciplines typically involved in implementing the
business area • Common partners, clients, stakeholders and our relationships
with them • Risks and liabilities related to the business area • Resources • Future opportunities or threats to the business area • Key takeaways for a senior leaders – wrap up with some key
points
Flood Management Programs
Conservation Authorities use an Integrated Watershed Management Approach
• Watershed-based approach that addresses both land and water related resources
• Move beyond sector or single issue based approaches
• More effectively assess and balance ecological, social and economic interests
Conservation Areas
Stewardship Programs
Natural Heritage Programs
Land Acquisition and Management
“Having speakers from municipalities, the Province, consultants, insurance and
lawyers has provided valuable context to the work CAs do”
“I have really appreciated the broad aspect. So many of us, not yet in senior management, don't often get that breadth of learning and are relegated to
our particular roles and functions”
Program Impact
2 cohorts
63 participants
106 people engaged
Impact Statement
CAU EDP 2015-2016 Cohort
47 contributing
organizations
32 CA’s engaged
133 projects completed
Impact Statement
CAU EDP 2015-2016 Cohort
CAU EDP 2016-2017 Cohort
Course Impact
HR Projects 24
Board of Directors Projects 16 Peer visits 16
Legal Risk Management Projects 15 Financial Control Projects 12 Government Relations Projects 11
94*
*2015-2016 only
“Glad I can be a part of this, a
fantastic training "crash course" in all things related to
CA's. A great development tool for someone who comes to a
CA with a different background or from another industry.”
Community Values
• We have a community that is better connected
• We have tools and knowledge to share – collected, exposed and shared
• We have a community of people who now see themselves as executives in their organization – stepping up and in to support the management of their organizations
• We have a set of Senior staff who have been trained and can move into a variety of positions across the CAs
“I think this experience has demonstrated the great
opportunity to collaborate with other CA's and to share
resources, tool, templates and experiences with each other.”
inspired by nature