In an environment of competing priorities, uncertainty and limited resources, strategic planning helps councils stay focused on what matters most. This practical workshop explores what strategic planning is, why it is essential to municipal success, and what a solid planning process looks like, without getting lost in jargon. Council will gain a clear understanding of the key elements of an effective strategic plan, the major steps involved in developing one, and the common barriers that can hinder progress. The result is a stronger foundation for setting priorities, aligning resources, and making decisions that support long-term community goals.

Whether you are serving on council for the first time or looking for a refresher, understanding the fundamentals of municipal government is essential to governing effectively. This workshop introduces the JSGS Role of Council Framework, with a focus on council’s core responsibilities of setting direction and monitoring results. Council will also explore roles and responsibilities, the structure of Saskatchewan’s municipal sector, and the legal authorities and obligations that guide municipal decision-making. Designed as a practical introduction to municipal governance, this is the essential starting point for new councils and a valuable reset for experienced members seeking to strengthen their governance foundation.

Success in today’s municipal environment depends on more than making your case. It depends on building the right relationships, engaging the right people, and understanding how and when government decisions are made. This practical workshop provides an insider’s view of provincial government, helping Council navigate key structures, identify decision-makers, and time their engagement for maximum impact. Learn strategies for influence, diplomacy, and relationship-building that can strengthen your municipality’s voice and advance local priorities. Walk away with an improved roadmap for turning advocacy efforts into productive partnerships and better results for your community.

Council’s work does not end when the vote is taken. Effective governance requires ensuring that decisions are implemented, monitored, and evaluated so they deliver the results intended by council and the community. This engaging half-day workshop explores why good decisions do not always lead to good outcomes, how councils can maintain oversight after approval, and what practices support successful implementation. Participants will gain practical strategies to strengthen accountability, track progress, and ensure council priorities are translated into meaningful action. By bridging the gap between decision-making and results, municipalities can maximize the value of every council decision and better achieve their strategic goals.

Strong municipal administration leadership requires more than managing day-to-day issues. It means understanding the municipal government system, fostering productive relationships, and helping council and staff stay focused on what matters most. This practical workshop explores how administration and elected officials can work together effectively, support council as a team, and distinguish between urgent demands and true strategic priorities. Participants will also learn how establishing clear roles, expectations, and boundaries strengthens trust while preserving good governance. By building these leadership skills, municipalities can make better decisions, improve collaboration, and achieve long-term community goals with greater confidence and success.

Councils face competing priorities, intense public expectations, and increasingly complex decisions. The challenge is not doing more. It is focusing on the things that matter most. This practical workshop explores four fundamentals of effective municipal governance: knowing where your municipality is trying to go, respecting the difference between governance and administration, asking reasonable financial questions, and measuring whether decisions achieved the intended results. Council will leave with a straightforward governance framework that helps keep attention on long-term success rather than the issue of the day. When these fundamentals are in place, councils are better equipped to make sound decisions, build public trust, and deliver meaningful results for their communities.

The purpose of this typically half-day workshop, is to strengthen the capacity of a municipality’s senior staff to identify, assess, and manage operational, financial, infrastructure, and strategic risks in a consistent, proactive, and practical manner.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Define risk from a municipal perspective and explain why risk assessment is essential for effective service delivery, financial stewardship, and community trust.
• Identify key risks in their operational areas, including infrastructure, service delivery, cyber/financial systems, and shared-service arrangements.
• Assess and prioritize risks using likelihood, impact, and the risk matrix tailored to municipal operations.
• Select appropriate mitigation strategies—avoid, reduce, transfer, accept—and apply them using real municipal examples (e.g., infrastructure planning, CSO program, financial verification controls).
• Apply practical tools for monitoring and reporting risks, including risk registers, escalation pathways, and communication strategies to senior leadership and Council.
• Use scenario-based thinking to respond to realistic municipal challenges (e.g., stormwater events, service disruptions) and build organizational resilience.