Are You Thinking About Running in the 2022 Election?
By Paul Demenok, CSRD Area C (South Shuswap) Director
October 15 will be the General Voting Day for the 2022 BC local government elections. After 10 years of public service, I have decided to retire from politics so there will be at least two local government positions to fill in the South Shuswap later this year. This article is to help those who might be considering being a candidate in 2022.
Here are some things to consider before you decide to run:
There’s a steep learning curve-There is a lot to learn before you can be even minimally successful as a local government politician. First, you need to have a good working knowledge of Robert’s Rules as every meeting employs them. Then there’s a myriad of bylaws, policies and practices and it may take several years before you become comfortable in communicating these to your constituents. Of course, there are many local issues, concerns, opportunities and projects to learn about and there are some major plans that will soon need updating including the Official Community Plan and the Liquid Waste Management Plan for Area C. Bottom line, you will need to invest considerable time to develop your knowledge to the point where you can be effective. The CSRD website is a great source of information where you can access minutes and agendas, bylaws, news and events, and I would encourage you to spend some time there. I would recommend that you monitor CSRD Board and Committee meetings so you can hear what’s going on. If elected there is a number of conferences you can attend to expand your networks and knowledge base.
Develop relationships with key stakeholders-In a rural community many services, are delivered by non-profit societies and volunteers. Collaborating with these groups and individuals is a great way to acquire opinions and attitudes towards community needs and opportunities and to achieve community goals. At last count there are 43 different non-profit groups operating in the South Shuswap.
You need to have a flexible schedule-Nearly all CSRD committee and Board meetings are held during the day, so while it’s possible to work at another job, you will need to have a flexible work schedule to be able to attend to your elected duties. Board meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month except December. Committee meetings are held monthly, quarterly or semi-annually. Public Hearings and many community events are held in the evening or during weekends, and you are expected to attend those by your constituents. Elected officials will carry a CSRD-provided cell phone, so you are accessible 24/7/365, which is especially critical during emergencies.
You should enjoy reading-For all CSRD Board meetings there are hundreds of pages of materials to review prior to the meeting. Committee meetings can also have a lot of attachments to review. You are expected to come to meetings prepared to discuss all agenda items.
You should enjoy writing-It’s important to communicate to your constituents regularly, so having a monthly column in the local paper is very helpful. You will often be called upon to write letters of support to help groups win grant applications. Sometimes critical or advocacy letters are needed to address community problems with provincial or federal agencies or ministries.
You should enjoy public speaking-In addition to participating in pre-election debates, you also need to be able to communicate well verbally in meetings, during press interviews, in committees and with the public.
There are very specific rules to adhere to in running for election-BC Elections puts out a detailed guide for candidates which spells out exactly how much you can spend on your campaign, and the types of expenditures that are or are not allowed. You will be able to pick up a guide at the CSRD office. You must open a separate bank account through which all donations and expenses are entered, and you must keep all receipts and accounting entries.
There is an annual declaration and a code of conduct-Each year all elected officials in BC must submit a financial declaration which lists all investments, business interests and potential conflicts of interest. All elected officials at the CSRD are expected to maintain a code of conduct in all dealings with staff, other elected officials and the public.
Don’t run on a single issue-This is a big mistake that will usually backfire. Creating change at a local government level is challenging at best and if you have only one item on your agenda, it will be even more difficult. If there’s a bylaw you want to change work with elected officials and staff to better understand the rationale for the bylaw. There’s usually a very good reason for it.
You need a thick skin and lots of patience-No matter what you do, there will always be someone out there who is critical. Criticisms are often very personal and cutting, and there is no end to conspiracy theories. Sometimes people need to vent their frustrations and politicians often represent a convenient and easy target. This is one of the most difficult challenges for individuals to deal with when in office.
Finally, you’re not doing it for the money-Local politicians are grossly underpaid in my opinion considering the time requirements and the nature of the job. You will receive far less than the minimum wage if you put any effort into the job at all. There are no benefit plans or pension plans or perks or expense accounts involved, and to avoid potential conflicts of interest I would advise candidates to self-finance their election campaigns.
So, why would you ever want to get involved in local politics? This is a critical question to consider before you sign up as a candidate, but you should understand your motivation. While there were countless frustrations, for myself I must say there is a very strong sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with community-building, successful projects and programs and public service itself. At least that’s my take on it.
