leaping a chasm

©Understanding Good Governance, presented by George B. Cuff & Associates Ltd. 1

Leaping a Chasm

The Planning Summit

Regina, 2013


Quote by David Lloyd George (former British PM)

The most dangerous thing in the world is to try to leap a

chasm in two jumps.


Encouraging folks (who are elected by one community to do the best for their

community) to think in terms of what is best for us as a Region is not an easy fit. This

takes time and requires in many ways a new mindset. A regional board if constructed

independently with its own legal status will need to be dealt with as its own entity. It is

not an extension of the municipality.


Those elected or appointed to the Regional Board will need to have strong character,

independent minds, capacity to think beyond parochial borders, a willingness to suffer the slings and arrows of ratepayers

and Councillors alike and prepared for shortened and uncelebrated careers as

elected officials. The list of volunteers may not be long!


“Show me a stock clerk with a goal, and I’ll show you someone who will make history. Show me someone

without a goal, and I’ll show you a stock clerk.”

J. C. Penny


“The essence of leadership is a vision you articulate clearly and forcefully on every occasion. You

cannot blow an uncertain trumpet.” Theodore Hesburgh, Notre Dame's President for 35

years (1952–87), the longest tenure to date


Focus on the PrinciplesPrinciple 1: Clear ExpectationsPrinciple 2: Clear Governance ModelPrinciple 3: Trust & Respect between PartnersPrinciple 4: One EmployeePrinciple 5: Concurrent Information Principle 6: Primacy of the Body Principle 7: Monitor


Develop a Covenant (MOU)Respect for the mandate and authority of each otherUnderstanding that each has a difficult & unique

positionA desire to help Board achieve its mandateA willingness to implement decisions of Board even

when decisions do not reflect the advice of the administration

Trust & confidence in commitments made including ability to handle confidential information appropriately

Recognition by Council of professionalism of the staff; non-interference in allowing the staff to get the job done

Full disclosure of necessary information


Do Not! Allow a minority of voices to stop you Allow a setback to stop you Allow an over-indulgence in parochialism to stop

you Believe every rumour you hear Gang up on the large or the small Miss big opportunities because of small thinking


Time Having said what I said about a chasm being best

covered in one leap, this regionalism venture will take time. While it will in the end result likely be very beneficial to all it will not be without challenges and setbacks and frustrations along the way. Patience and wisdom and statesmanship will be essential.


The Adage of the SparrowA farmer comes upon a sparrow lying

in the middle of a road. He asks the sparrow “Mr. Sparrow, what are you doing?” The sparrow replies “Why, can’t you see? I am holding up the sky.” The farmer says “But you are so small. Look at your spindly legs. You can’t hold up the sky! The sparrow replies “One does what one can!”

ACHIEVE WHAT??

If Columbus had turned back, no one would have blamed him. No one would have remembered him either. (Anon)

leaping a chasm

Documents

cuff associates

david lloyd george

decisions of board

regional board

stock clerk

elected officials

clear expectationsprinciple

body principle