Thinking of Running forVillage of Sayward Council?

1Village of Sayward2008

Purpose of Presentation

To provide information to a prospective candidate on what is involved in the ‘job’ of being on council for the Village of Sayward

To provide information on some of the responsibilities of a candidate during and after the election

To answer any questions regarding the above

2Village of Sayward2008

Village of Sayward OverviewIn Area H of Strathcona Regional DistrictPopulation – 341 (2006 census)Village area – 596 Ha; 1,472 acres; 2.3 sq.

mi.$860k expenditure budget$610k capital budgetMedian age of the population 50 m, 49 f; BC

40 m, 42 f % of the pop aged over 15 86 m, 82 f; BC 83

m, 84 f.2008 Village of Sayward 3

Responsibilities of Council

Council – the primary responsibility of a council is to exercise the powers under the Community Charter

Council adopts policies and bylaws to put into effect desires of residents and land owners

Councils usually represent the will of the majority, listen to the minority and decide on the long term interest of the community as a whole

4Village of Sayward2008

Councillor’s Time CommitmentThis is a three year time commitmentRegular meetings are held on 1st and 3rd WednesdaysUsually 7:00 pmSometimes followed by an incamera meetingSometimes meetings of any kind can go to 11 pmOften councillors are appointed to outside boards

requiring them to attend those meetingsA councillor is expected to review the council

package beforehand; ask any questions of staff and attend council meeting as well informed as possible

5Village of Sayward2008

Other Council Information

Often council is asked to attend other government special functions

Community groups will sometimes ask council or a councillor to attend their functions

Council or a councillor is not expected to manage the day-to-day affairs

Councillor remuneration is $3.3k and Mayor $5.7k for 2009; expenses for travel on council business are covered

6Village of Sayward2008

Qualifications for Office

18 or older on election dayCanadian citizenResident in BC by April 8, 2008Not disqualified from voting i.e. failing to file

a disclosure statement

2008 Village of Sayward 7

The Election – OverviewThis overview is not intended to be exhaustive

nor take away any responsibility of a candidate to be fully

knowledgeable of the rules – Candidates HandbookNomination period – Began 9 am Wed Sept 30th;

ended 4 pm Friday Oct 10th Withdrawal of nomination by Fri October 17th 4 pmAdvance voting Wednesday Nov 5th ; 8 am – 8 pmElection day – Saturday November 15th

You win? Swearing in December 3rd at 7:00 pm

8Village of Sayward2008

The Election – Overview cont’dCandidates representatives

Official agentScrutineers

Disclosure statementsAdvertising within 100 metres of voting place Ballot counting

Do not arrive before close of poll at 8 pmDo not appear around the poll before 8 pmOnly one other person at ballot counting time

9Village of Sayward2008

Election FinancesFinancial agent required (may be official agent)

or the candidate as own financial agentCampaign accounts – new

Must open an savings institution account before incurring any expenses or as soon after a campaign contribution or money is received – whichever occurs first

Account must be in name of election campaign candidate, elector organization or campaign organizer

All money contributions and all expenses into/out of the account 10Village of Sayward2008

Election Campaign Contributions

No contribution over $50 is anonymousNot make a number of anonymous donations

under $50 that total over $50Give a campaign contribution indirectly by

giving money or property or services someone else to contribute

If given an anonymous contribution exceeding $50 must give contribution to Village to be used at discretion of Village

11Village of Sayward2008

Financial RecordingFinancial agent must:

Value the contributionDate the contributionFull name and address of contributorRecord class of contributor – individual,

corporation, unincorporated organization, trade union, non-profit organization, other contributors

Keep records for 7 years after November 15th

If contributor is numbered or unincorporated – full names and addresses of 2 individuals – directors or principal officers or members

12Village of Sayward2008

SummaryRead and follow the Candidates HandbookRespect all the time framesNew rules from the last by-election and the

last general election in 2005Don’t disqualify yourself!!Each candidate is responsible for knowing all

the rules, this presentation does not cover all a candidate needs to know!

2008 Village of Sayward 13