Thinking of Running for Village of Sayward Council?

1. Thinking of Running for Village of Sayward Council? Village of Sayward

2. 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 Village of Sayward

3. Village of Sayward Overview • In Area H of Strathcona Regional District • Population – 341 (2006 census) • Village area – 596 Ha; 1,472 acres; 2.3 sq. mi. • $860k expenditure budget • $610k capital budget • Median 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. Village of Sayward

4. 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 Village of Sayward

5. Councillor’s Time Commitment • This is a three year time commitment • Regular meetings are held on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays • Usually 7:00 pm • Sometimes followed by an incamera meeting • Sometimes meetings of any kind can go to 11 pm • Often councillors are appointed to outside boards requiring them to attend those meetings • A councillor is expected to review the council package beforehand; ask any questions of staff and attend council meeting as well informed as possible Village of Sayward

6. 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 Village of Sayward

7. Qualifications for Office • 18 or older on election day • Canadian citizen • Resident in BC by April 8, 2008 • Not disqualified from voting i.e. failing to file a disclosure statement Village of Sayward

8. The Election – Overview This overview is not intended to be exhaustive nor take away any responsibility of a candidate to be fully knowledgeable of the rules – Candidates Handbook • Nomination period – Began 9 am Wed Sept 30th; ended 4 pm Friday Oct 10th • Withdrawal of nomination by Fri October 17th 4 pm • Advance voting Wednesday Nov 5th ; 8 am – 8 pm • Election day – Saturday November 15th • You win? Swearing in December 3rd at 7:00 pm Village of Sayward

9. The Election – Overview cont’d • Candidates representatives • Official agent • Scrutineers • Disclosure statements • Advertising within 100 metres of voting place • Ballot counting • Do not arrive before close of poll at 8 pm • Do not appear around the poll before 8 pm • Only one other person at ballot counting time Village of Sayward

10. Election Finances • Financial agent required (may be official agent) or the candidate as own financial agent • Campaign 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 Village of Sayward

11. Election Campaign Contributions • No contribution over $50 is anonymous • Not make a number of anonymous donations under $50 that total over $50 • Give 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 Village of Sayward

12. Financial Recording • Financial agent must: • Value the contribution • Date the contribution • Full name and address of contributor • Record 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 Village of Sayward

13. Summary • Read and follow the Candidates Handbook • Respect all the time frames • New rules from the last by-election and the last general election in 2005 • Don’t disqualify yourself!! • Each candidate is responsible for knowing all the rules, this presentation does not cover all a candidate needs to know! Village of Sayward