Participants in the Governance and Finance Training in Kenora: Front Row (L-R):
Jamie Triskle, Nina Henley (in white) Sandra Triskle, Cyndy Laliberte, Joel Henley.
Back Row( L-R): Kathleen Tardi, Chis Deslauriers, Colette Surovy, Martin Camire
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) benefits immensely from the dedicated volunteers who are members of our chartered community councils. These hard-working individuals spend hundreds of hours building and strengthening their Métis communities.
Through funding provided by the New Relationship Fund, the MNO has been able to develop and deliver a “Governance and Finance Course” that helps community councils perform their important work. The Governance and Finance Course is delivered by Glen Lipinski and Andy Lefebvre, the MNO’s Consultation and Community Relation Coordinators. During the weekend of December 1-2, the course was offered to the MNO Kenora Métis Council. In the past, courses have been available in Atikokan, Sudbury, Niagara, Peterborough, Grand River, Credit River, Toronto, Ottawa and Georgian Bay.
The course is a two-day seminar, usually on weekends, in a hotel or meeting hall in each council’s community. The program explains the role of Community Councils as the MNO’s local governments, whose structure and purpose is coordinated through each Council’s charter agreement with the MNO. The course covers everything from how to run effective meetings and engage citizens in council activities to budgeting and the various financial practices, regulations and legislation that community councils follow.