Nominations are now being accepted for the sixth annual Saskatchewan Municipal Awards (SMA) Program. Established in 2006, the SMA celebrates notable and groundbreaking projects Saskatchewan's municipal governments are implementing that demonstrate good governance, effective management, consistent public engagement, innovation, significance, transferability, sustainability and capacity building.
Last year's SMA program saw an all-time high of 41 nominations for awards. This year, a new award, Community Life Enrichment, will join the slate of categories, which also include Municipal Innovation and Service Excellence, Economic Development Leadership, Regional Leadership and Partnerships, Environmental Stewardship and Heritage Conservation Leadership.
Projects, which may involve more than one municipality working together, will be adjudicated by an independent selection committee. Past years' committees have included such notables as Senator Pamela Wallin, Bob Linner (former City Manager for Regina and Prince Albert), Regina Leader Post political columnist Murray Mandryk, Holly Hetherington (Senior Partner, Executive Source), and Jim Angus (Administrator of the RM of Harris No. 316).
The program is an excellent way for municipal governments to promote their successes to ratepayers, other communities, and the province as a whole. To view the guidelines or download nomination forms, visit www.municipalawards.ca.
The deadline to submit a nomination is March 21, 2012. Winners will be announced at the Saskatchewan Municipal Awards luncheon on May 11, 2012 in Regina.
