Executive Director’s Message

Spring has arrived and with it, a new sense of optimism abounds. Not the optimism of June 2020 when we began to emerge out of what we thought was the end of the pandemic and not the optimism we felt after the first jab in the arm in January 2021—then the second and third. It’s a bit of cautious optimism mixed with excitement around getting back to “normal” or normal-ish.

For GFOABC getting back to “normal” means planning our first hybrid conference. This year’s conference, NEXT LEVEL FINANCE: Leadership & Transformation, will be held in person at the Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre, a perfect backdrop for reconnecting with colleagues and friends.

Not to be outdone by the conference backdrop, the conference program provides an opportunity for in-person, and virtual attendees to choose from thirty sessions over two and a half days.

Sessions include two incredible keynotes that will present on topics of diversity, equity and inclusion. On day one of the conference, Jessica Nordell, awardwinning author, science writer, and speaker will share what she has learned through her 15-year odyssey of researching, reporting and writing on the subject of bias and discrimination. On day two, Jesse Wente, broadcaster, Indigenous advocate and author of Unreconciled: Family, Truth and Indigenous Resistance, will share his story and thoughts on truth and acceptance on the journey to reconciliation.

Plenary sessions will take a deeper dive into ESG and Social Purpose, Digital Transformation in the Public Sector, and the Future of Work. The Future of Work presentation will pick up where we left off with the 2017 keynote presentation on the Skills Gap—the perceived difference in skills employers want versus what job candidates have. Fast forward to 2022 and the landscape has been irrevocably changed. How is this landscape impacting BC local government, and what can be done to attract and retain talent? This year’s conference will also see the return of a focus group session. This year’s focus group will look for feedback from members on a newly established Leadership

Competency Framework. The framework outlines seven competencies needed to demonstrate excellence in local government finance. Each competency has three levels, and each level includes a description of what it means to demonstrate a particular competency at each level. We look forward to receiving input from members and will reach out ahead of the conference with an RSVP invitation to attend.

In addition to the program and focus group sessions, this year, we have reintroduced in-person pre-conference professional development workshops. This year’s line-up includes Treasury & Investment Management, Annual Municipal Tax Sale, Asset Retirement Obligations, and Debt Financing.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s conference. In-person or online. We hope you and your team will join us for our first hybrid conference!

Penticton or bust!

Kala Harris, Excutive Director