Manitoba Stronger Together

Purpose:

This worksheet is designed to help you reflect honestly on your readiness for municipal office.
There are no “right” answers. The value comes from candour, not confidence.

You may complete this privately. You are not required to submit it unless you choose to.

Section 1 — Understanding the Reality of Municipal Office

1. In your own words, describe what you now understand about what municipal officials can and cannot control.
(Consider policy vs. operations, authority vs. influence.)

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2. Identify one issue you care deeply about that may fall partially or fully outside municipal authority.
How would you explain those limits honestly to a resident?

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Section 2 — Expectations vs. Reality

3. Before this module, what did you assume municipal office would be like?
What assumptions have changed?

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4. Which aspect of municipal reality do you anticipate finding most frustrating — and why?

☐ Limited authority
☐ Slow pace of decision-making
☐ Administrative resistance
☐ Public criticism
☐ Working within a group
☐ Other: _______________________

Explain your choice:

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Section 3 — Personal Impact & Capacity

5. Estimate realistically the time you could dedicate each week to municipal responsibilities.

☐ 5–10 hours
☐ 10–15 hours
☐ 15–25 hours
☐ 25+ hours

What would need to change in your current life to make this possible?

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6. Have you discussed the impact of public office with your family or employer?

☐ Yes
☐ Partially
☐ Not yet

What concerns, if any, were raised?

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Section 4 — Pressure, Criticism & Resilience

7. How do you typically respond to criticism or public disagreement?
(Check all that apply.)

☐ Reflect and adjust
☐ Defend my position strongly
☐ Withdraw or disengage
☐ Seek clarification
☐ Take it personally
☐ Other: _______________________

Which of these responses might help you most in public office — and which might need work?

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8. When you feel isolated or unsupported, what strategies do you usually rely on?

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Section 5 — Integrity & Drift Awareness

9. Imagine a situation where you disagree with a decision but feel strong pressure to go along “just this once.”
What factors would influence your choice?

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10. What personal warning signs would tell you that you may be drifting away from your original commitments?

☐ Avoiding conversations with residents
☐ Stopping questions to avoid conflict
☐ Deferring automatically to others
☐ Feeling resigned rather than engaged
☐ Other: _______________________

Section 6 — Serving With Constituents

11. How do you currently stay connected to community perspectives different from your own?

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12. What would regular, healthy engagement with constituents look like for you if elected?

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Final Reflection

13. After completing Module 1, how confident are you that municipal office is the right next step for you at this time?

☐ Very confident
☐ Moderately confident
☐ Unsure
☐ Leaning against it

Why?

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14. If you choose to proceed, what support will you need most to remain effective and grounded?

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Closing Note

Deciding not to run — or to delay running — can be an act of wisdom and integrity.
Municipal leadership benefits most from people who enter with clarity, not pressure.