Manitoba Stronger Together

Process, Power & Practical Governance

Purpose:

This worksheet helps you reflect on how comfortable and prepared you are to operate within the actual mechanics of municipal government — including process, administration, information flow, and relationships.

There are no correct answers. Honest answers are far more valuable than confident ones.

Section 1 — Understanding How Decisions Begin

1. Before this module, how did you assume municipal decisions typically began?
How has that understanding changed?

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2. Think of a community issue you care about.

Where do you now believe it would first enter the municipal system?

☐ Resident request
☐ Administration initiative
☐ Committee discussion
☐ Budget or planning process
☐ Provincial / regional requirement
☐ Unsure

What questions would you now ask before expecting it to reach council?

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Section 2 — Council, Committees & Process

3. How comfortable are you with the idea that most decisions are shaped before the council meeting?

☐ Very comfortable
☐ Somewhat comfortable
☐ Uncomfortable
☐ Surprised / concerned

Explain your response:

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4. Which aspect of council process do you anticipate finding most challenging?

☐ Procedural rules
☐ Committee dynamics
☐ Collective decision-making
☐ Losing votes
☐ Speaking at the right time
☐ Other: _______________________

Why?

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Section 3 — Working With Administration

5. How would you currently describe the role of administration in one sentence?

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6. Which of the following would be most difficult for you to balance?

☐ Asking tough questions without sounding adversarial
☐ Accepting professional advice while retaining judgment
☐ Avoiding micromanagement
☐ Knowing when to push back
☐ Trusting the process

Explain:

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Section 4 — Information & Gatekeeping

7. How do you typically respond when you suspect you are not getting the full picture?

☐ Accept what is presented
☐ Ask clarifying questions
☐ Seek outside perspectives
☐ Become skeptical or frustrated
☐ Delay decisions

Which response serves you best in governance — and which might cause problems?

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8. What kinds of information do you believe councillors should always ask for before major decisions?

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Section 5 — Power, Influence & Relationships

9. Which do you believe is more important for long-term effectiveness as a councillor?

☐ Formal authority
☐ Informal influence
☐ A balance of both

Why?

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10. How comfortable are you with working alongside long-serving officials who may resist change?

☐ Very comfortable
☐ Somewhat comfortable
☐ Uncomfortable
☐ Unsure

What approach would you take to remain effective without becoming isolated?

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Section 6 — Independence & Integrity

11. Imagine you are encouraged to support a decision primarily “for unity” rather than merit.
How would you evaluate that request?

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12. What personal principles or habits will help you remain independent while still collaborative?

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Final Reflection

13. After completing Module 2, how prepared do you feel to operate within real municipal systems?

☐ Very prepared
☐ Moderately prepared
☐ Aware but cautious
☐ Still unsure

What additional learning or support would help most?

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Closing Note

Municipal effectiveness is not about dominating the system — it is about understanding it well enough to steward it responsibly.

Revisit this worksheet after Module 4 or during your first year in office to measure growth and perspective.