Sign Up For The Council Candidate Course

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Whats In The Council Candidate Course

Thinking About Running for Council? Know the Job Before You Ask for It.

This course is designed as a practical guide for prospective councillors and engaged voters who want to better understand how local government really works. It is not about how to campaign; it is about what happens when campaigning ends and governing begins.

Whether you are considering putting your name on the ballot or simply want to make a more informed choice about who represents you, this course provides a practical look at the responsibilities, realities and constraints of serving on Council.

Key Takeaways

By the end of this course, you will have a clearer understanding of:

What the job really is - the role, responsibilities and limits of an individual councillor, and what it means to govern as part of a Council.Bullet List 2
The difference between campaigning and governing - what happens when campaign promises meet legislation, budgets, competing priorities and the need to work with others.
Council vs. administration - where Council's governance role ends, where staff's management role begins, and why that distinction matters.
How municipal decisions really get made - the role of legislation, bylaws, policies, staff advice, Council meetings, confidentiality and collective decision-making.
How money shapes priorities - how municipal budgets, taxation, infrastructure and long-term obligations affect what Council can deliver, and why every YES has an opportunity cost.

About Trish

Trish Mandewo brings firsthand experience from municipal government and decades of leadership and governance work. Drawing on her experience as an elected councillor and governance professional, Trish offers practical insights into how councils actually function, how decisions are made, and what it truly means to serve a community as an elected representative.

City Councillor in Coquitlam, British Columbia
Governance professional with extensive board and leadership experience
Former President of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)
Entrepreneur, author, and speaker
Experienced in municipal governance, public policy, leadership, and community development
Passionate about helping leaders understand the responsibilities and realities of effective governance