Councillors share tricks of political trade
Posted Feb 26, 2010 By Kimberly Lochhead
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Tweet ThisEMC News - Councillors Jan Harder and Marianne Wilkinson are teaming up to offer encouragement and advice by hosting a Women in Politics Campaign School on Feb. 27, aimed at providing information on how to budget, develop a platform and deliver a strong campaign message.
"I was thinking back to when I first ran for election in 1997 and I knew nothing about campaigns, the rules and asking for money," said Coun. Harder. "Women are still challenged today with being the main caretaker of the family and have also been involved extensively in the community and want to make a difference. We want to reach out to them with information that allows them to make that giant leap."
She added that they hope to prompt women to run for political positions as they acquire the proper tools, help and confidence building from the workshop. Coun. Harder said one of the challenges she experienced in her political career was balancing her dedication to the city with her family life.
"My daughters are proud of what I've done but they were happy I didn't start to get into politics until they were older," she said. "To have the right balance is key for many women and they should remember that what they are doing will extend beyond their own family and for the betterment of the city. It does take a person with a strong back because if you come into it wearing your heart on your sleeve, you will be devastated."
Coun. Wilkinson is a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' national board of directors as well as the organization's Increasing Women's Participation in Municipal Government Committee.
"She has never lost her passion and pride for what she does," added Coun. Harder. "(Coun. Wilkinson) is truly a leader and we thought we could offer something to the interested women in this city who would like to be more informed."
Coun. Wilkinson said she has taken on a roll as a mentor to women and is trying to assist them in understanding and becoming more involved in municipal politics.
"I did a women's conference in 1973 for Ottawa and this time I thought it was really important that we get more people out," she said. "I find women sometimes can be more intimidated if they're in a mixed workshop, so we wanted to do it just for the women."
The program was designed to educate attendees on how to work with media, especially new social media outlets. Coun. Harder said the event is also for those who may be asked to run a campaign.
"Many of the people around the table here originally either worked on a campaign with another municipal councillor or in the office of a councillor and learned how things worked," added. Coun. Wilkinson.
She said that at all levels of government in Canada, women's involvement has appeared to stagnate at 25% to 30%. School boards have done well to attract more women, but she said our governments need to have a variety of people of all different backgrounds in order for issues to be considered from many angles.
"It's this bit of stagnation and the difficulty of raising money that is hard," said Coun. Wilkinson. "We need to tell them they do have the ability to run and do a good job and show them how to deal with issues women face in their lives."
Coun. Harder said they are piecing together a dynamic panel of speakers and they hope to acquire MPP Lisa MacLeod who is very supportive of the workshop.
"She is also a young mother who frequently travels and has run campaigns for her father," she said. "She has a lot of experience in many different levels of government."
While it does take a special kind of person to run in politics, both councillors said they hope many will take the opportunity to become better informed and realize the power they have to induce change.
"I think women now understand that the roll they can play is important," said Coun. Harder. "There's no question that when items come up for debate and in decision-making, a women's point of view tends to be different knowing our personal concerns and those of fellow women. I think there has never been a better opportunity for women to get involved and take part in the municipal process by doing more than voting."
While there is a cost for the event, it includes lunch and a take-home informational package. Registration will be held before the event at 9 a.m. at Ottawa City Hall. For more information, contact Coun. Wilkinson at 613-580-2474 or marianne.wilkinson@ottawa.ca.
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