ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
Let’s share some good practice and new ideas to help you enjoy
your role in the civic office!
Introductions – Absolute Beginners
• Workshop by:
Irene Webster
Civic Officer - Scarborough BC
Alasdair Ross
Civic Affairs Manager
Aberdeen City Council
Introductions and Expectations
• What we hope to achieve from the Workshop
• Identify different roles (administrative and uniformed staff) – tell us what you want to achieve
• Support Needs for the Civic Head/Roles and Responsibilities
• Working with an Elected Member (as opposed to a senior officer)
• Civic Protocols and Procedure Manuals (Civic Ceremonial our bible by the great Mr Paul Millward)
Technology can be your best friend - The Electronic Office!
• Diary Management
• Production of the Weekly Diary Sheets
• E-briefings
• Proformas : standard letters/forms
• Use of Social Media
• Websites (information/promotion)
Support Mechanisms• Don’t try to conquer the earth!
• Know your budget limitations and work within them
• Support from your colleagues and Communications Office (media/promotion and pubic relations)
• Support from your line manager/Chief Executive and Leader
• NACO (website and electronic mail – just ask)
• Working as a team with uniformed staff
• Induction/Training for new Uniformed Staff– Introductions/Protocols/Chains/Transport/Diary of events
Expectations from the Civic Head
• Initial Meeting with your Civic Head (their hopes for the year)
• Training/Induction : both Civic Head of yourself! (Procedure Manuals)
• Scoring of Invitations
• Use of Civic Car (read the contract document)
• Mayor/Chairman’s “Theme” (Link to the Council’s Key Objectives)
• Civic Awards
• Charity Work
• Events (break into groups and share ideas) - Feedback
Networking
• Make connections with the local community – Get to know them (keep a list of contacts – they can help you in many ways)
• Friends Groups
• Partnership Working (local businesses/voluntary groups/Rotary etc)
• Make sure you know your “patch” (have a drive around with the chauffeur and work together)
• NACO
What Did You Learn Today?
• What Was Helpful?
• Any Questions?
• Does Anyone Want to Share Any Brilliant Tips?
• Was there anything that we didn’t cover?
• Thank you for choosing our Workshop – copies of documents available and can be emailed