Reach out to a peer mentor

Municipal leaders face complex and controversial issues. Tension with a fellow councillor or difficulty balancing the demands of the position might arise. Sometimes talking with an impartial party who may have been in a similar situation can help put things into focus.

Alberta has a network of peer mentors that you can call upon for advice. The Peer Network program puts municipal elected officials and administrators in touch with a provincial network of respected peers who have real-world experience in resolving tough municipal issues.  Mentors represent a wide range of municipal types and sizes, and conversations are kept strictly confidential.

Partnering organizations include AUMA, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, the Local Government Administration Association, and the Alberta Rural Municipal Administrators Association.  Each of the four associations nominates two individuals to serve as peer mentors, resulting in four elected officials and four current or retired CAOs being available to provide support. 

Peer mentors are available to speak with you about any challenge you are facing in your role as an elected official or municipal administrator. The list of peer mentors, along with contact information, can be found at www.peernetwork.ca.

Earlier this year, Tina Petrow, a Councillor from the City of Airdrie, was appointed to the Peer Network as a representative of the AUMA. Tina is trained as a mediator. Charlene Smylie, Mayor of the Village of Wabamun, is AUMA’s second peer mentor within the network.

If you have any questions about the Peer Network, please contact AUMA’s advocacy team at advocacy [at] auma.ca (advocacy[at]auma[dot]ca).