Paul Shipway, CMO, AOMC, MPA
Legislative Services Manager/Clerk, Middlesex County
As the Manager of Legislative Services/Clerk for Middlesex County, I am responsible for overseeing the administration of the County Council, municipal corporations and various boards and committees. However, my experience in municipal government extends far beyond my current position. In fact, I have worked in various capacities for multiple municipalities in different regions of Ontario.
Prior to my current role, I served as the Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk for both the Municipality of Central Elgin and the Municipality of Bayham in Elgin County. During my time in these positions, I was able to lead incredible teams of professionals in designing and implementing innovative digital knowledge management systems with advanced automation and workflow capabilities.
These systems codified and utilized explicit and tacit corporate knowledge, allowing staff to sustainably modernize and innovate administration and service delivery. Our efforts were not only recognized within the municipalities themselves but also in the wider community. The Municipality of Bayham was awarded the AMCTO E.A. Danby Award for Municipal Innovation and the John Niedra Better Practices – Innovative Service Delivery Award, while the Municipality of Central Elgin received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
Before my tenure in Elgin County, I also served as the Deputy Clerk in the Township of Uxbridge in Durham Region and started my municipal career in the Township of McKellar in the Parry Sound District. In these roles, I was responsible for a wide range of duties, including overseeing elections, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with legislation and regulations.
In addition to my experience in municipal government, I also hold a Master's of Public Administration from Western University and am a Certified Municipal Officer (CMO) and an Accredited Ontario Municipal Clerk (AOMC). I have been actively involved with AMCTO for many years. My involvement has included serving on the Zone 1 and Zone 4 Executives, the Legislation & Policy Advisory Committee (LPAC), the New Professionals Committee, the CMO Program Review Committee, as CMO Reviewer, and as a mentor in the AMCTO Mentorship Program. I currently serve on the AMCTO Board of Directors and sit on the Management Committee.
Throughout my career, I have been a strong advocate for municipalities to the provincial and federal government, advocating for policies and funding that improve local government stakeholder outcomes. I have seen firsthand the impact, both positive and negative, that federal and provincial policies can have on local communities. As such, I have made it a priority to effectively engage with decision-makers and advocate for policies that support municipalities and the communities they serve.
I believe that it is essential for all parties to work collaboratively to address issues that impact our communities. This includes funding for critical infrastructure projects, changes to legislation that affect municipalities, its municipal professionals and policy changes that impact municipal service delivery.
A hallmark of my career has been a commitment to creating a positive and progressive work environment. I firmly believe that a focus on innovation and administrative excellence can lead to better outcomes for all stakeholders. This enthusiasm and relentless pursuit of continual improvement has been a driving force in my career.
Why do you want to serve on the AMCTO Board?
At the start of my career, I had a transformative experience with AMCTO members who were kind, inviting, and generously shared their time and expertise. This experience ignited my desire to contribute to AMCTO and our profession. Since then, I have progressed through various AMCTO committees and leadership positions, including the Board and Management Committee. As Vice President, I am eager to take the next step in my service to AMCTO and our profession.
AMCTO is an invaluable resource to our sector, offering education, networking, and advocacy opportunities. I have witnessed firsthand the impact of AMCTO Presidents and Vice Presidents as they advocate for our profession. As municipal professionals, our work is essential to the well-being of our communities, and I am committed to driving innovation and improvement to provide the best possible service to our stakeholders. I believe that serving on the AMCTO Board as Vice President would allow me to contribute to our organization's continued success, support our members, and help shape the future of our profession.
What three skills do you possess that will greatly contribute to the AMCTO Board?
Leadership: I have a demonstrated history of leading progressive highly skilled teams to deliver results for stakeholders.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills: I am a confident and articulate communicator, able to engage with a wide range of stakeholders and build strong relationships fostering a culture of trust, accountability, integrity and excellence.
Creativity: I have the ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
As a collaborative leader, I bring a unique approach to complex situations that involves a blend of dedication, focus, and enthusiasm. While dealing with complex challenges can be stressful and demanding, I find that incorporating an element of enjoyment and positivity can help alleviate tension and foster a more productive work environment. My ability to balance a serious work ethic with a lighthearted attitude has allowed me to build strong relationships with colleagues, while also achieving successful outcomes for stakeholders. I firmly believe that by bringing a sense of enjoyment and enthusiasm to my work, I can help create a more fulfilling and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
AMCTO is striving to become a more diverse and inclusion organization. How do you feel you can support AMCTO in achieving this goal?
AMCTO is a community built on the shared experiences and knowledge of municipal professionals. As individuals and an organization, we benefit when our policies, programs and advocacy efforts represent the diversity of our community. As a leader within AMCTO, I believe it is crucial to recognize that diversity and inclusion are not only morally and ethically imperative, but also essential to the success and growth of our organization.
To support diversity and inclusion within AMCTO, I will continuously educate myself and remain an active listener to the experiences and perspectives of people from diverse backgrounds. I will strive to learn about the unique challenges that underrepresented groups face in the municipal sector, and work to ensure that their voices are heard and represented in AMCTO's policies, programs, and advocacy efforts.
I recognize that identifying my own biases and privilege is an ongoing process, and I am committed to continuously assessing myself and challenging any inappropriate language, behaviour, or systemic barriers that may exist. As a leader within AMCTO, I will work to foster a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute.
Ultimately, my goal is to support a critical collective action to incorporate a lens of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion into everything AMCTO. This commitment will help to eliminate barriers to participation, and ensure that our organization reflects the diversity of our membership. By doing so, we can strengthen the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of municipal professionals now and into the future.