My motivation for writing this Elections Manifesto, what truly compelled me, were my real life experiences working with First Nation communities and the evident need and desire from Electors, Members and Leaders for their Election process to unfold in a much more involved and engaged manner.  It’s my contention that Nation’s take a much more bold step in governing their election processes well beyond the essential directives and limitations contained within their regulations and rules.  I am speaking about extending the “intent” of this important self-governance tool through a strategic objective designed to build stronger, healthier and more successful communities…to build awareness, purpose and acceptance of your election processes.

People.. especially people in positions of power.. have invested a tremendous amount of effort and time to get to where they are. They really don’t want to hear that we’re on the wrong path, that we’ve got to shift gears and start thinking differently. – David Suzuki

Here are my 6 key checklist items for your next election:

  1. Appoint Your Chief Electoral Officer Early – I have advocated this number one priority from the very start of my Elections Manifesto, and debunked the notion that there is huge additional costs to doing so…the earlier the better…and remember, select the best Electoral Officer and negotiate the price you want.
  2. Engage Your Members/Electors Early and Often – this is an opportunity to enhance and refine your membership list, and to set the stage and tone for the upcoming election as well as establish member responsibility for your election processes.
  3. Design and Implement Your Strategic Communications Plan – this is where the rubber hits the road, and where you can guide the conversation and truly begin to build a nation committed to its own determination, success and wealth.
  4. Listen…Take It All In…Re-Engage – what’s important here is that you are using the discussions and inputs across all media, including social media, to inform the discussion further and direct it toward the outcome needed.  Remember communication goes both ways – use it with respect but use it with purpose.
  5. Align the Community and Learn – the desired outcome is to create an election process that is fully understood and engaged by the community, but even more importantly creates a modern culture and ritual that accepts the election process and eliminates/removes all the distrust and anxiety so often connected with this critical event.
  6. Own This Process (and think outside the box) – ultimately the success or failure of every election (in the context of this manifesto) is a direct reflection of the leadership, government and administration that proceeded it.  Growth and change happens when we chose to do things differently, apply what we learn from that experience, and do things differently again…and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way (in fact I would suggest its unforgivable to not make any!)

Every leader’s temptation is to deal with what’s directly in front, because it always seems more urgent and concrete. Unfortunately, if you do that, you put your company at risk. While you concentrate on steering around potholes, you’ll miss windfall opportunities, not to mention any signals that the road you’re on is leading off a cliff. – Paul J. H. Schoemaker

I hope this helps and makes sense to you…my purpose here is not be overly critical, but to provide a new context that can be used to build better election processes with your First Nation.  I appreciate and understand that the governing a First Nation is no simple task – it is wrought with endless challenges and complexities – my message I trust is received in context it was intended:  The appoint of the right Chief Electoral Officer early can do more than simply conduct your election, they can be an important and essential tool used to help build and strengthen your community around this critical governing event.

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Lawrence Lewis

“Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program.” – Spencer W. Kimball

About Lawrence Lewis

I do a number of things professionally...but most of all and the true purpose of what I do through "my work" is to provide for my family, be a good husband and great father, and try to make a difference as a world citizen...I guess it's not much more complicated than that 🙂