NSFM is launching a new Webinar Series June 4. For information, click here.

As Canadian municipalities face major shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery is top of mind. Join us at 11 a.m. on July 30th to learn how Nova Scotian municipalities can weather the economic storm. Grant Thornton’s Public Sector team will walk you through a series of case studies revealing how municipalities have responded to their unique challenges, and will share practical tips that can provide immediate value as you build your response plan.To register, click here.

How can the Quality of Life Initiative inform rebuilding in each region of the Province? Join Engage NS CEO Danny Graham at 11 a.m. on August 13 to learn how the opportunities and unique strengths of this province can help inform how to rebuild and recover in a way that improves Nova Scotians' quality of life. To register, click here..

Join Kieron Hunt and David Paterson, FBM Planning Studio, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 27 as they walk through their Nova Scotia Main Streets Community Workbook and provide the tools for fostering vibrant Main Streets throughout Nova Scotia.

They will focus on community-based initiatives in small and rural communities, as well as considerations for government strategies and programs.The work was led by NSFM and FBM Planning Studio, with assistance from the Ecology Action Centre, Develop Nova Scotia, and Nova Scotia Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. The collaborative team led to a vision for how Main Streets can achieve social, environmental, and economic sustainability. The Workbook contains approaches and policy suggestions based on the challenges and opportunities identified through engagement events in Elmsdale, St. Peter’s and the Town of Westville in February 2020.

To register, click here.

AMANS and NSFM have partnered with Ashanti Leadership and Development Services to provide a virtual training opportunity on Unconscious Bias Within the Workplace. This session will address Unconscious Bias and identify tools that will support municipalities in addressing barriers to inclusion within the organization and communities. For more information, check out our webinar page.

The AMA is pleased to be offering another round of their Finance Management for Elected Officials workshop on January 25, 27 &29^th from 10-11:30. 

A must have for newly elected officials as part of their orientation A refresher for more seasoned elected representatives.Overview of Council’s role in the financial management of the municipalityReviews all stages of budgeting from planning, to creating, to monitoringThree 90 minute sessions  

Important Note: All sessions are interconnected so it is important to attend all three sessions. 

Facilitator: Greg Herrett, CPA, CA, CAO, Town of Amherst
Co-Facilitator: Bonnie Coulter, CPA, CA, Director of Corporate Services, Town of Truro 

Registration: To register for the workshop, please complete our registration form found here.

If you are registering more than one individual, please complete one form per individual. Registration numbers will be limited. 

Cost: The cost to attend is $300. Once you have registered a calendar appointment with a zoom link for each session will be sent to you. 

As the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing (DMAH) prepares to release capital grant applications for municipalities this spring, we invite you to learn more about these programs, which include the Flood Risk Infrastructure Program, Provincial Capital Assistance Program, Community Works, Beautification & Streetscape Program and the Emergency Service Provider Fund.

DMAH staff will provide brief program overviews along with guidelines for completing applications.

As well, this webinar will provide information on operating grants administered by DMAH, such as Municipal Financial Capacity Grant, Grant In Lieu of Property Taxes, Farmland Grant, Fire Protection and Municipal/Village HST Offset Program.

If you are interested in attending this important session, please contact Debbie Nielsen at NSFM by Tuesday, February 2 for a link to the webina

Joint webinar by NSFM and AMANS

Thursday, February 18^th, 2020 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. via zoom 

Join NATIONAL Public Relations for this 90 minute session. Their media experts will take you through the current media landscape and best practices when conducting media interviews, specifically in the new virtual environment. They will also outline the role of staff in briefing council for media and how to develop and stay on message.  

Facilitator: Tara Wickwire, Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Brand Strategy, NATIONAL Public Relations 

Fee:     Early Bird Registration: $125 prior to February 4^th   

$150 after February 4^th 

Click HERE to register 

Once you have registered, a calendar appointment with a zoom link for the session will be sent to you.  

Cancellation policy: If you wish to cancel your registration, in order to receive a full refund you must provide an email in writing to  before Monday, February 8, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Cancellations received after this deadline will be subject to the full fee and substitution only.

Webinar: Exploring Diversity Inclusion

March 25^th – 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. through the zoom platform

Back by popular demand, the AMANS and NSFM have once again partnered with Ashanti Leadership and Development Services to provide an Inclusive leadership virtual training opportunity that addresses diversity in the workplace. In the Fall of 2020, we offered a session that provided municipalities with information on unconscious biases. The March 25^th session will take you one step further by providing the necessary tools, resources, and takeaways to help change the environment and minds of those working within municipalities. Research has long identified that although organizations have sought to address diversity and inclusion in the workplace, there are still a number of challenges to achieving inclusivity.  

Presenters: Professor David Divine & Ann Divine, CEO of Ashanti Leadership and Development Services

Date: March 25^th @ 10:00 am 11:30am 

Registration: To register for the workshop, please complete our registration form found HERE. If you are registering more than one individual, please complete one form per individual.  

Cost to Attend: Early Bird Registration: $125 prior to March 11^th. $150 after March 11^th