By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The Town of Cobourg is pleased to announce the May 31 launch of the Women in Governance: Leadership and Mentoring Program as part of the municipality’s commitment to improve equity, diversity and inclusion.
This 12-week program is designed for women and gender-non-conforming individuals to learn more about what it is like to work in the public sector as each participant is matched with an elected official (who identifies as a woman or non-gender-conforming) as mentor.
“This program is a great way for women to connect with female political leaders and the Town of Cobourg’s workforce,” Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin said in the announcement.
“I am proud to announce the inaugural launch of the Women in Governance: Leadership and Mentoring Program that will go a long way towards providing opportunities for mentorship, networking as well as providing a safe place to ask questions about navigating professional life.
“I look forward to meeting our first round of participants this coming May!”
The program’s overall goals and objectives include providing more insights on the integral elements of being a public servant, while also providing practical experience with the municipality’s daily workings.
Successful applicants will have networking and personal-development opportunities, while the town gains valuable resident input on issues of particular interest to the participants.
Throughout the Women in Governance Program, there will also be opportunities to network, hear from speakers at different levels of government, and participate in integral parts of the makings of the Town of Cobourg’s future of public policy.
At the end of the program, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
It is anticipated that three to five participants will be selected for the program, which runs from May 31 through Aug. 27, and the deadline to apply is May 20.
The Women in Governance program is open to applicants who, as of May 31:
Reside or or own a business in the Town of Cobourg
Identify as a women, trans woman, nonbinary, agender or gender-non-conforming
Are able to commit to approximately two to four hours per week over the course of the 12-week period. Exceptions to this time commitment will be made on a case-by-case basis, especially for those who are working in a different career, have additional obligations or are in school.
For more information, including how to apply, visit the town’s Diversity and Inclusion web page or contact Accessibility Co-ordinator Jamie Kramer at accessibility@cobourg.ca.
