Panellists provide political pep talk

A panel of women in politics highlighted the positive parts of their careers and what people should expect if they run for council in the upcoming municipal election.

Brandon-based Her Seat at the Table (HSATT) hosted the panel discussion to encourage more women to run for city council, where currently only one woman holds a position.

The five panellists included Boissevain-Morton Head of Council Judy Swanson, former Brandon city councillor Jan Chaboyer, Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox, Two Borders Reeve Sandra Clark and Wallace-Woodworth deputy reeve Val Caldwell.

“If I look back on it, it is one of the few things in your life where you can actually see your accomplishments,” Swanson said during the roundtable discussion, where the panellists had an extended conversation about several topics.

“I think when something happens in your community and you build and you build or you open a swimming pool, you can see the accomplishments that your table has done in your time on council, there’s very few things that you can do that with,” she told a crowd of about 35 people at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall at Brandon University.

“You belong at that table … your voice will change the conversations in that room.”

Much of the discussion revolved around tips on how to do your job well.

Chaboyer highlighted the importance of serving constituents.

“Never leave somebody in your neighbourhood who’s got a concern hanging,” Chaboyer said. “Always help them out and get them into the right department of city hall and follow up on that.”

She also said that paying attention to what’s happening in town is very important.

“Read the newspapers and really know what the pulse is of the heart of the city is and it will naturally flow and all make sense,” she said of making decisions as a councillor.

“Have a reflection on what you can bring to the table,” which includes your skills and expertise in your personal life, Chaboyer added.

“You want to really hone in on your skills, that’s really important.”

Chaboyer said when people are running their campaign, they might only have 20 seconds to pitch themselves, and you have to make the most of it by using your skills.

The panellists also highlighted how being involved in the community can help.

A large portion of the evening included panellists telling their stories of how they first got involved in politics, along with the support they had from the community. A smaller portion also included was about the difficulties they have faced.

Clark said some of the barriers she experienced were in the decisions she had to make. Things like learning about gravel or deciding about which grader to purchase were tough choices for her at first, she said.

Learning from people and paying attention to what’s being presented is the best way to make the right decisions,” Clark said.

Knox added that a lot of the work being decided on isn’t the job of council to be an expert on every subject, as support comes from municipal staff including chief administrative officers and city managers.

Chaboyer added that doing your homework is still very important before presenting something, especially if it’s something you want to receive the votes from the rest of council for.

Caldwell agreed with that sentiment.

“You do have to be prepared for meetings, and you do have to know the issues and then go into it and lay your heart on the table and fight for what you believe in,” Caldwell said.

“I don’t want anyone to be discouraged because they don’t know enough to be around the table, because you will learn,” she added.

The panellists also talked about the misogyny they’ve experienced from other councillors or the public, saying that it was more prevalent when they started.

“I think we have come a long way in 20 years,” Swanson said.

“This was never an easy job for a woman, it was something that you got pushback — from a lot of different people in your community,” she said.

“But I think as a woman, I think people like this and putting these events on have made a big difference in women’s lives.”

The panellists also talked about some aggression they have faced from the public and made it clear that you have to set a boundary for yourself to avoid having people being too aggressive.

One of the people attending the event, K-J Millar, said she thinks the panellists’ expertise will “absolutely” help people who might be considering running for council.

“It is a great source of encouragement, and I think the information that was provided tonight is very valuable for those women to take home and consider,” Millar said.

Nancy Shanks, who also attended the event, said what the women had to say is “very valuable, it’s refreshing, it’s enlightening, it’s encouraging.”

“It’s very encouraging to see these lovely ladies being so supportive of each other, and also for the new generation to be a part of,” Shanks said.

Krista Murray, who went to the event with a friend as a last second decision, said it’s very important for women to support other women, which is why she wanted to check out the discussion.

“I really get that strong sense of community, of connection, of you don’t have to agree, but we do have to work together, and that feels really inspiring, even just for daily life,” Murray said.

HSATT co-founder Tracy Baker said she hopes that the people listening will be able to relate to the panellists, especially as they had all been in the same position beforehand.

“The women or men that are thinking about running for any election, municipal or otherwise, I would think they just want to hear this. They just need to talk to the people that have gone through it,” Baker said.

HSATT was formed last year to encourage more women to run for council in Brandon, where only one woman currently holds a position among 11 seats. The city has also only had one woman serve as mayor in its history.

HSATT doesn’t have a political leaning and is simply a resource for women.

Its first event in December was an open-house format where people could chat with sitting Brandon council members and staff.

Chaboyer said if people are wanting to run for council, they should start working on it now, as the election is this October.

People should also start creating their portfolio, make pamphlets or cards and knock on every door in their ward ahead of the election.

“Clock is ticking, you’ve got to start working on this right away,” she said.

» alambert@brandonsun.com