A non-profit exec who is also a leadership coach wants to practise what he preaches, so to speak, and bring his own leadership skills and experience to Nanaimo city council.
Alan Macdonald is one of 29 candidates trying for a city councillor position in the Oct. 15 civic election.
Macdonald is associate executive director at Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services, an agency that provides wellness and family services to nine member First Nations on the east coast of Vancouver Island. He operates a leadership coaching small business and is involved with various community sports organizations including being the founder and president of the Salish Storm association that makes hockey more accessible to Indigenous children and youths.
“I’ve got a proven ability to elevate teams to high-performance and carry out complex work and goals…” Macdonald said. “My passion is around supporting my community, providing service to my community.”
He said since Nanaimo is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, it’s important that council be made up of experienced leaders who have the ability to collaborate with community partners and senior levels of government.
Macdonald said a leadership coach seeks to bring out the best in leaders. Leaders will have certain capabilities, but may need a “thought partner” to work through problems. Macdonald said he’s a good listener and is also good at asking the right questions to prompt people to share their wisdom.
There are some “serious concerns” in Nanaimo that need addressing, he said, including a need to work toward safer streets. Macdonald said it will take more integration of security resources and social services as well as a broader social safety net for the most vulnerable. He said the city should have a role in housing – possibly as a partner in developing the housing – and also wonders whether the city could become an intervenor in court cases of prolific offenders.
He said he thinks citizens want growth, and said the city needs to review its permitting to keep up with the pace of growth to avoid falling behind on housing stock.
He would advocate for tertiary hospital services and would like the Harbourfront Walkway expansion project back on council’s agenda.
Macdonald enjoys talking and listening on the campaign trail and said running for council isn’t so much about promoting himself, it’s more about promoting what he can bring to the table as far a his skills and experience.
“There’s always a thirst for improved governance,” he said.
For more information, visit http://alanmacdonaldforcouncil.ca.
Anyone running for mayor or councillor in the City of Nanaimo or the District of Lantzville, regional director in the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Area A, B, C or E, or school trustee in School District 68 is asked to contact the Nanaimo News Bulletin to set up an interview or invite us to a campaign launch event. Phone Greg Sakaki at 250-734-4621 or e-mail editor@nanaimobulletin.com.
ELECTION 2022: Candidates in Nanaimo, Lantzville, RDN and SD68
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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