SARM working to attract younger voices to rural governments

With more and more young families calling Saskatchewan home, the group representing rural municipalities is aiming to get younger voices more involved in rural governance.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is calling for more young people to join rural governments to help shape the future of their communities. The organization said it’s asking its member governments to consider measures like flexible meeting times, developing mentorship plans, and hosting open houses as ways to get the younger generation more involved.

“The future of Saskatchewan’s rural communities depends on young people stepping up to join municipal politics,” SARM president Ray Orb said in a statement.

“We want to plant the seed in RMs, encouraging those interesting in having a say in their RM to step forward and consider a pathway in municipal politics.”

A discussion on bridging the age gap in rural politics is to be held next Wednesday during SARM’s annual convention.

Shawn Kramer, a councillor in the RM of Maple Creek, said he got involved to get a better understanding of grassroots politics and have a positive impact in his community.

“Over my past two terms I have learned a lot about rural municipal procedures and governance, and also how to work with other communities and levels of government to work toward a common goal,” Kramer said in a statement.

“There is always more to learn from past community leaders and from the future leaders as well.”

SARM’s 118th annual convention and trade show is set for March 14-16 in Saskatoon.