Welcome to Siebring Consulting

There's a lot of consultants out there who do what I do. Everything from governance advice to Code of Conduct reviews, conflict resolution, leadership mentoring, issues management, and media training. 

Many of those consultants do their jobs very well. I know many of them; I sat under their tutelage for almost 15 years as an elected Councillor and Mayor myself. They're good at what they do, and they (mostly) provide good advice. So why should you consider me for your next governance, Code of Conduct, or media consultancy? What makes me different?

Here's the thing. Almost everyone who gets into the governance consultancy business comes from either the "staff" or "academic" side of the table.  And that's what makes me different. After almost 15 years in elected office, I can identify with elected officials in ways that many of these other consultants simply can't. 

(And that's not their fault – it just is what it is.) 

But I've chaired raucous public hearings with hundreds of angry people. (Actually had to call in the RCMP once.) I've struggled with conflicting public expectations on controversial files. 

I understand that in governance, you sometimes (often?) have to make decisions which are going to alienate some people, and make others happy. 

I've actually lost friendships over votes taken at a Council table. 

As an elected official, I've had to face colleagues around the table in times of profound disagreement, and still come away from those encounters without personal rancour. 

I understand what it feels like to "lose" votes that were important to me. Equally, I've had political "wins" that gave me great satisfaction. 

I’ve had to manage Social Media conflict, deal with trolls, and focus on “messaging” that takes on the ill-informed and the deliberately mis-informing.

In short, I can identify with Mayors, Councillors, and other folks elected to various positions on local governments.  Because I've been there.  

I've lived the life of not being able to go into the grocery store for a jug of milk without being drawn into conversations on anything from noisy dogs to land use issues or invective about “incompetent bureaucrats” and “idiot politicians.” 

Even before my time in elected office, I was a keen observer of municipal issues. I spent more than 30 years in media, covering (mostly) political stories, including civic politics in places like Victoria, Edmonton, Regina, Lethbridge, and the Cowichan Valley.   So I also have an insider's understanding of how media works. 

Since retiring from electoral politics in late 2022, (I retired, I didn't lose an election), I took out a membership in the National Association of Parliamentarians - these are the "process geeks" when it comes to governance and running meetings.   (And yes, there was an exam just to become a member.)

Because while it can't solve everything, I believe good process at the governance table is very, very important. 

My style is direct; my sessions aren't focused on "theory". There's no psychological profiles. (They may have their place, but not in my sessions.) 

Instead, you'll get practical advice, peppered with anecdotes and experience, all delivered in what one client has described as "down home, street English... with the odd joke or quip thrown in."

If any of this interests you, give me a call or pop me an email. Info is available on the "contact me" tab below. 

A brief precis of my background, both in municipal governance, community involvement, and media.

· Councillor, District of North Cowichan 2008-2018.

· Mayor, District of North Cowichan, 2018-2022.

· Alternate and Primary Director (municipal representative), Cowichan Valley Regional District, 2011-2022.

· Member/Chair Cowichan Community Centre Commission (CVRD) 2008-2022.

· UBCM Local Government (RCMP) Contract Management Committee, 2017-2022.

· Board member, Island Coastal Economic Trust, 2018-2022.

· Levels 1, 2, and 3 - LGLA Local Government Leadership Certification.

· Member, National Association of Parliamentarians.

· Chaired numerous volunteer, non-profit, and other Boards and Committees over the past 20 years.

· 35 years as a broadcast (radio) journalist.

· Nominee, Michener Award for Investigative Journalism, 1981 (for a story that resulted in the then-largest electoral defeat of an incumbent mayor in Edmonton history.)

· Columnist in various weekly newspapers, and also published in the National Post, MacLean's magazine, and the Victoria Times-Colonist.

· And most importantly, father of 3 grown kids and 11 growing grandkids.

 

Here is some of the feedback I've received on the work I've done:  

 “Absolutely one of the best sessions we had during our orientation.”

 “Extremely thorough job, I really appreciate the effort. I would highly recommend your services to anyone.”

(After a day-long session to address meetings that ran far too long):  "Our latest Board meeting only went eleven minutes, which I think was a new record.  People really appreciated your tips and have said so.  It's up to us to keep them at the front of our minds and make sure that they're implemented.  Chairs especially have to stay on top of things and I think people in general are going to be more empowered to intervene if we get off track."  

 “Al's experience and approach led to a great discussion which led to buy-in for a very complete and comprehensive Code of Conduct."

 “I believe the down to earth discussion and ‘round-the-table format was excellent and produced a result that may not have come otherwise.”

 “Given  the headaches that we've experienced the past four years I anticipated  problems but the casual setting and the format allowed everyone to  contribute, and the facilitating discouraged anyone from dominating the  conversation." 

 “This discussion helped us get through some difficult conversations. I believe the resulting Code of Conduct document is thorough and will help us hold each other accountable.”

Further to this, I'd be more than happy to provide references of Mayors, Board Chairs, CAO’s, or  Corporate Officers who’ve used my services. 

The advent of COVID-19 created a whole new set of options for local governments in terms of how their meetings were conducted.  Many opted to go "virtual", using platforms like Webex, Zoom, and Microsoft Meetings to keep the wheels of governance turning in their jurisdictions.

Today, many of those same governments have gone back - whenever possible - to "in person" meetings, often with a "blended" option for staff, delegations,  or Council members to attend virtually if they weren't comfortable with the in-person setting.  

So what about my sessions?  I have to say, there's truly nothing like getting together - physically - in a room to have a discussion about governance, Codes of Conduct, or other issues.   The benefits of in-person contact, the ability to read body language, and the actual, live interactions among real people are a much, much better way to tackle difficult subjects, and to work toward a consensus to resolve those issues.  

All of which to say, I'm available virtually as standard practice for my meetings with CAO's, Mayors, or Board Chairs in anticipation of a full session with a Council or Board.   And my "final presentations" at the end of - for example - a Code of Conduct review, can also be done virtually.  

But to provide maximum value to my clients, I'm a firm believer in the "old-school" way of communication for the "full sessions" where the actual work gets done.  In person.  Face to face.  

It doesn’t seem fair to charge the same hourly rate for a community with a few hundred residents as for a large city with population counts in the hundreds of thousands.  So my rates are on a sliding scale, based on population.   A full rate card is available on request.

My rates include an assumption of a minimum one hour pre-consultation (by phone or virtually) with the Mayor or Board Chair and CAO, Corporate Officer, or other designated senior staff member in anticipation of a full session with a Board or Council. 

If desired, half hour telephone/virtual interviews with individual Councillors/ Board Members can also be arranged prior to the session.

All expenses (travel, accommodations, etc) are billed with copies of receipts.  (Mileage is charged based on current provincial mileage rates.)

And I don't charge for "incidentals" like meals. 

(Simply put, my clients don't need an FOI request to turn up the fact that one of their consultants billed them for a big steak dinner and a glass of wine.  I'm happy to pay for those things myself on the days when I may want more than a salad.)