Engage Quarterly from IAP2 Canada

Hello everyone,

I am Cara, President of the IAP2 Canada Board, and I am very pleased to welcome you to this new way of connecting with you. This is our first combined video and written newsletter. We have been looking for better ways to keep members informed and engaged, and this format is one of the results.

Looking ahead to 2025, IAP2 Canada is entering an important new chapter. This year we welcomed three new Board members: Christin, Daniel, and Baily. We are also grateful to have Dalya returning. Together they bring new perspectives and renewed energy that will help shape the future of our organization.

One of the biggest changes happening at the Board level is our shift into a governance role. In the past we were often involved in day-to-day operations. Now, as IAP2 Canada grows, we are stepping back from that type of work so we can focus on setting direction, ensuring oversight, and holding ourselves accountable. This allows our staff team to lead operations with the attention and expertise it requires. For members, this means a stronger organization with more clarity and a sharper focus on delivering value. It is an exciting and necessary step that will help us serve this community for years to come.

I am also very pleased to introduce our new Executive Director, Rebecca Smith. She brings energy, clarity, and a strong sense of purpose to our work. Rebecca is already helping us move forward with confidence. I will now hand things over to her to share more about where we are headed together.

Hello, Bonjour, Taanishi kiiywow,

I am Rebecca, and I am honoured to step into the role of Executive Director of IAP2 Canada. The timing could not be better. This fall we launched our new strategic plan. It sets the stage for where we are going in the next few years. At its heart the plan reflects a shift in identity. We are working to become a national hub for public engagement. This means a place where practitioners, organizations, and communities can come together to set standards, share knowledge, and strengthen the practice across Canada.

The plan focuses on five themes that will guide us. The first is identity, making sure we clearly define who we are and what role we play in this field. The second is standardization, building consistent approaches and frameworks that practitioners can rely on. The third is expansion, reaching more people, more regions, and more sectors that depend on engagement. The fourth is systems, improving how we work internally with better automation, stronger data, and stronger processes. The final theme is visibility, making sure more people know about IAP2 Canada and the work we do.

We are also working to strengthen our Canadian focus. This means developing courses and resources that reflect the Canadian context, while still learning from our global roots. We want material that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities faced here in Canada whether you work in government, non-profits, consulting, or community organizations.

Strengthening our brand is also a priority. Members have told us they want clearer communication, more transparency, and a stronger sense of connection. We are listening. From membership benefits to partnerships to public understanding, we are sharpening how we present ourselves so that being part of IAP2 Canada feels relevant and worthwhile.

We are working with the Board to build a two-year roadmap that turns strategy into action. The roadmap will cover system upgrades, stronger trainer relationships, new approaches to recruitment, and better ways to measure impact. Equity, Indigenous engagement, and diversity are not extras. They are part of everything we do.

I also want to highlight the staff team that makes all of this possible. Hina Ali, our Executive Coordinator, keeps operations on track. Patrick McKeown, our Marketing Specialist, leads communications and outreach. Johana Gonzalez, our Training and Program Development Coordinator, supports course delivery. And Whiley Eaglespeaker, our Manager of Training and Professional Development, is leading new approaches to how we design and deliver learning. Together we are building something that reflects and strengthens the field across Canada.

Hello everyone, I am Whiley. My role is to make sure that you always have access to the skills and tools you need to do your work with confidence. Training at IAP2 Canada is about more than signing up for a session. It is about creating learning experiences that are practical, inclusive, and immediately useful. Whether you are new to public participation or an experienced professional, we want every course to give you knowledge you can apply right away.

We are putting more focus on inclusivity in how we deliver courses and are expanding access in both English and French. Our trainers are central to this work, and we are supporting them as they bring their experience and energy to every session. I also want to recognize our newest CP3 graduates: Jocelyn Strutt, Colleen McMahon, and Jean-Sébastien Dufresne. Their hard work and dedication to the practice is something we are proud to celebrate.

If you are ready to take your next step, visit our training schedule online. There are opportunities for every stage of your journey, and we look forward to seeing you in a session soon.

Hello everyone, Patrick here. I want to share what we have been working on in marketing and how you can help. One of our main goals is building partnerships and sponsorships. We know there are organizations such as municipalities, universities, professional networks, and civic technology groups that share our values. If you know of a group like this, please connect us. Partnerships are not only about funding. They also create stronger relationships that expand the reach and impact of public participation in Canada.

I also want to hear from you directly. We will be running a marketing survey soon, but you do not have to wait for that. Please email me anytime with your thoughts or suggestions. What do you need from us? What would make your membership feel more valuable? Your input will shape how we grow together.

Another simple way to support IAP2 Canada is by following us on our socials and sharing our work online. When you like or share a post it helps more people discover us. It may feel small but it makes a real difference.

We are also changing the way we send newsletters. Training announcements will continue to be sent every second Thursday. Our main newsletter will come out once per quarter. Subject lines will be clearer so you can tell right away what type of update you are opening. For those of you who want to contribute, the first newsletter of 2026 will be released during the week of January 5. Articles and updates must be submitted by December 1. The same one-month deadline will apply for each quarter going forward. We will also post the full schedule on our website so you can plan ahead.

Behind the scenes, we are working on standardizing our marketing efforts. Soon you will be able to see what is scheduled, when posts are going out, and how you can take part. The goal is to make our work more open so members, partners, and trainers can join in more easily.

On the IT side, a quick note. Some members have reported spam emails pretending to be from people they know within IAP2. These messages often include suspicious links or urgent requests for money. Please be careful. Always check the sender address and if something feels wrong, trust your instincts. Let us know right away if you receive one of these messages.