Catherine Rockandel, IAP2 Canada

March 2023

In case someone didn’t say it this month, you – the members, volunteers, trainers are the heart of IAP2 Canada. Without you, IAP2 Canada could not advance excellence in the practice, impact and the value of public engagement across Canada. As President, I am grateful for the friendships, the commitment and the dedication that you continue to contribute.

Undertaking and implementing organizational change

As we all know, organizational change and transformation can be very challenging – especially when we have limited resources as a small, not-for-profit association. Since onboarding our new Executive Director, Valoree McKay, in November 2021 we’ve had some consistent wins while we work to address some organizational challenges including staff capacity, outdated or ineffective operational systems, as well as the launching of the Certificate in Public Participation and learning pathway for the new globally harmonized training. 

The Operational team has shared that they have received positive feedback on some of the changes implemented in the past few months. I want to thank our members, trainers, volunteers, and chapters for reaching out and sharing frustrations, concerns, and ideas on how we can continue to improve. The Board has taken this input seriously and strategized new approaches with our Executive Director, Valoree McKay. We’ve had to make some difficult decisions to manage competing priorities and focus our resources, and we appreciate your patience and support.

While the transitions can sometimes seem overwhelming, we’re optimistic about the positive impact of implementing some new initiatives, including:

• updating our Strategic Plan to clarify several of the strategic objectives and extending the plan to 2024 ensure several activities underway can be successfully completed

• investing in new automated systems to improve everything from financial management, information management including databases and learning management systems to support training programs

• hiring an Association Management firm with a team of three to support administration with the intention of improving member, trainer, and volunteer experiences

• hiring new staff including Claudia Sighomnou, Manager of Professional Development and Training and Sarah Alvarado (contract) who has been updating the website, marketing, and communications materials

• ensuring continuation of the CP3 professional designation as the gold standard, with new updates and integration with our new learning system

Leading Change Through Collaboration 

As a result of a collaborative effort with our Executive Director Valoree McKay, International representative Jane Newlands, and myself we were able to secure $40,000 in funding from IAP2 International to support French translation of the new globally harmonized training. We are very grateful to the International Board for their support!

Most recently, I virtually attended two full days of meetings with the International Board to strategize new approaches for improving processes and communications between the regions and the IAP2 International body. We look forward to sharing the recommendations that emerge from these meetings over the coming months.

Join Our Board of Directors

The Nominations and Elections Committee is preparing for the upcoming AGM and Board elections in June. If you are interested in learning more about serving on the Board, please reach out. The Board of Directors is a great team that works well together and the future is bright! We hope that you will consider joining us.