March 4, 2013
International Women’s Day
March 8 is International Women’s Day. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women's rights and international peace. Following the United Nations' lead, Canada chose March 8 as International Women's Day. Over time, International Women's Day has grown into a week-long series of commemorative events and activities across the country.
Each year at this time, Canadians celebrate women’s economic, political and social achievements, and reflect on the challenges and barriers that remain. It is also a time to celebrate progress toward equality for women and consider future steps to achieving equality in all aspects of women’s lives.
Coming up: French Orientation Session in the National Capital Region
As a result of the increased demand for workshops, the National Capital Region will have another orientation session in 2013. It will be held in French form April 15 to 19 at the Ramada Plaza Le Manoir hotel, in Gatineau.
When you become a JLP facilitator, you join a community of more than 1,500 union and employer facilitators across Canada who have participated in the JLP since 2002. JLP facilitators work in many different kinds of jobs and represent almost all federal government departments. Some of them hold union positions, some of them are managers and executives, and all of them are connected by a common interest in working collaboratively to inspire positive change in their workplace.
If you are intrested in becoming a JLP facilitator, please fill the online application. If you are considerd as a potential JLP facilitator, the Regional Field Coordinators will contact you for an interview. All potential facilitators must participate in a five-day facilitator orientation session.
When JLP organizes an orientation session, it tries to ensure a balance of union and employer participants. It also considers equity representation, location, workshop interests, suitability, availability, and manager support in determining whether to invite you to a particular orientation session.
Through their involvement with the JLP, many facilitators tell that they experience personal growth and a renewed commitment to their public service careers. They develop new skills and form new friendships. And they get great satisfaction from successfully co-facilitating learning events that create a space for dialogue among their peers.
Please contact either Linda Iezzi (613-560-2984) or Alex Roussakis (613-560-4358) the Regional Field Coordinators for the NCR, if you have any questions.
Orientation Session in Gatineau - New Facilitators
Ontario and National Capital Regions recently welcomed 17 new facilitators. Karen Alexander, Romeo Jackson, Linda Iezzi and Alex Roussakis, Regional Field Coordinators are welcoming new facilitators : Carmen Barcena, Diane Belanger-Vena, Shandy-Lynn Briggs, Stacey Charron, Emilie Dionne, Kathy Sandra Dorlette, Matt Gagner, Marc Imbeault, Élise Lemoine, Philip Lillies, Michael O'Donnell, Tracy Perkins, Sean Reid, Yvette Salkey, Missy Taylor, Angela Vanikiotis and Andy Williams.
The facilitators’ Orientation Session was held in Gatineau, from February 18 to 22. The session was facilitated by Rachel Besharah and Angela Léger.
The participants
Joint Learning Program Promotion at the Service Canada Team Leader Forum for the Western Canada and Territories Region
The JLP was invited to participate in a full day café-style promotion at the Team Leader Forum in Surrey on February 13, 2013. Three hundred Service Canada Team Leaders had an opportunity to learn about how the JLP can assist in their work places and what the program has to offer.
Skills Development Clinic in the British Columbia and Yukon Region
The British Columbia and Yukon Region hosted a skills development clinic for JLP Facilitators on February 13 and 14, 2013 in Richmond British Columbia. The objectives of the session were to develop new competencies, hone already acquired skills, and share best practices. Both days were packed with learning and demonstrations exploring new techniques, as well as dialogue and discussions focused on dealing with difficult facilitation situations.
Karla Backer and Jayne Billington, Field Coordinators, thank the participants for their participation and contributions to the learning environment. Participants included Marlene Archer, Rebecca Davis, Soleil Dempsey, Shawn Ewing, Tracie Komarniski, Mark Konrad, Bev Martin, Jennifer McKenzie, Catherine McPhillips, Kelly Megyesi, Sunny Naidu, Mohini Parker, Randip Prihar, Gina Ross, Kiren Saran and Dianne Stoesz.
Atlantic Region Participates in Professional Development Forum
On February 11 and 12, 2013, Joint Learning Program (JLP) Atlantic participated in the “Crush Lobby” at the regional professional development forum - “Navigating in the New Normal” hosted by Newfoundland and Labrador Federal Council, the National Managers’ Community, and the Future Leaders’ Network held in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The Atlantic Regional Field Coordinators thank Claudette Brokenshire and Susan Manning, JLP Facilitators, who promoted the JLP at this event.