Organizing teams : the unsung heroes of the JLP
If your JLP in-person workshop or virtual discussion is a smooth success, it’s because a lot of people have been working behind the scenes to bring all the elements together. As a participant, you see the work facilitators put in to make the learning memorable. But they are not alone. They are supported by the event co-organizers, who you may never see unless they are participating in your specific activity. Your workplace co-organizers are the unsung heroes of the JLP: their behind-the-scenes work supports not only the attendees but also the facilitators and Regional Field Coordinators (RFCs) so everything runs just right.
The teamwork of the co-organizers, one representing the union and one representing the employer, is the glue that holds all the elements of a successful learning event together. JLP learning events are free; the cost comes in time and logistics, and much of that work falls to the co-organizers. From requesting the event online, to contacting the RFCs to find a suitable date for the workplace, to promoting, recruiting and managing participants, to booking speakers from both labour and management to open the event, to a myriad of other logistics, co-organizers handle it all.
| The VAC co-organizing team truly embodies the JLP values of promotion, visibility and shared identity demonstrated by promotion within their channels and inviting the opportunity to organize in different areas to allow for the message to be distributed to staff. This highlights both the commitment of the union and employer in the importance of JLP for supporting positive working relationships. By going above and beyond supporting several interdepartmental workshops in small communities, VAC facilitated a greater awareness of the JLP improving the visibility and shared identity of the program in the BC/Yukon region.
- B.C./Yukon Regional Field Coordinators |
To mark the JLP’s 25th anniversary, RFCs in each region across the country nominated an organizing team they felt best embodied the Six Ps of the JLP for a Spirit Award, recognizing their often-unseen contribution to the success of the Program. Among the teams nominated nationwide, the co-organizing team from the National Capital Region was selected as the national Spirit Award winner. The winning team, composed of JP Surette (union) and Julie d’Amboise (employer), sat down with us to talk about the success of their JLP initiative at the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada. You can watch the full interview here.
Without the untiring work of co-organizers, the model the JLP runs on would fall apart. Their generosity of spirit and willingness to support facilitators and participants alike help ensure that learning events are accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for everyone involved. Organizers, we salute you!