Training Series: Communicating in the Open [1/2]

Why does Communicating in the Open matter?

As digital practices become best practices in government, public sector teams are being called on more often to discuss and share their work. And for good reason: open communication is one of the most effective tools governments can use to build trust, increase engagement, or improve the efficacy and uptake of new products and policies.

But despite the benefits, government teams have been slow to shift how they communicate. According to the OECD, less than 10 per cent of governments list promoting transparency or encouraging stakeholder participation as one of the key objectives of their communication strategy. And activities like blogging or being active on social media can still be challenging in departments where communication is seen as a risk rather than an opportunity.

Who is this training for?

Led by Luke Simcoe (Director of Outreach at Code for Canada) and Skaidra Puodžiūnas (Senior Engagement Advisor at Ontario Digital Services), this training series will help public servants move their projects, their teams, and their processes into the open. Over the course of two 75-minute workshops, participants will learn how to tell a great story about their work and become catalysts for better communication in their organizations.

What to Expect

In Part 1 (March 10), you will...

• Learn how to craft a simple, actionable, and measurable communications plan for your project.
• Discover how to get in front of potential barriers or blockers to communicating in the open.
• See examples of government communication that exemplify the principles of open communication.
• Connect with Code for Canada’s communications team, as well as other public servants who have become champions of communicating in the open.

In Part 2 (March 17), you will…

• Learn the common elements of every great story and how to find them in your work.
• Get in touch with your inner storyteller through a fun, facilitated writing exercise.

⚠️ Important Note:

• Please note that members need to register for each session separately.
• This training series is exclusively open to our paid members and C4C Fellows.
• Training sessions will take place on WebEx and registered attendees will receive the event link prior to the session.
• If you have any questions, feel free to contact marzie@codefor.ca.

About the presenters:

A journalist turned civic tech advocate, Luke Simcoe is passionate about the potential for technology to improve government services and resident engagement. Prior to joining Code for Canada, he was the Managing Editor of Urban Affairs for Metro News. Find him on Twitter!

Skaidra (think hydra, say skydra) Puodžiūnas is currently a Senior Engagement Advisor at the Ontario Digital Service. Here she highlights the voices of multidisciplinary teams working to make government services work for all and manages Ontario Digital – a blog on digital, the Ontario Government and all things in between. Skaidra is also a co-organizer of Civic Tech Toronto, a volunteer-led community open to anyone with an interest in solving civic and social issues, and a connector within the global Lithuanian community. Find her on Twitter!