Communications Community Office Newsletter – March 2024

Hi everyone! if things look a little different this month, it’s because the CCO is going through some changes. If you haven’t heard, we’re moving! On April 1, we’re leaving the Privy Council Office for a new home with the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS). “What’s the big deal,” we hear you asking, “aren't those central agencies all the same?”

The deal is that at TBS, we’ll be able to better support the communications community by focusing more on training, policy, and guidelines, which meshes well with TBS’ aim to cultivate a professional, skilled communications workforce. So off we go!

As it turns out, technology also had other plans for us this month (ah, serendipity). For the moment, a condensed version of the newsletter is crashing on the couch of the CCO webpage. The newsletter will be on hiatus next month as we find our footing in our new home. Please bear with us!

The wonderful world of words

They’re everywhere. Writing is a key foundational skill for communicators. Whether you’re a master speechwriter, graphic designer, social media expert, or simply want your emails to be read and understood, it all comes down to the words we choose to get our message across. Writing is a muscle; exercise often and it gets stronger! This month, we’re sharing a few resources to help you get into the habit.

Career development – Learning and training

• The craft of speechwriting in the public service
  Online, self-paced
  Developed by the speechwriting community of practice, this course explores speechwriting as a unique form of professional writing and is intended for anyone wishing to improve their ability to create a compelling written narrative.
  Register.
• Writing for the Web
  Online, self-paced
  This video introduction to writing for the web offers tips about the web audience, the Canada.ca Content Style Guide, and more. Register.
• Improve one of our most used forms of writing: emails (fun!)
  (Apolitical)
  Écrire des emails professionnels (French only)
  5 Minute Listen: Writing a good email (English only)
• Writing with flair: How to become an exceptional writer (English only)
  (LinkedIn) Online, self-paced.
  A former editor for the Wall Street Journal shares practical techniques for making your writing sparkle. Take a look at the course overview.
• Q and A: What is the quality you admire most in your colleagues' writing?
  Read what others had to say and add your own answer. (English interface, answer in language of your choice)
• Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence (CSPS)
  Online, self-paced
  Many of us are turning to tools like ChatGPT and others when it comes to producing written content. Get up to speed on some of the challenges and solutions inherent in artificial intelligence. Register.

What’s new

This year’s nominees are now live online!

Wondering who your competition is? Visit the 2024 nominees for the Government of Canada Communications Awards of Excellence page to size them up.

Call for volunteers: 2024 Communications Awards of Excellence

There’s still time to let us know if you’d like to lend a hand with this year’s ceremony. Please send an email to Erin Maclean by March 11 if you’re interested. We will reach out to everyone who puts their name forward with more details in the next two weeks.

March 8, 2024: Investing in women to accelerate change

Women make an invaluable contribution to the world. One that we can’t do without as we face unprecedented challenges such as the climate crisis, economic instability, and the resurgence of conflicts on a global scale.

International Women's Day 2024, whose theme is "Invest in women: Accelerate progress", invites us to invest in this pool of talent and skills that women represent to build safer, more prosperous, and more inclusive communities. Use #IWD2024 and #InvestingInWomen and the tools in Women and Gender Equality’s digital kit to mark this day of action for women's rights.

Countering Disinformation: A Guidebook for Public Servants

Communicators can help fight disinformation by helping to provide access to reliable, factual, and timely information so the public is engaged and informed. You can find more guidance on this in the new Countering Disinformation: A Guidebook for Public Servants, created by PCO’s protecting democracy unit in close partnership with other government departments and agencies.

Visit the new Protecting Democracy web page, where you will find additional resources focused on understanding and responding to disinformation and foreign interference. Among these are the new Protecting Democracy Toolkits, designed to enhance your awareness and resilience against these threats, with a version specifically tailored for public servants.

Meet the official newsletter of GCXchange and your new favourite mixtape: The GCXchange Exchange

Each month, you’ll receive a snapshot of the latest news and feature stories happening across the GC, right in your inbox. Have you also been curious about communities? We feature those too!

Contact our Editor-in-Chief William Wells for content submissions. We can work directly with you to help bring existing content to the GCXchange landing page or create new content to capture and highlight your achievements! Subscribe to the GCXchange Exchange (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) now.

Additional learning opportunities

• Combatting Disinformation in a Digital Age (GCXchange) (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
• Storytelling is a crucial new skill in government (Apolitical)
• Fake News and Clickbait: Identifying Disinformation and Misinformation (Busrides)
• Working with Artificial Intelligence Series: Prompts for Inclusive Writing (Busrides)

Welcome to the GC

March 27, 2024
The Federal Youth Network (FYN) would like to welcome new public servants to the GC. You've participated in your departmental onboarding and still have questions? The FYN has you covered. This half-day virtual event will help participants navigate their career in the GC. Register.

Federal Youth Network In Person Learning Days 2024

Various event dates: April 23rd to October 17th, 2024
The Federal Youth Network encourages you to augment your learning by attending an in-person learning day in your region. This year events will be held in 16 cities from coast to coast, come and benefit from a full-day event made of practical examples, experience and networking. Register.

Annual Publications Index Exercise - Improve your Score!

As we approach the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year, it’s time for the Government of Canada Publications Directorate to prepare for the annual Index of Publications exercise. All publications are required to have an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) as well as a Government of Canada catalogue number. They must also be submitted to the Government of Canada Publications Directorate to be included in their collection.

Every year, each department’s publications are assessed to determine their level of compliance with these requirements. In the last couple of years, many departments have seen their Index scores decrease. The Directorate team can help you improve your department’s score! They can provide you with resources to assist your team and they are available to offer customized consultations. For more information or to set up a time to talk with members of their team, please send an email to publications.acquisitions@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

Communities of Practice

The speechwriting (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) and storytelling (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) communities of practice are chock full of communicators with exceptional writing skills. Members not only share their own experiences but may be able to point you in the directions of more specialized tools and resources. Consider joining! 

Open Office Hours initiative for plain language practitioners and learners

The Plain Language Community of Practice is rolling out the Open Office Hours initiative to encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing. We're on the lookout for both plain language practitioners and learners who want to be part of this experience.

Interested? Let us know by filling out one or both Microsoft Forms linked below:

• Practitioner interest form (MS Forms)
• Learner interest form (MS Forms)

Details on time commitment and availability: We get it – time is precious. That's why we're asking for just 2 hours per month, and you can break it down into bite-sized sessions (think 4 sessions of 30 minutes). Let us know when you're available in the forms.

Practitioners, tell us your area of expertise and how many learners you'd be comfortable mentoring (anywhere from 1 to 4). Learners, share your learning goals and whether you prefer one-on-one chats or group discussions.

Questions? PlainLanguage.LangageClair@outlook.com.

The InterComm Network hosts conversations every month on different topics related to internal communications issues and best practices.

Subject: Employee engagement
Date: Thursday, March 21
Time: 1 to 2 p.m. (ET)
Location: MS Teams (Calendar information with Teams link available in the events tab on our GCxchange [accessible only on the Government of Canada network] page.)

If you have any questions, please email Laura Storrie.

InterComm’s Coffee and Conversations

Each month, meet someone new, exchange on internal communications and have fun!

To take part in the next session from April to June 2024, send an email to Joanie Verret with your:

• First and last name 
• Title and level
• Department or organization
• Preferred official language for conversation

Register by Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Before you sign up, make sure that you are available for the entire session.

Spotlight

Meet Lucy Ellis, senior speechwriter at the Privy Council Office.  

Lucy shares techniques on the Key Messengers blog to help readers improve their writing.

In case you missed it!

Statistics Canada’s got a podcast and an app!

The StatsCAN app is available for all your mobile devices and it’s free. It’s the best way to access the latest information from Statistics Canada on the go. Get it today from Google Play or the App Store.

#TLDR (too long didn’t read)? Tune into the Eh Sayers Podcast to meet the people behind the data and explore the stories behind the numbers.

Job jar

The Law Commission of Canada - Informal call for expressions of interest

The Law Commission of Canada is seeking a creative, responsible and experienced communications professional to serve as a Communications Advisor for a period of 12 to 24 months, with the possibility of an extension, on a secondment or in an acting role. The position may be staffed at the IS-04 level.

The ideal candidate will: be fluently bilingual (BBB); hold a degree from a post-secondary institution in a relevant field; demonstrate outstanding written and spoken communications abilities; and have experience providing strategic advice related to communications projects and implementing communications plans. Experience with web content, graphic design, and/or podcasts/webinars would be a considerable asset.

The Communications Advisor will be responsible for developing content and materials to support LCC initiatives in print, for the web and on social media. They will provide general support and advice to management relating to the organization’s communications needs. The Communications Advisor should expect to work in-person at the LCC’s Ottawa office a minimum of two days per week.

Members of Employment Equity designated groups are strongly encouraged to apply and self-identify. Please send a cover letter demonstrating your interest and qualifications by 5 PM EST on 15 March 2024 to: marianna.do@lcc-cdc.gc.ca.

Searching for a new opportunity? Add your name to CCO’s At-level list!

Are you looking for a new opportunity to hone your skills, broaden your horizons, or just find that perfect match? The CCO maintains an at-level list and we are happy to add anyone actively looking for new opportunities in #GCComms!

We also include students and recent graduates eligible for bridging into the public service on our list. If you are a recent graduate or are graduating soon, and have worked under FSWEP, COOP, or RAP and are interested in being bridged into a junior-level position in communications, reach out to us.

Our list is evergreen and your name can be added to it at any time. If you’re interested, send us an email today!