Events

Under the Microscope: How Canadian Offshore Regulators Dealt with Intense Public Scrutiny following the BP Blowout in the Gulf of Mexico

When ? Tuesday, December 13^th 2011, 11:45am-1:15pm

Where ? Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, 150 Albert Street – Penthouse

Cost ? 35$ for members, 50$ for non-members

About the presentation:

The Gulf of Mexico BP incident affected Canada’s offshore oil industry with regulators and industry under intense media, public and political scrutiny.

Join us for lunch on Tuesday December 13^th for a behind-the-scenes accounting of the strategic issues management approach deployed by communications counsel to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB). Our guest speaker, Sean W Kelly, APR, FCPRS, will also discuss the value of PR in issues management, and the very important and powerful role that PR practitioners play in organizational decision-making and policy development.

Agenda:

11:45am            Registration and networking

12:00pm           Lunch, standing buffet

12:15pm           Presentation

1:00pm             Q&A

This session will feature a brief presentation by each panel member, followed by a Q&A from the audience.

Spaces are limited, please register by Friday, December 9^th on EventBrite at http://cprsdecember2011.eventbrite.com/. Prepayment by credit card is required to reserve you seat for the event. We accept Visa and MasterCard.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full amount.

Hope to see you there!

CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau would like to thank its generous sponsors:

• CNW Group
• Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
• Thornley Fallis/76Design
• News Canada
• Marketwire
• Frischkorn Audiovisual

Sports Panel: Scoring a Goal with Social Media

(Activité présentée en anglais seulement)

When? Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 11:45am-1:15pm

Where? Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, 150 Albert Street – Rideau Room

Cost? $35 for members, $60 for non-members

About the presentation:

The social media wave has taken all communicators by storm. Each sector and industry has felt it to different degrees, but none have been riding it bigger and better than the Sports sector. International competitions, the Olympic Games, all garner worldwide attention and the hopes of millions of fans. Who better than to educate the NCR’s communication and PR professionals than the people working in the sector themselves??

The CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau chapter is proud to host a panel discussion on the use of social media by representatives from the Ottawa Senators, CanoeKayak Canada, and the Canadian Soccer Association.

Join us for lunch for what should be a truly remarkable session, whether you are a sports fan or not!

Moderated  by: CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau

Agenda:

11:45am        Registration and networking

12:00pm        Lunch, standing buffet

12:15pm        Panel discussion

1:00pm          Q&A

PANELISTS

Jeff Kyle, Vice President Marketing, Ottawa Senators

Jeff Kyle has been Vice President, Marketing of Senators Sports & Entertainment since August of 2002.  Prior to this appointment, Kyle was Vice President, Ticketing, a post he held since 1993.  As Vice President, Marketing, he is tasked with providing overall marketing direction for the team and building including advertising, promotions, merchandise sales, game presentation and fan and community development programs.

Lorraine Lafrenière, Director General, CanoeKayak Canada

Lorraine Lafreniere is director general of CanoeKayak Canada. Lafreniere joined CanoeKayak Canada after spending two years as CEO/secretary general of the Canadian Cycling Association, where she is credited with instilling financial stability and strong high performance programs. She also served as chief operating officer for the Coaching Association of Canada from 2002-06.

Michèle Dion, Communications Manager, Canadian Soccer Association

Michèle Dion is the Communications Manager for the Canadian Soccer Association, the official governing body for soccer in Canada. In partnership with its members, the Canadian Soccer Association promotes growth and development of soccer in Canada from the grassroots to high performance. The Association will celebrate its 100^th anniversary in 2012. She recently joined the Canadian Soccer Association where she has been tasked with increasing brand awareness through the design and implementation of proactive communications programs and platforms, including website and social media

This session will feature a brief presentation by each panel member, followed by a Q&A from the audience.

Spaces are limited, please register by Tuesday November 29^th on the EventBrite website at http://cprsnovember2011.eventbrite.com/. Prepayment by credit card is required to reserve you seat for the event. We accept Visa and MasterCard.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full amount.

Hope to see you there!

CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau would like to thank its generous sponsors:

°       CNW Group

°       Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

°       Thornley Fallis/76Design

°       News Canada

°       Frischkorn Audiovisual

°       Jana Chytilova Photography

Save the date!

Day-long conference & networking event

The premier public relations event of 2012 will take place in the Nation’s Capital. The Canadian Public Relation Society Ottawa-Gatineau will be hosting the 3^rd edition of Take the Leap…from Good to Great! on February 29, 2012 at the new Ottawa Convention Centre.

Save the date and join us for a full day of professional development with thought-provoking speakers and great networking opportunities.

Will you make the leap on February 29, 2012?

More details coming soon.

CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau End of Season Social!

When? Thursday June 23rd 2011, 5:30pm-8:30pm
Where? SIDEDOOR Restaurant, 20 York Street, ByWard market
Cost? FREE!

The Canadian Public Relations Society’s Ottawa/Gatineau invites you to come celebrate the end of a successful 2010-2011 season! After offering no less than 8 events in the past 9 months, it is now time to kick up your heels and have a drink with your peers in a cool and relaxed environment. Sound appealing enough? Wait there’s more!

Our End of Season Social, sponsored by Marketwire, will be held at SIDEDOOR Restaurant’s newly renovated outdoor patio!! SIDEDOOR (formerly Foundation) has gone through a complete revamp of their location and with a little help from Mother Nature, it should make for a terrific evening of mingling amongst the National Capital Region’s industry professionals.

Here’s the key incentive: it’s a FREE event! And in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, we will have access to the Restaurant’s private lounge.

Sign up now via EventBrite at http://cprs2011summersocial.eventbrite.com/

Hope to see you there!

CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau would like to thank its generous sponsors:

• CNW Group
• Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
• Thornley Fallis/76design
• News Canada
• Duocom Canada Inc.
• Jana Chytilova Photography

Annual General Meeting: CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau!

Join us for lunch on Friday June 17th, for the chapter’s 2011 Annual General Meeting! The CPRS AGM is the National Capital Region’s premium event for public relations and communications professionals, as they gather up for updates on various chapter portfolios such as professional development, accreditation, awards program, and the exciting plans for the 2013 National Conference slated to be held here in Ottawa.

Need another incentive?? It’s FREE!! Register now as spaces fill up fast. Hope to see you there!

http://cprsottawagatagm.eventbrite.com

Here is the meeting agenda, the President’s remarks and our financial overview, which were presented at the meeting. These documents are only available in English currently – if you require a French version, please e-mail CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau with your request.

CPRS Financial Report
CPRS AGM President Pemarks
CPRS AGM Agenda

Professional Development: Does PR Have a PR problem?: The current state and how to improve it

When ? Wednesday, May 25^th 2011, from 11:30am to 1:30pm (*a light lunch will be served)

Where ? Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, 150 Albert Street, O’Connor Room

Cost ? CPRS Student Members $35

CPRS & IABC Members $45

Non-Members $60

About the presentation:
In recent years, we’ve seen a fundamental shift in the public relations and communications industry. The inevitable integration of web 2.0, followed by the greater demand for creative multimedia assets, has brought industry professionals to develop new skill sets and reinforce old ones. Today, we attempt to evaluate the current state of the PR industry, in the hopes to draw new parallels that will lead the National Capital Region’s professionals with a fresh perspective for years to come.

The session will feature brief presentations from our three panel members, before they address three key questions:
1. What is the state of the profession in terms of its image and how well it is understood or misunderstood?
2. How did we get here? What is it about the work we do and the way we work that leads to the kind of understanding and image we have?
3. How do we fix it? If we agree that PR should be better understood and more valued, how can we achieve that?

The panel will then open the floor for questions.

Join us on Wednesday May 25^th for the chapter’s last professional development event of the 2010/2011 season!

Moderated by: CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau

Featuring panel members:

Bernard Gauthier, MA

Delta Media Inc.

Bernard Gauthier is CEO of Delta Media, where he offers PR counsel, planning, implementation and training to clients in government, the association sector and the private sector. A veteran of 25 years in PR, he also worked for a government agency, insurance companies and a community college. Bernard teaches courses in PR and advertising at Carleton University, where is currently completing his PhD in Communication. He is also a frequent commentator on PR, image and advertising, appearing in many of the country’s leading news media outlets.

Josh Greenberg, PhD

Carleton School of Journalism and Communication

Josh Greenberg is Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at Carleton University. His research has explored case studies in nonprofit public relations, crisis and issues management in the global footwear-apparel and food industries, the use of social media in election campaigns, and the role of PR in the global climate change debate. His next project will explore the occupational rhetoric and professional culture of public relations. Outside of his research and teaching, Josh works in a consultancy capacity advising organizations in the government, nonprofit and corporate sectors on campaign strategy and evaluation.

Scott Hannant

Hannant Media Solutions Inc.

Scott Hannant’s career has taken him from teaching English in revolutionary Iran to running CTV News in Ottawa. Last year, he retired from the rigors of managing one of Canada’s most successful newsrooms to set up Hannant Media Solutions Inc. He now consults on media and communications. Scott also teaches at the School of Journalism and Communication at Carleton University. As an active volunteer, Scott sits on the boards of the United Way Ottawa, the Ottawa Public Library Foundation, the Youth Services Bureau Foundation, The Vanier Institute of the Family,  Peace Camp Ottawa and the Algonquin College Broadcast Advisory. During the summer you can often find him on his bicycle trying to work off the effects of his other hobby cooking.

Spaces are limited, please register by Friday May 20^th on the EventBrite website at http://cprsottawagatmay2011.eventbrite.com/. Prepayment by credit card is required to reserve you seat for the event. We accept Visa and MasterCard.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full amount.

CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau would like to thank its generous sponsors:

• CNW Group
• Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
• Thornley Fallis/76Design
• News Canada
• Duocom Canada Inc.
• Jana Chytilova Photography

Workshop: Measuring Social Media: Why, What and How

When?: Wednesday April 20^th 2011, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Where?: Thornley Fallis, 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 730

Cost?: $100

About the presentation

So your organization has jumped onto the social media band wagon. You’re communicating and engaging with the online community, and you are seeing your network grow. Now what?

The CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau chapter is pleased to present a half day workshop on social media measurement, presented by Sean Howard, VP Digital Communications at Thornley Fallis.

In this workshop, Sean will share his approach to delivering social media measurement findings of value, present the tools he uses and lead a conversation to explore the future of social media measurement. The focus will be more on key findings versus day to day monitoring. Individuals will leave with a deeper understanding of the value that social media measurement can and should bring to the table and be armed with real world examples and copies of the presentation materials. Sean will be creating some sample reports based on brands of interest to attendees. Please propose any brands you are interested in seeing analyzed for the purposes of the workshop when registering.

Agenda

Why it matters.

What questions to answer.

The tools I love.

Mistakes almost everyone is making.

Future of social media measurement.

About the speaker

Sean Howard has over 15 years of experience in digital communications. He most recently built and ran the Strategy Team at Twist Image and is now the VP of Digital Communications at Thornley Fallis.

Please register by Friday April 15^th on the EventBrite website at http://cprsottawaapril2011.eventbrite.com/. Prepayment by credit card is required to reserve you seat for the event. We accept Visa and MasterCard.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full amount.

CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau would like to thank its generous sponsors:

• CNW Group
• Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
• Thornley Fallis/76Design
• News Canada
• Duocom Canada Inc.
• Jana Chytilova Photography

Presented by: CNW Group

When? Monday March 28th 2011, from 11:30am to 1:30pm (*a light lunch will be served)
Where? Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, 150 Albert Street, Rideau Room
Cost? CPRS Student Members $35
CPRS & IABC Members $45
Non-Members $60

About the presentation

In today’s online news environment, the story never ends. And now there are more stories than ever before. So how do you ensure your news gets the attention it deserves? Join CNW’s Laurie Smith, Vice President of Culture and Communications, for an engaging discussion on how to deliver your news with impact. Laurie will cover the reality of today’s newsrooms; how to build relationships and target your news effectively; the need for quality multimedia assets, and incorporating continuous measurement to adjust your strategy for success.

About the speaker

Laurie Smith is Vice President, Culture and Communications at CNW Group and a member of the senior management team. Laurie has led CNW Group’s marketing and communications efforts since 2003. Within her areas of responsibility lie: media relations, client communication, special events, sponsorships and charities, internal communication, social media, online and digital marketing, product promotion, advertising and brand management. Laurie has worked in public, private and non-profit sectors during episodes of calm, challenge and change. She can draw from the numerous lessons learned in her 15+ years as a MarComm professional, yet is always open to new ideas. Laurie brings a disciplined approach to the team’s initiatives, striving to make sure the execution is as strong as the idea. She is a tenacious problem solver who enjoys delivering creative work with an unexpected edge.

Spaces are limited, please register by Friday March 25th on the EventBrite website at http://cprscnwmarch2011.eventbrite.com/. Prepayment by credit card is required to reserve you seat for the event. We accept Visa and MasterCard.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full amount.

CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau would like to thank its generous sponsors:

• CNW Group
• Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)
• Thornley Fallis/76Design
• News Canada
• Duocom Canada Inc.
• Jana Chytilova Photography

From the dark corners to the front page:

PR case study on mental illness

Thursday, March 3^rd, 2011

Location: Sheraton Hotel, 150 Albert Street, Ottawa

Time: 11:30 registration and networking

12:00 lunch (standing buffet)

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. panel discussion

Cost: CPRS and HCPRA members: $45.00

CPRS Student Members: $35.00

Non-Members: $60.00

This Session: As public relations and communications professionals, there is a lot we can learn about the issue of mental illness and the challenges to increasing its awareness in the public domain. Join us as we learn how mental health advocates from the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group are changing the conversation about mental illness and learn through the Canada Post example, how you can apply their experience to other difficult issues in your workplace.

Moderators: CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau and HCPRA, Ottawa Chapter.

Panel members:

Chris Cobb is a Senior Writer with the Ottawa Citizen, a member of the Press Gallery and a teacher of journalism.  He has been contributing to Canada’s national media for over 25 years with particular expertise in politics, election reporting,  government and political communications, Third World development and health issues, to name a few. For more than a dozen years, and until recently, Chris was a regular contributor to TACTICS and STRATEGIST, publications of the Public Relations Society of America. Chris will help us understand the environment in which we are trying to change awareness, attitudes and behaviors about mental illness and provide insight into the recent major local and national relevant events and what impact they have they had in our community from a journalist’ perspective.

Nicole Loreto, APR is Chief Communications Officer of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, a leader in mental health. Nicole has provided strategic communications leadership across a variety of fields including high tech, municipal affairs, culture and heritage, and health and social issues. Through her academic training, Nicole has developed a good understanding of community care and treatment in addition to her expertise in the field of communications. During this session, Nicole will share the ROHCG’s recent involvement in building partnerships to change the conversation about mental illness and what role we can play.

Tim McGurrin is the Director of Corporate Communications at Canada Post. His duties include the oversight and leadership of the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health, created in 2008 to raise funds for not-for-profit mental health agencies across Canada.  He has over 20 years of experience in the field of communications, including government relations, media relations, event planning, and strategic communications planning.  During this session Tim will explain how Canada Post moved the discussion of mental health forward as its corporate cause of choice.

The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)

CPRS is the leading professional organization for communicators across the country. Here in the Nation’s Capital, CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau is a dynamic, growing society which offers its members a myriad of services including an educational programs to keep you on top of the latest issues, news on the Society’s activities, a voluntary national CPRS accreditation program, great networking opportunities and more.

The Health Care Public Relations Association (HCPRA)

HCPRA is the only organization addressing the particular concerns of public relations professionals in Canadian health care. HCPRA offers professional development through national educations sessions; local networking across Canada; a first-rate national conference in conjunction with the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy; the acclaimed Hygeia Awards; a monthly e-newsletter; a robust website and an opportunity to network with more than 350 health care public relations professionals across Canada.

Spaces are limited, please register by March 1^st on EventBrite at http://cprsottawamarch2011.eventbrite.com. Prepayment by credit card is required to reserve you seat for the event. We accept Visa and MasterCard. Payment at the door will also be accepted.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full amount.

Professional Development-From Storyboard to YouTube: Creating Video with Measurable Results

With Canadians watching more videos than any country in the world, online video is an important consideration to any communications program. The focus of this presentation is to educate communications professionals who are considering video as part of their outreach as to the planning, production, media relations and measurement aspects of a video program.

During the presentation you will learn tips and insights on:

• Video planning and production
• Considerations when pitching your video
• Measuring your results using the Media Relations Rating Points system

This professional development session is presented in conjunction with News Canada and will feature real world examples that you will be able to utilize in your communications planning.

When? Thursday, January 27, 2011, 11:30am-1:30pm (a light lunch will be served)
Where? Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, 150 Albert Street, 2nd floor, Rideau Room
How? Cost is $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Register online at http://cprsottawajanuary2011.eventbrite.com/

Holiday Event

Join us for the CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau annual holiday social! This year’s event will provide you with a much-needed opportunity to relax and unwind while reconnecting with old colleagues and connecting with new ones.

The event will also feature guest speakers from four of Ottawa’s most visible charities; The Ottawa Food Bank, Habitat For Humanity, Salvation Army and the Snow Suit Fund, as they discuss the challenges of ensuring their messages are heard through the holiday clutter. Let them inspire you with their innovative thinking and their dedication to supporting those in need in our community.

Date
Wednesday, December 15th, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Location
Foundation Restaurant
18B York Street in the Byward Market (entrance from the courtyard)
www.foundationrestaurant.com
Agenda
5:30 – 6:00 pm Social
6:00 – 6:45 pm Presentations by Guest Speakers with Q&A

1. The Ottawa Food Bank (5min)
2. Habitat for Humanity (5min)
3. The Salvation Army (5min)
4. Snow Suit Fund (5min)

6:45 – 7:30 pm Social

Tickets $25 – CPRS members
$35 – non-members

RSVP through the CPRS website at www.cprsottawa.com, using the online registration link on our events pages. No-shows will be charged unless notification is received 24 hours prior to the event.

Appetizers/Finger Foods/Hors D’Oeuvres will be served and are sponsored by:

Thornley Fallis/76Design
Marketwire

Presented by:

Deanna Drendel, Executive Director, Public Relations Without Borders

When: November 16th, 2010, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Where: The EXCHANGE Pub & Restaurant, 50 Rideau Street
Cost: 20.00$

Spaces are limited, please register by November 15^th on the secure CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau website at www.cprsottawa.com. Event Page using the Online registration link. Prepayment by credit card is required to reserve you seat for the event. We accept Visa and MasterCard. Payment at the door is dependent upon availability.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full amount.

CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau would like to thank its generous sponsors:

• CNW Group
• Thornley Fallis/76Design
• News Canada
• Duocom Canada Inc.

About the Presentation:

Deanna Drendel’s involvement with Public Relations Without Borders began in July 2009 when she became the non-profit’s first mission head. Following two fascinating missions to Niger (West Africa), she became PRWB’s executive director. PRWB’s first international project is carried out in partnership with the NGO Oxfam-Québec. PRWB works with Oxfam-Québec’s offices in Niger and Burkina Faso, and their African partners, on a gender-based violence project. Deanna will talk about her work, and that of her two successors, with a 24-member group of Nigerian associations, including five government departments – all working together to fight violence against women and children in this primarily Muslim and polygamist country. Deanna will share her joys and frustrations and what she and PRWB is learning about how public relations theory and best practices can be applied to a challenging problem in one of the poorest countries in the world.

About Deanna Drendel:

Deanna has 30 years of public relations and marketing communications experience acquired in PR firms and private and public sector companies. For the past 11 years, she heads up Deanna Drendel Communications with a clientele in the energy, technology and healthcare sectors. She is currently executive director for Public Relations Without Borders.

Deanna was active on the SQPRP board of directors for 10 years. Recognized for her professionalism, leadership, creativity and determination to advance the profession, she worked to revitalize Quebec’s accreditation program and contributed to accreditation initiatives on the national level. She chaired juries for CPRS excellence awards, developed and taught public relations courses at McGill University and Université du Québec, and mentors young practitioners. She has been involved with UQAM’s Public Relations and Marketing Communications Chair, in the field of ethics. She created and was editor-in-chief of the PR magazine insert published in InfoPresse magazine. She sat on the founding board that created the Conseil de l’industrie des communications du Québec. The SQPRP recognized Deanna’s contributions this year by presenting her with the Yves St-Amand award.

Deanna holds an Honours BA “with distinction” in philosophy from Concordia University and completed masters courses in economic sociology at UQAM. She also studied at the Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) in Montréal, at La Sorbonne and the Université de Nice in France, and at the University of the Pacific in her native California. She is accredited in public relations and became a CPRS Fellow in 2006.

It’s not too late to do something for yourself.

The December 1 deadline for submitting your APR application is fast approaching!

Join us for an information session and find out how you can join the more than 30 APRs in Ottawa Gatineau who have benefitted from attaining their accreditation from the Canadian Public Relations Society. You’ll hear from current APRs about what it takes to become accredited. Let us demystify the process and help you enjoy the journey!

Take the step and do something for yourself! Join us!

When: 5:00pm-7:00 pm, Monday, November 8

Where: Thornley Fallis Communications & 76design, 55 Metcalfe Street, Suite 730

RSVP to Charlene.Gaudet@ceaa-acee.gc.ca or 613 957-0712

Satisfying Consumer Mega-Trends

Presented by: Lauren More, Vice President Communications, Ford of Canada

• When: October 13th, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Where: Sheraton Hotel – 150 Albert Street, O’Connor Room

Cost:

• CPRS Members: 50.00
• CPRS Student Members: 40.00
• Non-Members: 65.00

About the Presentation:

As business people and communications professionals, we certainly live in interesting times. We are witnesses to unprecedented shifts in the global economies – new population growth patterns are emerging, market purchasing power is changing and consumer preferences around the world are converging. Many of the decisions we make today, during this unique economic era, will shape our companies for decades to come. How do we ensure we’re delivering the products and services customers and clients really want? In this session, we’ll explore some of these consumer mega-trends from a global perspective.

About Lauren More:

Lauren More is the Vice President of Communications at Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., where she manages multiple media communications programs and serves as a company spokesperson on a number of topics, including: corporate news, manufacturing and assembly operations, environment and safety, human resources issues, and crisis communications.

Ms. More has more than 20 years experience as a communications professional and daily newspaper reporter. Prior to joining Ford, she served as the Public Relations Manager for Canada at one of the world’s largest technology and management consulting firms and has held a variety of positions at Toronto-based public relations agencies.

As a journalist, Ms. More earned both national and regional awards for her work covering everything from educational issues and local politics, to high-tech and the automotive industry. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Spaces are limited. Please register by October 8, 2010 on the secure CPRS Ottawa-Gatineau website at www.cprsottawa.com. Use the Online registration link. Prepayment by credit card is required to reserve your seat for the event. We accept Visa and MasterCard. Payment at the door is dependent upon availability.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received at least 24 hours prior to the event. Late cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full amount.

CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau would like to thank its generous sponsors:

• CNW Group
• Thornley Fallis/76Design
• News Canada
• Duocom Canada Inc.

Come Celebrate the Start of a New Season

Join other communications professionals to kick-off the new season!

Thursday, September 16th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Exchange Pub and Restaurant

Rideau Centre
50 Rideau Street

www.theexpub.com

There is no charge to attend this event.

Cash bar with hors d’œuvres.

RSVP is required to info@cprsottawa.com

Sponsored by :

Join us May 25th for our Annual General Meeting, at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Hotel.

We invite you to learn more about our nominees:

Board Nominees 2010/11
Biographies

Lea Werthman, APR
Nominated Position: Secretary
Lea Werthman is an accredited Public Relations
practitioner, experienced communicator and educator with over 30 years of experience in strategic and crisis communications, marketing, project management, media, public and community relations. Lea has worked in both the private and public sectors, running her own consulting firm and teaching at Algonquin College in their award-winning two-year Public Relations program. Lea currently works as an employee engagement, branding and change management specialist in Service Canada’s marketing division.

Scott Drover
Nominated Position: Treasurer
Scott Drover is currently employed as a Communications Consultant at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) where he advises CMHC’s Insurance and International business lines. Scott has an undergraduate degree in Commerce from Mount Allison University and a MBA from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. Prior to joining CMHC, Scott worked in a variety of positions for several different financial institutions, as the Manager, Planning and Development for the charitable organization MBAs Without Borders and as a Communications Strategist for the RCMP. Originally from New Brunswick, Scott has lived in Ottawa since 2002 and remains active in a number of sports leagues
throughout the year.

Joan Wright
Nominated Position: Membership
Joan Wright joined the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport as a communications officer after completing two diplomas – public relations and television broadcasting – from Algonquin College. During her time at Algonquin, Joan served on the Students’ Association Board of Directors for three years, in the capacity of director and then president. The Students’ Association board advocates and practices John Carver’s Policy Governance model. This gave Joan the opportunity to hone her process-driven outlook while developing her astuteness for policy development. Joan hails from Jamaica originally, and came to Canada on a student visa after Googling to find television broadcasting courses. She has a degree in history from the University of the West Indies which fostered her relentlessly analytical viewpoint, as well as her goal to gain life experiences residing and learning outside her native country. She has lived and worked in a variety of geographical locations, including New York and London, England.

Vincent White
Nominated Position:Member-at-Large: Government Relations
Vincent White is the Government relations Liaison for the CNW Group, a global leader in news and information distribution services for professional communicators. Vincent joined CNW in 2008 as an Account Representative in his native Montreal, and was recently promoted to his current government relations role out of Ottawa. His duties now consist of bridging the gap between CNW’s products and services with federal communicators, and informing them on industry trends and best practices. Prior to joining CNW Group, Vincent worked as an Account Manager for Xerox Canada. This
experience was particularly rewarding for him, having gone through each step of the organization’s well known rigorous sales training program. In the summer of 2003, he also acted as the Media/Public Relations Coordinator for Baseball Canada and was responsible for promoting its national programs to the media. Most recently, he was the lead communications coordinator for the SQPRP’s fifth annual PARLE PARLE JASE JASE symposium. Vincent holds a B.Sc. in Political Science from the Université de Montréal and is intending to enroll in a graduate program at the University of Ottawa beginning in 2011.
An avid traveler, Vincent has traveled to nearly twenty countries and is on his way to visit more. A former New York Mets draft pick. He enjoys cottage life in the summer and skiing in the winter…with a little hockey of course!

Melissa Nisbett
Nominated Position: Member-at-Large
Melissa Nisbett is a graduate from Carleton University’s School of Journalism. She specializes in not for profit communications and gained her experience working for Franciscans International, a human rights organization at the United Nations in Geneva,Switzerland. During her stint abroad, she had the chance to meet and interview many human rights activists as well as travel to France, Spain and Italy. She has worked for CTV Ottawa, Ottawa Police Service and the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research and Development (CVSRD), based at Carleton University. Melissa currently works for Tree Canada, Canada’s largest tree planting not for profit, organizing events and delivering communications programs for the organization’s sponsors. She joined CPRS Ottawa/Gatineau in 2009 and contributed to communications team for the “From Good to Great” mini conference in February 2010. In her spare time, Melissa is an avid reader and yoga enthusiast, and is learning the ropes on urban gardening.

Émilie Girard-Ruel
Nominated Position: Member-at-Large
Émilie Girard-Ruel is a strategic communications professional with over 10 years experience in international financial public relations in the public and private sectors. She holds a B.A. in Public Communications from Laval University and a professional certificate in Business Communication
Management from the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University, where she is currently enrolled in a part-time MBA program. On the professional front, she is currently the Communications Manager for the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), a Crown corporation that acts as Canada’s international contracting and procurement agency. Previously, she worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), an international financial institution in London, NATO, Desjardins International Development, the Business Development Bank of Canada, as well as the Quebec Ministry for Research, Science and Technology, and the Ministry for Industry and Commerce. She hopes to apply her understanding of strategic communications planning and stakeholder relations to her engagement with the CPRS Ottawa Chapter.