@YEGNPSfreshFOCUSnew perspectives for new public servants

IPAC Edmonton New Public Servants | Issue 2 | February 2014

INSIDETHIS ISSUE

01.23.2014Is a degree in Political Science worthwhile? Join the conversation on IPAC Impact.

03.05.2014Canada’s Political Geography is Changing? Dr. Schneck tells all...

02.27.2014Open Government with Mark Diner

03.19.2014Are PhD’s Too Smart or Too Slow for Government?

05.06.2014Let’s recognize some outstanding new public servants.

06.01.2014The IPAC National Conference starts here in Edmonton.

FROM THE FRONT-LINESHeather Chapple

After a busy fall quarter, it’s my pleasure to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2014 on

behalf of IPAC Edmonton Regional Group New Public Servants (NPS) Committee! I hope you were able to take some time over the break to relax, refresh and spend some time with family and friends. It’s been a wonderful year for NPS thus far, with highlights including our successful speed networking event, growing engagement with the IPAC IMPACT blog, and a memorable Holiday Social at the Yellowhead Brewery co-hosted with our friends at the province’s New Policy Professionals Network (NPPN). We’ve also been busy preparing for the IPAC National Conference 2014, which will be held here in Edmonton from June 1 - 4 and includes many exciting elements for new public servants and senior leaders alike. The conference and many of our events this year feature dynamic discussions aimed at igniting transformative solutions in times of change. Indeed, public servants across

all levels of government have experienced many changes over the last few months as our municipalities elected new representatives, the province shuffled its cabinet and the federal government made several announcements including the devolution of the Northwest Territories. We hope that you will be able to support these transformative solutions by joining us at our 11th Annual Recognition Dinner, which will be held on May 6th at the Shaw Conference Centre. This dinner will award two public servants with the Award of Excellence and the Emerging Excellence Award. Nominations are open now, and can be found at: www.ipac.ca/edmonton/NewProfessionals Please keep an eye on your email inboxes, follow us on Twitter @yegnps, or email us edmonton@ipac.ca to keep on top of the many exciting things the rest of 2014 promises to bring. I look forward to meeting you at our next event!

3 5 6 7Bringing in the Holiday

Spirit

OpenGov at the

Gov’t of Alberta

2013 Lieutenant Governor’s

Awards

Discussion Points

----------- Public Sector

Ethics and Values

about:

freshFocusfreshFOCUS is published by the New Public Servants (YEGNPS) committee of the Edmonton Regional Group of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) on a quarterly basis.

In every issue of our newsletter, we aspire to highlight what YEGNPS is all about. Our newsletter focuses on IPAC, public administration, public service, career development, emerging trends and topics of interest for new public servants.

To contribute to our newsletter, please contact YEGNPS at edmonton@ipac.ca to discuss your idea.

Are you interested in

JOININGYEGNPS?Contact us!

edmonton@ipac.ca

@YEGNPS

ChairHeather Chapple

Programs CoordinatorJoel Bokenfohr

Communications CoordinatorKai So

Awards CoordinatorAdam Clarke

Membership CoordinatorJessica Duvoid

YEGNPS Committee Members2013-2014

Vice-ChairCarla Jeanne Johnson

Past ChairJames Runge

Members-at-LargeMen Yi LeongClaire TunneyKate ReynoldsAlex RomanekJeana Ridley

The New Public Servants committee of the IPAC Edmonton Regional Group (YEGNPS) is dedicated to providing networking, learning and professional development opportunities for new public servants. This committee and its members bring a unique perspective to the regional organization, which benefits all members.

YEGNPS holds events throughout the year and publishes this newsletter on a regular basis. If you are a new public servant with five years or less years of public sector experience, we want to hear from you.

A closer look at our committee...

Joel Bokenfohr, NPS Programs CoordinatorJoel works with Alberta Agriculture and Rural

Development as the Manager of Business Structures and Financial Policy. Joel joined the IPAC NPS committee in August 2012 to expand networking opportunities across

government, learn more about other areas of government and support the IPAC Edmonton regional group. Joel also farms with his father and uncle just outside of Edmonton.

Jeana Ridley, NPS Member-at-LargeJeana works as a writer and editor at Alberta Human Services. She joined IPAC to meet new people, practice leadership, and better understand the heart of public service in Alberta and nationwide.

Jessica Duvoid, NPS Membership CoordinatorJessica Duvoid moved from Calgary, where she was an Assistant Principal, to Edmonton to join the Ministry of Education as a Manager of Leadership Development and Continuity. Jessica is passionate about leadership and lifelong learning. She recently graduated in June with a Masters in Leadership from Royal Roads University. She joined NPS IPAC group as a way develop networks, strengthen her public service learning and to meet new people. She especially likes that the groups meetings are held in local pubs, which is a great way to get to know the city.

Alex Romanek, NPS Member-at-LargeAlex works at Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education. As an analyst in the Innovation and

Advanced Technologies division, Alex primarily works on strategic integration projects involving the four Alberta Innovates corporations. The position requires him to

provide a variety of comprehensive services, including research, analysis, options development, stakeholder

consultation and project management to support informed planning, development and implementation of policies/

programs pertaining to Alberta’s research and innovation ecosystem.

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A recap of the New Public Servant Annual Holiday Social

A big thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Holiday Social on December 3rd 2013, co-hosted by our friends at the Government of Alberta’s New Policy Practitioners Network (NPPN)! It was great to see so many new and returning mem-bers at this year’s event, which brought together over 90 new public servants, senior managers and leaders from various levels of government, and academia.

We were happy to be back at the Yellowhead Brewery, where we enjoyed tours of their outstanding facilities and learned the technique for crafting one of Edmonton’s premier local beers. Guests networked with colleagues and celebrated the year’s successes while sampling some product and enjoying delicious refreshments. NPS committee members added to the festive cheer by sporting their ugly Christmas sweaters (those of you who were there may remember that Kate’s even featured a light-up tree).

After a welcome from NPS Chair Heather Chapple and an exciting preview of the upcoming IPAC National Conference (June 1-4, 2014) provided by Conference Co-Chair Michele Kirchener, it was time for the main event, a trivia game hosted by NPPN co-chair, Jared Abbott and his team. Guests were split up into groups and put through a challenging series of holiday themed brain teasers, caroling and trivia questions. It was a close race with the winning team managing to pull ahead only in the final challenge. Congrats to our victors! The room buzzed with great conversation late into the night.

We truly appreciate the continued support for this event and look forward to seeing you all at future NPS events.

Happy New Year!

BRINGING

HOLIDAYSPIRIT

IN THEHOLIDAYSPIRIT

BRINGINGIN THE

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ä11th Annual Institute of Public Administration of Canada

(IPAC) Edmonton New Public Servants Recognition Dinner

You are invited to the 11th Annual New Public Servants Recognition Dinner! Please join us for a memorable night of celebration, collaboration and conversation. Last year, over 400 public servants attended the IPAC Edmonton New Public Servants Recognition Dinner and we look forward to seeing you and your colleagues at this year’s event.

The awards to be presented during the event are:

Award for Emerging Excellence recognizing an outstanding new employee

Award of Excellence recognizing an individual who has made significant strides towards

excellence in the public service.

For more information on both these awards and to make a nomination, please visit: www.ipac.ca/edmonton/NewProfessionals

Date: Tuesday, May 6th

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Shaw Conference Centre - 9797 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton

Cost: $100/individual ticket; $1000/table of ten

Tickets can be purchased online at: www.ipac.ca/edmonton/npsrecognitiondinner2014

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Just over a year ago, the Ministry of Service Alberta under Minister Manmeet Bhullar launched the Open Government Program through the Information Services Division. In its initial year the program focused on building capacity and capability, developing core open government infrastructure and transforming the Alberta Government Library.

At the heart of the Open Government Program is the idea that we can positively affect the relationship between Albertans and the Government of Alberta. With advancements in technology and the social-web, it has never been easier for people to connect, become informed and engage with each other. This reality contains the promise of greater dialogue and collaboration between governments and citizens.

With the tools to improve access to information at hand, there is the potential for more transparent and open government and this is what the Open Government Program seeks to accomplish with its Open Data Portal (data.alberta.ca). The Alberta Open Data Portal makes the data collected by the provincial government on behalf of citizens publically available in machine readable formats with an open licence. All of the data is free and can be used without restriction, provided that privacy and security are properly addressed.

Open Data is just the beginning. Plans to develop a virtual library for the Government of Alberta are currently being finalized. Leveraging the merger between the Open Government Program and the Alberta Government Libraries, we intend to create a one-stop-shop for Albertans to locate any publication that can proactively be made open (or “FOIP-able” in government-speak).

By sharing our information and data as much as possible we can empower citizens to be full partners

Introducing the Open Government Programat the Government of AlbertaMark Diner

with government; this is the incredible potential of open government. Information is the greatest resource of the

21st century. Opening up access to this resource will reduce costs, create efficiencies and promote productivity within and outside of government.

Open government recognizes

that the ways in which government collaborates or engages with citizens are evolving. Tools such as crowdsourcing, wikis, surveys and online forums mean that Albertans no longer need to travel or take time off work to participate in a town hall or focus group. Instead, they can engage online, wherever and whenever they want to.

Though small, the Open Government Program is powered by an enthusiastic team. We would love to hear your ideas and questions and discuss how you can participate in this once-in-a-generation change occurring within the Government of Alberta. Contact us at open@gov.ab.ca!

Join us for lunch on February 27th to learn more about the program and take part in an exciting discussion about Open Government – we want to hear your thoughts! The event is free; however, space is limited so register now!

At the heart of the Open Government Program is the idea that we can positively affect the relationship between Albertans and the Government of Alberta.

“”

Lunch and Learn with MARK DINERChief Advisor, Open Government and Transparency

Take part in an interactive lunch and learn session that will highlight the possibilities, challenges, and

innovative ideas of open government.

February 27, 2014 11:45am to 1:00pmTelus Plaza South, 10020 100 Street NW, Edmonton

Register at: yegnpsopengov.eventbrite.ca

This past winter I was offered a wonderful opportunity by the IPAC Edmonton Regional Group Awards Committee. Every year, the Awards Committees from both the Edmonton and Calgary regions get together to select a winner for the Alberta Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional achievement and distinctive leadership in the area of public administration.

Having served on the Edmonton Awards Committee for the past two and half years, I was invited to fly down to Calgary to assist with the event. On Dec. 4, 2013, I boarded the Government of Alberta plane with the Lieutenant Governor, His Honour, Colonel (Retired) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell, former Deputy Minister Maria David-Evans, IPAC Edmonton’s vice-chair Chris Moore, IPAC Edmonton’s Awards Chair Deb Ridley, Kathryn Delhunt, past Awards Chair, Rod Simpson of MNP, and Robin Singleton, past IPAC Edmonton chair. This incredible company alone made the trip.

A Wonderful OpportunityAdam Clarke

This year’s recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award was Owen Tobert, City Manager for the City of Calgary who has had a 32 year career with the public service. The award ceremony took place at the McDougall Centre in Calgary, a beautiful old residence similar to Government House in Edmonton. Mayor Nenshi and a number of city councillors and aldermen attended the event. As a new public servant and one of the youngest people in the audience I found Mr. Tobert’s acceptance speech especially inspiring. He spoke about why he became a public servant and the common good that he has seen and worked towards in his long and distinguished career.

After mingling and enjoying some snacks, we were homeward bound. Even though, I was exhausted I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I had spent the day with some truly amazing public servants, who shared their experiences with me – their enthusiasm was infectious. From Mr. Tobert’s inspiring words to the encouragement of my travel companions, I have found a new energy that will keep me in the public service for a long while and following my “dream” career path regardless of any obstacles.

Why become a policy intern? About the Internship

The benefits Who is eligible?

Use your education to make a difference for Albertans!

Be a Policy Intern with the Alberta Government: fApply your education and skills to “real world” policy issues. fWork on policy initiatives that matter to you and Albertans. fGain valuable work experience and learn about various govern-

ment ministries. fFurther develop your skills and continue your learning.

fThrough the 16-month internship, you will have the chance to experience two eight-month work placements in two different Alberta government ministries.

fYour interests, background and skills will be matched with ministry placements wherever possible so that you can work in the field of your choice.

fYou can further develop your competencies and skills by participat-ing in various learning and development opportunities.

fYou will work side-by-side with seasoned policy professionals on important policy initiatives that will directly impact Albertans.

fPolicy interns regularly network and share experiences with other interns and policy professionals across government.

fCompetitive salary and benefits. fKick-start your career with valuable work experience and learning

opportunities.

To be eligible to apply, you must: fBe a graduate (within two years) from a post-secondary institute in

a related discipline. fDemonstrate an interest to the field of public policy either through

work experience, extra-curricular activities, and/or involvement with related student/professional associations.

Positions are advertised on the Government of Alberta Jobs Website at www.jobs.alberta.ca. Applications accepted through Feb. 27, 2014. Anticipated start date is May 13, 2014.

Alberta Public ServicePolicy Internship ProgramExplore the possibilities...

ToApply

fContact Clotilde Santos, at 780-427-4968 or clotilde.santos@gov.ab.ca.

fVisit the Internship website at: https://www.jobs.alberta.ca/students/program_descriptions.html#apspolicy

ForInfo

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In a recent Ottawa Citizen article (Kevin Page calls for public service renewal from the ‘ground up’ - www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Kevin+Page+calls+public+service+renewal+from+ground/9140359/story.html), one of Canada’s former parliamentary budget officers Kevin Page makes a resounding call to our country’s “rank-and-file” public servants. In the wake of visionless, “empty vessel” leadership, Page challenges public servants to speak up for government’s vision, values and ethics – qualities Page suggests are crucial to our renewal and survival. He argues that unions, though presently under legislative siege, are well-placed to tap into ground-up revitalization and have the potential to raise credibility and accountability in Canada’s public service. Living up to our obligations to provide information to support decision-making is essential to restoring the trust of Canadians in government and Parliament, according to Page.

Discussion questions:

1. How might Page’s call to excellence in providing information, costing, research and analysis to government leadership be embodied in your role and in the role of others around you in your particular area?

2. What kinds of changes to public policy need to be made in order to restore the vision and accountability of public service in Canada?

3. Page writes, “At PBO [Parliamentary Budget Office] I worked with public servants that represented the future. They had a mission. They put that mission in front of intimidation from the government and senior bureaucrats. Doing their jobs for Canadians was more important than self preservation in an environment that is becoming more toxic.” What does “representing the future” to senior bureaucrats look like? What factors might complicate attempts by public servants to reinstate values and high professional standards to government?

FOR DISCUSSIONUPCOMING EVENTS

February 27, 2014Lunch and Learn with Mark DinerTake part in an interactive lunch and learn session that will highlight the possibilities, challenges, and innovative ideas of open government.

March 5, 2014The Big Shift - a seismic change in Canadian business, politics and cultureDr. Rodney Schneck, Professional Emeri-tus with the University of Alberta School of Business shares his thoughts on emerging issues faced by public administrators. Book choice: The Big Shift by Darrel Bricker and John Ibbitson.

March 19, 2014Are PhD’s Too Smart or Too Slow for Government?Doctorate-holders will speak to graduate students about career paths in “pracademia”.

April 2014Come Hell or High WaterJoin us for a provocative discussion on emergency management and the impact on public policy from a federal, provincial, and municipal perspective.

May 6, 2014New Public Servants Recognition DinnerA special evening to recognize the achievements of outstanding new public servants at all levels of government.

June 1-4, 2014Creating Possibilities: Igniting Transformative SolutionsJoin us for the 2014 national conference here in Edmonton!

For information on more events, visit:

www.ipac.ca/edmonton/UpcomingEvents

Public service values, ethics and principles must be put back on the table. Renewal must come from the base of the public service, given the vacuum at the top. This is not easy but it can happen.

“”

Jeana Ridley

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Know an awesome new public servant?

Call for Nominations for TWO AwardsOnce again, IPAC Edmonton New Public Servants Committee (YEGNPS) is looking for nominations of the outstanding new public servants in your office! The two awards that we will be presenting this year are:

The Award for Emerging Excellence, which recognizes and distinguishes a new employee who has shown outstanding performance in their position; and

The Award of Excellence, which recognizes and showcase talent in the public service. The award recipient will be an individual who has made significant strides toward

excellence in their role in the public service.

Nominees will be featured in our newsletter, Fresh Focus, which is a wonderful opportunity for exposure for new pub-lic servants. Nominations are open online at: www.ipac.ca/edmonton/NewProfessionals

Nominations close at 4:00pm MT on March 31, 2014.

The awards are sponsored by the IPAC Edmonton Regional Group Executive Committee and award winners will be announced at the IPAC New Public Servants Recognition Dinner event in May 2014.

We know that there are many outstanding new public servants working with us everyday. This is a great opportunity to recognize our best and brightest while celebrating the achievements they bring to a thriving public service.

Here are just a few of the fantastic nominees we had in 2013 for the NPS Award of Excellence and the NPS Emerging Excellence Award:

Highlights of Nominees from the 2013 New Public Servants Awards

Kristin Ward Diaz exemplifies excellence in the public ser-vice – she is innovative, a great collaborator, takes pride in her job, works hard and is a superior problem solver. Kristin is an early adopter of new ideas and new ways to do things and encourages others to participate also. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious and this is reflected in the positive relationships she has with her colleagues. She is what “Reaching Our Full Potential” is all about.

Mychele Joyce exemplifies emerging excellence in a new public servant. She joined Alberta Transportation as an intern in 2011. From her first week it was clear that her work ethic, leadership skills, and commitment to the public were an ideal fit to the work of Alberta Transportation and the profession of public administration.

Craig Olson displays ongoing professionalism, knowledge, effective communication, integrity and balance as a Correc-tional Employee, traits all consistent with the Government Of Alberta Core Values. He has proven his commitment to excel as a Correctional Peace Officer and a caseworker within Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.

Deborah Andrews has been highly successful in her role at the museum over the past two years due to her person-al value system (which is naturally in line with the GOA’s values), her “can do” attitude which manifests itself in a positive, happy deposition which helps to pull our orga-nization forward, and her ability to see clearly the best strategic direction in all situations, whether she is leading a team, or simply doing her job day-to-day.

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We are pleased to introduce an exciting new initiative this year called “IPAC Impact.” The Edmonton Regional Group is committed to developing a stronger “pracademic” culture in Canada, by building a network of practitioners and academics to discuss the most challenging issues facing the public service. As part of this commitment, IPAC Edmonton has launched an “IPAC Impact” initiative, consisting of two main components:

1. The IPAC Impact Blog (ipacimpact.blogspot.com) is based on the “3 + 3 = 300” format, challenging contributors to:

• identify three (3) things everyone should know about the public sector issue at hand;• dispel three (3) myths or misconceptions about that issue; and• do so succinctly, in three hundred (300) words or less. 2. A series of “Café Pracademique” sessions combine brown-bag lunches, pay-your-own breakfasts, and traditional coffeehouse discussions. Pracademics will gather to hear leading academics and practitioners speak about the real-life implications of their research and policy work. All sessions will build on the six (6) themes of the 2014 IPAC National Conference.

ipacimpact.blogspot.com

For more events and other information from our partners at Edmonton NextGen,please visit www.edmontonnextgen.ca