The Ontario Human Rights Commission works to promote, protect and advance human rights through research, education, targeted legal action and policy development. Its vision is for an Ontario where everyone is valued, treated with dignity and respect – and where human rights are nurtured by us all.
Our early work with the OHRC began as a communications contract position within the Public Education and Policy Branch and then in the Strategic Planning Unit when new legislation was proposed for a transformed human rights system in the province of Ontario, Canada in 2006. Outreach’s principal worked with the strategic planning unit and as part of the transition team, and the executive and commissioners to chart a course for the new human rights system in Ontario. A key input to this was a community consultation process where we heard critical feedback and input from community members across the province, and from key leaders in the human rights sector. With this input we developed a structure and protocols for how the system overall could be structured. In particular Alex advised on the structure, roles and change strategy for the public education and communications branch. When the new system was in place, Outreach continued to work with the Commission to support the development of public awareness and communications materials, including the development of a public narrative about human rights through collaborative speech writing with then Chief Commissioner, Barbara Hall.
“Alex has a complete understanding of what makes good communications. She is creative while being attentive to details and deadlines; she is thoughtful as a writer and editor with a clear prose style … she will surprise you with value-added you did not anticipate. I recommend her unreservedly.”
-Kevin Marsh, Manager, Communications and Issues Management, Ontario Human Rights Commission
Resources
- Project Planning TemplateProject Planning Template – This is great for planning communications for projects – and for issues management.
- Communications Planning TemplateCommunications Planning Template – We like this template put together by SPIN media.
- The communications planning processThe communications planning process – We put this together to help bring clarity to what communications planning is – and walk you through the steps of how you can develop an effective strategy for your organization or project.