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New CSC Internal Communications Advisory Committee

As Part of Strengthening Management Practices

Strengthening management practices

BY Lisa Hardey, Assistant Commissioner, Communications and Citizen Engagement Sector

Left to right, front row: Denis Dugas and Delvin Allbright. Back Row:
Patsy Le Clair, Julia Hopps, Mike Lightstone, David Snowdon and Lisa Harde

Strengthening management practices is one of the Service’s five key priorities this fiscal year, and improving internal communications is identified as an essential component. That’s why all direct reports to the Commissioner have now made formal commitments to demonstrate improved internal communications in their sectors or regions, and that’s why our Commissioner continues to emphasize the important roles and responsibilities for himself, managers, employees, and communications specialists in building better internal communications capacity.

The Communications and Citizen Engagement Sector is uniquely positioned to work in partnership with regions and sectors to offer advice, and to build and deliver services, tools, and products that will be useful and practical in meeting objectives.

To help ensure that our efforts net the right results, we first held focus groups with employees across CSC this past February, and then in April proposed to use the new CSC Internal Communications Advisory Committee that will offer creative ideas, advice, and will “test-drive” initiatives before they are implemented. This proposal had solid support at both the Executive Committee and at the most recent Executive Development Symposium.

This CSC Internal Communications Advisory Committee is now fully operational. On May 31, at our inaugural meeting, Commissioner Coulter joined us and underscored the importance of the link between effective internal communications and a high-performing organization, and to thank committee members for agreeing to serve on the committee and for providing their time and advice.

The committee is comprised of a cross-section of CSC employees from across the country, including national headquarters and, it is important to note, that individual members do not represent their region, unit, area of expertise, function, level, etc. Criteria for membership involves only a dedication to and willingness to help build better internal communications by providing suggestions, new ideas, and advice on proposals and initiatives.

To keep a collaborative and inclusive approach to strengthening CSC internal communications, more focus groups are planned for this year, and membership on this advisory committee will be refreshed periodically through rotation. Towardthe end of this fiscal year, more information will be provided for CSC employees who may be interested in becoming members.♦