Enhancing Your Government Relations Strategies and Influencing Public Policy

A New Workshop Series

November 26 | February 5 | March 5

If you are an employee of a non-profit or charity you are eligible for a 50% subsidy, please call Linda at (204) 924-4225.

United Way is pleased to partner with the Manitoba Institute for Policy Research and the Canadian Community Economic Development Corporation (CCEDNet) Manitoba to pilot a new learning series focused on how government works, building a government relations strategy and framing your issues to impact change in public policy and process.

This is a 3 day workshop series. The first day is November 26th with the second day scheduled on February 5th and then concluding March 5th .

If you wish to register for only one or two sessions, call Linda 204.924.4225 for costs and to make arrangements.

November 26
Working with Government I: How Government Works
One day long, an introductory workshop providing an overview of key institutions, offices, and processes in Manitoba’s political system, introducing voluntary sector participants to 1) how government is organized and 2) how public policy is created; including how a problem is defined, how potential solutions are developed and chosen, how public policy is developed, how public policy is implemented (including through partnerships with the voluntary sector), and how public policy is evaluated. The day will consist of two lectures by the facilitators and interactive discussions focused on case studies and methods for interacting with government.

February 5
Working with Government II: Building a Government Relations Strategy
Building on Government I, this one day workshop will focus on development of a government relations strategy for organizations having an existing relationship with government(s) or wanting to build a relationship to help facilitate goals and objectives. It will address key questions, including “What do you want to achieve? What do you want government(s) to know about your organization and its goals, objectives, challenges, and successes? How and when will you communicate with government?” This workshop will provide an introduction to government relations and hands-on work toward a strategy for an organization.

March 5
Framing Your Issues
Building upon Government I and II, this workshop will provide an overview of the framing process and time to work through how framing can work for an organization. Every organization tells a story about (or frames) the problems/issues they are passionate about. But governments and the public face competing stories. This workshop will address the question: “How can your organization best present (or frame) your issues so that they capture the attention of governments and the public?”

Workshop Leaders

Karine Levasseur, Ph.D
Karine is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba. She earned my PhD. in the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University. While Karine has many research interests, she am particularly interested in how governments in Canada relate (or do not relate) to voluntary organizations. Her research explores how voluntary organizations can become more meaningfully involved in public policy development, and not just resigned to implement public policy decisions made without their involvement.

Andrea Rounce, Ph.D
Dr. Andrea Rounce is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Manitoba and Chair of the Joint Master of Public Administration Program. She teaches and researches in public administration. A primary focus is government's use of public opinion and consultation; public sector governance; and research methodology. Emphasizing the need to bridge theory and practice, Andrea also works with public sector organizations on policy and governance issues while working collaboratively on community engagement and education projects around elections and voting.