Event Listings

The Ontario landscape is emerging from over a year of turmoil, exceptionally hard work and, at times, exhaustion. So now what?

What will slide back into whatever normal is? How will what's emerging impact your current planning strategies, how they evolve and what happens next? The OPPI21 conference will help you, your team, and our profession identify and discuss solutions.

We'll focus on NOW - what is happening in economic development and sustainability and in the accelerated uptake of technology?

And WHAT - what will we do about it? How will we heal our communities and improve our ability to work for the good of everyone?

This fall, the OPPI21 conference will be jam packed with exciting sessions led by industry leaders and experts, all ready to stir up meaningful and proactive discussion.

Last year's virtual event was one of OPPI's most successful conferences ever. You came in your shorts and in your pajamas, you gained insights, you shared ideas, and we all re-connected with colleagues and friends from years past.

This year promises to be even better with a powerful line-up of speakers and topics that will enable everyone who attends to build back better. And while we can't 100% promise there will be an in-person event in Kitchener-Waterloo, we're working on it and will let you know.

Registration

• Click for Details

This online course is for the professional planner who is in a leadership role, a partner in a private firm, or managing others. You will have the opportunity to practice techniques and develop skills to both manage and lead others effectively. All practice activities are conducted in small groups.

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Understand the responsibilities of a manager and leader
• Apply methods of communication to drive trust
• Apply methods of performance management in your professional life
• Understand some fundamentals of human resources

This course will involve two 90-minute virtual sessions.

November, Monday 1 (9:30-11:00)

November, Wednesday 3 (9:30-11:00)

Maximum number of participants, 15. 

The information to connect will be emailed to you on October, Wednesday 27. Please, check your “spam/junk” folder if you do not see it in your Inbox.

OPPI wants you to go green! Please, note that OPPI does not provide printed resources for course registrants.

Course Instructor 

Brodie Church is a facilitator and certified training practitioner with a passion for workplace performance and project management. He has more than a decade of experience within the financial services industry, having worked increasingly senior roles within retail, call centre, IT and HR environments.  He now focuses his energy helping a wide range of industries and government bodies prioritize and execute their project objectives through instructor-led training solutions, specializing in project management and workplace communication.

• Click for Details and Registration

Join us for this online course that will help you understand the importance of effective project management in ensuring the success of your project. You will come away with the basic knowledge and skills in managing various-sized projects in all areas of urban and rural community development, urban design, environment, transportation, health and social services, housing, and economic development.

At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Identify the importance of having project planning skills
• Identify project challenges and create solutions
• Define various project management related term
• Understand how to improve project communication
• Apply the requirements for a project plan and create a project charter
• Use project management templates and tools

This course will involve two 120-minute virtual sessions.

November, Monday 8 (9:30-11:30)

November, Wednesday 10 (9:30-11:30)

Maximum number of participants, 15. 

Information to connect will be emailed to you on November, Wednesday 3. Please, check your “spam/junk” folder if you do not see it in your Inbox.

OPPI wants you to go green! Please note that OPPI does not provide printed resources for course registrants.

Course Instructor

Brodie Church is a facilitator and certified training practitioner with a passion for workplace performance and project management. He has more than a decade of experience within the financial services industry, having worked increasingly senior roles within retail, call centre, IT and HR environments.  He now focuses his energy helping a wide range of industries and government bodies prioritize and execute their project objectives through instructor-led training solutions, specializing in project management and workplace communication.

• Click for Details and Registration

Plain Language is an internationally accepted approach to communicating with a diverse range of people, from other subject matter experts to the least-engaged members of the public. It helps to provide information in a way that the reader can find, understand, and use.

This workshop introduces strategies for applying Plain Language techniques to a range of documents that planners need to prepare on the job. Introduction to Plain Language for Planners is designed to provide planners with the tools they need to:

      · Apply Plain Language theory and techniques to improve communication,

      · Address the disconnect with other experts, decision-makers, and the general public on influential, complex plans, projects, and programs,

      · Provide engaging content that generates meaningful input and better outcomes, and

      · Work more effectively with decision-makers and partners like local politicians, consultants, non-profits, and the general public.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

a)    Gain appreciation of value of writing in Plain Language, to advance their profession and the communities they serve.

b)    Apply the techniques to writing reports, studies, and other documents.

c)    Analyze and evaluate documents to communicate in a more accessible and inclusive manner.

Session Content:

v  What is Plain Language? How can it help planners communicate more effectively with decision-makers and the general public?

•    Its value to city building professions

•    Current environment and expectations (e.g., Ontario Land Tribunal)

•    Common mistakes in planning reports, studies, briefs (with real examples)

•    The science of readability

v  Plain Language techniques 

•    Identifying the audience: Who your reader is, what they care about

•    Defining your purpose and creating key messages

•    Structuring your document for impact and clarity

•    Integrating visual components to help make your case

•    Do's and Don'ts: Inclusive language, jargon, spelling, grammar, voice, and tone

v  Editing and proofreading for accessibility and polish

•    Word choice

•    Eliminating wordiness

v  Resources for Plain Language writing

Instructor:

Lisa Orchard makes complex ideas clear for diverse audiences. As a technical communications professional with 20+ years of experience writing and editing strategic documents to advance city-building projects, she brings a big-picture, interdisciplinary, and collaborative approach to her clients in industry, government, and non-profits. With a background in urban and transportation planning, policy and research, and consultation and engagement, she has been involved in many high-profile initiatives that will influence our cities for decades into the future. She launched her firm, Scribe Technical Writers and Editors, in 2019, to bring the best practices from technical communications to city building professions. It’s a unique combination!

Maximum number participants, 25.

• Click for Details and Registration