ABOUT SCWIST AND THE SCALE PROJECT:

Founded in 1981, the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) has a proud history of empowering women and girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). SCWIST (www.scwist.ca) envisions an environment where girls and women pursue their interests, education, and careers in STEM without barriers. This Informed Opinions workshop is offered to SCWIST members, community partners and gender equality advocates as part of the new SCALE project funded by the Government of Canada’s Department of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE). The SCALE project – SCWIST Connects, Advocates and Leverages Expertise – will expand STEM diversity for economic empowerment across Canada. SCALE will increase SCWIST’s impact by improving organizational effectiveness, financial sustainability, partnership reach and advocacy. STEM is the powerhouse of the economy and our future – and through the SCALE project, SCWIST will create pathways for highly trained STEM women to contribute their knowledge and skills.

“Informed Opinions gives you the recipe to write clear, direct and compelling pieces on issues that matter and deserve a wide audience. My published op ed generated an enormous response.”
– Workshop Participant

INFORMED OPINIONS WORKSHOP: WRITING COMPELLING COMMENTARY TO EXTEND YOUR INFLUENCE

This highly interactive workshop for STEM professionals and gender equality advocates builds leadership capacity, enhances credibility and extends influence. It provides participants with the confidence and tools to contribute their expertise and vision to the public discourse through compelling, short-form written commentary – for newspaper op ed pages, blogs, newsletters and online sites. This engaging 3 hour session will equip you to:

• Own and articulate your authority as an expert
• Recognize and address the systemic undervaluing of women’s expertise by both society and women themselves
• Understand the difference between speaking for yourself versus speaking on behalf of an organization
• Understand the essential elements and format of effective commentaries
• Learn how to build a concise, persuasive and accessible argument to engage your target audience
• Increase and extend your influence by linking your expertise with current issues to enhance the relevance and timeliness of your knowledge
• Submit your work to online, media and print editors

Writing Compelling Commentary is an interactive workshop that walks participants through applying a series of steps and tools to a specific topic that they would like to engage a broader audience. You’ll be expected to arrive at the session with:

• A topic relevant to your context or organization (e.g. a current issue in STEM, a way to advance gender equality, how to overcome a barrier to success, a policy you want to advocate for, a global issue that needs attention)
• An understanding of what you want people to think or believe after reading your op ed or blog article
• A one-sentence “thesis statement” about your topic (e.g. “Advancing more women in STEM has a measurable impact on research innovation”; “Diversity policies need to create an inclusive workplace culture where everyone can thrive”; “Taking action on climate change requires more than small, incremental steps”)

During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to write sections of your compelling commentary, so if you prefer to compose material on a keyboard, please bring your laptop (well-charged due to limited power outlets in the room).

SPEAKER

Shari Graydon

About Shari

Shari has spent more than 25 years shamelessly exploiting media to draw attention to issues she knows and cares about. Now she motivates and trains others to do the same, delivering highly-rated conference keynotes and practical workshops across the country. The founder and catalyst of Informed Opinions, Shari is an award-winning author and women’s advocate. Since 2010, she has helped amplify the voices of thousands of women across Canada, supporting them in sharing their insights with a broader public. Informed Opinion’s new Gender Gap Tracker uses big data analytics to encourage influential Canadian news media to better represent women’s perspectives. A former newspaper columnist, TV producer and commentator for CBC radio and TV, Shari also served as press secretary to a provincial premier, and as president of MediaWatch. She’s a proud alumna of the University of British Columbia (Theatre) and Simon Fraser University (Communications), where she also taught. She has published two best-selling media literacy books for youth, received the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons’ Case, and been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. Royalties from her edited collection, I Feel Great About My Hands – And Other Unexpected Joys of Aging benefit Informed Opinions. Her newest book, OMG! What if I really AM the best person? offers purse-size inspiration for knowledgeable women whose voices deserve to be amplified.

TIME AND LOCATION

Date: Wednesday February 12, 2020

Location: Atrium – Room 825 (8th Floor)
BCIT Downtown Campus (next door to SCWIST office)
555 Seymour Street, Vancouver BC V6B 3H6
BCIT Downtown Campus is close to major transit stops (and with convenient underground parking)

Workshop Agenda:
5:30 pm Registration, Networking and Working Dinner Buffet (sandwiches, fruit, desserts)
5:50 pm SCWIST Introductions and SCALE Project
6:00 pm Informed Opinions Workshop Starts
9:00 pm Workshop Ends

Please Register by February 6 in order to assist with our catering.

PHOTO AND VIDEO CONSENT

Please be advised that photographs and videos will be taken at the event and may be used by SCWIST on their website, marketing materials, and other publications.By being at this event, you consent to SCWIST, to photograph and use your image and likeness.Grant of rights: You irrevocably and wholly grant SCWIST the exclusive use of your name, voice, picture, and likeness as recorded during this event. You also irrevocably and wholly grant the exclusive use of any statements and actions you make as recorded during this event. This grant of rights shall be effective throughout the world and in perpetuity.

Use by SCWIST: These organizations may use any footage it obtains at this event for any purpose, including but not limited to live and recorded transmission, advertising, promotion, sale, and transfer, in all media now known or hereafter devised throughout the world and in perpetuity.
You agree you have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before participating in this event.