bout de papier, Vol. 25, No. 3 (2010) — Fall 2010 // Automne 2010, p. 8
In the spring of 2009, a group of new recruits at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) decided to create a network for the recent cohort of FSs and MCOs. In the absence of a cross-Canada tour, it was clear that we needed a forum for discussing common experiences, speaking with one voice to management and of course socializing outside work! It was from this enthusiasm for professional and personal development that the Globetrotters Network was born. Since then, dozens of enthusiastic volunteers have been involved in organizing a variety of successful activities, such as networking events, personal and professional development opportunities, an assignments fair, a wine tasting, curling and trivia events, a sugar bush outing, and much more.
Many new initiatives were also developed, including the creation of a welcome package and a buddy program, and new communications tools targeting new recruits both inside the department and on official language training.
The Network has a “hub-and-spoke” structure where the steering committee (one elected representative each from political, trade and management consular) forms the hub and the three working groups form the spokes (social, support to new recruits, and learning and development). The Network is open to participants in the Foreign Service Development Program (FSDP), the Management Consular Training Program (MCTP) and enthusiastic officers from various streams at DFAIT. We are looking into the possibility of expanding our programming to include our CIC-FS colleagues as well as other professional streams within DFAIT that operate at Headquarters and missions abroad. We may undertake outreach activities with the Young Professionals Network to see what programming options are available across Government Departments.
Now in its second year of operations, the Network has been hugely successful in terms of creating a cohesiveness and open dialogue among members and between new recruits and senior management. Globetrotters events, like the bi-weekly pub nights and the buddy program, have been important to foster a sense of belonging to a “cohort” and for sharing personal and professional experiences as we all grow within the Department. We also boast a quarterly newsletter, a financial officer, and continued strong participation in our working groups.
We are pioneering the use of the Wiki and Connections as part of our networking and dialogue on everything from sports leagues to serious discussion on professional issues. To find out more about the Globetrotters, simply contact any of the steering committee members or visit our Wiki page on the Intranet.
Keep on “trotting”!
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 25, No. 3 (2010) — Fall 2010 // Automne 2010, p. 8. Read the rest of this issue →
