Re-energising the IAP2 Ambassador Program by Abbie Jeffs
Workshop to review the purpose of ambassadors and the role of the Ambassador Program
On 25 June 2018 I went to Melbourne to be part of a day-long conversation to review and re-energise the IAP2 Ambassador Program. In total thirteen ambassadors from as far as Perth, New Zealand, Adelaide and Brisbane met to discuss how we could best support the delivery of IAP2 Australasia’s strategic objectives.
We spent the day connecting and sharing IAP2 stories and having conversations about the history and the future for IAP2 Australasia.
The workshop started on a positive note by mapping the meaningful association that we have each had in shaping the organisation’s transformational journey over the last 20 years. We charted a timeline showing IAP2 Australasia’s humble beginnings in a Sydney office, to its affiliation five years ago, to now being the largest and strongest part of the international organisation.
We spent time examining whether, as ambassadors, our role is to promote best-practice engagement, to represent IAP2 as an organisation, or both? We generally agreed that as ambassadors we are “guardians” who practice and promote the core values. Individually and collectively we have a deep understanding of the current standards of practice and of IAP2’s organisational context. We suggested that as ambassadors our role should be to share our knowledge, passion and wisdom to help grow, inspire and enhance engagement practice both inside and outside of IAP2. We could do this in a number of ways, for example by mentoring emerging practitioners, speaking at events or acting as a “brains trust” to offer innovative insight to the Board and the secretariat team.
We agreed that the core criteria for being an “ambassador” is someone who is a current member who has made a demonstrated commitment to the organisation, is actively involved in the engagement industry and is recognised and respected by their peers.
We identified opportunities to check that as a group we reflect the diversity of practice and practitioners working across the region.
The workshop confirmed that ambassadors are all devotees who eat, live and breathe the core values and who have plenty of passion for furthering the best practice engagement in Australasia.
For a range of reasons, the Ambassadors Program has never really taken off, but with this renewed focus I think it is taking shape to add real value to the delivery of key objectives identified in the Strategic Plan.
Ambassadors at the workshop
Joining me at the workshop was Carla Leversedge, Jan Taylor, Joel Levin, Keith Greaves, Nicole Hunter, Michelle Feenan, Lucy Cole Edelstein, Margie Harvie, Max Hardy, Leisa Prowse, Mark Ritch and Carol Hayward.
Also a big call out to thank Tatiana Mauri who facilitated the day – it’s never easy facilitating a room full of facilitators!
History of the Ambassador Program
After an open call for expressions of interest, 27 ambassadors were confirmed in early 2016 for an initial two-year term. All of us have had a long standing association with IAP2 and are recognised as leaders of public participation in Australasia. In signing up to be ambassadors we volunteered to help advance the practice of public participation across Australasia.
Check out the website for more information about us and get in touch if you’d like our assistance or advice.