A black and white portrait of Kim Smith is positioned in the foreground against a white background featuring event text and the Canadian Public Relations Society logo.

Canadian Public Relations Society

LXCL:Please note: This event is exclusive to CPRS Members.

CPRS Member

How do you communicate through a major organizational change when the public is watching? Join CPRS Edmonton for the first session in our Virtual Professional Development Series, featuring Kim Smith, Communications Consultant with Edmonton Public Schools. When Edmonton Public Schools suspended and subsequently reintroduced its School Resource Officer (SRO) program, the Division faced a complex communications challenge involving diverse stakeholder perspectives, intense media attention, and significant public scrutiny. Navigating the process required a thoughtful approach to listening, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. The Division&#39;s comprehensive communications plan earned a CPRS Award of Excellence in the Canadian Issues / Crisis Management Campaign category, recognizing its approach to managing communications through this significant organizational shift. In this session, Kim will take us behind the scenes of the campaign, sharing the communications strategies, challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. What You&#39;ll Learn<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Communicating through change: Approaches to navigating sensitive organizational decisions and evolving public expectations.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Stakeholder engagement: The importance of listening, transparency, and building understanding among audiences with differing perspectives.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Media and issues management: Lessons from communicating in a high-profile environment under sustained public and media scrutiny.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Lessons learned: Practical insights and reflections that communications professionals can apply to their own work.</li></ul>Whether you work in corporate communications, government, education, or the nonprofit sector, this session offers a valuable look at the realities of managing complex communications challenges. Meet the SpeakerKim Smith | Communications Consultant, Edmonton Public SchoolsKim Smith is a communications professional with more than 15 years of combined experience in journalism and communications. Previously a reporter and news anchor at Global Edmonton, she now works with Edmonton Public Schools as a communications consultant focused on media relations. About the SeriesCPRS Edmonton&#39;s Virtual Professional Development Series brings together experienced communications and public relations professionals to share practical insights, industry expertise, and lessons learned throughout their careers.Designed to support ongoing professional growth, these free lunchtime sessions offer CPRS members and students an accessible opportunity to learn from fellow professionals, explore real-world communications challenges, and ask questions. Event DetailsDate: To be confirmedTime: 12:15 pmLocation: Virtual (meeting link provided upon registration)Cost: FreeWho Can Attend: CPRS members and students Join us for an engaging lunchtime conversation and an opportunity to learn from an award-winning communications campaign. Register today!

How do you communicate through a major organizational change when the public is watching? Join CPRS Edmonton for the first session in our Virtual Professional Development Series, featuring Kim Smith, Communications Consultant with Edmonton Public Schools. When Edmonton Public Schools suspended and subsequently reintroduced its School Resource Officer (SRO) program, the Division faced a complex communications challenge involving diverse stakeholder perspectives, intense media attention, and significant public scrutiny. Navigating the process required a thoughtful approach to listening, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. The Division's comprehensive communications plan earned a CPRS Award of Excellence in the Canadian Issues / Crisis Management Campaign category, recognizing its approach to managing communications through this significant organizational shift. In this session, Kim will take us behind the scenes of the campaign, sharing the communications strategies, challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way. What You'll Learn<ul><li>Communicating through change: Approaches to navigating sensitive organizational decisions and evolving public expectations.</li><li>Stakeholder engagement: The importance of listening, transparency, and building understanding among audiences with differing perspectives.</li><li>Media and issues management: Lessons from communicating in a high-profile environment under sustained public and media scrutiny.</li><li>Lessons learned: Practical insights and reflections that communications professionals can apply to their own work.</li></ul>Whether you work in corporate communications, government, education, or the nonprofit sector, this session offers a valuable look at the realities of managing complex communications challenges. Meet the SpeakerKim Smith | Communications Consultant, Edmonton Public SchoolsKim Smith is a communications professional with more than 15 years of combined experience in journalism and communications. Previously a reporter and news anchor at Global Edmonton, she now works with Edmonton Public Schools as a communications consultant focused on media relations. About the SeriesCPRS Edmonton's Virtual Professional Development Series brings together experienced communications and public relations professionals to share practical insights, industry expertise, and lessons learned throughout their careers.Designed to support ongoing professional growth, these free lunchtime sessions offer CPRS members and students an accessible opportunity to learn from fellow professionals, explore real-world communications challenges, and ask questions. Event DetailsDate: To be confirmedTime: 12:15 pmLocation: Virtual (meeting link provided upon registration)Cost: FreeWho Can Attend: CPRS members and students Join us for an engaging lunchtime conversation and an opportunity to learn from an award-winning communications campaign. Register today!

Canadian Public Relations Society

CPRS Edmonton Virtual Professional Development Series Session #1: Navigating Change and Public Scrutiny

CPRS Member

Free