Notetaking, Writing and Editing

The purpose of any consultation process or report is to provide direction for decision-making, policy or program development, and to provide feedback to the public. To do this well, the documentation must be written in language the audience understands and relate to.

At One World, we value effective communication, geared to the intended audience. Our associates include highly skilled professional note takers, writers and editors who have extensive experience in writing for the public and private sectors. By eliminating jargon, turning the passive voice to an active one and using plain language where appropriate, we can ensure that your key points and messages resonate with your audience.

Please note that most engagement projects involve notetaking and writing in some form. As a result, you will notice that we have cross-posted many of our consultation and public involvement projects in this section as a demonstration of our experience documenting engagement processes.

Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Public Consultations on Publicly-Funded Antivirals for Prevention

Client: Public Health Agency of Canada

One World managed and facilitated a series of dialogue sessions for the Task Group on Antivirals for Prophylaxis (TGAP), part of the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector.

In total, 11 separate one-and-a-half day sessions were held in six cities across Canada, using the deliberative dialogue method. Both citizen and stakeholder dialogues were held.

The project scope included:

  • Development of critical path and timeline for the project
  • Development of a customized approach for the Canada-wide consultations, with adaptations as required for particular sessions, e.g. session with Aboriginal participants
  • Issue framing session
  • Development of consultation materials, including agendas, a discussion guide, presentation decks, facilitator’s guide, evaluation questionnaire and note-taker’s template
  • Focus group on the discussion guide and revision as appropriate
  • Training of all facilitators and note-takers, including a pilot which all facilitators attended
  • Session facilitation, in French or in English according to the venue
  • Coordination of pre- and post-meetings for each consultation session
  • Note-taking and preparation of the Quebec session report; Liaison and review of reports with contractor on the other sessions