Max Bell Public Policy Training Institute
January - June 2012


 

About
How To Apply

 

Now Accepting Applications
Deadline: October 14, 2011

The Max Bell Public Policy Training Institute (MBPPTI) is a training program for individuals working in Alberta registered charities with an interest and engagement in public policy. On completion of the program, participants will have enhanced their knowledge and skills required to develop, inform, and monitor public policy on issues relevant to their organizations.

The program's lead faculty for 2012 is Jim Dinning. Mr. Dinning has extensive experience in government as both a senior public servant and as an elected MLA. In 1983, he became Alberta's Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. He was elected to the provincial legislature in the riding of Calgary-Shaw in 1986. During his three terms, he served as Minister of Community and Occupational Health, Minister of Education, and provincial Treasurer. He left office in 1997 and became Senior Vice-president at TransAlta Corporation. He has served as Chairman of the Calgary Health Region, and is now chairman of Western Financial Group Inc. and Chancellor of the University of Calgary.

The 12-day program will run between January and June of 2012. It consists of 6 modules of 2 days each led by leading public policy experts. In addition, each of the 25 participants will receive a limited amount of one-on-one coaching during the program to provide personalized advice and support to develop a policy-ready position on a given issue by program end.

The sessions will alternate between Calgary and Edmonton. Travel and accommodation bursaries will be provided to all participants. Each admitted participant will be required to pay a $500 materials fee.

The program is based on the Public Policy Training Institute developed by Maytree for Toronto-based organizations.

Who Should Apply?

The Institute is aimed at staff, board members or volunteers employed by / associated with Alberta registered charities that can identify an issue where a policy change could have a significant impact.

We ask that only individuals prepared to commit to attending all sessions and completing all institute assignments submit an application.

Program Curriculum Objectives

  • to enhance participants' understanding of how federal, provincial and municipal governments make policy decisions, so that they can participate more effectively in the public policy process;

  • to provide participants with training in how to develop practical and workable policy alternatives through both formal and informal learning formats such as lectures, case studies, readings, panel discussions, group work and presentations by participants;

  • to enable each participant to develop a policy ready position/product by the end of the program that responds to a given issue of individual/organizational interest.

Program Format

Two-day program modules will be delivered from January to June 2012. The schedule follows below.

  • Session One: Introduction To Public Policy; Calgary, January 12-13, 2012
    (Faculty: Jim Dinning)

  • Session Two: Research and Its Roles; Edmonton, February 9-10, 2012
    (Faculty: Nancy Reynolds - President and CEO of the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research; former Assistant Deputy Minister of Partnership and Innovation for Alberta Children's Services)

  • Session Three: Developing and Analyzing Policy Options; Calgary, March 15-16, 2012
    (Faculty: Roger Gibbins - President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation; former Department Head of Political Science, University of Calgary)

  • Session Four: Informing and Engaging Decision Makers; Edmonton, March 29-30, 2012
    (Faculty: Bob Wyatt - Executive Director of the Muttart Foundation; Co-Chair of the Voluntary Sector Initiative Joint Regulatory Table and Allan Northcott, Senior Program Officer, Max Bell Foundation)

  • Session Five: Implementing, Monitoring, Evaluating; Calgary, May 16-17, 2012
    (Faculty: Brenda Eaton - Chair, BC Housing Management Commission, former Deputy Minister to BC Premier Gordon Campbell, former Deputy Minister in Finance and Treasury Board; Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; and Social Services)

  • Session Six: Presentations from Participants; Edmonton, June 15,15, 2012

Modules will run from 1:00 to 5:00 on the first day, and from 9:00 to 3:00 on the second day. A dinner will be hosted for participants on the first day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on the second day.

The program requires the completion of a small number of assignments. Further, each participant will be offered a limited amount of one-to-one coaching support to be scheduled during the program to support the development of a policy-ready position on a given issue by program-end.

A certificate will be awarded to all participants who successfully complete the program requirements.

Travel and Accommodation

All sessions will be held at a downtown location, alternating between Calgary and Edmonton (locations to be confirmed).

Each participant's employing organization will receive:

  • a travel bursary of $390 (i.e., $130 for each of the 3 return trips between Calgary and Edmonton that each participant will be required to make);

  • an accommodation bursary of $600 (i.e., $200 for each of the 3 nights in either Calgary or Edmonton that each participant will be required to stay).

Additional subsidies may be available to organizations located outside of Calgary and Edmonton.


 

How to Apply

The application form is available here.

Please ensure that you complete and send all four components of the application. Return via email at ppti (at) maxbell.org, and/or fax at 403-215-7319.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 14, 2011 at 5:00 pm Mountain Time

Successful applicants only will be notified on or before November 4, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

Max Bell Foundation