POLAR XPRESS – April 20, 2020

FROM THE TOP

First edition of POLAR in the news!

The POLAR Communications team officially launched its new media monitoring emails last week. These internal emails will be sent to staff and POLAR’s Board of Directors every second Monday (alternating with the POLAR XPRESS newsletter) to inform you of recent media and social media coverage about POLAR, its people and its projects!

Read any other recent articles or social media posts about POLAR, its people or its projects? Please send them to communications@polar-polaire.gc.ca.

Mental Health Marathon on May 6

Join the movement to end stigma around mental health by participating in the LifeSpeak Mental Health Marathon on May 6 between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. EDT. LifeSpeak is bringing their leading mental health experts right to you to answer your questions in our popular Ask the Expert web chat format. Click here for more information.

To access LifeSpeak, whether you are using a computer, a tablet or a smartphone, simply log on to the following address: canada.lifespeak.com, select Access Through Group Account and enter the Client Password: canada

Reminder: Performance Agreements

This year, year-end performance reviews for 2019-2020, and beginning of year performance agreements for 2020-2021 will both be due on May 29, 2020. This is to encourage continuity of performance discussions and objectives from year to year, and to ensure that objectives for 2020-2021 are set at the beginning of the fiscal year.

If you have any questions about the year-end performance review process, please send them to the Human Resources inbox at HR_RH@polar.gc.ca.

POLAR’S PEOPLE

Lunch & Learn Series

Steven Alexander

On April 8th, KM&E launched a new initiative for POLAR staff: the 2020 Lunch & Learn Series. The goals of the series are to connect, educate and inspire POLAR staff, while addressing some of the most important challenges and opportunities in polar knowledge, science and engagement.

The first event held on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, featured an insightful and captivating talk by Steven Alexander, a Science Advisor with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). He discussed the importance of integrating multiple ways of knowing, such as Indigenous knowledge and science-based knowledge in research, and how bridging knowledge systems can strengthen the evidence base on which policy advice is founded. Steven also shared with us an online tool that DFO Science has developed to facilitate knowledge mobilization for scientists: the Bridging Indigenous and Science-based Knowledge (BIAS-K) Web Portal.

We would like to thank POLAR staff for their participation, engagement and thoughtful questions. We all play a part in making these events successful.

 

Upcoming Lunch & Learn Events

Paul Sokoloff

Paul Sokoloff, Canadian Museum of Nature
April 23, 2020, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MDT | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EDT

Join us for the upcoming Lunch & Learn with Paul Sokoloff, Senior Research Assistant, Botany with the Canadian Museum of Nature, where he will be sharing some of the Museum’s most exciting Arctic flora research. Look forward to travelling through time with Paul via the Museum’s Herbarium, as well as a roundup of recent field seasons taking participants through the Northern regions of Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, and to Lake Hazen, Nunavut.

 
Jenn Provencher

Jennifer Provencher, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
April 30, 2020, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. MDT | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. EDT

Join us for the upcoming Lunch & Learn with Jennifer Provencher, head of the Wildlife Health Unit of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Jennifer will be sharing her team’s interesting work on the examination of seabird bycatch in a growing Arctic fishery.

 

LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE

Inuinnaqtun/Inuktitut word of the week

The Inuinnaqtun/Inuktitut word of the week is: uiviititut. It means: the French language

It is pronounced: we-vee-tee-toot

Listen to the pronunciation here:

Are you ready to Talk the Talk?

Talk The Talk

UPDATES

Key outcomes from Senior Management Committee

Here are the key outcomes and decisions deriving from the April 15, 2020, Senior Management Committee meeting:

  • The President debriefed SMC members on the early feedback that was received from the Board on the draft 2020-21 POLAR work plan. The Board had an in camera teleconference on April 17, 2020 to consider the draft work plan for approval.
  • SMC discussed how the Corporate and Programs executives should prepare for the 90-minute planning meeting of the extended SMC which is scheduled for April 22, 2020. Preparation should focus on what changes might be necessary to POLAR’s draft 2020-21 work plan, in the context of COVID-19.

POLAR Events Calendar

You will find below the latest version of the POLAR events calendar, including upcoming events and conferences for your information.

Note: The calendar is subject to change. Any travel has to be pre-approved by the appropriate delegated manager

Please send any calendar updates or additions to Janine Angohiatok at jerry.kallada@polar.gc.ca.

POLAR events calendar: April 17, 2020

WORKPLACE NOTICES

GCLearning during COVID-19: Mental Health

Managing your mental health during times of crisis is an essential part of the coping process. Be sure to acknowledge how you are feeling about your personal circumstances. Take the time you need to talk to others and consult the many mental health resources available to you.

Protecting your mental health

In response to COVID-19, the Center for Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace launched a new portal to better equip employees, managers and organizations to cope with information on mental health and wellness, self-care and resilience, and financial well-being.

Learning in support of mental health

Protecting and maintaining your mental health is especially important during times of isolation and social distancing. Explore these helpful online courses offered through GCcampus:

This can be a very stressful time for all, if you are noticing symptoms of anxiety or distress during self-isolation, below are helpful resources that can assist you in managing your mental health.

Ottawa Public Health – Mental Health and COVID-19

Canadian Mental Health Association – COVID-19 and Mental Health

Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or 1-800-268-7708