Curriculum Vitae
Rory O'Brien
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Education
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Career History
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Publications and Papers
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Presentations
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Teaching
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Voluntary Activities
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Media Interviews
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Projects
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Ph.D. program (dissertation unsubmitted), Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, 1997-2004 Area of study: Online communications, social movements, and global policy development Thesis title: “Information Flow Among Transnational Advocacy Networks: a study of computer conferences in support of UN-sponsored global policy summits 1992 to 1995” Supervisor: Dr. Andrew Clement Masters in Environmental Studies (Networking) York University, Toronto, Ontario, 1990 Major Paper title: "Networking and Computer Networking - the York/Habitat Networking Initiative, the Native Computer Communications Network Project, and Habnet" Supervisor: Dr. Jerome Durlak Bachelor of Arts (Communications) Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, 1985 Diploma (Recreation Therapy) Douglas College, Burnaby, British Columbia, 1980
Coordinator, Greening Sacred Spaces Program 2006-2008
This inter-faith organization promotes dialogue and collaboration on matters of social and ecological concern. I managed 11 staff, together with whom we facilitated faith communities (churches, mosques, synagogues, etc.) in greening their operations, notably in reducing energy consumption and using alternative energy sources, through a combination of fundraising, promotion, education and coordination.
Coordinator, Corporate Social Responsibility Program 2004-2005
This organization performs social justice advocacy and public education on behalf of the major Canadian churches and church organizations. Working with church representatives and other organizations, I was responsible for developing and implementing advocacy strategies to counter corporate policies and practices that threaten economic, social and environmental rights, and for promoting socially responsible shareholdership by the churches.
Managing Partner 1999-2004
My consulting company offered expertise in electronic communications, public affairs, research, advocacy, and management. I was responsible for business operations, and development and management of consulting projects.
Open Text Corporation, Technical Services Division, Toronto, Ontario This international company sells software and services related to knowledge management and corporate intranets. I was responsible for project management, client liaison, and initial development of new product and service concepts.
Web Program Manager 1988-1996
Now called Web Networks, NirvCentre has provided electronic networking and Internet services to the non-profit sector in Canada since 1988. I was responsible for strategic planning for system growth and development, marketing and sales, liaison with major clients and partners, special projects, research reports, staff training and management.
Project Staff - Native Computer Communications Network 1986-1988
This project established a computer network among band councils and other native organizations in Ontario. I was responsible for design and facilitation of online interaction, client outreach and liaison, network promotion, media liaison, editing of manuals, and project evaluation.
Project Staff - York/Habitat Networking Initiative 1986 - 1988
This project established a network of stakeholders working in areas related to human settlements. I was responsible for planning and facilitation of meetings and special events, production of newsletter, writing of reports and articles, and coordination of computer communications.
Recreation Therapist 1985 - 1986
I worked as part of a three-person recreation team providing services to the residents of this 300 bed personal and intermediate care home for the elderly. I was responsible for planning and maintaining exercise, art and music programs as well as special events.
Instructor of English Language and Culture 1981 - 1983
I prepared curriculum and teaching materials, taught classes, advised and evaluated students for a series of 10-week courses – averaging 20 in-class hours per week. Students included middle managers at several large corporations (on-site) as well as students at the College.
Researcher, Accessibility Study 1981
This was a project to assess the physical and curricular barriers to accessing five college campuses by people with disabilities. I was responsible for conducting the physical assessment and co-authoring the final report with recommendations.
Recreation Therapist 1980
As part of a comprehensive medical team, I provided recreational programs for 25 patients in the hospital's Short Stay Assessment and Treatment Centre.
Director of Recreation 1978 - 1979
I was responsible for all aspects of the recreation program for this 180 bed personal and intermediate care facility, including the management of 35 volunteers.
Peer reviewed publications: O'Brien, R. (2002). Enabling Civil Society Participation in Global Policy-making: The APC and the United Nations. In K. Higgs (Ed.), APC Annual Report 2000: 1990 Looking Back on APC's First Decade 2000 (Association for Progressive Communications). http://www.apc.org/english/about/history/apc_ar_2000.pdf: Association for Progressive Communications (Accessed 8/9/2002). O'Brien, R. (2002). "Civil Society and The UN Summits 1992-1995: online communications in support of global public policy development" (abstract). Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science, 26(2/3), 117-118. O'Brien, R. (2002). Socially Responsible Shareholdership In Canada: a handbook for institutional investors, SIO Publications [Online]. Available: http://www.socialinvestment.ca/shareholdership/handbook.html (Accessed 20/11/2002). O'Brien, R. (2001). Green Investment. In T. Munn (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change. Vol. 4: Responding to Global Environmental Change. New York: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. O'Brien, R. (2001). Limiting Stratospheric Ozone Depletion Using Tradable Permits in Ozone Depleting Substances. In T. Munn (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change. Vol. 4: Responding to Global Environmental Change. New York: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. O'Brien, R. (2001). Socially Responsible Investment. In T. Munn (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Global Environmental Change. Vol. 4: Responding to Global Environmental Change. New York: John Wiley and Sons Ltd. O'Brien, R. (1992, July). The APC Computer Networks: Global Networking for Change. Canadian Journal of Information Science, 17(2), 16-24. Other publications: O'Brien, R. (2006). Practical Guide to Improving the Energy Efficiency of Your Place of Worship. Faith & the Common Good (in-house). Available: http://www.faith-commongood.net (Accessed 17/03/2008). O'Brien, R. (2006). Guide to Developing a Green Team in Your Faith Community. Faith & the Common Good (in-house). Available: http://www.faith-commongood.net (Accessed 17/03/2008). O'Brien, R. (2001). Um exame da abordagem metodológica da pesquisa ação [An Overview of the Methodological Approach of Action Research]. In Roberto Richardson (Ed.), Teoria e Prática da Pesquisa Ação [Theory and Practice of Action Research]. João Pessoa, Brazil: Universidade Federal da Paraíba (English version) Available: http://www.web.ca/~robrien/papers/arfinal.html (Accessed 20/1/2002). O'Brien, R., & Clement, A. (2000, August). The Association for Progressive Communications and the Networking of Global Civil Society: APC at the 1992 Earth Summit. DIAC 2000 Shaping the Network Society: The Future of the Public Sphere in Cyberspace , proceedings of the DIAC 2000 Conference, (CPSR - Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility) and The CPSR Newsletter 18(3) [Online]. Available: http://www.cpsr.org/publications/newsletters/issues/2000/Summer2000/obrien-clement.html (Accessed 16/10/2000). O'Brien, R. (1997, August). Internet-ional Development in Canada [Ontario Council for International Cooperation]. OCIC News (Toronto). O'Brien, R. (1992, February). A Slice of Web [Canadian Environmental Network]. CEN Bulletin (Ottawa). O'Brien, R. (1992, April). Worldwide Web [Ontario Council for International Cooperation]. OCIC News (Toronto). O'Brien, R. (1992). Computer Communications. In H. Creech (Ed.), Sourcebook on Sustainable Development. Winnipeg: International Institute for Sustainable Development. O'Brien, R. (1991, summer). UNCED material available on Web [Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada]. University Affairs (Ottawa). O'Brien, R. (1991, January). Web: Linking Environmentalists [Canadian Environmental Network]. CEN Bulletin (Ottawa). O'Brien, R. (1990, spring). EcoNet on Web. Green Teacher. O'Brien. (1990). The Web. In J. Quarterman , The Matrix. Digital Press. O'Brien. (1990). NCCN. In J. Quarterman, The Matrix. Digital Press. O'Brien, R., & Durlak, J. (1989). Usenet: An Examination of the Social and Political Processes of a Cooperative Computer Communications Network Under the Stress of Rapid Growth. In Proceedings of the International Communications Association 1989 Conference. Honolulu: International Communications Association. . [also presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Communications Association. Montreal, May 1988.] Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/usenet.html (Accessed 14/7/2002). Other papers and reports: O'Brien, R. (2005, 14/January) Whose Values? Presented at the Workshop on Socially Responsible Investment, Toronto: Ontario Teachers Federation.O'Brien, R. (2001, 10-14/October). Global Civil Society Networks Online: Zapatistas, the MAI, and Landmines. In Lauren Langman (Chair), Internet Research 2.0: INTERconnections the Second International Conference of the Association of Internet Researchers. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis-St.Paul: Association of Internet Researchers. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/civsocnets.html (Accessed 1/6/2002). O'Brien, R. (2001, 1-5/August). Research into the Digital Divide in Canada. Presented at the D3: Digital Divide Doctoral Student Workshop. Ann Arbor: Alliance for Community Technology, University of Michigan. Available: http//www.web.ca/~robrien/papers/digdivide.html (Accessed 10/9/2002). O'Brien, R. (2000, December). Determination of Research Readiness. Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, Toronto (available from author). O'Brien, R. (2000, June). Forum Report. SRI/CSR Strategy Forum, Social Investment Organization, Toronto. McNamara, K., & O'Brien, R. (2000, 7-10/March). Access to Information and Communication for Sustainable Development Opportunities and Challenges for the International Community - Recommendations of the Access Working Group. Presented at the Global Knowledge II conference. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Global Knowledge Partnership Secretariat. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/gk2access.html (Accessed 10/9/2002). O'Brien, R. (1999, 10/11). Introducing ICT to Global Civil Society: the Association for Progressive Communications and the UN Summits 1992-1995. Available: http://www.web.ca/~robrien/papers/Intro_ICT.html (Accessed 1/6/2002). O'Brien, R. (1999, 20/09). Social Change Activism and the Internet: Strategic Online Activities. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/netaction.html (Accessed 20/09/1999). O'Brien, R. (1999, 25/2). Civil Society, the Public Sphere and the Internet. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/civsoc.html (Accessed 12/4/1999). O'Brien, R. (1999, February). Philosophical History of the Idea of Civil Society. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/civhist.html (Accessed 12/4/1999). O'Brien, R. (1998, 5/8). The Political Economy of Communication and the Commercialization of the Internet. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/political%20economy%20of%20communications%20paper.html (Accessed 1/6/2002). O'Brien, R. (1998, April). Initial Activities in Implementing an Action Research Project in a Community of Interest. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/initial.html (Accessed 10/10/2000). O'Brien, R. (1998, 6/1). The Social Investment Community and Its Modes of Communication. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/sri/sripaperindex.html (Accessed 22/2/1999). O'Brien, R. (1998). Greenhouse Gas Reductions and Tradable Emissions Permits. Available: http://www.web.ca/~robrien/papers/ghgperms.html (Accessed 1/6/2002). O'Brien, R. (1997). Environmental Management in the Energy Sector - Four Corporate Case Studies. Available: http://www.web.ca/~robrien/papers/energy.html (Accessed 1/6/2002). O'Brien, R. (1997). Global Warming and Voluntary Initiatives: The role of the Voluntary Challenge and Registry in Canada. Available: http://www.web.ca/~robrien/papers/vcrpaper.html (Accessed 1/6/2002). O'Brien, R. (1995). Report on Using OpenText Web Crawler on FolioViews Online Databases (Department of Justice, Government of Canada). Ottawa. O'Brien, R. (1995). A Study of the Feasibility of Using the Scream Network to Advance the Goals of the YJEP and NCPC Programs (Department of Justice, Government of Canada). Ottawa. O'Brien, R. (1995). Feasibility Study for Putting the Dial-A-Law Programs On-Line (Department of Justice, Government of Canada). Ottawa. O'Brien, R. (1995). The Current State of Electronic Provision of Federal and Provincial Statutes (Department of Justice, Government of Canada). Ottawa. Hancherow, T., & O'Brien, R. (1994). Marketing Study for the Access to Justice Network (Department of Justice, Government of Canada). Ottawa. O'Brien, R. (1993). Remotely Accessing DRMS Sites Via UNIX to UNIX Links (International Development Research Centre). Ottawa. O'Brien, R., Farwell, E., Kendon, V., & Veronov, A. (1993, May). APC Networks: Global Community Activism. Presented at the International Conference on Information Technology and People (ITAP '93). Moscow, Russia. O'Brien, R., Phillips, G., & Ronald, P. (1992, May). Computer Networking for Sustainable Development: APC, UNCED, and NGONET. Presented at the Globe '92 Conference on Environment and Business. Vancouver. O'Brien, R. (1991, May). APC Networks Linking Social Change Activists World-Wide. Presented at the 'Emerging Mega-Nets' - the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Information Science. Guelph, Ontario. O'Brien, R. (1991, February). Computer Networks - Linking Environmentalists World-wide. Presented at the 'Glasnost and the Global Village' international conference. York University, Toronto. O'Brien, R. (1989, December). Networks and Networking - theoria and praxis. Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/synpap.html (Accessed 10/10/2000). O'Brien, R. (1989, December). Networking and Computer Networking: The York/Habitat Networking Initiative, The Native Computer Communications Network Project, and Habnet. (Master's thesis). Available: http://www.web.net/~robrien/papers/majorpap.html (Accessed 10/10/2000). O'Brien, R. (1989, April). The Native Computer Communications Network Project, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, Toronto (available from author). Gray, J., Merlo, L., Nelson, G., & O'Brien, R. (1981). Physical Accessibility. In How Open is VCC to Disabled People? (Vancouver Community College Accessibility Study). Vancouver Community College.
Invited Speeches and Presentations “Greening Sacred Spaces Update”, presentation at the United Church Conferences’ Representatives Forum, Church House, Toronto, March 2008 “Greening and Social Movements”, speech at St. George the Martyr United Church, Toronto, September 2007 “Crisis = Danger + Opportunity”, keynote speech at ‘Greening The Church’ Toronto Conference of the Lutheran Church Fall Meeting, Toronto, October 2007 “Greening Sacred Spaces”, speech at Knox United Church, Parksville, BC, June 2007 “Being Ecological Stewards”, presentation at the Justice & Peace Commission, Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston and Anglican Diocese of Ontario Forum, Kingston, April 2007 “The Greening Sacred Spaces Project”, speech at the Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Toronto, April 2007 “Local Environmental Issues and Call to Action”, presentation at the Eglinton-St.George United Church Water and Environmental Stewardship Lenten Series, Toronto, May 2006 “Greening Sacred Spaces”, presentation at the United Church Conferences’ Representatives Forum, Church House, Toronto, May 2006 “Greening Sacred Spaces”, presentation at the Ontario Conference of the United Church meeting, Church House, Toronto, April 2006 “Corporate Social Responsibility”, presentation at Lenten Series of the Lutheran Church in Waterloo, April 2005 “Socially Responsible Investing for Congregations”, presentation at the 44th Annual Conference and Meeting of the Canadian Unitarian Council, McMaster University, Hamilton, May 2005 “Whose Values?”, presentation at the Ontario Teachers Federation Workshop on Socially Responsible Investment, Toronto, January 2005 “Fair Trade and the cost of living in the global village”, panel presentation at Glebe Presbyterian Church, Toronto, November 2004 Dissertation research presentation at the FIS Research Colloquium, University of Toronto, February 2004 "Information Flow Among Transnational Advocacy Networks", presentation at Connections conference, University of Western Ontario, May 2002 "Online Information Sharing in Support of UN Global Policy Summits 1992-95", presentation at the FIS Research Colloquium, University of Toronto, March 2002 "Introduction to computer hardware and software", substitute lecture and tutorial, LIS1311 - Introduction to Information Technology course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, October 2001 "Global Civil Society Networks Online", presentation (and moderation of 3 sessions: E-commerce; Speech and Policy; and Elections Online) at Internet Research 2.0: INTERconnections the Second International Conference of the Association of Internet Researchers, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, October 2001 "The Digital Divide in Canada", presentation at the Doctoral students Digital Divide conference, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, August 2001 "Social Change Activism and the Internet", guest lecture, LIS1311 - Introduction to the Internet course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, June 2001 "Activists and Online Information", guest lecture, LIS2125 - International and Comparative Librarianship course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, April 2001 "The Association for Progressive Communications and the Networking of Global Civil Society: APC at the 1992 Earth Summit", research session in DIAC 2000 Conference Shaping the Network Society: The Future of the Public Sphere in Cyberspace, (CPSR - Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility), University of Washington, Seattle, May 2000 "Universal Access and the Information Gap", workshop at Knowledge Across Borders conference, (Ontario Council for International Cooperation), Toronto, April 2000 "Access Track Report", Plenary panelist for Action Summit, Global Knowledge II World Conference, Kuala Lumpur, March 2000 "Social Change Activism and the Internet: Strategic Online Activities ", presentation at Connections 99 conference, University of Toronto, October 1999 "Social Change Activism and the Internet", guest lecture, LIS1311 - Introduction to the Internet course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, October 1999 "Introduction to Computer Communications", workshop at 'Riding the Back of the Feathered Serpent - The Zapatista Struggle; Transformation Through Alternative Communication' conference, Ryerson Polytechnic University, Toronto, May 1999 "Civil Society, the Public Sphere, and the Internet", presentation at Canada byDesign - Visionary Speakers Series, MacLuhan Program, University of Toronto, March 1999 "Internet Resources for Settlement Workers", two presentation sessions at 'Bridging the Future: Settlement, Youth, Technology', Ontario ISAP Conference for Settlement Workers, Toronto, March 1999 "Social Change Activism and the Internet", guest lecture, LIS1311 - Introduction to the Internet course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, October 1998 "Climate Change", presentation - City Adult Learning Centre, Toronto, April 1998 "Electronic Advocacy", presentation at Issues Day - City Adult Learning Centre, Toronto, April 1997 "Social Development Network", seminar at Prevention Congress VII: Under Siege and Taking Charge, Ottawa, April 1996 "Networking for Social Change", presentation at the Annual Conference of the Ontario Library Association, Toronto, February 1996 "Canada’s Latin American and Caribbean Scholars and the Internet", panel presentation at CALACS XXVI Congress 1995: Latin America and the Caribbean Towards 2000 - Continuity and Change, Toronto, November 1995 "Positioning Libraries in a Networked World", keynote speech to meeting of library directors in Halton-Peel county, Burlington, October 1995 "Using the Internet to link activists", presentation to the Annual Conference of the Council of Canadians, Ottawa, September 1995 "The use of technology in building self-help networks", presentation at the Building Self-help Networks in Response to Changing Health and Social Policy Conference, Toronto, April 1995 "Alternative Networks", presentation at OLA Superconference 95: Navigating the Third Millenium, The Future of Librarianship, Toronto, January 1995 "Web Networks", presentation at Annual Conference of the Association of Conservation Authorities, Guelph, November 1994 "Access to Justice Network", presentation at Racing Towards Millenium - The $3 Trillion Super-Highway, Canadian Advanced Technology Association conference, Toronto, May 1994 "Communities on the Keyboard", workshop at Prevention Congress IV: Building a New Spirit of Community, Toronto, April 1994 Computer networking workshop, Canadian Environmental Network Policy Retreat, December 1993 "Government Support for Building an Ontario Information Infrastructure", plenary speech given at the International Freenet Conference, Ottawa, August 1993 Plenary panelist, Telecommunications and Local Government Conference, Toronto, April 1993 "Web Networks", presentation and workshop, Faculty of Library and Information Studies, University of Toronto, November 1992 "Global Issues in Investing", moderator of panel presentation, Annual Conference of the Social Investment Organization, Toronto, 1992 "Computer Networks for Environmental Educators", moderator of panel presentation and coordinator of 15 workshops on computer communications, World Congress for Education and Communication on Environment and Development, Toronto, 1992 "Web as a tool for public legal education", presentation at the Annual Conference of the Public Legal Education Association of Canada, Halifax, October 1991 "APC Networks Linking Social Change Activists World-Wide", paper presented at 'Emerging Mega-Nets' - the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Information Science, Guelph, May 1991 "Use of electronic networks in international development", presentation at Participatory Communication, Community Radio and Development seminar, Montreal, April 1991 "Computer Communications in Latin America", presentation at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Latin American and Caribbean Studies Association, Toronto, October 1990 "The Association for Progressive Communications - An Introduction", presentation at the Annual Conference of the Electronic Networking Association, San Francisco, May 1990 "Computer Networking Using SocioNet", presentation at United Way of Greater Toronto Member Agency Executive Directors’ Conference: The 1990s and Beyond, Orillia, April 1990 "Computer Networks - Linking Environmentalists World-wide", paper presented at the 'Glasnost and the Global Village' international conference, Toronto, February 1990 "Nicarao: the network in Nicaragua", presentation at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Latin American and Caribbean Studies Association, Ottawa, October 1989 "Factors in Developing an International Distributed Host Network", presentation at the Annual Conference of the Electronic Networking Association, Allentown, May 1989 Web Networks presentation and workshop, Machine Mediated Human Communications course, York University, March 1989 "The Native Computer Communications Network Project", presentation and workshop at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Communications Association, Windsor, June 1988 "Networking and Social Change", presentation at the Annual Conference of the Electronic Networking Association, Philadelphia, May 1988 "Institutions for the Elderly in British Columbia", presentation at Public Forum on Welfare, sponsored by the Yokosuka YMCA, Yokosuka, Japan, October 1982 Courses / Tutorial assistantships / Training projects
Tutorial Assistant for LIS1210 - Information and Its Social Contexts course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, Fall/Winter 2003-04
Tutorial Assistant for LIS1311 - Introduction to Information Technology course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, Fall/Winter 1998-99
Job Development Projects, 3 one-year $100,000 Ontario Skills Development Program projects to provide training, supervision and work experience for a total of 13 people, including 3 blind persons, Nirv Community Resource Centre, Toronto, 1989-92
Instructor of English Language and Culture, College of Business and Communications, Kawasaki, Japan, 1981-83
Guest Lectures / Seminars “Information Infrastructure”, guest lecture, LIS1210 - Information and its Social Contexts course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, March 2004
“Privacy vs Security Issues”, substitute seminar leader, LIS1210 - Information and its Social Contexts course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, November 2002 “Information Flow Among Transnational Advocacy Networks”, guest lecture, LIS2125 - International and Comparative Librarianship course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, November 2002 “Ontologies and classification systems”, substitute seminar leader, LIS1210 - Information and its Social Contexts course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, October 2002 “Introduction to computer hardware and software”, substitute lecture and follow-up tutorial, LIS1311 - Introduction to Information Technology course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, October 2001 “Social Change Activism and the Internet”, guest lecture, LIS1311 - Introduction to Information Technology course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, June 2001 “Activists and Online Information”, guest lecture, LIS2125 - International and Comparative Librarianship course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, April 2001 “Social Change Activism and the Internet”, guest lecture, LIS1311 - Introduction to Information Technology course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, October 1999 “Social Change Activism and the Internet”, guest lecture, LIS1311 - Introduction to Information Technology course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, October 1998 Workshops “Greening Sacred Spaces”, two workshops at ‘Greening The Church’ Toronto Conference of the Lutheran Church Fall Meeting, Toronto, October 2007 “Greening Your Sacred Space”, two workshops at ‘Just Power—Sustainable Energy for Today’ Annual Conference of KAIROS’ the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Region, Ancaster, October 2007 “Introduction to Computer Communications”, workshop at 'Riding the Back of the Feathered Serpent - The Zapatista Struggle; Transformation Through Alternative Communication' conference, Ryerson Polytechnic University, Toronto, May 1999 “Internet Resources for Settlement Workers”, two workshops at 'Bridging the Future: Settlement, Youth, Technology', Ontario ISAP Conference for Settlement Workers, Toronto, March 1999
“How to access and use Web”, - numerous 3-hour training sessions provided to users of Web, the online network of the Nirv Community Resource Centre, both at the NirvCentre training facility and on-site at members' offices 1989-1996 “Communities on the Keyboard”, workshop at Prevention Congress IV: Building a New Spirit of Community, Toronto, April 1994 Computer networking workshop, Canadian Environmental Network Policy Retreat, December 1993 “Accessing the CIDA BBS”, two day-long workshops, NirvCentre, Toronto, March 1993 “Web Networks”, presentation and workshop, Faculty of Library and Information Studies, University of Toronto, November 1992 “Environmentalists Online”, “Web/APC” - two workshops at Eco-Ed World Congress for Education and Communication for Environment and Development, Toronto, October 1992 “Accessing PLEI-Net”, workshop for members of the Public Legal Education and Information Network, U. of Calgary, June 1992 “Web Networks”, presentation and workshop, Machine Mediated Human Communications course, York University, March 1989 “The Native Computer Communications Network Project”, presentation and workshop at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Communications Association, Windsor, June 1988 Other (student in) Teaching in Higher Education (THE 500), one semester course at the University of Toronto designed to teach PhD candidates how to teach at a university level, January-April 2002
Voluntary / Advisory Activities 2007-08 Member, Steering Committee, World Centre on Interspirituality and Environment 2007 November Invited delegate, Sustainable Buildings Forum, Canadian Standards Association, Toronto 2004-05 Member, Steering Committee, Ethical Trading Action Group (ETAG) 2004-05 Member, Fair Trade Committee, Oxfam Canada 1998-2003 Member, Doctoral Students Association, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto (Secretary, 2001-2003; Chair, Space Allocation Committee, 2001-2002; Vice-President, 2000-2001; Chair, Environmental Health and Safety Committee, 1999-2001; Co-chair, Travel Grants Committee, 1998-1999) 2002 October, Invited delegate, Canadian Commission for UNESCO Roundtable on the World Summit on the Information Society, Toronto 1999-2001 Member, Active Shareholder Working Group 1998-2001 Member, Board of Directors, Web Networks (Chair, Organizational Restructuring Committee, 1999; Chair, Strategic Planning Committee, 1998-1999; member, Executive Director Hiring Committee, 1998) 1999-2000 Member, Planning Group, Community Economic Development Learning Network 1999-2000 Member, Council, Association for Progressive Communications 1999 - volunteer with the Social Investment Organization (implemented reconfiguration of computer systems, advised on organizational restructuring) 1997-1999 Member, Web Networks’ Advisory Group on Building Online Capacity for Nonprofits 1997 Rapporteur, Workshop #3, Universal Access Project, University of Toronto 1997 Member, Board of Directors, Ontario Council for International Cooperation (Treasurer, Executive Committee; Chair of Communications Committee; website developer) 1996-1997 Member, Steering Committee, Social Development Network 1995-1997 Member, Hiring Committee (website developer) Day Care Connection 1993-1997 Co-founder and Member, Working Advisory Group, Access to Justice Network 1996 February, Invited delegate, Health Canada Roundtable on the Information Super-highway, Toronto 1988-1996 Co-founder and Member, Board of Directors, Nirv Community Resource Centre (Secretary, 1988-1992) 1995 March, Spokesperson for APC Networks, providing all computer communications facilities for the UN World Summit on Social Development, Copenhagen 1993-1995 Member, Council for an Ontario Information Infrastructure (Co-chair, Investment Sub-Committee, 1994-1995) 1989-1993 Co-founder and member, Coordinating Council, Social Investment Organization (first President, Executive Committee, Publications Committee, Finance Committee, 1992-1993) 1988-1993 Co-founder and member, Steering Committee, Canadians for Conservation of Tropical Nature 1992 December, Invited delegate, National Information Summit, Ottawa 1992 Member, Advisory Committee to the Government of Ontario on a Telecommunications Strategy for Ontario, Sub-committee on Quality of Life 1991-1992 Chair, Advisory Group on Electronic Networking, Premier's Council on Health, Well-being and Social Justice, Government of Ontario 1990-1992 Member, Advisory Committee, Ontario Alliance for Community Enrichment 1989 Member, Dean's Taskforce on the Environmental Studies Resource Centre, York University 1988-1989 Coordinator, International Development Students Group, York University 1988-1989 Co-founder and member, Green Campus Committee, York University 1987-1988 Editor/Publisher, International Development Newsletter, York University 1987-1988 Member, Executive Committee, Graduate Students Association, York University 1987-1988 President, Environmental Studies Students Association, York University 1981 Co-founder and Chair, Care Facilities Activity Programmers Association of BC 1981 Member, Long Term Care Committee, BC Social Planning and Review Council 1979-1980 Member, Curriculum Advisory Committee, Vancouver Community College 1979-1980 Member, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, British Columbia Recreation Association (Chair, Student Branch) 1978 Secretary/Treasurer, Senior Citizen's Leisure Services Ad Hoc Committee of BC
Radio CBC, The World This Weekend, topic: The Greening of Religion, Toronto, January 2007 Trent Radio, The Orchard program, topic: Greening Sacred Spaces CJYE 1250, The Drew Marshall Show, topic: Fair Trade, Oakville, July 2004 CKUT, re Web Networks and APC, Montreal, February 1996 "Green Report" syndicated radio program, re the Social Investment Organization, Vancouver, October 1992 CIUT, re online Community Resource Centre for nonprofits, Toronto, March 1992 CBC Radio, Metro Morning Show, re social change activism and Web, Toronto, February, 1991 CIUT, re Web, Toronto, January 1991 CHNO, re Web Networks, Sudbury, May 1990 Television CNN International, “Greening Sacred Spaces”, interview by Constance Cheng, Toronto, January 2008 CBC – The National with Peter Mansbridge – ‘Green Cities’ segment – interviewed by program staff on the energy audit of First Narayver Synagogue, Toronto, March 2007 Fairchild TV, “St. Gabriel’s – a green church”, interview by Arlene Tang, Toronto, October 2006 EcosTV, "KAIROS and CSR", with host Rick Searle, Toronto, June 2005 Money Line, "Ethical Investing", with host Linda Leatherdale, Toronto, November 2004 Report on Business Television, "Socially Responsible Shareholdership in Canada" on The Close, with host Janis Mackey Frayer, Toronto, December 2002 Forevergreen Productions, "Canada On-line", television documentary, Eric Huurre, producer, Toronto, September 1995 Magazines The Lutheran Connection, “Greening the Church” article by staff reporter, Toronto, November 2007 The Canadian Jewish News, “Synagogues should model a community that is sustainable” article by Frances Kraft, Toronto, August 2007 Anglican Journal, “Churches turn over new leaf as they go green” article by Marites N. Sison, Toronto, July 2007 Faith Today, “Evangelicals Build with "Green" Technology” article by Drew Dyck, Los Angeles, May/June 2007 Daily Commercial News, “Climbing the walls: plants as structure” article by Saul Chernos, Toronto, May 2007 Daily Commercial News, “Church designed with green walls, roof gardens” article by Dan O’Reilly, May 2007 The Catholic Register, “Funds granted to church greening committee”, article by staff reporter, Toronto, March 2007 The Canadian Jewish News, article by Frances Kraft on Green Synagogues, Toronto, February 2007 Daily Commercial News, “Religious group buildings in dire need of retrofitting” article by Patricia Williams, January 2007 Canadian Property Management Magazine, “Greening Sacred Spaces” article by Rory O’Brien, Toronto, October 2006 The Catholic Register, “Canadian Catholic eco-church turns green in recognition of environmental crisis”, article by Michael Swan, Toronto, September 2006 Catholic New Times “Shareholder activism” article by Michael Swan, Toronto, January, 2005 Ethical Corporation – “Imperial Oil corporate citizenship report” article by Lisa Roner, London UK, October 2004 Global Knowledge II special report, "Tackling Access - Technology by all for all" article by Laurie Kizik, Kuala Lumpur, March 2000 This Magazine - article by Mark Surman, Toronto, August 1994 Database Canada, article by Mike Langevin, Toronto, October 1992 Harrowsmith magazine, side piece by staff reporter, Peterborough, April 1990 Newspapers Georgia Straight - staff reporter - re early history of social investment in Canada, June 1999 Globe and Mail - article by Paul Knox - re electronic networking of Canadian NGOs at UN Conference on Social Development, Copenhagen, March 1995 InterPress Service, article by Joanna Son - re APC, Copenhagen, March 1995 Globe and Mail - article by Jennifer Lewington - re ONIP funding of Educational Network of Ontario, Toronto, June 1994 Toronto Computes - article by Saul Chernos - re Web Networks, Toronto, May 1993 Globe and Mail - article by Karl Stieran (in Report on Business) - re Computer networking for nonprofits, Toronto, March 1989
The following projects are those that I have developed (including fundraising), managed, supervised, or otherwise worked on. Projects were often consortium efforts, generally with the partners and/or funders mentioned. My roles, in these cases, were generally limited to my employer’s involvement in the projects - the funding amounts listed, therefore, are only that portion my employer was responsible for of the larger project budgets. 2008 20/20 AQHI-20/20 $7,500 Environment Canada and Clean Air Alliance – promotion of the new Air Quality Health Index and 20/20 The Way to Clean Air tool for home energy reductions [developed and managed project] 2007-08 GSS Phase II $124,000 Trillium Foundation – to ‘green’ 100 faith communities, primarily by: facilitating energy audits and retrofits of faith buildings, inducing home energy reductions, and promoting educational activities. Also to conduct workshops, develop an interactive website, facilitate the expansion of a network of faith-based green activists, host a conference, and initiate a Green Faith Award program [developed and managed project] 2007-08 GSS Phase II $70,000 Toronto Atmospheric Fund – to ‘green’ 15 faith communities, primarily by: facilitating energy audits and retrofits of faith buildings and inducing home energy reductions. Also to create a solar energy showcase and host a conference [developed and managed project] 2007-08 GSS Phase II $244,000 Conservation Fund, Ontario Power Authority – to ‘green’ 100 faith communities, primarily by: facilitating energy audits and retrofits of faith buildings and inducing home energy reductions. Also to do research on financing and green building sector relationships, conduct workshops, develop an interactive website, develop a standard procedure for doing energy audits of faith buildings, create a video/DVD of a walk-through energy audit, host a conference, and initiate a Green Faith Award program [developed and managed project] 2007 GSS Phase I $35,000 Community Conservation Initiatives, Ontario Ministry of the Environment – for outreach to 5 faith communities, holding workshops, and hosting a forum of energy auditors to discuss a standard protocol for faith audits [developed and managed project] 2006-07 GSS Phase I $122,000 Conservation Fund, Ontario Power Authority – to ‘green’ 5 faith communities, primarily by: facilitating energy audits and retrofits of faith buildings, inducing home energy reductions, promoting educational activities. Also to create and distribute related resource materials, including a video [developed and managed project, created printed resource materials] 2006-07 GSS Phase I $70,000 Toronto Atmospheric Fund – to promote energy conservation in 2 faith communities and develop showcases [managed project] 1999-2002 Socially Responsible Shareholdership in Canada $42,000 Social Investment Organization - development and publication of a book for institutional investors [managed project, wrote book, developed online website for book] 2000 Canadian Social Investment Review 2000 $7,000 Social Investment Organization - first survey in Canada of investment managers, institutional investors and community investment providers to determine the assets they control or manage under socially responsible investment guidelines [principal investigator - survey design, implementation management, report editing and dissemination] 2000 SRI/CSR Strategy Forum $2,500 Social Investment Organization – a meeting of the leaders in the socially responsible investment and corporate social responsibility fields in Canada [facilitated meeting, wrote followup report] 2000 Global Knowledge II $75,000 Association for Progressive Communications - Access Track of the Action Summit for the GKII world conference in Kuala Lumpur [co-authored conference preparatory materials, online and face-to-face facilitation of 100 experts in ICT access, plus followup, wrote report] 1999 CED Learning Network $5,000 Ellmen/Shaw Public Affairs - networking initiative to link Toronto-based Community Economic Development practictioners [built and maintained website] 1999 Vitalspace $7,000 byDesign E Lab at the McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology, University of Toronto - a resource website for civil society [provided all Public Space references for the Universal Access to Public Space (UAPS) Knowledge Base] 1998 American Automobile Association - Western and Central New York Strategic Search Event $8,000 ABL Group - two day search conference for all staff to develop a strategic plan [co-planned event, facilitated breakout groups, co-authored report] 1996-97 Social Development Network (SDN) $30,000 Trillium Foundation, Ontario Social Development Council, Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse, Web Networks - to network organizations involved in social planning, social services and health services in order to create a $5 million project proposal and seek funding for full implemention of an online service [developed and managed project] 1996-97 Health Promotion Intranet $45,000 Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse, Centre for Health Promotion - to create a private online environment, using Open Text’s Livelink software, for practictioners in the field of health promotion [developed and managed project] 1995-97 Ontario Roundtable on Environment and Economy (ORTEE) Archive $30,000 York University Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Ottawa Institute for Research on Environment and Economy - to provide a website as an archive of the research reports that ORTEE produced during its existence [supervised project] 1994-97 Access to Justice Network $700,000 Department of Justice, University of Alberta Legal Studies Program, University of Montreal - to provide a customized network for people involved in legal justice issues and work, including the development of information resources in the form of computer conferences and online databases, and provision of the following research studies:
1994-97 Environmental Inter-Network (EIN) $1,300,000 Ontario Environment Network, Recycling Council of Ontario, York University Faculty of Environmental Studies, Open Text Corporation, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Ontario Network Infrastructure Program - to establish a network and develop online information resources for organizations involved in environmental and social concerns [supervised outreach and promotion aspects] 1994-97 ICURR Online $15,000 Intergovernmental Committee on Urban and Regional Research (ICURR) - to set up a customized private network and database online for researchers [supervised project] 1995-96 SOLSscape $25,000 Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS) - to customize a software toolkit and user manual for graphical access to the Internet for 120 libraries [managed project] 1995-96 Brighter Futures Network $25,000 Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse - to link organizations working in the field of children’s health in Ontario and Alberta, and develop a prototype online updatable database using HTML forms [developed and managed project] 1995-96 Kids from Kanata $60,000 Industry Canada SchoolNet - to link 150 schools across Canada, and provide facilitation and program material, with a focus on Native Canadian culture [supervised project] 1995-96 MegaNet $22,000 Metro Toronto Social Planning Council - to link 12 social service organizations and provide training and computer conferences [developed and managed project] 1993-96 EA Database project $50,000 Environment Canada, Federal Environmental Assessment Review Organization (FEARO) - to host online database of environmental assessments across the country [supervised and managed project] 1994-95 Community Economic Development Resource and Information Clearinghouse (CEDric) $13,000 Ontario Social Development Council, Social Investment Organization - to establish a customized network, with public and private online conferences, for organizations involved in community economic development [developed and managed project] 1993-95 Global Child Health Network $20,000 Global Child Health Society - to set up a customized online network, providing access to computer conferences and online databases, for people involved in the area of children’s health [managed project] 1993-95 Cultural Leadership Development Project (CLDP) $25,000 University of Waterloo, network of 50 cultural leaders and educators, using computer conferencing to design a process for cirriculum development for cultural leadership programs [developed and managed project] 1991-95 Better Beginnings Network $25,000 Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse - to provide a private e-mail and conferencing network for 25 child health related organizations throughout Ontario [developed and managed project, conducted evaluation] 1995 UN Summit on Social Development (Copenhagen) $20,000 Association for Progressive Communications - to provide computing / communications centre for 15,000 attendees, including training sessions, at both NGO and Government sites [assisted in implementation, liaised with press] 1993-94 Textbase Project - an internal NirvCentre project to create a full-text search database capability for online access to structured and unstructured text data via the Web network service, including technical analysis, interface design, online helpfiles and printed manual [managed project] 1993-94 Transformative Learning Project $5,000 Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, York University Faculty of Environmental Studies - to set up accounts and provide facilitation for online interaction for researchers involved in discussions on popular education and environmental action. [managed project, and provided training and consultations] 1993-94 Leicomm project $4,000 International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) - to set up pilot e-mail and confererencing network of remote offices and consultants involved with ICLEI [managed technical setup, wrote consulting report] 1993-94 Green Communities Network $15,000 Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy - to set up network of 15 municipal organizations [co-developed project, wrote consultation paper "Plan for Networking Participants in the Green Communities Program", assisted in implementation] 1992-94 SAFRICA.DROUGHT project $15,000 CIDA - to set up and maintain email links with African APC partners to allow researchers to communicate about the drought in Southern Africa [wrote final report] 1992-94 Sourcebase project $60,000 International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) - to provide computer conferences and online databases of information pertinent to sustainable development [managed project, researched and wrote report on environment-related information networks and resources] 1991-94 Public Legal Education and Information Network (PLEI-Net) $40,000 Department of Justice, University of Alberta Legal Resource Centre - to create pilot customized network, create electronic forms for annual reports, do database development and hosting, computer conferencing, provide access accounts and training for 40 organizations involved with public legal education across Canada [developed and managed project] 1993 Security study $5,000 International Development Research Centre (IDRC) - to advise on security issues involved in remote database access [researched and wrote paper] 1993 Eco-Ed Conference - to provide computing / communications centre for 4,000 attendees of world congress on environment and education, including 15 training workshops, and a panel presentation by 5 expert educators [developed and managed project] 1990 Great Lakes Environment Network (GLEN) $7,000 Laidlaw Foundation, Centre for the Great Lakes - to link stakeholders involved in Great Lakes environmental issues [developed and managed project] 1991-92 Fair Tax Net $15,000 Government of Ontario Fair Tax Commission - to establish an online network of community animators and researchers, for sharing feedback from citizens on the tax system, accounts, training, consulting, and computer conferencing [co-developed and co-managed project, provided training] 1990-92 BC Schools online $15,000 Simon Fraser University Education Technology Centre - to provide 50 schools with accounts and access to Web’s information resources [developed and managed project] 1990-91 Job Development Project $100,000 Ontario Skills Development Program - to provide training, supervision and work experience for 5 people [developed and managed project, trained staff] 1991 MarineNet $8,000 Ontario Ministry of Transportation - to provide a customized online pilot network of organizations involved with inland shipping for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence [developed and managed project] 1989-90 Job Development Project $100,000 Ontario Skills Development Program - to provide training, supervision and work experience for 4 people [managed project, trained staff] 1988-89 Socio-Net Interaction $600 Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) - to provide a customized online network to link organizations involved in social services [developed and managed project] 1988-89 Job Development Project $100,000 Ontario Skills Development Program - to provide training, supervision and work experience for 4 people [managed project, trained staff] 1986-1988 Native Computer Communications Network $200,000 York University Faculty of Environmental Studies - to develop a computer network to link native organizations [assisted in project implementation and evaluation] 1985-1988 York/Habitat Networking Initiative $100,000 York University Faculty of Environmental Studies, United Nations Centre for Human Settlements - to establish a network of people involved in human settlements issues [assisted in project implementation, developed computer conferencing forums] 1981 Accessibility Study $25,000 Vancouver Community College - to assess the physical and curricular barriers to accessing 5 campuses [implemented the physical assessment, assisted in writing report] |
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