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Rory O'Brien


Curriculum Vitae



 

- Career History - Education - Exhibitions - Productions - Projects - Voluntary Activities - Teaching - Publications and Papers - Presentations - Media Interviews - Other -

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Career History

Executive Producer and Principal 2008-present
O’Brien Arts, Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, BC

My company specializes in digital productions, including digital art, photography and videography. 

Coordinator, Greening Sacred Spaces Program 2006-2008
Faith & the Common Good, Toronto, Ontario

This inter-faith organization promotes dialogue and collaboration on matters of social and ecological concern. I managed 11 staff - together 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
KAIROS, Toronto, Ontario

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
Social Change Associates, Toronto, Ontario

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.

Program Manager 1996-1997
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
Nirv Community Resource Centre, Toronto, Ontario

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
York University, North York, Ontario

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
York University, North York, Ontario

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
Central Park Lodge, Senior Citizen's Care Facility, Toronto, Ontario

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 1982 - 1983
Kawasaki College of Business and Communications, Japan

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 and workers at several large corporations (on-site) as well as students at the College.

English Teacher 1981-1982
Kamakura YMCA, Yokohama YMCA, Japan

I prepared curriculum and teaching materials, taught classes, advised and evaluated students for a series of 10-week courses. Students included after-school students of all ages, housewives, and members of the general public.

Researcher, Accessibility Study 1981
Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, BC

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
Mount St. Joseph's Hospital, Vancouver, BC

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
Youville Senior Citizen's Long-Term Care Facility, Vancouver, BC

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.

Taxi Driver 1978
McLure’s Taxi, Vancouver, BC

Recreation staff 1977
Central City Mission, Vancouver, BC

Lifeguard and Swimming Instructor 1975 - 1976
Gatchell Swimming Pool, Sudbury, ON

Night Clerk 1975
Cassio Motor Hotel, Sudbury, ON

Harvester 1974
Abbema Rose Nursery, Boskoop, Netherlands

Server / Short Order Cook 1974
The Tyndrum Inn, Tyndrum, Scotland

Sales staff - men's wear 1974
Hudson's Bay Company, Westgate Mall, Ottawa, ON

Drilling/Blasting Swamper (Grade Crew) 1973
MacMillan-Bloedel, Franklin River camp, BC

Youth Liaison Officer 1972
St. Andrew’s United Church, Opportunities for Youth grant, Sudbury, ON

Playground Supervisor 1971
St. Andrew’s United Church, Opportunities for Youth grant, Sudbury, ON

 

Education

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

Swimming Instructor Certification, Red Cross, Sudbury, Ontario 1975

High School Diploma, Lockerby Composite Secondary School, Sudbury, Ontario, 1972

Public School Diploma, Wembley Public School, Sudbury, Ontario, 1967

 

Art / Photography Exhibitions

2018 O’Brien Arts Burnaby Photographic Society Showcase presentation 2018 "Concrete, Steel and Glass" – January 27 [video slideshow set to music; composed score] Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby

2018 O’Brien Arts Burnaby Photographic Society Showcase 2018 (group exhibition) – January 21 to January 27 Shadbolt Centre, Burnaby

2014 Reflections Surfaces Textures (group exhibition) – April 4 to May 11, South of 60 Art Gallery, Barry’s Bay, ON

2013-14 Art and Photography - year-long exhibition in Gallery at Spectacle Lake Lodge, Barry's Bay, ON

2013 Art Making a Difference, (group exhibition) – fundraising auction for Design Hope Toronto – April 13, 2013 – St. John’s Parish Hall, Toronto

2012 A Bauhaus is Not a Home, (group exhibition) – fundraising auction for Design Hope Toronto – April 13, 2012 – Philip Sung Design, Toronto

2011     Altered Reality, (group exhibition) – August 23 to September 4 – Hang Man Gallery, Toronto

2011     Square Foot Show (group exhibition) – August 5 to August 21 – AWOL Gallery, Toronto

2011     Very Superstitious, (group exhibition) – June 21 to July 10 – Hang Man Gallery, Toronto

2011     Trees and Flowers (solo exhibition) – May 2 to May 31 – S. Walter Stewart branch, Toronto Public Library, Toronto

2011     Toronto to Japan Hope Blossoms – fundraising event for tsunami victims – April 21 – TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto

2010     Do Artists Dream of Electric Easels? (group exhibition) – June 30 to July 9  – Launch Projects Gallery, Toronto

2010     Sublime Vertigo (group exhibition) – July 12 to July 24 – Toronto School of Art Gallery, Toronto

 

Visual Arts Productions

[The following are video and photographic productions that I have created. Listings with O'Brien Arts were commissioned for public viewing, the others are personal]

2020 The Early Years [set of 2 videos and 19 videoclips]

2020 O’Brien Arts Singalong with Maureen Ivan and Rory [video]

2020 Toronto Sep2020 [video slideshow]

2020 Steph and Frasers wedding [photography]

2020 The Evolution of Fraser Retallack [video slideshow]

2020 Wilderness 2020 [video slideshow]

2020 O’Brien Arts Women and Wisdom - Unitarian Church service [video]

2020 The Sechelt Quartette [video]

2020 The Baptism of Nicholas Sadowski [video]

2020 Mexico Jan 2020 [video slideshow]

2019 O’Brien Arts Toronto street art [video slideshow]

2019 O’Brien Arts Powell Street Festival 2019 [video]

2019 O’Brien Arts Canada Federal Election - All-Candidates meeting [set of 4 videos]

2019 O’Brien Arts The Well Worn Trail [video]

2019 O’Brien Arts California Jan2019 [video slideshow]

2019 O’Brien Arts Palm Springs Art Museum [video slideshow]

2019 O’Brien Arts Queen Mary [video slideshow]

2019 O’Brien Arts The Getty [video slideshow]

2018 Tara Bonham plays Hannah Greg [video]

2018 O’Brien Arts Mount Baker [video slideshow]

2018 Jasper Banff August 2018 [video slideshow]

2018 O’Brien Arts Europe - sights and anthems [video slideshow]

2018 Connor O'Brien university graduation June 2018 [video]

2018 O’Brien Arts Burnaby Photographic Society presentations (Parallel Lines, and Red)

2018 O’Brien Arts Burnaby Photographic Society Showcase 2018 "Concrete, Steel and Glass" [video slideshow set to music; composed score]

2018 O’Brien Arts Good Memories - Phillip Hewett [video]

2018 O’Brien Arts A Celebration of Life - Phillip Hewett [video and DVD, including cover design]

2018 O’Brien Arts Save the Wild Salmon fundraiser [set of 9 videos of individual and group presentations]

2018 O’Brien Arts Hiroshima Kagura performance [video slideshow]

2018 O’Brien Arts Japan April 2018 [video slideshow]

2018 The Baptism of Charlotte Sadowski [video]

2018 The Trail - Cypress February 2018 [video]

2017 Baachan Visit [video]

2017 O’Brien Arts Island Gourmet Trails [set of 2 videos and online photos]

2017 O’Brien Arts Toronto downtown buildings [video slideshow]

2017 O’Brien Arts Boston freedom walk Aug2017 [video slideshow]

2017 O’Brien Arts Photographic Tour of Canada [video slideshow]

2017 O’Brien Arts Songs for Canada Day 2017 [video]

2017 Linda Bevan - Good Memories [biographical video slideshow and DVD, including cover design]

2017 Mary at 66 [video]

2017 Nagymama - Maria Finta [biographical video slideshow]

2017 California Jan2017 [video slideshow]

2016 O’Brien Arts Kinder-Morgan - No Permission [set of 5 videos]

2016 Lily Ha - Unsung Hero [video]

2016 O’Brien Arts November 11 Wreath Laying Memorial Service - Vancouver Peace Poppies and BC Humanist Association [video]

2016 The Wedding [video and DVD, including cover design]

2016 O’Brien Arts BROKE Town Hall Meetings [set of 9 videos of individual presentations]

2016 Wilderness 2016 [video slideshow]

2016 O’Brien Arts Birds of the Southwest US [video slideshow]

2016 Lily at the Ballpark musical [video slideshow]

2016 70 Years of Martha Hanrahan [biographical video slideshow]

2016 O’Brien Arts Presentations at Kinder-Morgan Pipeline Public Hearing [set of 3 individual videos]

2016 Mary at 65 [video]

2016 O’Brien Arts Birds of Costa Rica [video slideshow]

2016 O’Brien Arts Oak Street Farmers' Market Retrospective [video slideshow]

2015 Aidan singing Mr. Grinch [video]

2015 Forever Young - Ann-Marie Finta [biographical video slideshow]

2015 The Life of Lynn Ann O'Brien [biographical video slideshow]

2015 Judy Graduates from VCC! [did video and photography and posted online]

2015 Springtime Shenanigans - Silas, Maureen and Graham cavort in the park [did photography and posted photos online]

2015 Easter At Yellow Point [video]

2014 Erratica at Jericho Folk Club [set of videos]

2014 Isn't She Lovely - Stephanie Finta [biographical video slideshow]

2014 O’Brien Arts USC Run for Biodiversity - [did photography and posted photos online (some used for USC promotional coverage)]

2014 O’Brien Arts People's Climate Change March - Parksville, BC [did photography and posted photos online]

2014 O’Brien Arts Trillium Lodge - Ice Bucket Challenge [video]

2014 Andrew Sitko Beach Birthday Party [video]

2014 O’Brien Arts Oak Street Farmers' Market Opening Parade - [did photography and posted photos online]

2014 Lifetime of Dal O'Brien [biographical video slideshow]

2013 Danforth Technical School Graduation [video]

2013 Justine and Ryan's Tropical Wedding [video]

2012 O’Brien Arts Laundry Lake property [video]

2012 O’Brien Arts Artists’ Network Promotional Video [video]

2011 O’Brien Arts TSA Winter Open House – annual event of the Toronto School of Art [did photography and posted photos online]

2011 O’Brien Arts Time.Space.Culture. artshow at Studio 561 – exhibition of 3 artists [did photography and posted photos online]

2011 O’Brien Arts Cormorant Rescue in Toronto [video]

2011 O’Brien Arts SIO SIR 2011 - the Social Investment Organization’s bi-annual Social Investment Review [video]

2011 O’Brien Arts TSA Spring Launch - annual student graduation, open House and fundraising event of the Toronto School of Art [did photography and posted photos online]

2010 Danforth Technical School Holiday Concert [video]

2010 O’Brien Arts "Kathryn and Don’s Wedding" [did photography and posted photos online, produced DVD, including cover design]

2010 O’Brien Arts The Seva Project –created website to support an effort to fundraise for AIDS orphans in South Africa [managed project, designed and coded website, set up online store and payment system]

2010 O’Brien Arts "Nativity Play" - St. Andrews Japanese Anglican Church [video and DVD, including cover design]

2009 O’Brien Arts "Noah's Ark Play" - St. Andrews Japanese Anglican Church [video and DVD, including cover design]

2009 O'Brien Arts: "Fighting with Love" - a fundraising gala for lymphoma research supporters [took photographs, designed logo and built website, created an online photo gallery]

2009 Life of Cecilia Mary Fenske-O'Brien [biographical video slideshow]

2009 Bowmore School Graduation Ceremony [video]

2009 "Captain of the Team" [video and DVD, including cover design]

2009 "Poetry in Motion" [video and DVD, including cover design]

2009 "Anne Bell, A Life in Review" [video production of a personal history documentary, narration and DVD, including cover design]

2009 "Indoor Track Meet - York University - January 2009" [video and DVD, including cover design]

2008 O'Brien Arts: "St. Andrews Japanese Congregation Christmas Party December 2008" [video and DVD, including cover design]

Projects

[The following 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:

  • ACJNet marketing study - assessment of markets and services, and a promotion plan using traditional marketing techniques as well as using the Internet for marketing purposes;
  • Dial-A-Law study - overview of the state of provincial Dial-A-Law programs regarding online service provision;
  • Statutes Online study - overview of the state of provincial and federal recording of Statutes and Regulations in electronic format;
  • Youth study - feasibility of using the SCREAM Network for Youth to advance the goals of the Youth Justice Education Program of the Department of Justice;
  • Folio Views study - feasibility of using Open Text software to crawl Folio Views websites and index the information into a full-text search database

[developed and managed project, and carried out the research and writing of the 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]

 

Voluntary / Advisory Activities

2018-20 Member Strata Committee, Madison Court, Parksville

2017-20 Fundraiser for Environment Committee, First Unitarian Church of Vancouver

2017 Advisor, Development / Finance Committee, First Unitarian Church of Vancouver

2016-20 Member of music and entertainment trio, performing bi-weekly at the Dania Care Facility and the Swedish Home in Burnaby, BC

2014-19 Cook, server, dishwasher for numerous fundraising luncheons, First Unitarian Church of Vancouver

2014-15 Member, Steering Committee, Oak Street Farmers' Market (Treasurer, 2015)

2011-12 Member, Marketing Committee, Artists’ Network

2008-20 numerous video and photographic productions with O'Brien Arts

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, 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

1982-1983 Hike supervisor, Yokohama YMCA, for several outings with children

1982 Researcher, Kamakura YMCA, study on physical accessibility of dozens of local temples in Kamakura, Japan

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

1978 Recreational volunteer, quadraplegic ward, Pearson Hospital, Vancouver

1975 Volunteer Assistant Probation Officer, Sudbury

 

Teaching Experience

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
[led two semesters of seminars, graded presentations and papers, and advised students]

Tutorial Assistant for LIS1311 - Introduction to Information Technology course, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, Fall/Winter 1998-99
[ran two semesters of tutorial workshops, graded papers, and advised students]

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
[managed the project and trained people, who had been out of work for at least one year, to work with computers, including basic knowledge of hardware and software, word processing and other office applications, and electronic communications]

Instructor of English Language and Culture, College of Business and Communications, Kawasaki, Japan, 1981-83
[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.]

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
[prepared training materials, as well as conducted training]

“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

Yokohama YMCA skiing instruction for a group of children on 4 day outing in Nagano, December 1982

Gatchell Public Pool, swimming instruction for young children, Sudbury ON, January-August 1975

 

Publications and Papers

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).

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].

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, spring). EcoNet on Web. Green Teacher.

O'Brien, R. (1991, January). Web: Linking Environmentalists [Canadian Environmental Network]. CEN Bulletin (Ottawa).

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

 

Media Interviews

Radio

CBC, The World This Weekend, topic: The Greening of Religion, Toronto, January 2007

Trent Radio, The Orchard program, topic: Greening Sacred Spaces, August 2006

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

ChristianWeek (Volume 20 Number 18), “Faith groups on board for clean air” article by Grace Boneschansker, December 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

Toronto Star, article by Catharine Porter on Darchei Noam, a green synagogue in Toronto, January 2008

Toronto Star, article by Stephen Scharper on Greening Sacred Spaces, November 2007

CanWest News Service, syndicated article by Kathryn Young on the Green Faith Effect, September 2007

Town Crier, article by Lorianna di Giorigio "Church LEEDs the way in saving energy”, October 2006

Georgia Straight - article by 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, “School computer project unveiled”, Toronto, June 1994

Globe and Mail - article by staff reporter “INFORMATION HIGHWAY NETWORKING This network offers help for everyone”, Toronto, May 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


Other Achievements

Athletics

[Cross-country running]

1971 17th place All-Ontario High School Junior Championship [captain of the 1st place team]

1971 1st place Northern Ontario High School Junior Championship

1971 1st place Sudbury District High School Junior Championship

1970 14th place in Eastern Canada High School Junior race

1970 2nd place Northern Ontario High School Junior Championship

1971 1st place Sudbury District High School Junior Championship

[Track]

1972 Bronze medal Canadian Open Championship 10 mile race

1972 1st place Northern Ontario High School Junior Championship 3000m race

1972 5th place Northern Ontario High School Junior Championship 1500m race

1972 1st place Sudbury District High School Junior Championship 3000m race

1972 1st place Sudbury District High School Junior Championship 1500m race

1972 1st place Sudbury District High School Junior Championship 800m race

1971 2nd place Northern Ontario High School Junior Championship 1500m race

1971 1st place Sudbury District High School Junior Championship 1500m race

Languages

I have learned to speak French and Japanese.

Music

I play the flute and guitar.

Dance

I enjoy contra dancing and Scandanavian folk dancing.


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