rickweiss.ca

Rick Weiss is a communications professional with five years experience working in the federal Government of Canada. He has supported various programs, and learned about the complex workings of the public service and how it works with its elected leaders.

It’s a fascinating work environment, one that has afforded Rick unique opportunities to explore the connection between communications and community engagement.

Realizing that the traditional structure of government cut departments and branches off from one another, Rick turned to his knowledge of digital communications to reach out and build his own small community of connected public servants.

He discovered like-minded people were out there in Ottawa and Gatineau, and across Canada. He found these individuals were also organizing into communities driven by social media and collaborative technology.

Rick also reached out within his department, chairing the young professional’s network that was taking shape as a departmental priority. He worked to expand involvement and build a strong community that has connected employees and created learning and development opportunities for four years.

From there, he went on to join the growing network called Future Leaders of Ontario, one that connected young federal employees across departments in Ontario (excluding the nation’s capital). Here, Rick saw opportunities to improve the network’s communications, a task that again put his knowledge of communications technology, graphic design, and social media to work. He has been the communications lead for this network for two years.

Outside of government, Rick joined the organizing team for PodCamp Toronto, helping organize a very successful PodCamp Toronto 2013, Canada’s largest free digital media ‘unconference’.

Rick is also a skilled photographer, offering his services to community events such as #TOPoliWTF. Are you looking for a photographer to document your next community or corporate event?

Connect with Rick by email: richard{dot}weiss{at}gmail{dot}com or on Twitter @RickWeiss

A few other random facts about Rick:

• He studied civil engineering for two years at McMaster before deciding to change his major to psychology.
• He was a competitive swimmer from ages 8 to 18, competing at provincial levels.
• Orange is his favorite colour.
• He enjoys dry humour and dry martinis.