CREATIVEMORNINGS OTTAWA WITH MAYOR JIM WATSON

We are a species that flourishes when we’re seen, when our work matters, and when we connect with and understand one another. A boss sharing her vision with the team, looking your friend in the eye and telling the truth, or owning your mistakes—none of this is possible without transparency. 

Where does transparency fit in the word of politics? When you are in a position of power, transparency is paramount to the responsibility that comes with the ability to change people’s lives, is a sign of trust, and seems to be more important than ever before. We may not always see this as the case, but we do see it regularly with one of our local political figures – Mayor Jim Watson.

This month’s we’re honoured to welcome Ottawa’s very own Mayor, Jim Watson to the CreativeMornings Ottawa stage to speak to the theme of transparency. As he lives much of his life in the public eye, Ottawans see him regularly at community events celebrating the city’s vibrancy and local successes or simply walking down the street in some random Ottawa neighbourhood. He’s even been dubbed by the Ottawa Citizen as being married to the city. 

Coming from a background of public relations, he’s always strived to have a good transparent relationship with the city and its local communities. You know he cares about being involved in what’s happening in the city when his website has a big ‘Invite Jim’ button on it.

Mayor Watson’s community involvement is like no other, taking part in over a hand full of local organizations including; the Riverside Hospital, the National Arts Centre, the Christmas Exchange of Ottawa and the Forum for Young Canadians, just to name a few. Oh and let’s not forget CreativeMornings, we’ve collaborated in the past to broaden the City’s outreach to the creative community with offers of scholarships.

Mayor Watson’s contributions and office expenses are already out there for the world to see, but we will get a chance to hear about his more personal experiences in the political arena. How does a political leader balance accountability and transparency in the civil decision making? What does a mayor take into account for potential conflicts between the community’s and municipality’s different interests? How does he maintain the rights to privacy while living such a transparent life as a politician?

We at CreativeMornings are really excited to have the mayor for this month’s talk, and we hope the event itself would open up some more authentic and transparent dialogue among all of our fellow creatives. 

For additional event information and tickets click here!