Sample List of Clients
Southern Alberta Library Association
Canadian Rheumatology Association
Alberta Association of Landscape Architects
Tamarack Institute
Litfest Alberta
Norquest College
University of Alberta, Peter Lougheed Leadership School
Edmonton Public Library
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
City of St. Albert
King's University College
Catholic Social Services
Young Alberta Book Society
United Way, Capital Region
Session Descriptions
Lessons on Community from a Notorious Neighbourhood
How do you build stronger teams or safer neighbourhoods? Carissa Halton's notorious neighbourhood had something to teach her about building healthy community. In this 60-minute keynote, Carissa shares the funny, sad, make-you-mad stories of Alberta Avenue. Audiences leave inspired to build live-giving community whenever they are.
Takeaway
Audiences will be inspired to build trusting community wherever they are, leading to stronger teams at work and safer neighbourhoods. Audiences will learn what it takes to develop trust that leads to renewed collaboration and engagement in any work or neighbourhoodenvironment.
Format
Suitable for a 60 minute keynote, this session can be expanded into a 90-120 minute interactive workshop. This session can be formatted to fit your schedule's needs.
Customize the focus
Customize a focus for your team's specific community-building or work culture goals. Specific focuses include: increasing staff engagement, inspiring courageous leadership, encouraging collaboration, creating safe work cultures.
GR for the Common Good
So many want to positively influence public policy, but where the hell do you start? In this session, Carissa Halton will share from her experience working inside and outside of government and help audiences better understand what drives and motivates policy makers and decision makers in Western democracies.
Takeaway
Audiences will be inspired by historical examples, where policy change evolved from successful government relations specific to their area of practice. They will understand the six key steps to designing and implementing a pro-active government relations strategy, and leave better understanding what motivates and restrains decision makers.
Format
Suitable for a 60 minute keynote, this session can be expanded into a 90-120 minute interactive workshop. This session can be formatted to fit your schedule and unique needs.
Customized Examples
Stories and case studies will reflect your team's specific goals or expertise.
Dear Decision Maker: Lessons from the Mailroom
The power of our democracy isn't only found at the voting booth. As a former correspondence director, Carissa will discuss effective strategies for communicating with decision-makers. With examples from mail rooms across the globe, she will discuss successful letter writing campaigns and how this type of people power fits into a broader government relations strategy or campaign for policy change.
Takeaway
Participants will feel hope about the power available to them to change their communities. They will learn how to write an effective letter to a decision maker
Format
Suitable for a 60 minute keynote, this session can be expanded into a 90-120 minute interactive workshop.
Customization
Customize a focus for your team's specific campaign or political goals.
Writing True: Stories that Get Noticed
Are you struggling to write all your really amazing stories down? Join award-winning non-fiction author, Carissa Halton, for a writing workshop on the techniques and tools that make non-fiction and communications writing come alive. Using published examples, she’ll explain techniques that make non-fiction stories sparkle.
Takeaway
Participants will identify the stories they or their organization has to share and clarify their audience internally and externally. Participants will leave with tips on how to write those stories in engaging ways for use in communications materials and social media.
Format
Suitable for a 60 -90 minute interactive workshop.
Focus
Customize a focus for your team's specific communications or writing goals.
Audience Reviews
Carissa provided a thought provoking and uplifting presentation at our AGM. She took time to understand our Association and Members, and tailored the presentation accordingly. Her energetic and enthusiastic keynote was the perfect start to the AGM.
Alberta Association of Landscape Architects
It was an absolute joy to have Carissa Halton present at LitFest. Not only is she keen to help shape her events, she is also generous and innovative in her approach. Her savvy with promotions and social media is a great asset for organizers, and her sold-out walking tour event was one of the most memorable we've ever had at the fest. We'd invite her back any time!
Fawnda Mithrush
Executive Director
Litfest Alberta
Carissa is an engaging speaker who captivates the audience immediately with her ability to tell a story. She is as authentic as the stories she tells about her experiences with people and her environment while living in Alberta Avenue in Edmonton. I highly recommend Carissa as a featured speaker; she does not disappoint.
Sheryl Hansen
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Human Resources Manager
We chose Carissa Halton as the opening keynote speaker for our annual conference. Her warmth, authenticity, and good humour set a delightfully positive tone for the weekend. Carissa is a wonderful storyteller, and the experiences she shared are a testament to the transformative power of small kindnesses.
Robin Hepher
CEO
Chinook Arch Regional Library System
Carissa was so engaging. The 90 minutes went by so quickly because of the wonderful storytelling and sense of humour. Excellent presentation!