I wrote the following speaking notes for a senior executive to use in introducing a panel at the Canadian Mental Health Association’s annual conference.
The challenge with the speech was that we had 3-5 minutes to fill, and we needed to explain our interest in the subject, but we didn’t want to be overtly self-serving. We wanted to set the stage for an important discussion that included diverse panelists representing indigenous perspectives. This is what I came up with.
The speech sailed through the approval process with only a few minor changes, and I’m told the speaker stuck to it word for word. After the event, the key stakeholder, said the speaker “delivered a great introductory speech – your messages resonated extremely well with the plenary panel discussion topic. I was proud.”
On behalf of The Co‑operators, I’m honoured to be here and to introduce this keynote panel.
The Co‑operators is rooted in Canadian soil, with a history going back 70 years to when a group of Saskatchewan farmers banded together to create insurance for each other. As a co-operative, our member owners keep us oriented to our purpose and the people we serve.
As a group benefits provider and as a Best Employer organization, we at The Co‑operators see firsthand the effects of mental illness. For the last few years, we’ve been focused on making the workplace a pathway to positive mental health.
A mentally healthy workplace is good for business; but more importantly, it provides people with the skills, education and services to support mental health at home and in their communities. Our goal is to improve education on mental health, find ways to improve access to needed services and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
[pause to shift topics]
They say hindsight is 20/20. It’s always easier to see the right decisions looking backwards than it is when you’re making them in the moment.
I think Canada as a whole has learned a lot about people and our culture over the last 100 years. The Truth and Reconciliation process we underwent a few years ago has shone a necessary spotlight on some our country’s mistakes. From the #metoo movement as well, we’ve learned how power can silence voices… to all our detriment.
This next panel is all about using the clarity of hindsight to forge a new path forward. I’m looking forward to hearing from our speakers, each with their own important perspective that we need to hear. I’ll definitely bring the learnings from this panel and from the other sessions I attended this morning back to The Co‑operators.
What inspires me the most about this panel is the diversity of voices we’ll be hearing from. Really, I could say that about this whole conference.
It’s so important to open this dialogue. I look forward to what visions for the future emerge from this conversation, to make Canada an inclusive, sustainable and supportive place to live and work. Thank you for having me and for hosting this conference. Let’s make the next 100 years better for everyone!
Kate Wilhelm 