Opportunities and best practices impacting multiple elements of VAC’s Commemoration core responsibility were reviewed as part of this overarching evaluation. Key findings are highlighted below in the areas of internal departmental alignment and divisional alignment.
6.1 Opportunities for Enhanced Alignment Internally – Departmental
VAC’s Communications Division supports the Commemoration Division in the delivery of commemorative initiatives. Interviews and previous program evaluations highlighted that the current partnership between the two divisions is working effectively. However, additional clarity and documentation on roles and responsibilities is required in some areas, such as:
- event coordination and logistics responsibilities;
- production of videos on commemorative initiatives/themes;
- collection of historical information to inform event scenarios and media releases;
- monitoring of the print contract for learning resources; and
- developing content and publishing for website, social media and print products.
Observation
The Commemoration Division should work in collaboration with the Communications Division to clarify roles and services in support of VAC’s commemorative initiatives.
Opportunity for improvement
The Evaluation of Commemorative Benefits and Services and the Evaluation of Public Recognition and Awareness both highlighted process concerns between VAC’s Service Delivery Branch and the Commemoration Division that impacted the Funeral and Burial Program, the issuance of Memorial Crosses, and entries to the Books of Remembrance. These concerns led to recommended improvements identified in the recent Evaluation of Commemorative Benefits and Services – Recommendation 3.Footnote 7 To ensure issues do not arise in the future, the evaluation team finds that improved communication channels between the Commemoration Division and the Service Delivery Branch should be explored. This concern is further referenced in Section 7 Management/Organization Structure.
6.2 Opportunities for Enhanced Alignment Internally – Commemoration Division
In support of 2017 major milestone anniversaries, including the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele, the evaluation team observed collaboration between various commemoration program areas/components, including ceremonies and events, learning and public information, and the Commemorative Partnership Program. Efforts to develop and integrate learning resources relating to these milestone events, while concurrently funding projects focussed on these milestones through the CPP, resulted in a cohesive approach to achieving outcomes. Key informant interviews highlighted that program areas found this collaboration an effective means to achieve their project objectives.
The evaluation team finds that this enhanced collaboration between program areas should be considered a best practice and that planning activities for future years should continue to be aligned.