I joined IDRC in its infancy, 1974, and worked in various positions, both full-time and contract, until 2015.
I started out in the Library as an Abstracter/Indexer. This included working with EDP (Electronic Data Processing, which became ITMD, the Information Technology Management Division), producing reports for Library use, and working on ISIS (the Integrated Scientific Information System, using a Fortran and Alphatext IBM computer) and, eventually, MINISIS. Following this, I was the DEVSIS Manager (Development Sciences Information System), Operations Officer in the Information Sciences Division, Program Support Unit Finance Officer, Client Services Group Data Control Officer, Manager of Grant Information in the Grant Administration Division, and, finally, Resources Officer in the Office of the Vice-President Finance. I always found that the most rewarding aspect of all of this work was being able to bridge the gap between computer systems and their users, often by providing useful reports from the Centre’s information system.
These days, I volunteer at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, where I manage a team that works in a section of the garden, increasing its local ecological value: primarily removing invasive plants and planting native species. I also work with another small team that does the annual native plant sale.
I am also involved with the Champlain Park Environment Committee, where I am part of a small team that is establishing and maintaining several gardens (two short city blocks long) on the border between our neighbourhood and the NCC parkway: a tiny forest, a Carolinian forest, a food garden, an ethnobotanical garden, and a pollinator garden. This work has been written up in several places, including this blog, which contains a link to an article in the Ottawa Field Naturalist Club’s magazine
In addition to all of this. I enjoy wood and soapstone carving, other assorted crafts, and showing, breeding, and enjoying my Tibetan Terriers. In April, one of my pyrography projects, an 8×10 woodburning of a peregrine falcon (pictured below), won a $500 purchase award at the Quinte woodcarving show. I also think I am wearing a groove between Ottawa and Toronto, traveling back and forth to see my two grandchildren!
Bulletin 77
July 2025