Doucet settling into position at IRC
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Dec 22/00) - Jeanette Doucet says her job is a work in progress.
Since mid-October Doucet has been the co-ordinator for the oil and gas information clearinghouse at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
"My job is to make sure that all information about the oil and gas activity going on in the Mackenzie Delta Beaufort Sea area is communicated to the beneficiaries," Doucet said.
"My big focus has been putting out our first oil and gas newsletter. Because it's the first, and because there hasn't been much information that's gone out so far, it's kind of a lengthy newsletter."
She said she's done some of the writing for this newsletter and expects that she'll do more for future issues, as she learns more about the area. Doucet has also been laying out the newsletter on the same software she used a year ago while taking a public relations program.
Doucet said she now enjoys doing layout.
"It's interesting because I do enjoy it now, but a year ago when I was learning to do it, it was probably the most frustrating thing I had ever done in my life."
Doucet took a one year public relations course in Halifax. Originally from Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, Doucet had taught for five years in her native province before deciding she needed a change.
"I felt a little limited in teaching," she said.
Once the current issue of the newsletter is out of the way, Doucet will work on the oil and gas part of the IRC Web site. She was also looking forward to another part of her job, which she was to start this week with visits to Holman, Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour.
Doucet explained her purpose in visiting these and other communities will be to meet with people, but that it won't be just her explaining to them what's going on.
"It's a two-way process," she said. "I need to know what their concerns are."
As well, Doucet does a lot of reading and research into the oil and gas industry, and will soon be involved in another project on the go. The IRC is developing a toll free oil and gas phone line.
All in all, Doucet said she's been enjoying her first visit North of 60, and that she's been finding her job interesting.
"There's lots to know. There's lots to learn," she said. "I have a broad idea of the things that need to be done, but I hope to fine tune it as I go along."
