The Iona Connection Heritage Cooperative, Ltd is requesting expressions of interest for the preservation of local oral history through audio and video media. This is a strategic development initiative of the Iona Connection to improve leadership and programming skills at the community level and to increase heritage/community cooperation.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted to:

Catherine Arseneau, Chair

Iona Connection Heritage Cooperative, Ltd

P.O. Box 1791, Station A

Sydney, NS B1P 6J3

Tel: 902 563-1326

Fax: 902 562-8899

The Iona Connection Heritage Cooperative, Ltd. is a regional heritage organization based in Cape Breton which celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2009. This project supports progression of the Cape Breton Regional Heritage Plan and provides benefits to the heritage sector by developing new audiences with improved cross organizational awareness and familiarity.

The Oral History Preservation Project will engage an Oral History Coordinator on a contract basis to interview and record a minimum of 10-15 members of the Iona Connection and others who have contributed (or still contribute) to the Island’s heritage. Interviews will be made available on the Connection’s website, in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Project activities include:

1. Project planning session with Iona Connection Board of Directors.

2. Concept and communication, material development for the oral history goals and schedule.

3. Working with members to identify and prepare for interviews (obtaining background information, crafting questions, suggesting locations, identifying individuals, etc)

4. A minimum of 10-15 member interviews, each at least ½ hour in length

5. Creation of raw footage of interviews (to be submitted to the Iona Connection)

6. Questionnaires for each interview noting the video time index of answers for each question (to be submitted to the Iona Connection)

Equipment and training will be provided to enable video and audio capture of the interviews. Skills required for this project will include:

• Research background / capability

• Oral / Appreciative interview skills

• Video and audio capture

• Knowledge of Cape Breton heritage

• Ability to work independently

OPTIONAL: A second phase of the project is technical editing. This phase is not within the scope of this expression of interest request, and will include the following activities:

1. Creating a DVD that describes the beginning and purpose for a new regional heritage organization 25 years ago, how it developed, who the main players were who contributed to heritage development over the years, successes and challenges, and future goals.

2. Sharing the DVD with heritage partners and peers.

In your expression of interest, please indicate your ability to advance the technical editing phase of the project.

The Oral History Coordinator shall meet with the Iona Connection at the following milestones:

1. Project start-up

2. Progress report on project objectives and input from members (estimated time 2 months)

3. Final progress report on project objectives and submission of raw footage and questionnaires (estimated time 2 months)

Total estimated time frame is 4 months (ending in June 2010). The Iona Connection anticipates frequent and regular contact and information exchange between the Oral History Coordinator and the members of the Iona Connection throughout the project. In particular, draft questionnaires for each interview will be reviewed by the Iona Connection prior to the interview being conducted.

Note: All research, reports, papers, materials, audio visual material and information or data produced in or arising from the performance of work under this project and all copy rights thereof, shall be the property of the Iona Heritage Connection Cooperative, Ltd.

Your expression of interest must include the following information:

Note: You may be requested to attend an interview with the Iona Connection.

The Iona Connection Heritage Cooperative gratefully acknowledges the funding support of the NS Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage through the Strategic Development Initiative.