"On the spot Reporter" for the IABC Gift of Communication Event

On Tuesday, October 18, 2011, Jan Graves, executive board member for the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) paid our class a visit to talk to us about the IABC as a professional association and the benefits of becoming a member. Graves also mentioned that she was looking for student volunteers to participate in the annual Gift of Communication event being held at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club on November 30, 2011. The event provides IABC members and students the opportunity to help seven United Way agencies improve their communication strategies. 13 students were needed to assist at the agency tables, two were needed for photography and one to be the "on the spot reporter" for the event. I decided to volunteer for the reporting task because I figured it would be a great learning experience to try something that I had never done before. It was awesome!

I spent most of the event walking through the room, listening to the discussions happening at each table and taking detailed notes. I listened to the inspirational speakers and also had the opportunity to interview United Way agency representatives, fellow students

and IABC members about their thoughts on the event. I am glad that I decided to participate in the Gift of Communication event because on top of meeting some wonderful people and gaining additional writing experience, the importance of giving back and helping one another stood out the most for me and was a great feeling.

My story will be posted on the IABC Golden Horseshoe chapter website and also sent out to the media. At the beginning of the semester, I remember Tim Tuck, our program coordinator and teacher, saying that if we take advantage of every opportunity that is presented to us throughout the year, we will definitely have a great start and better our chances of being successful in the industry. The IABC Gift of Communication is just one of the many opportunities that students can get involved in. I can't wait to see what next semester has to offer!

Below I will share the story that I wrote for the IABC Gift of Communication event.

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The Perfect Holiday Gift – An Afternoon of Brainstorming

IABC Golden Horseshoe Chapter holds seventh annual “Gift of Communication”

By Mica Blackman, Mohawk College student

It was a day of kindness and generosity as the IABC Golden Horseshoe Chapter partnered with the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton to give an annual holiday gift to local non-profit organizations. For the seventh consecutive year, IABC members and public relations students from McMaster University and Mohawk College met with local charitable agencies to help solve pressing communications challenges.

Held in a room courtesy of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, the event helped seven United Way agencies improve their corporate communications, public relations, employee relations, employee communications and marketing communications. The participating agencies included: Acclaim Health, Compassion Society, Community Child Abuse Council, Halton Food for Thought, STRIDE, Support & Housing Halton, and Wesley Urban Ministries. The room was set up with each agency table consisting of two IABC members, two agency representatives and two students.

The day opened with introductions by Jan Graves, IABC member and chair of the Gift of Communication initiative, and words of thanks to participants from Len Lifchus, CEO of United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton. The agencies were then given a free 2.5 hour session with the IABC professionals and PR students to assist them with their top two communications issues.

Compassion Society representatives Suzanne Sanson and Jeremy Heatley were seeking advice on better marketing techniques for their organization as well as advertising approaches. Community Child Abuse Council representatives Karen Smith and George Bakker wanted to know how to engage the community in a dialogue on a topic that most find too ugly to think about. Most organizations work with tight resources and small budgets. Therefore, the professional assistance that they received free of charge was helpful in more ways than one.

“We found this event very beneficial. We were able to have our advertising critiqued and got a better idea of what audiences to focus on,” said Suzanne Sanson from Compassion Society.

When Mohawk College student, Tracy Delacroix was asked whether she thought that her group was able to help the Compassion Society representatives, she replied saying, “Absolutely! They were very impressed with our brochure ideas, such as creating different purpose brochures. We should do this again for other agencies!”

After the work session was complete, Mayor of Hamilton Bob Bratina, spoke to the group about communication and how very complicated and complex it is. Bratina suggested that making friends with the media is very important as well as being creative. He said, “Have passion for communication and believe that what you have to say is important and worthwhile. New ideas and approaches are great. If you believe in them, they will work.” Following Bratina, the Mayor of Burlington Rick Goldring spoke on the importance of communication and connecting appropriately. “Charities are under a microscope these days, so being transparent and clear is very important,” said Goldring.

“The speakers were great, and very inspiring. I left the event feeling excited about working in PR and the relationships that I would build within the community. It was nice to see the mayors of Hamilton and Burlington represent for their cities, attend the event and share their thoughts and advice regarding communication,” said Whitney Davies, a Mohawk College student.

Connie Smith, campaign co-chair for the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton, discussed the importance of sharing stories, saying that we always hear statistics about United Way but she is trying to put a personal, human face to the large organization. Smith also said that creating a culture of philanthropy in all workplaces is important so that it becomes intrinsic in everything you do. “This event and the United Way are all about bringing those who need and those who give together,” said Smith.

To round off the evening, Robert Plant, president of IABC Golden Horseshoe, presented Smith with a cheque on behalf of the IABC in support of United Way. The event proved to once again be a great success based on the positive feedback received from IABC members, students, and agency representatives.

From an IABC member perspective, Tim Tuck said he felt fortunate to be sitting with a great group of students who were coming up with a lot of ideas. “It is a great opportunity to be able to give back and provide the Gift of Communication to agencies that otherwise do not have the resources,” said Tuck.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, the IABC Gift of Communication event really reminded everyone about the true spirit of giving. The United Way and all of their agencies do so much good for others that it seems only right to help them continue to do so.

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