IABC hosts an annual event called the ‘Gift of Communication’
in which select United Way agencies are offered a free private 3.5-hour session
with IABC Communications Professionals and Mohawk College Public Relations Post
Graduate Students.
Jan Graves spoke to our class in late September describing
what the event entailed in hopes to get few student volunteers. I knew right
away I wanted to participate so before she left the room, I sent her a message
on LinkedIn expressing my interest for the event. As days passed it looked like
we would have nearly our whole class participating!
In early November we were given a list of the agencies that
would be participating in the event and tasked with choosing our top three. My
top selection was the Elizabeth Fry Society, they are dedicated leaders who
provide hope and help to women and girls at risk. Due to events over the course
of my life this really hits home and is an area I am very passionate about.
We got an email midway through the month that told us what
table we would be seated at and to my excitement I was placed at the Elizabeth
Fry Society Table.
To prepare myself for the event I did a mini communications
audit of their social media pages and website so I would be able to participate
in impactful conversation and help with a comprehensive plan to help with their
issues of relevancy and updating.
Going into the event I was nervous, I’ve been going to CPRS
events throughout the school year and have been gaining confidence while
attending but this IABC event was new territory. Most of the CPRS events I have
attended have been mingling with communicators, discussing my aspirations and receiving
very helpful advice on how to take my career to the next level.
But this IABC event had a different feeling to
it, I felt like there were high expectations of the students to put what they’ve
learned throughout the year on display and make their Program Coordinator Tim
Tuck proud. In some respects, I felt like the difference between the events I
attended was theory-based learning with CPRS versus practical-learning with
IABC’s event, granted I haven’t attended some of the more hands on events that
CPRS has to offer.
I challenged myself to be an active participant at the table
throughout the event, I lived up to it. I spoke up at times I would usually remain
silent, I challenged opinions and trusted my abilities. Seemingly it left a
positive impact as when selecting who would represent the table when summarizing
their experience to the room, all eyes looked to me. I hate public speaking
with a passion but once again challenged myself to do it. If I could rip the Band-Aid
off now, it will get easier in the future. I planned a joke to lighten the mood,
so I felt comfortable with the room in front of me and relayed our three takeaways
from the event being: using consistent branding, connecting with Mohawk's
Internship program and use of The Agency, as well as expanding the reach of their
communications outside their usual audience.
Overall, I took a lot away from the event and met some
amazing people from the Elizabeth Fry Society like Executive Director Deb Riddle,
Board Member Leah Barclay and HR Manager and Communication Coordinator Caitlin
Duffy. I look forward to working with them and members of IABC in the future.
Comments
Post a Comment