A Successful Professional Development Day for PWAC Vancouver and Fraser Valley

 27 April, 2013 was a great day for PWAC Vancouver and PWAC Fraser Valley, as we came together and jointly held our first Professional Development day in several years at the VSO School of Music. We had an impressive turnout, with a mixture of students, members and non members and from the first panel of the day, we ensured that a great atmosphere was set. The day went off without a hitch and we are grateful to all of those who attended and made the event a success.

We had some amazing speakers join us. PWAC veterans like Guenther Krueger passed on their writing advice while PWAC Fraser Valley member Stephanie Lasuik spoke to us about how to cope with a contract dispute. We even had the honour of hosting editors Lisa Manfield of BC Living and Andrea Vance of WestCoast Families, who educated us on what editors want from their writers.

At the end of the day, we received amazing feedback from those in attendance. We heard things like, “In the first ten minutes, I got my money’s worth,” and “I’m so glad I came today,” and best of all, “You PWAC people are so nice!” After the event, we chatted, mused on all things writing and threw around article ideas.

We hope to offer more of these events in the future, so please feel free to email and suggest topics for our next PD Day, which we hope to hold in the fall.

Thanks again to everyone who worked hard to make our Professional Development day such a large success.

-Kelly Thompson, PWAC Vancouver President

AGM April Meeting Notes

Last night, PWAC Vancouver members gathered to hold our annual AGM, where we discussed current and future business related to our chapter. I wanted to advise about some of the discussions to keep those who were absent abreast of the conversations.

1. Executive Elections

I, Kelly Thompson, will remain as Chapter President. New professional member Mirey Faema has joined the board as Chapter Vice President. David Conn will remain on as Membership Coordinator and Heather Kent will remain the Treasurer. We still have room for a Communications Manager, should anyone wish to join the executive.

2. 27 April, PD Day

Members are encouraged to register online for our Professional Development Day on 27 April at the VSO School of Music, 843 Seymour Street. Seating is limited! Those registering as students are required to bring valid student ID.

3. Summer Party

Mark your calendars! Our summer party will be held on Sunday, 21 July at Guenther Krueger’s house. More details to follow.

4. Membership

PWAC Vancouver has seen a surge in membership over the last two months and we’re pleased to welcome all of the new writers to the fold. This increased membership means PWAC Vancouver is able to send 5 delegates to the national AGM in Toronto at MagNet. Delegates will have their airfare costs over $175 covered by PWAC National and will receive a stipend from the chapter as well.

5. National AGM Delagates

Those representing PWAC Vancouver at the National AGM are Kelly Thompson, Mirey Faema and Guenther Krueger. Please email me within the next two weeks if you would like to serve as a delegate at the National AGM, as I am required to submit these numbers to National Office.

6. PWAC Presence

PWAC Vancouver has renewed the online presence of the chapter through the blog, Facebook and Twitter. We are busy connecting with local writing programs (at Douglas College, Langara, Capilano and UBC to name a few) as well as other associations such as MagsBC, the Society for Technical Communication, Editors’ Association of Canada and others. We hope that these new connections will boost membership and allow us to engage and network with other professionals in the writing, publishing and freelance business.

7. Writer Retreat

Jointly with Fraser Valley and Victoria, PWAC Vancouver is looking to hold another writer retreat in Spring 2014, potentially on Salt Spring Island or another area nearby. We hope to recreate a sense of community for our writers and provide more opportunities to connect with one another. Stay turned for more information.

Thank you all for your time and please feel free to email me at kellythompson(at)keystonetext(dot)ca, should you have any questions.

-Kelly Thompson, PWAC Vancouver President

British Columbia Association of Travel Writers

Please note that the BCATW is holding their annual symposium on 11 May at the Listel Hotel. Details are below:

WRITER COLLEAGUES:

YOU’RE INVITED!

• WHAT: ANNUAL BC Association of Travel Writer’s SYMPOSIUM
• WHEN: MAY 11, 2013   11:30-4:00
• WHERE: Vancouver’s LISTEL HOTEL 1300 Robson St Vancouver, BC V6E 1C5
• COST: $40 non members; $20 BCATW members, includes taxes, refreshments & the day…
• TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT: Make your cheque payable to “BC Association of Travel Writers” and mail it to Baila Lazarus,Treasurer. BC Association of Travel Writers, PH3 1433 East 1^st Ave.
Vancouver, BC
V5N 1A4 OR

use PayPal at www.bcatw.org under ‘events.’

PROGRAM HIGHLGHTS:

KEY NOTE: MICHAEL DE FREITAS: www.iwritetravel.com/

• Marketing Writing: The Whys, How’s & Where’s of Selling Your Stories Internationally
• Round Table Discussions on varied topics e.g. book publishing
• Prize Draws
• Refreshments

 

Check out future updates at www.bcatw.org/

PWAC Vancouver Professional Development Day- 27 April, 2013

Our members have been asking for professional development opportunities and we are answering the call! Jointly with PWAC Fraser Valley, on Saturday 27 April, 2013, PWAC Vancouver is holding a professional development day that is sure to offer something to interest all of our members. We are hoping for a successful event where we can mingle, learn and connect with one another.

Details are below:

Where: VSO School of Music, 843 Seymour Street Vancouver, Second Floor – Arthur H. Willms Salon

When: Saturday 27 April, 2013, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Panels:

1. Furthering Your Freelance Career – 9:30 am – 10:30 am: Panelists will be Heidi Turner and Guenther Krueger

BREAK- 10:30 – 10:45

2. Writing for a Niche Market- 10:45 am – 11:45 pm: Panelists will be Kelly Thompson, Kathleen Rake and Autumn Jonssen

LUNCH- 11:45 am – 1:00 pm

3. Dispute Resolution- 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Panelists will be Stephanie Lasiuk and Heidi Turner

BREAK- 2:00 pm – 2:15 pm

4. What Do Editors Want From Writers?- 2:15 – 3:15: Panelists will be Lisa Manfield of BC Living and Andrea Vance of WestCoast Families magazine

RECEPTION/ NETWORKING – 3:15 – 4:15

Snacks and drinks will be provided during breaks!

Cost will be $20 for members, $25 for non-members and $15 for students. We will also provide the opportunity to pay online through PayPal!
Please select from one of the three options below for members, non members and students.

PWAC Member – $20

Non Member – $25

Students – $15

All questions can be directly to Vancouver chapter President, Kelly Thompson at kellythompson(at)keystonetext.ca.

It is advisable to register in advance as seating is limited! Students are required to bring valid student ID to the event.

Thank you and looking forward to seeing you all there!

Kelly Thompson- PWAC Vancouver Chapter President

PWAC Vancouver Chapter AGM- 11 April, 2013 – Irish Heather Pub

Good afternoon PWAC Vancouver,
It is that time of year again with our chapter AGM to take place on Thursday 11 April at 6:00 pm at the Irish Heather at 212 Carrall Street, Vancouver.
Feel free to come and discuss any pertinent issues related to the chapter and then to socialize afterwards.
We have several orders of business to include:
1. Nominating Chapter Delegates for the national AGM at MagNet 2013 in Toronto, 4-7 June.
2. Electing the Chapter Executive for 2013. Currently, we have David Conn as Membership Coordinator (who I believe, intends to run again), Heather Kent as treasurer (who I also believe intends to run again) and myself as President. That being said, any member is welcome to run for all of these positions and further, we also require a Communications Manager and Vice President.
3. Discussion of our Professional Development Day, to be held on 27 April, 2013 at the VSO School of Music. I will send another email reference this event early next week, complete with a link to pay and register for the event through PayPal on the PWAC Vancouver blog.
Minutes of the event will be posted to the chapter blog within the following week of the AGM, for those unable to make it.

If you are interested in being a delegate for the National PWAC AGM (with some of the travel costs reimbursed by both National and Chapter offices), then please send me an email advising why you would like to serve as a delegate. We have 4 slots for members to attend.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

Kelly Thompson
PWAC Vancouver President
kellythompson@keystonetext.ca

Remembering Shirley Hewett

This note has been passed along by PWAC Vancouver member Guenther Krueger.

Remembering Shirley Hewett

Five years ago, PWAC Victoria lost a true pioneer. Last week, her daughter Kari wrote to me on behalf of herself and her family saying: “Please extend our appreciation and very belated gratitude to everyone who called or sent in well wishes after Mum died. It was a crazy, difficult, busy time and I don’t think anyone of us properly thanked people. PWAC meant so much to Mum, as did the fun and collegiality of your events. I felt honoured to be included in some of them, and still very identify as a “daughter of PWAC.”

Shirley was a passionate and vocal member of the Victoria chapter, but often came over to Vancouver to connect with people here. I first met her shortly after I joined…somewhere around 1989 or so, memory fails me a bit. We had a small rag-tag group of people here and she encouraged me to build up the ranks and stay connected with others nationally. When I visited Victoria, I would sometimes spend time in her ramshackle cottage on the water. We joked about how much the property was worth and commiserated about how we were working too hard for too little money as we poured another glass of wine.

Shirley died five years ago but I have stayed in touch with Kari, who lives here in Vancouver. She is every bit as eclectic and passionate about social justice issues as her mother was. I always think that organizations are made of those who believe in the cause and do something about it and others who tag along for the ride. Feisty, frank, forthright. Shirley was definitely right at the helm, always waving a flag, the noisiest of the bunch. I know that many of you will remember her fondly as I do.

PWAC Vancouver February Social

This month, we were forced to stray from our “second Thursday of every month” routine, since next Thursday falls on Valentine’s Day and we figured our members would rather cuddle up with those they love rather than spend the night with us! Despite the schedule change, we were lucky to have another great turnout of members, students, potential members and even members from other writing organizations. In attendance, we had Mel, Dennis, Connie and Annie from the Print Futures Program at Douglas College, Past President Michelle Clough, Regional Direction Heidi Turner, Autumn from the Society for Technical Communication, Mirey who is looking to join PWAC, and myself.

We spent the night at Steamworks Pub, enjoying each others’ company and talking all things writing. Before we knew it, two hours had passed! We came, we ate and we laughed. It was a great night of networking and friend-making.

Best of all, we welcomed new student member, Connie Behl, who won the draw for the free annual student membership for PWAC. We’re so happy to have her as part of the organization and as a student of the Print Futures program at Douglas College, we’re sure to see amazing things from her. We hope her membership with us will help her break into the world of writing and give her the support that all fledgling writers need early on in their careers.

Until next time, I look forward to seeing more and more people turn out for our monthly socials.

Kelly Thompson, PWAC Vancouver President