Here's your October Issue of IABC Connect

October 2018

This is the first fall issue. We hope you had a great summer!

News

Learn. Connect. Celebrate – How IABC London’s vision is unfolding this season

When IABC London’s board of directors and volunteer team set out to carve a strategic vision for the 2018-2019, we decided to step back and focus on what our chapter’s core functions are in serving you, our community of professional communicators. “Learn. Connect. Celebrate.” is our mandate, and everything we do this year will help you achieve these three things.

To work together to achieve this mandate, IABC London’s volunteer team created a shared Values Charter for how it works together in the service of our community. Read more below about why a Values Charter matters for a team.

Read more about how this strategic vision is unfolding in exciting ways.

How IABC London's board of directors created a Values Charter and why that matters

By Janic Gorayeb, Ripple Effect Leadership Consulting & Events

Recently I had the opportunity to facilitate a workshop with the board of directors for The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) London, Ontario and I would like to share my insights and reflections on this session. The goal of this workshop was to co-create a team charter and create a list of examples of how to transform IABC’s core values into actions.

Why is it valuable to co-create a team charter?

The theme of the workshop was “Building Group Values” – a charter of sorts to help this amazing group of volunteers build a culture of communication and collaboration. The true defining feature of a team charter is that it must be created and supported by every member of the group. The charter should also be a yardstick that can be held up against any activity considered or pursued by the group. It was inspiring to see so many passionate volunteers on the same page engaged and contributing to the dialogue and coming up with ways to support each other in their roles. Read more.

A purposeful pause - getting things right with IABC London's awards program

We need to look at our Virtuoso Awards program at IABC London. In recent years we have observed a steady decline in local project award entries, and this is simply not sustainable. We’ve also been hearing a desire for change to the program from our community. It’s time to do something about what we’re seeing.

We’re taking a purposeful pause: Over the next few months, an ad hoc committee of broad representation from our professional communications community is organizing a strategic and thorough research and input process into our project-based awards program. The committee will be co-chaired by our Director of Awards, Robert DeLaet and former IABC Canada National Awards program co-chair, Julia Oosterman. Read more .

Kicking off the 2018-19 year with brains, buzzers and beer - RECAP and a new member perspective

By Alicia Baertsoen

Communicators in London are fond of trivia, and they are good at it too.

The IABC London Chapter’s Professional Development Committee held their first event,

which welcomed all members (and new faces), on Sept. 18. The Brains and Beers Trivia Night was held at the London Brewing Cooperative.

Attendees brought their brains and beers at the sold-out event, in hopes of beating the buzzer. A candy and snack bar fueled the teams as they geared up for battle.

The goal was to provide a fun, welcoming atmosphere for current members, perspective

members and students currently enrolled in communications-focused programs. The incredible venue and interactive theme allowed for networking with new faces and further bonding within teams.

Teams included professionals across numerous thriving local businesses and many keen students enrolled in the Public Relations program at Western Continuing Studies (WCS). Read more.

Earn international recognition with IABC's Gold Quill Awards

It’s time for the outstanding work of London and area communicators to be recognized on the global stage. The call for entries is now open for the IABC’s Gold Quill Awards .

For more than 40 years, IABC’s Gold Quill Awards have celebrated excellence in strategic communication worldwide. Gold Quill is the only awards program that honors the dedication, innovation and passion of communicators on a global scale.

All Gold Quill entries are evaluated by communicators with more than 10 years of experience against established criteria aligned to IABC’s Global Standard of the communication profession. Entries are scored independently by two trained evaluators and then reconciled at Blue Ribbon Panels held face-to-face in multiple locations around the world or virtually.

Submit your Gold Quill entry by the early-bird deadline on Nov. 14 to save on the entry fee. For more information, visit the IABC Gold Quill Awards website .

IABC London members awarded four Silver Leaf Awards

Congratulations to IABC London members who are the recipients of four 2018 Silver Leaf Awards, the premiere professional awards program celebrating excellence in business communication from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

The London Chapter winners are:

Audio Visual Category

Bluewater Health – Laura’s Story

Bluewater Health Communications & PA

Award of Excellence

Bluewater Health – Kaleo’s Story

Bluewater Health Communications & PA

Award of Merit

Change Communication Category

Improve Life

University of Guelph with Tenzing Communications Inc.

Award of Excellence

Brand Communication Category

London Symphonia Rebrand

Lashbrook Marketing & Public Relations

Award of Merit