Special Events

This page lists special events hosted by Douglas College Professional Writing. Please post other local events for professional communicators as Comments. You can also tweet to @prfu1804 or @dcprow.

The Blogroll links to local branches and chapters for professional associations.

---

Jan. 26. Speaker Forum #6 on Writing and Editing
Practical Portfolios

With Kelly Lee Parry. Douglas College, New Westminster campus, Room 1808, 5 to 6 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 26 (a free event)

This workshop will explore the use of “off-the-shelf” materials from firms such as Staples, Office Depot, and Loomis to create professional and effective portfolios and presentations for your business and career projects. The topics we will cover include:

• Supplies (a supply list will be handed out)
• Presentation options (types of portfolios, presentation binders, and binding options)
• Printing options (inkjet vs. laser vs. digital)
• Choosing papers (paper types, sizes and textures)
• Organizing your presentation (include project details, add design elements and themes vs. skills)
• Presentation tips (how to’s, cost reduction, and large documents)

We will explore the use of specialty products to create business cards, address labels, folder labels, and take-away promotions. The workshop will also look at ways to maximize the quality and use of your home printer.

KELLY LEE PARRY is a Douglas College professional writing graduate. See her company website, depiction.ca.

Nov. 21. Speaker Forum #5 on Writing and Editing
Writing for Social Media:
Lessons Learned on the Way to 1,000 Fans

With Briana Tomkinson. Douglas College, New Westminster campus, Room 1808, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Mon., Nov. 21 (a free event)

Social media consultant and professional writing program grad BRIANA TOMKINSON discusses co-founding the weblog Tenth to the Fraser and presents a case study of social media marketing for the Royal City Farmers Market.

Briana has 10 years’ experience shaping strategy and creating interactive content on web and mobile for major brands including Royal Roads University, The City of New Westminster, Ronald McDonald House, UBC, VANOC, Future Shop, Tourism BC, Telus, and CanWest Global.

In addition to social media training seminars and workshops for private clients, Briana has spoken about the value of Facebook for business at an International Internet Marketing Association event, moderated the Twitter Effect panel at Convergence 2009, and has spoken twice about hyperlocal blogging at the Northern Voice blogging conference. She has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the Toronto Star, and community newspapers as a subject matter expert on open ID, blogging, website redesigns, and building community through social media.

Nov. 9. Speaker Forum #4 on Writing and Editing
How to Write a Speech

With Colin Moorhouse. Douglas College, New Westminster campus, Room 1808, 5 to 6 p.m., Wed., Nov. 9 (a free event)

Colin Moorhouse formerly taught professional readiness in Print Futures: Professional Writing. He returns to the college for this special presentation. Read more about Colin at www.fearlessfreelancing.com and www.weneedaspeech.com.

 

Oct. 24. Speaker Forum #3 on Writing and Editing
Why Lit Mags Are Important and How to Get Published in Them

With Lorrie Miller and Brigid MacAulay from Room magazine. Douglas College, New Westminster campus, Room 1808, 5:30  to 6:30 p.m., Mon., Oct. 24 (a free event)

Are you looking for an all-important home for your first piece, some inspiration for your next, or perhaps just a great read? Join members of the volunteer collective of Room magazine for a panel discussion on submitting to Canadian journals: why it’s good for writers, and for the writing community at large, how to find the right markets, how to structure a submission to maximize the chance of publication, and about Room magazine specifically and what we look for in a submission. We are also happy to answer any editing, publishing, or writing questions your members might have.

 

Room is Canada’s oldest literary journal by and about women. Members of the collective include professional editors, freelance writers, and published authors, all of whom have a lot of knowledge and insight about the publishing industry.

 

Oct. 12. Speaker Forum #2 on Writing and Editing
ASSOCIATIONS 101: Editing, Writing, and Technical Communication

An introduction to three associations for professional communicators, with association executive leaders Pam Drucker, Peter Moskos, and Heidi Turner. Douglas College, New Westminster campus, Room 1808, 4:30  to 6 p.m., Wed., Oct. 12, 2011. (a free event)

PAM DRUCKER is chapter president of  STC Canada West Coast. Encouraged by her editing instructor, Pam joined STC Boston over 20 years ago. She was lead judge in the regional competition and volunteered her competition expertise when she moved to Vancouver. She has been an international judge and claims that all her paid work has come through STC connections. Pam muses about being a technical writer in ShorterDocuments.com.

PETER MOSKOS is an independent publishing professional and former managing partner of the Gordon Group, one of Ottawa’s largest full-service communication companies. An experienced editor, Peter has taught many workshops in plain language for government and corporate clients. He also taught professional readiness in Print Futures: Professional Writing. Peter enjoys singing, Editors’ Blend Tea, and travel. Peter is currently chair of the BC branch of the Editors’ Association of Canada.

HEIDI TURNER is regional director and Vancouver membership coordinator for the Professional Writers Association of Canada.  Since she graduated from Print Futures in 2006, Heidi has worked full-time as a freelance writer. She maintains the blog Vancouver Writing Jobs and is an advocate for ensuring writers’ rights are protected. You can read more about Heidi on her website.

Sept. 26. Speaker Forum #1 on Writing and Editing
ASSOCIATIONS 101: Public Relations and Business Communication

An introduction to two associations for professional communicators, with association executive leaders Karin Basaraba and  John Kageorge. Douglas College, New Westminster campus, Room 1808, 5 to 6 p.m., Mon., Sept. 26, 2011. (a free event)

KARIN BASARABA is a senior communications specialist with the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) where she provides communications planning, measurement, and advice to designated business areas. Her specialties include social media strategy, crisis communications, and issues management. She has won several IABC awards, including a Gold Quill Award of Excellence for her work on the ICBC Twitter account. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys planning her latest trip abroad, wine tasting, or cooking for friends. Karin is vice-president of the BC chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.
 
JOHN KAGEORGE (principal, Vital Communications) is a lead consultant for companies and organizations in the tech, health, and tourism sectors in the United States and Canada. He has been recognized for his work with a high profile fatal aircraft incident, the Dalai Lama visit to Canada, and a culture-changing, profile-raising program a global engineering company. John studied Public Communication at the American University in Washington, D.C. Many evenings John can be found beachcombing with his family at his home overlooking the Canada-US Peace Arch monument. John is the membership chair of  the Canadian Public Relations Society – Vancouver.