Melinda Miller begins UN post

One of our fantastic undergraduates, Melinda Miller, is set to begin an internship with the UN on Monday. She's already in Vienna as an exchange student and is just the sort who couldn't be satisfied with only that one experience. (Just teasing, Melinda. I'm very proud of you!)

Melinda will work with them between 1 March - 30 April 2007 in the Advocacy Section of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. There, she will be promoting the work of UNODC worldwide through information, education and public awareness campaigns. The unit also manages the organization's public website (www.unodc.org), produces the quarterly magazine Perspectives, produces the Annual Report and performs other public information-related tasks.

Way to go, Melinda!

Polling Website

Peter G, from the fabulous MSVU library, thought you might be interested in this website. It's a handy dandy resource:

http://www.ala.org/ACRLtemplate.cfm?Section=october06&Template=/ContentManagement/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=139426

VanGroovy Job Posting

Hello Lovelies, I'm sending this from my hotel room in Liverpool!

Company:
Apparent Networks
Vancouver, BC

Job Title:
Assistant Communications Coordinator

Job Description:
Merging into the fast lane, Apparent Networks has an exciting opprtunity within its marketing and communication team for someone who can hit the ground running. If you pride yourself on being a bit of a perfectionist, are not afraid to think outside the box, have tenacity and attention to detail and a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-dive-into-the-job attitude, then this is the position for you.

Responsibilities:
As Assistant Communications Coordinator, your responsibilities will include a variety of marketing activities:
Provide communications and support to the marketing team on a daily and project basis
Coordinate trade show planning and handle all logistical details, including registration, hotel bookings and budget coordination
Liaise with external vendors and negotiate prices and terms
Assist in writing and editing promotional material, newsletters and case studies
Research upcoming opportunities including awards, speaking engagements and conferences
Assist with direct marketing campaign tracking and development of marketing reports
Monitor inventory levels of promotional products
Update website and intranet
Support internal communications
Handle special projects and other related tasks as might be assigned from time to time

Qualifications:
University degree (preferably in a communications, marketing or business discipline)
A minimum of one year of similar experience is an asset
Working knowledge of Photoshop, Quark Xpress, and PageMaker are assets
Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, Power Point)
Excellent research, planning, organizational and multi-tasking skills
Ability to handle multiple planned and unplanned project tasks, roles and responsibilities
Experience working with one or more of the following would be a benefit:
HTML editing with Dreamweaver, Textpad or any other HTML editor
Website file uploading with Filezilla or any other FTP software
Customer/prospect/lead database management & reporting skills -specifically with Salesforce.com
Design software and skills: Knowledge of Photoshop for web image creation/editing and Illustrator or InDesign for print design (mainly for event ads)
Willingness to learn the above skills and programs

To Apply:
http://www.apparentnetworks.com/company/careers-assistantcommcoordinator.asp

or
Send your cover letter and resume to:
Armita Seyedalikhani
armitas@apparentnetworks.com

MSVU Library needs your feedback

Need a bit of good research karma? Take a few minutes to do a library survey.

You are invited to participate in a comprehensive survey of library service quality at MSVU. The survey, known as LibQUAL+T, assesses satisfaction with collections, services, access and space at participating academic libraries throughout the world. To ensure the broadest range of opinion, I hope you will choose to respond. It takes an average of 13 minutes to complete the web-based survey.



To participate in the web-based survey, click on:
http://survey.libqual.org/index.cfm?ID=430834


To complete the survey in French, click on:
http://survey.libqual.org/index.cfm?ID=367481


Confidentiality:

If you participate in the survey, your responses will be held in strictest confidence. No identifying links between responses and the individual responding will be retained. Combined data only will be reported.



For more information about the LibQUAL+ Survey including a comprehensive FAQ page with answers to questions about completing the survey, click on: http://msvu.ca/library/survey.

Dal position

DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY

JOB DESCRIPTION


Position Title: Alumni Officer - Events

Department: Office of External Relations

Date Established:

Reports to: Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

Name of Incumbent:



Purpose of Position:

External Relations exists to support the strategic priorities of Dalhousie University. This is achieved by fostering an environment for alumni and friends that will encourage and enable them to volunteer for the University throughout all levels of the organization and to raise money to support Dalhousie's strategic initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, the Alumni Officer has an overall responsibility for the organization, planning and execution of a wide variety of programs that support a comprehensive Alumni and External Relations program.


Major Responsibilities:

Develop and deliver alumni programs that encourage and foster relationships with nearly 90,000 Dalhousie alumni.


Statement of Responsibility:

Event Management:

Estimated percent of time: 30%

Representative Duties:

Plan, organize and execute events that include dinners (for up to 500 people), receptions, donor recognition activities, golf tournaments, awards banquets, etc. Each year, alumni officers organize thirty to forty events. While some events are held in Halifax, most are held in cities across Canada, the United States and outside of North America.
Provide leadership and advice in planning events, including all components of special event management from room bookings, menu selection, contractual commitments, follow-up and appropriate thank you's post-event.
Secure event sponsorship and ticket revenue for various events.
Manage budgets pertaining to specific events. Total budget for event management is $120,000.
Manage data requests, refine lists for mailing and volunteers, and ensure updates are made on Banner.
Analysis (qualitative and quantitative) and evaluation of event demographics and attendance.
Work with Associate Director of Donor Relations on developing strategy and implementing it as it pertains to donor recognition events.


Volunteer Management Estimated percent of time: 15%

Representative Duties:

On behalf of External Relations, design and develop a volunteer management plan.
Engage alumni volunteers locally, nationally and internationally to work with and on behalf of Alumni Relations. As many as 50 volunteers are managed each year. This often includes very senior alumni who are in an position to be influential and generous.
This includes identification, recruitment, training, planning, managing, providing feedback, rewarding and referring good volunteers to other institutional leaders.
Examples of volunteer leadership include reunion leaders, chapter/regional leaders, student volunteers, etc., all of whom are significant community leaders.

Communications/Marketing: Estimated percent of time: 30%

Representative Duties:

Ensure success of revenue generating projects, including event ticket sales, event sponsorship, etc.
Develop and manage programs to generate revenue on behalf of the department.
Handle cash and credit card sales of approximately $100,000 over the course of a year.
Work with Dalhousie and external technical teams to develop videos and other audiovisual presentations. This includes everything from concept development, interviews, working with the camera team, editing, etc.

Research/Evaluation: Estimated percent of time: 25%

Representative Duties:

Design and conduct surveys to determine event success and identify means for continuous improvement.
Work closely with Annual Giving to determine the relationship between event participation and financial support of the university.
Research through networking with colleagues in other institutions, locally and throughout North America, to generate new ideas pertaining to event management and evaluation, communications, etc.
Research, analyze and manage new program development, including a new student and a new seniors program.


Freedom to Act

Acts autonomously and reports in a team environment. Consults with director and colleagues on various matters as appropriate. This would include any significant departures from the departmental strategy and brand new initiatives.

Effect of Error

Any errors could result in lost income to the faculty and/or institutions, missed opportunities, disenfranchised alumni and/or damage to the institution's reputation. Errors in communications, volunteer and event management can be detrimental to initiatives of other External Relations units, and the entire institution. Dealing with confidential and sensitive personal information, relating to alumni and donors requires absolute accuracy and confidentiality.


Contribution to Decision Making

Makes decisions daily that contributes to achieving results. Consults, strategizes and recommends changes to courses of actions.


Job Specifications

Education:

Undergraduate degree, preferably in Management or Public Relations.

Experience:

No less than five years experience.

Supplemental Study:

Knowledge of university policies and procedures, trends in alumni relations, fundraising, communications and marketing. This is achieved by taking formal courses related to university advancement, keeping abreast of best practices at leading Canadian institutions, etc.

Supervision Received:

Minimal

Contacts:

Internal: Colleagues, Directors, administrative staff within the university.
External: Alumni, friends and corporate representatives. Suppliers, including designers, photographers, printers, mailing houses, volunteers. Many of the contacts of the Alumni Officer interacts with are very influential people who give generously of their time and money. They also are in a position to influence others. These can include leaders of some of Canada's most significant companies and members of some of Nova Scotia's leading families. Recently, a senator and a member of the Irving family hosted events on behalf of Dalhousie. Alumni officers work closely with these individuals and must establish and maintain a professional image on behalf of the university.


The current annual

salary would be approximately $40,000.

The job description is attached. The position is open as of March 6,
2007. Anyone interested should contact Allison Himmelman
(allison.himmelman@dal.ca) and Mary Ann Daye
(maryann.daye@dal.ca) as soon as possible. Fax number 902-494-
1141.

Another posting from Good Work Canada

Position: Policy and Communications Coordinator
Organization: Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
http://www.ontario-sea.org

Date posted to GoodWorkCanada.ca: Feb 12, 2007
Application deadline: Feb 28, 2007
Start date: Apr 2, 2007
Location: Toronto ON, Canada

* The Ontario Sustainable Energy Association is seeking
to hire a full-time Policy and Communications
Co-ordinator position effective April 2, 2007 or
as close to this date as possible.
* We offer a dynamic and flexible work environment.
The position will require working at our office in Toronto,
with occasional evening and weekend work.

There are three primary objectives of this position:
1. Engage all of OSEA's members in meeting our
objectives (500 MW installed community power by
2012, a workable Standard Offer Contract Program and
Community Power Fund).
2. Engage all of OSEA's supporters and allies in meeting
our objectives.
3. Increase OSEA's supporting membership base (to 500
by 2012).

Job Responsibilities:

Managing OSEA's communications plan:
* Responsible for ensuring effective internal and
external communications to further the development
and goals of OSEA.

* Media Relations, including:
o Crafting and delivering press releases
o Arranging media interviews
o Developing media database

* Assisting with Policy development, including:
o Crafting and delivery of messages
o Writing briefing notes for political meetings

* Member Communications, including:
o Developing and implementing membership drive
o Creating materials, written and graphic, for member
communications
o Attending Board meetings and preparing official
minutes of meetings

* Fundraising Assistance, including:
o Assisting with the writing of proposals and reports
o Developing communications materials for
current/prospective funders

* Website management
o Leading ongoing revisions and upkeep of website
for design and optimizing communications goals

Specific Tasks Include:
1) Track and update member understanding and
involvement in our policy objectives.
2) Undertake a progress report update every four months.
3) Determine means and resources for supporting each full
member's involvement in the campaign (media tool kits --
OP Eds, Letters to the Editor, Minister briefing notes and
contact info, information for distribution to their members
etc.)
4) Determine means and resources necessary for enlisting
each associate member's involvement in our policy
objectives.
5) Co- Facilitate monthly member call in meeting.
6) Co-Facilitate monthly working groups (First Nations,
Capacity Building etc.).
7) Attend strategic meetings of members.
8) Co-Deliver up to 10 introductory Community Power
workshops per year aimed at: i) getting new members into
OSEA, ii) getting new allies for our policy objectives.
9) Respond to all "requests for information" and keep
detailed record of all RFIs related to policy.
10) Contribute to bi-annual Newsletter.
11) Complete policy related funding reports.
12) Develop new funding proposals specifically concerning
policy and community power education and outreach.
13) Co-ordinate all Policy related Committee meetings with
the ED.
14) Develop policy related communications for members,
allies, media, government officials, OSEA's website etc.
15) Develop additional strategies/resources for increasing
support for OSEA's policy objectives.

Qualified applicants should have:

* Educational background/degree in communications,
public policy or some relevant field.
* Minimum 3 years working experience in policy and/or
communications.
* Current and sound knowledge of renewable energy and
Ontario's energy sector.
* Familiarity with the community power sector and the
policies and programs required to support this sector.
* Minimum 3 years experience working to implement
public policy.
* Experience and skills in media relations.
* Government relations experience.
* Public speaking experience.
* Fundraising experience.
* Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
* Website development and management skills.
* Experience working in a not-for-profit organization,
experience with renewable energy, environmental issues,
co-operatives, community economic development, adult
education, community organizing are all assets
* Proficient computer skills: Powerpoint, Microsoft Office,
Adobe suite, Internet, web and other presentation and
electronic communications tools.
* The ability to work effectively independently and
collaboratively in a dynamic environment
* Commitment to environmental values
* A professional and friendly manner

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Deborah
Doncaster, by 5 PM, February 28, 2007. Please email to:
deb@ontario-sea.org . Please no phone calls. We appreciate
the interest of all applicants, but please be advised that only
short listed applicants will be contacted for interviews.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This message will also be posted at one or more of:
GoodWork Canada http://www.GoodWorkCanada.ca
Planet Volunteer http://www.PlanetVolunteer.net
The Calendar http://Planetfriendly.net/calendar/
Any changes or corrections will appear there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another Vancouver Posting - E-Comm

Sorry I have been so absent lately. Lots of posts waiting around in my head and in my inboxes, but no time to transfer them. Here's the first of many.

Communications Coordinator

An exciting opportunity exists for a communications coordinator at E-Comm, the emergency communications centre for southwest British Columbia.

E-Comm provides emergency communications services to emergency responders and residents of the GVRD, SCRD and Whistler through a 9-1-1 call centre, a state-of-the-art radio system and emergency dispatch operations.

We’re looking for a creative self-starter who loves working as part of a team but is comfortable with working independently as well. We work in a fast-paced environment and this position comes with a variety of responsibilities.

“Helping to Save Lives and Protect Property.” More than just words, this phrase serves as an important reminder of the magnitude of E-Comm’s purpose. For more information, visit www.ecomm.bc.ca

Reporting to the Director, Corporate Communications, the Communications Coordinator assists with the development and implementation of internal and external communications projects that support E-Comm employees and ensure the Corporation maintains a positive profile with its customers and the public.

The Coordinator must be able to take direction, but also work independently with limited supervision. The Coordinator is also expected to work well in team environments that often include senior management and key external stakeholders and customers. The Coordinator should be a creative self-starter with strong oral, written, interpersonal and customer service skills.
Nature and Scope

* Participates in the development of strategic communications projects and tactics.
* Creates publications, internal communications and promotional materials through a variety of desktop publishing applications; assists with the development of publication education materials; provides editorial services to E-Comm staff and managers including writing, editing and proofreading.
* Researches and writes articles and oversees production for various E-Comm publications, including quarterly internal and external newsletters, and the monthly business publication “E-News”; maintains up-to-date corporate communications vehicles such as corporate memos, staff question/suggestion box.
* Researches, collects and writes content for the E-Comm Intranet site; reviews, updates and re-writes material for the E-Comm Web site; acts as back-up for Intranet Web master.
* Coordinates production for corporate materials (print and multimedia) including consultation with external suppliers such as graphic designers, photographers, advertisers.
* Determines topical information for quarterly staff meetings; prepares presentation material and coordinates meeting details.
* Coordinates interviews, prepares background information, writes news releases and answers routine background questions from the media; prepares and makes public presentations on E-Comm and its services; conducts E-Comm tours for invited guests and dignitaries; participates in a media pager rotation program.
* Monitors and collects news coverage items about the Corporation and its related concerns; distributes news coverage items to various audiences
* Coordinates participation in external recognition programs; manages internal promotional items inventory (E-Wear).
* Organizes staff events; organizes and participate in community and other special events.
* Performs other clerical tasks as required (including compilation of presentation packages, media kits, distribution of external materials, typing, media filing).

Required Education and Experience

Grade 12 plus completion of a Diploma of Technology or Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in public relations, marketing/communications or journalism and a minimum of three years’ experience with communications projects or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* Knowledge of communications principles, practices, methods, materials and techniques and best practices.
* Knowledge of project management.
* Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques of graphic design, layout photography and editing.
* Knowledge of communications software, desktop publishing and information technology including information provision on the Internet.
* Superior written and oral communication skills
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of E-Comm stakeholders including staff and the public.
* Ability to take direction and work independently while balancing multiple priorities and deadlines
* Strong PC skills essential; desktop abilities (Photoshop, etc.)
* Must have excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal and presentation skills
* Must be a team player who is detail-oriented, self directed, responsible and dependable
* Proven ability to present a professional demeanor at all times during interaction with staff, clients and external contacts
* Ability to apply skills, values and attitudes that enhance the image and services provided by E-Comm with employees, management and external contacts.

Additional Requirements

* Excellent performance and attendance records
* Must obtain and maintain an RCMP Reliability Status (security clearance)
* Must be flexible in hours of work during week (start/finish times may vary from time to time to accommodate duties/special events
* Must successfully complete a 9 month probationary period

Additional Information:

Number of Vacancies
1

Hours of Work
40 hours per week
(Hours may vary occasionally to accommodate events)

Starting Salary
$48,506 to $57,138 annually

Employee Group
Union – CUPE, Local 873

Please submit your resume, quoting Competition No. C-77-07 by February 16, 2007 to E-Comm, Human Resources Department, 3301 East Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V5K 5J3 or email at human.resources@ecomm.bc.ca

We wish to thank all candidates in advance for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be acknowledged and will be required to present a portfolio of their work.