News, events, tips and updates for members of the Editors’ Association of Canada
In this issue:
1. CONFERENCE 2014: A sneak peek at the speaker lineup
2. EAC GOVERNANCE CHANGES: Final call for feedback
3. TWIGS: National executive council votes to dissolve PEG
4. PRESIDENT’S AWARD: Recognizing EAC’s stellar volunteers
5. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Carolyne Roy
6. GET INVOLVED: Volunteer opportunities to boost your resumé
7. MEMBER NEWS: Tell the world about your achievements
1. CONFERENCE 2014: A sneak peek at the speaker lineup
The 2014 conference committee is excited to present the first round of speakers for Tracking Change: e-Merging Methods and Markets! Check out the list of sessions and speakers on the conference website. More speakers and the full schedule will be added soon.
Registration is now open, with early-bird registration discounts in effect until April 11. Register now for big savings!
This year’s conference will take place from June 6 to 8, at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, located at 209 Victoria Street in downtown Toronto.
Follow the conference’s social media channels for news and updates about this year’s event:
- Blog
- Facebook: Editors Association of Canada / Association canadienne des réviseurs
- Twitter: @eacconference and @eac_acr
We look forward to seeing you in Toronto!
2. EAC GOVERNANCE CHANGES: Final call for feedback
At the annual general meeting in June, EAC members will be asked to approve revised bylaws that have been drafted in response to new federal government requirements. The new bylaws and associated policies involve changes to EAC’s membership categories, to the structure and election processes of the national executive council, and to the way branches relate to the national organization.
EAC’s governance task force has been reaching out to members over the last few months to explain the changes and collect feedback. If you haven’t yet had your say, now is the time! Please review the materials on the EAC governance web page. You’ll need to log in to view the page. If you have questions or comments on the materials, please send them to governance@editors.ca by March 31.
3. TWIGS: National executive council votes to dissolve PEG
In February the national executive council voted to dissolve EAC’s Peterborough twig (PEG). The twig had requested dissolution due to a lack of interest in and a shortage of volunteers to organize local events. The national executive council thanks PEG coordinator Jane Davidson and the twig membership for their hard work supporting development and engagement in Peterborough, Ontario.
For more information about EAC activity in your region, visit the branches and twigs page. For information about starting an EAC twig, visit the twig resource page.
4. PRESIDENT’S AWARD: Recognizing EAC’s stellar volunteers
EAC accomplishes amazing results, thanks in large part to our dedicated volunteers. Among other things, we publish standards and books on editing, administer a professional certification program and host an annual conference. From chairing committees to staffing registration desks, our volunteers keep things running from start to finish.
The EAC President’s Award for Volunteer Service is one way we thank our volunteers for keeping this organization functioning. We’re really proud that volunteers help run this association—many of the services we provide exist because our volunteers pitch in to do the work.
We’re now accepting nominations for the President’s Award. From the nominations received, one outstanding volunteer will receive the Lee d’Anjou Volunteer of the Year Award.
Any member of the association can be nominated for the award. To nominate someone for the President’s Award, send a letter (100 to 300 words—short is good) describing the candidate’s volunteer service. The letter must be signed by at least three EAC members. For complete guidelines, please visit the President’s Award page.
The deadline for nominations is April 11, 2014.
Send nominations to
EAC President’s Award for Volunteer Service
505–27 Carlton St.
Toronto, ON M5B 1L2
Fax: 416 975-1637
Email: presidents_office@editors.ca (subject line: Nomination, EAC President’s Award for Volunteer Service)
5. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Carolyne Roy
A member of the Quebec/Atlantic Canada branch since 2001, Carolyne Roy is currently French managing editor of EAC’s national magazine, Active Voice.
Carolyne’s involvement with Active Voice began in September 2011, when, inspired to refresh the magazine, she became a member of the editorial advisory board. When Carolyne was offered the opportunity to become French managing editor in June 2012, she at first refused. She didn’t feel quite ready, and thought she still had much to learn. Eventually convinced, Carolyne climbed aboard “to continue to learn along the way.”
In addition to her work for Active Voice, Carolyne has served as volunteer coordinator for the 2010 EAC conference in Montreal, and as director of francophone affairs for 2010–11. Outside of EAC, Carolyne volunteers at her children’s school, and regularly presents sessions to language students at the Cégep Édouard-Montpetit in Longueuil.
Carolyne’s desire to learn motivates her volunteer work. “From taking down names to facilitating a meeting, volunteering instills something new in you: a learning experience, a new skill, more confidence; you become knowledgeable and wow, that’s powerful. The confidence you gain from every experience will show at your next job interview. And that, just that, is worth millions!”
The Volunteer of the Month is a new feature designed to highlight the dedicated people who keep EAC going. Volunteers are the heart of EAC, a member-run organization. We are grateful for the many volunteers who answer the call when help is needed. Visit the Members’ Area for more information about volunteering for EAC.
6. GET INVOLVED: Volunteer opportunities to boost your resumé
Volunteering is the backbone of EAC and it’s one of the most beneficial things you can do for your career. That’s why volunteering with EAC is restricted to members and is considered a benefit of membership. Here are just some of the ways you can benefit from volunteering.
- Volunteering will help you develop skills that can contribute to your career. Some of the skills that volunteering can give you or help you improve are editing, writing, communications, interpersonal skills, leadership skills and organizational abilities.
- Volunteering is a great way to network and may provide you with opportunities to expand your career options.
- If you work from home, volunteering can provide you with much needed social time and allow you to learn from others.
Here are some of the volunteer opportunities that are now available.
Editing Canadian English (3rd edition)
The publications committee is seeking a few volunteer contributors to Editing Canadian English, which will be published this fall.
- Picture this
Are you an experienced editor of visuals? Would you like to share your expertise with others? - Making the news
Are you an experienced editor of newspapers? What’s the scoop in this area of editing?
For more information about contributing to Editing Canadian English, contact the committee chairs, Anne Louise Mahoney and Lynn Wilson.
Member services committee
Do you want to get more out of your membership? Do you want improved member services? Do you want to have a say in the types of services EAC offers its members?
The member services committee is looking for volunteers! We’re looking for people to help with the following activities.
- Research new opportunities for services we can offer our members.
- Write copy about new and existing services for emails and the web.
- Promote existing services to members, including by engaging through social media.
Ideal candidates possess some of the following qualifications.
- Research and/or writing skills
- Understanding of social media
- Communications background
- Knowledge of EAC member services
- Marketing/public relations skills
But, most importantly, you should be creative, curious and interested in expanding your horizons.
If you are interested in volunteering with the member services committee, please email committee chair Suzanne Purkis.
7. MEMBER NEWS: Tell the world about your achievements
EAC Member News is where we share information about EACers who win awards, publish books and make their mark on the communications world in other important ways.
Do you have a recent achievement? Let EAC tell the world about it on EAC’s Member News page. If you have member news to share, drop our member news coordinator a line.
The EAC national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.