News, events, tips and updates for members of the Editors’ Association of Canada
In this issue:
1. CONFERENCE: You only turn 30 once
2. ACTIVE VOICE: Writers wanted
3. PUBLICATIONS: Volunteers meeting—Meeting Editorial Standards and general
4. MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS: Meet and greet
5. MEMBER NEWS: Frances Peck embraces the power of plain language
6. ONLINE DIRECTORY OF EDITORS: Renew your ODE listing today
7. CONNECT WITH MEMBERS: Activate your Membership List profile
8. “RAISING THE STANDARD”: Plain Language Association InterNational (PLAIN) conference
1. CONFERENCE: You only turn 30 once
You may have turned 29 many, many times (we’ll never tell!), but EAC is proud to be 30, and we want you to be part of the celebration.
The 30th anniversary conference is just around the corner. If you’ve never been to the conference before, now’s your chance to participate in the biggest, friendliest gathering of editors in Canada. With record registration and an exciting roster of sessions and guests, “Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future: The 30th Anniversary Conference,” which runs from June 5 to 7 in downtown Toronto, promises to be fantastic. Registration closes on June 1 so don’t delay. Visit the conference website now to be part of the fun. In a year of celebration, don’t miss the biggest party going!
NEW! Make the most of your conference experience
Wondering how to get the most out of the 30th anniversary conference? Check out Krysia P. Lear’s tips for making the most of the conference. From scheduling sanely to networking with a purpose and wearing comfortable shoes, Krysia’s sound advice will ensure you’re prepared for a full weekend of conference fun.
Conference volunteers needed
Make your conference experience even more rewarding! What better way to be part of the excitement, not to mention network with ease? Taylor Exley, an editing and digital publishing student at George Brown College, is our volunteer coordinator. If you’re interested in helping out at the conference, contact her at tay.exley@gmail.com. (Note: You must be an EAC member to volunteer.) Taylor has a master’s degree in cinema studies from the University of Toronto, with a focus on Canadian First World War film propaganda. She hopes to eventually write a book about the subject but is currently devoted to becoming a production editor.
Photo credit: Sharon O’Brien
2. ACTIVE VOICE: Writers wanted
Wanted: A 700- to 1,400-word article about the pros and cons of online and in-person editing courses. The article is planned for the fall 2009 issue of Active Voice. Contact Wilf and Cheryl if you are interested in contributing to, researching and/or writing this article.
Deadline: June 15, 2009
Wanted: A 1,000- to 1,400-word article about the pros and cons of membership in EAC from an in-house editor’s perspective. You will need to source and interview three members of EAC who are in-house editors (assistance available, if required). The article is planned for the fall 2009 issue of Active Voice. Contact Wilf and Cheryl if you are interested in contributing to, researching and/or writing this article.
Deadline: June 15, 2009
Wanted: More of your 50- to 350-word recollections and reminiscences for the fall 2009 30th anniversary issue. If you were there at EAC’s beginning (or soon after), send us your recollections. If you helped set up one of our branches, tell us what you recall. If you have fond—or not-so-fond memories—of particular editing- or print-related technologies, send Wilf and Cheryl your stories.
Deadline: June 15, 2009
3. PUBLICATIONS: Volunteers meeting—Meeting Editorial Standards and general
Interested in being part of a dynamic team of nit-picking editors editing Editorial Standards for editors? Or in developing top-quality teaching support material for those wishing to become certified (editors, that is). Or simply wondering just how many times an editor can use the word editor in a sentence? Then the Publications Committee may be just the place for you. The Publications Committee will host an information session and recruitment drive during the EAC conference in Toronto. Saturday, June 6, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Peter Midgley
Chair, Publications Committee
4. MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS: Meet and greet
Do you wish more people knew about EAC and the great things we do? Would you like editors in Canada to have a higher profile in the communications and business sectors?
Yes? We’d love to meet you! The Marketing and Public Relations Committee is planning an hour-long informal meet and greet and committee information session during the 30th anniversary conference in Toronto on Saturday, June 6, over lunch.
If you have a background in marketing, design or PR—or just wish you had—and are interested in joining the committee, contact EAC communications manager Michelle Ou for more details.
5. MEMBER NEWS: Frances Peck embraces the power of plain language
Frances Peck, long-time EAC member and chair of the Professional Standards Committee, was featured in an April 17 cover story in the New Westminster News Leader. Find out more about Frances’s war against convoluted language.
6. ONLINE DIRECTORY OF EDITORS: Renew your listing today
Don’t lose your listing in the Online Directory of Editors (ODE)! All listings are up for renewal on June 30, 2009. Public access to ODE listings that have not been paid for by July 1 will be turned off on July 6. Visit the Your online directory listing page in the Members’ Area to renew your listing today.
On May 1, all members were emailed detailed instructions to renew or purchase an ODE listing. If you did not receive your email instructions, if you’re unsure of your membership renewal date or if you need help accessing your Online Profile account, please contact Lianne Zwarenstein.
7. CONNECT WITH MEMBERS: Activate your Membership List profile today
EAC’s new Membership List is here! Have you activated your Membership List profile yet? Don’t delay! Activate your profile to start connecting with your fellow members today.
Visit the Membership List FAQ for step-by-step activation instructions.
Remember, the Membership List is an opt-in service for EAC members. There is no cost for members to search or be included in the Membership List. The Membership List is only accessible to EAC members, not to the public.
8. RAISING THE STANDARD: Plain Language Association InterNational (PLAIN) conference
Sydney, Australia, October 15–17, 2009
Hosted by the Plain English Foundation
The Plain English Foundation (Australia) is excited to host the 2009 PLAIN international conference with “Raising the Standard!” as its theme. The conference opens with industry seminars on October 15 and runs from October 16 to 17. PLAIN members will hold their annual meeting on October 18.
PLAIN is a growing non-profit organization of plain-language advocates, professionals and organizations. Its biannual conference is the biggest gathering of plain language practitioners in the world. PLAIN members get a discount on conference registration. (www.plainlanguagenetwork.org)
Call for papers
The Plain English Foundation invites academics, industry professionals and communication practitioners to submit a proposal reflecting the conference theme, “Raising the standard!” Sessions include industry seminars, practical workshops and plenaries on major developments in plain language and communications. The PLAIN conference website has more on the program and the types of sessions.
Proposal deadline is May 29, 2009
How to submit your proposal
1. Download the proposal form.
2. Email it to PLAIN2009@plainenglishfoundation.com.
The EAC national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.