News, events, tips and updates for members of the Editors’ Association of Canada
Take advantage of us!
Here at EAC we often talk about the benefits of volunteering for the association. Actually, “talk” is a bit of an understatement. We’d shout it from the rooftops if we were more adept at climbing. That’s because volunteering is the backbone of this association and it’s probably one of the most beneficial things you can do for your association and your career.
Think about it. From providing leadership for the association to authoring essential books (some of which have been adopted as course texts by Canadian universities) and newsletters, developing EAC’s landmark certification program and organizing the annual conference, member volunteers are driving the association forward, helping editors develop professionally and enhancing the status of editing as a profession in Canada.
What’s more, member volunteers expand their networks by making valuable contacts. And they develop their own skills, enhancing their resumés and portfolios.
In this edition of the e-news update, we’ll explore some of the ways you can get involved to get ahead. Go on. Use us.
In this issue:
1. ACTIVE VOICE: We want to hear your voice
2. VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT: Committee members wanted
3. CERTIFICATION: Invigilators needed
4. GET INVOLVED: Contact a national committee chair
5. GET CERTIFIED: Last chance until 2014 to take the Proofreading and Structural Editing tests
6. MEMBER NEWS: A round of applause!
7. LOCAL WORKSHOPS: QAC and NST registration open
1. ACTIVE VOICE: We want to hear your voice
EAC’s bilingual national newsletter, Active Voice/Voix active, invites you to submit suggestions for stories that interest you, as well as pitches for any you might like to write. You can also join our roster of volunteer proofreaders and copy editors to help polish the newsletter. We welcome your contributions and feedback at active_voice@editors.ca / voix.active@reviseurs.ca.
2. VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT: Committee members wanted
Looking to hone your skills or develop new ones? Want to be an active member of EAC?
The volunteer management committee needs members! Volunteers keep EAC running and the volunteer management committee is looking to make sure that EAC volunteers get both training and recognition. The committee needs people who can help by
- compiling a database of volunteer positions across EAC;
- creating profiles of volunteers for the EAC website;
- drafting outlines for volunteer handbooks;
- communicating volunteer opportunities and initiatives to members via social media; or
- identifying potential methods for rewarding/recognizing EAC’s volunteers.
Volunteering is a great way to enhance your existing skills or develop new ones. If you’re interested in getting involved with the volunteer management committee please contact committee chair Lisa Goodlet at volunteer_management@editors.ca.
3. CERTIFICATION: Invigilators needed on November 17
Volunteers are needed to invigilate the 2012 certification tests.
| Date: | Saturday, November 17 |
| Time: | 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Proofreading) 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Structural Editing) |
| Locations: | Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax (Venues to be confirmed) |
Volunteers can invigilate one or both of the tests. We’re also recruiting back-up volunteers to be on call on November 17 in the event an invigilator is unavailable.
Invigilators are responsible for
- invigilating one test or both;
- candidate sign-in; and
- confirming candidates have brought only the permitted books and materials to the test.
EAC offers volunteers a $25 honorarium for each test invigilated ($50 for both tests).
If you’d like to volunteer, please respond to EAC’s certification program administrator, Sébastien Koch, at sebastien.koch@editors.ca and indicate which test(s) you’d like to invigilate.
4. GET INVOLVED: Contact a national committee chair
Itching to get involved, but not quite sure how? Visit EAC’s national committee chair page and find out about some of the work EAC is planning for the coming year. Thinking about volunteering at the association’s first conference in Halifax (Lord Nelson Hotel, June 7–9)? Contact the conference chairs. Have a knack for writing zingy copy that keeps people coming back for more? The marketing and public relations committee needs you!
If you’re not sure where to begin, think about your strengths, or areas in which you’d like to gain more skills. Then contact a committee chair to find the role that’s best suited to you.
5. CERTIFICATION: Last chance until 2014 to take the Proofreading and Structural Editing tests
Want to get noticed? Tell employers they’re hiring the best of the best. Make this the year you join the ranks of editors certified by EAC’s landmark certification program.
Registration is still open, but only until this Friday, October 26. These tests won’t be offered again until 2014 (the Copy Editing and Stylistic Editing tests will be offered in 2013).
The Proofreading and Structural Editing tests will take place on Saturday, November 17, in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.
Register today to see how EAC Certification can help your career.
6. MEMBER NEWS: A round of applause!
Toronto branch member Carolyn Bishop is pleased to announce the release of her book Meaningless Platter Dudes: Language Transformed on a Platter of Fun, published by Iguana Books. Described as a joyous exploration of fun with language, this book of puns is a must read for those who enjoy a light-hearted and intelligent play on words.
Francine Cloutier, QAC branch, defended her thesis, La rédaction-révision : une activité de communication guidée par le principe communicatif de pertinence, at Université Laval on October 7. Francine’s goals were to clarify and better structure the knowledge needed to practice and teach editing, to remove misperceptions about the field, to show that it is a valid subject of scientific research, and to lay the groundwork for further research in this area.
Toronto branch member Sharon A. Crawford reports that her debut collection of mystery short stories, Beyond the Tripping Point, published by Blue Denim Press, comes out in October 2012. The book will be launched on November 4 in Toronto. For more information, visit www.bluedenimpress.com, the author’s blog or Facebook.
Joan Dixon, Prairie Provinces branch, has co-edited (with Barb Howard) a book of essays and reflections by 14 writers. Entitled Embedded on the Home Front: Where Military and Civilian Lives Converge, this Heritage House book was launched on September 27 at the Military Museum in Calgary.
Dr. Peter J. Roccia, Prairie Provinces branch, recently delivered academic papers in Russia and Japan. His topic at the 2012 Global Studies Conference in Moscow was about the dynamics of transferring a comic book originally in left-to-right English to right-to-left Arabic.
Do you have a recent achievement? Let EAC help tell the world about it on EAC’s Member News page. If you have member news to share, contact member news coordinator, Marguerite Watson.
7. LOCAL WORKSHOPS: QAC and NST registration open
The Quebec/Atlantic Canada branch and Nova Scotia twig are pleased to announce that registration is now open for their fall 2012 workshops. Visit QAC’s professional development page to find out what’s being offered.
Wondering what’s available in your neck of the woods? Visit your branch or twig page to find out about seminars in your area.
The EAC national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.