News, events, tips and updates from Editors Canada
In this issue:
1. PRESIDENT’S AWARD: Recognizing Editors Canada’s stellar volunteers
2. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Sara Scharf
3. ACTIVE VOICE: French story pitches wanted
4. CERTIFICATION: Making global connections
5. PARTNER DISCOUNTS: A new eTutorial and leadership conferences
6. MEMBER NEWS: Promote yourself
7. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
1. PRESIDENT’S AWARD: Recognizing Editors Canada’s stellar volunteers
The Editors’ Association of Canada (Editors Canada) does some pretty amazing things. From literally setting the standards for editing in Canada, to blazing the trail in our profession with Editors Canada certification and Programme d’agrément en révision linguistique – Réviseurs Canada (PARL), we accomplish so much. And it’s thanks in large part to our dedicated volunteers.
Among other things, we publish books, a blog, a magazine and newsletters on editing, and host an annual conference. From chairing committees to staffing registration desks, our volunteers keep things running from start to finish.
The Editors Canada President’s Award for Volunteer Service is one way we thank our volunteers for keeping this organization functioning. We’re really proud that volunteers drive 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 or affiliate of the association can be nominated for the award. To nominate someone for the President’s Award, send a letter (100 to 300 words) describing the candidate’s volunteer service. The letter must be signed by at least three Editors Canada members or affiliates (an acceptable substitute is an email with every nominating member copied on it). For complete guidelines, please visit the President’s Award page.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 8.
Send your nominations to president@editors.ca (subject line: Nomination: President’s Award for Volunteer Service), or mail or fax them to
Editors Canada
President’s Award for Volunteer Service
505–27 Carlton St.
Toronto, ON M5B 1L2
Fax: 416 975-1637
2. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Sara Scharf
Sara Scharf joined the Toronto branch (Editors Toronto) executive as treasurer in 2013, and she’s done much to organize the position and guide the team. By overseeing the budgets and financial records, Sara ensures that Editors Toronto remains financially viable so it can continue running high-quality seminars and programs for its members. Last summer, she conducted a member survey on the types of seminars they wanted. The survey had a high response rate and the branch has been using this feedback to design a targeted roster of seminars and programs for 2015–16.
Sara views her volunteer work with Editors Canada as rewarding. “Everyone else on the exec is motivated, creative and dedicated to making our branch run well,” she says. “It’s a pleasure to work with this kind of team.” In turn, Sara’s peers have taken note of her hard work, efficiency and good humour.
Sara currently works as a freelance editor and as a contract researcher at the University of Toronto. She’s been editing academic materials such as articles, grant applications and PhD theses for more than 20 years. She earned her PhD in the history and philosophy of science and technology, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in engineering.
The volunteer of the month highlights the dedicated people who keep Editors Canada going. Volunteers are the backbone of the association. We are grateful for the many members and affiliates who answer the call when help is needed. Visit the Members’ Area for more information about actively participating in the association.
3. ACTIVE VOICE: French story pitches wanted
We’re looking for French-language story pitches for the Spring 2016 issue of the association’s national magazine. Active Voice is produced annually in print and digital format, and is available to all members and affiliates of the association. It is also distributed at industry events across the country.
The theme of the next issue is “relationships.” If you have a story idea that would be of interest to francophone editors, please contact Fabiola Fouron by Tuesday, March 15.
4. CERTIFICATION: Making global connections
In the past year, opportunities to connect with editing programs around the world have grown by leaps and bounds. In 2016, Editors Canada plans to build on this momentum.
At the 2015 Editing Goes Global conference, the certification steering committee (CSC) participated in a networking session with representatives from the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (U.K.), the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (U.S.), and the Institute of Professional Editors (Australia).
“Although the four programs are quite different, there was a lot of common ground, and we agreed to keep the lines of communication open,” says CSC co-chair Jeanne McKane. “We’ve created a group on LinkedIn to share our ideas and experiences.”
Taking the conversation online
Since the conference, the discussion has moved to social media. Facebook groups like Certifications for Copyeditors and events like the certification Twitter chat (#EditorsChat) attract attention from around the globe.
International community
We’ve received requests over the last few years to administer our world-class tests in other countries. The CSC is open to this possibility, and computer-based testing (scheduled to begin in 2017) may make it feasible.
“As more groups become aware of certification, we’re pleased to be at the table and part of the discussion,” says McKane.
5. PARTNER DISCOUNTS: A new eTutorial and leadership conferences
We’ve been hard at work fostering relationships with other organizations and exploring potential partnerships that will benefit our members and affiliates. Events hosted by other organizations are great opportunities for Editors Canada members and affiliates to learn new skills while networking with leaders in business and other organizations—organizations that may need editors.
NEW! eTutorial: Canadian Copyright Law
February 26–March 18, 2016 (approximately 16 hours total)
Editors Canada member price: US$152.15 (regular price US$179)
CCL is a 16-lesson online course offered by copyrightlaws.com. It’s a primer and refresher on Canadian copyright law that includes information on recent amendments to the Canadian Copyright Act and June 2012 Supreme Court of Canada court decisions.
For more information about the course and to get the discount code, visit the Members’ Area of our website.
NEW! The Art of Leadership for Women (Calgary and Vancouver)
Editors Canada members and affiliates are invited to register for The Art of Leadership for Women conferences in Vancouver (Friday, April 1) and Calgary (Monday, April 4) at preferred rates.
The Art of Leadership for Women brings together a collection of five world-renowned bestselling authors, thought leaders and visionaries for a one-day conference focusing on helping leaders adapt to the rapidly changing business environment. More than 1,200 leaders are expected to attend each conference in Vancouver and Calgary.
Confirmed speakers for Vancouver and Calgary include Geena Davis (Academy Award Winner, and Founder and Chair of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media) and Diana Nyad (record-breaking endurance athlete and bestselling author of Find a Way). Six other speakers will round out the events, including Amy Cuddy (associate professor, Harvard Business School; author of Presence; and the second most viewed TED talk speaker, with over 30 million views) in Vancouver and Kirstine Stewart (bestselling author of Our Turn, and VP Media North America at Twitter Canada) in Calgary.
Members and student affiliates can register now to save up to $100 by using the discount code EC27. Visit the web pages below to learn more about the events and confirmed speakers, and to register.
The Art of Leadership for Women – Vancouver
The Art of Leadership for Women – Calgary
Want to know about other partner discounts and exclusive Editors Canada benefits? Visit our member services page.
6. MEMBER NEWS: Promote yourself
Do you have an achievement you’d like to share? Are you excited about a new project or opportunity that has come your way? We’d love to hear from you! Please send your stories to the member news coordinator. Each item will be posted on our website and will be included in the Editors Canada e-news updates.
7. NEC: Notes from your national executive council
Where did the past six months go? The national executive council is at the halfway mark of its term, which is a good opportunity to take stock of our progress and accomplishments since we told you about our plans for the year in the October e-news.
- The members-only Facebook group is growing! Jobs from the job board are posted there, along with other topics of interest to members.
- The four Twitter chats we’ve hosted have generated some great tips and chances to network. (Check out the Storify versions to read more.)
- We plan to offer four webinars this spring: three in English and one in French. We’ll announce these as soon as everything is in place.
- The revision of the Standard Freelance Editorial Agreement should be ready by this summer.
- We have had many volunteers step forward since September. Thank you for your generous gift of time and expertise!
- The student affiliates committee meets regularly and is preparing a brochure for students.
- The Karen Virag award committee plans to offer the inaugural award at our June conference.
- A group of experienced Canadian and international editors is working hard on the national mentoring program.
- We’re connecting with international associations of editors for partnerships and mutual learning.
- The 2016 member survey is nearly ready and will be conducted this spring.
- The new strategic plan is in draft form and will be sent to members in a few weeks for comments.
These first six months have been exciting. We’re looking forward to the next few months as the various projects are launched!
The national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.