IABC/BC is delighted to announce this year’s recipients of the IABC/BC Gift of Communication program. The program pairs selected non-profits with teams of IABC/BC members who volunteer to help solve the organizations’ communication issues.
The Gift of Communications project for 2015 will be based on “A Day of Giving” model where volunteers will work with charities for one day to develop executable strategies and tangibles to respond to the organizations’ identified needs. A call for submissions to charities within Metro Vancouver was sent to non-profit agencies and organizations in January. A dozen charities responded with their proposals and the submissions were reviewed by Julia White, Director, Career Development and two program managers, Visnja Milidragovic and Danielle Wolff.
This year, projects span from the development of online communications, media kits, and sponsorship packages to PR plans and non-profit communications strategy. Due to the resounding number of applications received, we have expanded our Gift to include five charities this year:
Abbotsford Police Foundation, helping provide a wide range of much needed community policing and outreach assistance through partnerships that enhance public safety, foster professional development and fund unique initiatives to help ensure that Abbotsford remains one of the safest cities in BC.
Project scope: Media kit development for annual flagship fundraising event
Volunteers needed: copywriter, communications strategist, graphic designer
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, striving to meet the growing demand for professionally trained Guide Dogs and Autism Support Dogs for citizens of British Columbia and Alberta.
Project scope: Marketing and communications strategy
Volunteers needed: copywriter, communications strategist, social media strategist
Be the Change Earth Alliance, dedicated to global sustainability through education that empowers behaviour and systemic change.
Project scope: Content and communications audit and strategy development for eblast communications.
Volunteers needed: graphic designer, content strategist/copywriter
South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, a community services agency committed to strengthening communities and improving the quality of both community and family life.
Project scope: Sponsorship package for a caregivers/eldercare campaign.
Volunteers needed: graphic designer, copywriter
Pandora’s Collective Outreach Society, promoting literacy and self-expression in Metro Vancouver by providing a safe and inspiring environment for writers and readers of all ages.
Project scope: PR strategy for the organization.
Volunteers needed: media relations specialist (senior level)
Want to volunteer?
We are currently seeking volunteers for the above five projects. Volunteers will need to be available during May and June (projects are to be completed by end of June or earlier). Consider partnering up with a fellow IABC/BC colleague to help out one of the charities, or ask to be paired with two or three other members as part of a volunteer team.
Volunteers will work directly with the charity on a mutually agreed upon date(s).
If you are an IABC member (or would like to become a member) and are interested in participating in this short-term and impactful volunteer experience, please contact Julia White, Director, Career Development at careerdevelopment@iabc.bc.ca. Julia will be matching IABC/BC volunteers with the non-profit organizations and can also provide more information about the Gift of Communications program.
