Accreditation Completion Program (ACP) launched

Jennifer Wah, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow, conceived the idea and planned and implemented the first ever Accreditation Completion Program (ACP) in the BC chapter for the previous IABC International Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) program. Having gone through the accreditation process on her own, Jennifer identified that some members were having difficulty prepping for the very intimidating and comprehensive accreditation exam. She spearheaded this vanguard program, which led to BC growing from 13 ABCs to 80 in 10 years, one of the highest per chapter in the IABC world. The program helped guide applicants through the entire process from application to the written and oral exams, and required hundreds of hours of time on her part, including recruiting other accredited members to provide lectures on specific topics and to proctor exams. The program started by Jennifer became the international standard and remained in place, yearly, until the new certification program was launched.

Master Communicator Honour for Ron Shewchuk, ABC, MC

Ron Shewchuk, ABC, MC, had a 30-year track record of delivering positive results. Ron served in senior positions in corporate public relations, employee communications, marketing, and PR consulting. Ron’s handbook, Writing and Editing the Internal Publication: Delivering Employee Communications with Impact, Integrity and Style, was published by the IABC Knowledge Bank.

Tudor Williams, ABC, MC named IABC Fellow

Long-time member Tudor Williams, ABC, already honoured as a Master Communicator in Canada, was named an IABC Fellow in 2004 by IABC International.

The BC chapter hosted the 2000 IABC International Conference

Hundreds of volunteers came together to deliver outstanding hospitality excellence at the time, breaking records and setting high standards for future events. • Developed first-ever conference website that led to a new record for full conference registration. • 230 volunteers who worked ~690 hours. • All-time high cash sponsorships. • Welcoming reception that featured a community arts group, the Jazz Festival, and a local film company. • A revitalized Dine-Around that featured a first-ever publication of restaurant choices, 90 Dine-Around hosts and transportation arranged for guests • Two locally-produced sessions that drew rave reviews for their lively and interactive ways of presenting crisis communication and the IABC code of ethics Pictured here from left to right, Tudor Williams, Ryan Williams, Brian Mitchell, Elise Roaf, Peter Roaf, Gary Carr, John Almond, Laurie Dawkins, Gail Pickard.

The Art of Communication

The printed materials for the 2000 International Conference Hospitality Committee featured a colourful hand. Gail Pickard, ABC, said: "I was the co-chair of Sponsorship with John Almond. The committee had decided on the theme “The Art of Communication” and wanted a way to demonstrate that our art is part of who we are, even at a very young age. At the time my second child was less than a year old, so we dipped her hands, and my three-year-old son’s hands, in paint and then our designer added more colour to create the dynamic template for our materials!"

Finding "your peeps"

President Eduarda Hodgins, ABC (pictured top left) said IABC/BC meant she was happy in her ‘adopted home’. “When I left Toronto, all my friends kept saying ‘there are no jobs out there, it’s a hinterland, it’s horrible – you’ll end up being a pickle queen at McDonalds!’. So when I came out west and went to the first IABC/BC event, it was a turning point. I found ‘my peeps’, I found my posse, I found my profession – I found it all. And it grew from there.”

IABC Newsletter - Ragged Right

Ragged Right continued to be printed and sent to members in the new millennium.

Impressive volunteers

Laurie Dawkins (pictured bottom, centre) reflects on putting the volunteer team together for the 2000 conference: "It was my first big volunteer gig. We had a meeting. Everybody is putting on the table all their volunteer needs. We were really starting to panic, that's more volunteers than we have members. What are we going to do? We ended up reaching out to do some creative modelling of how we could get people to help - what can we give people in exchange? And then being completely overwhelmed in a good way when we managed to get over 200 volunteers. And it being such an amazing vibe with so many people involved. It was wonderful seeing the power of that community and what people were willing to give."

Internal, External portfolios merge

During this chapter year, the previously separate chapter committees of Internal and External Communications were combined to ensure all messages sent to members and non-members were consistent and accurate. Pictured here, from left to right, are Fred Morley, Lori Last, Meagan Olsen, Amanda Baggett, Raeann Co, Melanie Tiefenbach, and (seated) Harold Simons.

Communicator of the Year

Philip Hassen, President and CEO, Providence Health Care, was the Communicator of the Year. He said that building one community of staff, leaders and physicians from the merger of eight health care facilities was his mandate, and he made communications an essential accountability for all leaders.

GST established

The Goods and Services Tax was launched, and IABC/BC added the tax as required.

Accreditation Completion Program (ACP) launched

Jennifer Wah, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow, conceived the idea and planned and implemented the first ever Accreditation Completion Program (ACP) in the BC chapter for the previous IABC International Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) program. Having gone through the accreditation process on her own, Jennifer identified that some members were having difficulty prepping for the very intimidating and comprehensive accreditation exam. She spearheaded this vanguard program, which led to BC growing from 13 ABCs to 80 in 10 years, one of the highest per chapter in the IABC world. The program helped guide applicants through the entire process from application to the written and oral exams, and required hundreds of hours of time on her part, including recruiting other accredited members to provide lectures on specific topics and to proctor exams. The program started by Jennifer became the international standard and remained in place, yearly, until the new certification program was launched.

Safe travels to a friend

Dr. DeNel Sedo, a longtime IABC/BC member, left Vancouver to pursue an academic career on the East Coast. She is pictured here with Karen Lee, ABC.

Silver Leaf Awards coordinated locally

IABC/BC took on the organization of the national Silver Leaf Awards program, with Erin Driscoll, ABC and Clay Adams, ABC, co-coordinating.

A new era for Ragged Right

The chapter was searching for a sponsor to pay for the cost of mailing the Ragged Right newsletter to members. Ruthless Editorial Services designed the newsletter, and Benwell Atkins printed it. Ruth Raymond, ABC, received the President’s Award for volunteer of the year.

Master Communicator honour for Ron Shewchuk, ABC, MC

Ron Shewchuk, ABC, MC, had a 30-year track record of delivering positive results. Ron served in senior positions in corporate public relations, employee communications, marketing, and PR consulting. Ron’s handbook, Writing and Editing the Internal Publication: Delivering Employee Communications with Impact, Integrity and Style, was published by the IABC Knowledge Bank.

Pencil case and calculator

President Erika Wah didn't go far without her IABC/BC pencil case and calculator.

Harold Simons, ABC was chapter president

Harold Simons, centre, is shown here with long-time member Spencer MacGillivray (left) and Paul Mlodzik.

Tudor Williams, ABC, MC, named IABC Fellow

Long-time member Tudor Williams, ABC, already honoured as a Master Communicator in Canada, was named an IABC Fellow by IABC International.

Laurie Dawkins reflects

Laurie Dawkins, ABC, MC (pictured) reflected on her time as president. “We live in a time and place where few people have a true sense of ‘community,’ but that’s what IABC has been to me – it’s my community. It’s a group of people who have wrapped their arms around me personally and professionally, prodding me over more than 20 years to be brave and take on more than I ever thought possible, be it volunteer roles or career opportunities. And in the moments where I doubted myself and felt that maybe it was all too much, these people were the first to buy me a drink and say ‘you got this!’”

Chapter celebrates 25th anniversary

The BC chapter celebrated its 25th anniversary with special celebrations at the annual awards event.

Communicator of the Year

Dave Mowatt, CEO, Vancity Credit Union, was awarded the Communicator of the Year.

IABC World Conference in Vancouver

The 2006 IABC World Conference was hosted in Vancouver and led by a Hospitality Committee consisting of: • Laurie Dawkins • Gary Carr • Jennifer Wah • Jennifer Hamilton • Charlene Chiang • Viviana Zanocco • Erika Wah • Megan Verchere

Bring the family

Laurie Dawkins, who had been pregnant during her presidency at IABC/BC, brought her infant son Benjamin along with her to the 2006 conference. "I was past president and chair of the international conference hospitality task force and helping my then 16-month son, Benjamin, mark the occasion!"

Maureen Healey, ABC - reflection

One of Maureen Healey's proudest moments was earning a one-of-kind badge. "I was president of the chapter and was lucky enough to have Laurie Dawkins, ABC, MC, as past president. She was also willing to chair the World Conference (just called International Conference back then) and be the liaison on behalf of the chapter board. She was kind enough to make me this IABC Geek badge as a thank you gift when I wrapped up my term. It was so appropriate as I often used my Girl Guide badges poncho as a metaphor for all the 'badges' I'd similarly earned as an IABC member and volunteer over the years."

The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication was published this year.

Chris Freimond, ABC, Chapter President

Vancouver snowstorm

On Dec. 24, 2008, Vancouver was hit with a record snowfall of 26.9cm in one day. Communicators were among the thousands of people living on the West Coast who enjoyed a rare white Christmas.

Dare to Lead Conference

The eight ballplayers having some fun after day one of the 2009 Dare to Lead conference in Saskatoon. Dare to Lead is an annual conference where best practices and learnings are shared to support incoming Canadian chapter and regional board leaders.

Jennifer Wah is given her Master Communicator honour

Jennifer Wah, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow, operates an independent consulting company that focuses on “ideas, plans, words, results.” She founded the company in 1995 and has built it up to be one of the leading communications consultancies in British Columbia.