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Application deadline: July 15, 2018. Elections BC is looking for an experienced communications professional for an exciting temporary opportunity to support readiness for and delivery of electoral events. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a planning and learning organization where teams collaborate and innovate to find the best possible solutions. Elections BC is an organization that values integrity, accountability and transparency, and strives to recognize individual ability and creativity. Check out this opportunity in our Career Bulletin here.

By Beth Atkinson, 2018 CPRS-VI Conference Grant Recipient The sound of laughter and applause were common sounds at Connexions 2018, this year’s Canadian Public Relation Society (CPRS) conference. The applause and standing ovations were not just for speakers, but for fellow public relations professionals who received awards for their contributions to the public relations community and CPRS. Connexions was my first CPRS conference. I am pretty sure I was one of - if not the - youngest and the most inexperienced person at the conference. I didn’t really know anyone, but everyone I met was welcoming and willing to share their background, advice and support with me. The opportunity to be in Charlottetown and to meet people from all over Canada gave me a better understanding of public relations in Canada and the future of the profession. As for the keynotes and workshop sessions, they represented a great balance of topics from privacy to content creation. The conference also allowed me to learn about emerging trends and best practices, which will be very useful to me as I finish my degree in Professional Communications at Royal Roads University and when I enter the workforce in the fall. The most useful part for me was that the fact that the majority of the speakers spoke about their experiences and had cases or incidences to draw on. The key takeaways were applicable and often came with a handout summarizing them or a template that I can use in the future. I learned so much at this conference and have already marked my calendar for next year’s conference in Edmonton, Evolving Expectations. Thank you to CPRS-VI and all those who helped make Connexions 2018 so memorable – this conference really made me feel #CPRSProud. More photos in the CPRS-VI FlickR album here. Beth Atkinson was the 2018 recipient of the CPRS-VI Conference Grant, which paid her way to the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) conference May 27-29 in Charlottetown, PEI. While at Connexions, Beth connected with hundreds of public relations pros from across Canada for high powered networking and to learn from a stellar combination of keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions and evening celebrations. "Well deserved, Beth," said CPRS-VI President Peggy Kulmala APR. "Your energy, initiative and commitment to grow and learn is impressive!"

Every month, we reserve a table or two at a local eatery, and offer you a chance to drop in and simply connect. We'll put out some appies for everyone to enjoy - you just buy your drinks! Great if you can RSVP so we have an idea of how many seats to reserve! This is your opportunity to connect and grow within Vancouver Island’s community of practice. When: Tuesday, June 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Where: Moxie's Bar and Grill Cost: Members and their guests - free!

Thank all those who helped make 2017/2018 a success: our volunteers, donors and sponsors as well as all the great employers who chose to list their career opportunities through CPRS-VI. For more information on these fantastic folks and organizations, check out our 2017/2018 Annual Report!

Application deadline: June 8, 2018 The Bay Centre is looking for a full-time Marketing Coordinator to join the Marketing team. Working with the Marketing Director, the Marketing Coordinator assists with delivering all facets of The Bay Centre's marketing program. This position is a full-time, 13-month contract that will commence July 2018 and continue until August 2019. Check out this opportunity in our Career Bulletin here.

Application deadline: May 23, 2018 Chemistry Consulting Group has been retained to search for a Manager of Communications & Marketing on behalf of Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA). This exciting position is responsible for developing and managing all communications, marketing and stakeholder relations strategies and initiatives to support the vision and mission of GVHA. Check out this opportunity in our Career Bulletin here.

Every month, we reserve a table or two at a local eatery, and offer you a chance to drop in and simply connect. We'll put out some appies for everyone to enjoy - you just buy your drinks! Great if you can RSVP so we have an idea of how many seats to reserve! This is your opportunity to connect and grow within Vancouver Island’s community of practice. When: Tuesday, May 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Where: Moxie's Bar and Grill Cost: Members and their guests - free!

On an unseasonably cold Thursday evening for February, I was honoured to be Master for Ceremony for the second annual CPRS-VI Public Relations Career Fair and Mingle. I watched with fascination as over 50 students from Camosun College, Royal Roads University and the University of Victoria filed in, eager to glean from the wealth of experience from the senior public relations practitioners in the room. Fun fact! Camosun College, a long-time active supporter of CPRS-VI, sponsored an entire class of Bachelor of Business Administration students. The event, held at Camosun's Interurban campus, aimed to help students succeed in today’s global environment, whether at home or abroad. As an immigrant myself, I realize how valuable these skills are to thrive in unfamiliar environments. I was happy to share my personal experience integrating into a new society. The students listened and thoughtfully engaged the expert panel: Brian Cant, Iris Mueller, Doug Brown and Sue Brown. Brian, a senior manager with an international public relations agency, spoke on the specific skill sets required to relate with international media clients and to forge lasting, mutually beneficial relationships in international partnerships. Iris, who first came to Victoria as an international student, shared stories about how she had to improve her competence and build new skills to integrate into the Canadian workforce. Doug, who worked with some of the biggest global communications firms, spoke on some of the similarities and differences in his experience working locally and internationally. Sue, an employment facilitator at Camosun College who specializes in helping students pursue international opportunities, spoke on the requirements and skills necessary to secure career opportunities with international employers. There were also insights and stories coming from the audience itself – from international students studying in Canada to domestic students who already had international work experience. From the panel and from the floor, the event provided considerable food for thought. The Career Fair and Mingle was also rich with opportunity, with Graham Curry APR, Jonathon Dyck APR, Michelle Harris APR and our president, Peggy Kulmala APR present to provide students opportunities to connect with employers. “The Career Fair provided an excellent opportunity for communications and marketing students to learn from and connect with senior practitioners,” said Michelle, the City of Victoria's Strategic Planning and Communications Advisor. “Networking is key to career development.” “It’s really rewarding to organize this annual event as it brings together senior communications professionals and junior practitioners,” said Marina Jaffey, event organizer and Camosun marketing instructor. “We had a great location for the event, thanks to the on-going relationship with the staff, students and faculty at Camosun College.” By Ruth Mojeed Special thanks to all event volunteers, including CPRS-VI member Elana Ilott, our photographer for the evening. Check out her photographs on FlickR here.

My time as a communication student at Royal Roads University has already taught me so much about what it means to be an effective communicator in today’s global landscape. I am constantly learning and evolving in my understanding of who I want to be as a professional communicator when I graduate this September. Through both my academic and work experience, I’ve begun to understand the key rule to communication. You must listen. Listen to your audience, and be aware of the context in which you are delivering a message. Listening before acting allows you to truly connect with others. My goal in public relations is to connect with people to create mutually-beneficial relationships. There are two significant parts of my life that led me to Royal Roads and Vancouver Island. One was studying in the public relations program at Algonquin College in Ottawa, O.N., and the other was my deep desire to live near the mountains and the ocean. I graduated college in Spring 2017, but the two years leading up to that moment inspired a thirst for knowledge that remains unquenchable. I am passionate about understanding how humans make meaning through communication. It is that need for understanding that I believe will allow me to connect with audiences and deliver messages effectively with clear intent and purpose. While studying at Algonquin, I heard about Royal Roads’ Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication program, and I immediately laid out a plan to make my way to Canada’s west coast. Since moving to Victoria, I have been able to connect with so many amazing individuals through Royal Roads and CPRS-VI. My peers, colleagues, and ever-growing network continue to inspire me to strive for more. It’s an exciting time to be a communicator, given the huge strides in technology and the level of connectivity we now have through social media. As a public relations professional, I am passionate about understanding all the tools that are available for communicators and how they can help connect people on both a local and international level. I feel extremely fortunate and grateful to have received the Denis Racine Student Bursary for the 2018 academic year. I am also thankful to the CPRS-VI, whose members have made me feel so welcome here in Victoria. On February 22, 2018, CPRS-VI announced Chelsea Rutherford, CPRS-VI student member and Royal Roads University communications student, the successful applicant of the 2018 Denis Racine Bursary. I look forward to connecting with more inspiring, creative individuals at events this year. By Chelsea Rutherford