A Welcome Message from Sandra, IABC Ottawa’s President
Welcome back!
It’s exciting to be starting our 2024-2025 IABC season!
This fall is bringing with it a period of significant transition in Ottawa. Just as we are awash in changing colours and fresh starts, we’re surrounded by reminders of the essential need for communicators in our organizations and in our community.
Many of our government colleagues are moving into a new working model. This is the perfect time to flex our change management skills and internal communications strategies.
Tension in the political space is building by the day. With elections on the horizon across the border and likely soon at home, we need to hold our teams to an ever-higher standard of clear, constructive messaging and vigilance against misinformation and disinformation.
The eruption and disruption of new tools like generative AI are changing the way we work and requiring more critical attention of content professionals. We are challenged by increasing learning curves and the growing need to champion communications as an essential business function.
What better time to lean on your colleagues and connections in the IABC network for learning, support, new ideas, and a friendly ear for shared challenges!
With this in mind, your IABC board members are hard at work building a 2024-2025 season of fun events and robust learning, new ways to grow your skills and careers, platforms to highlight your businesses, and opportunities to network and connect with others in the community.
Have you been thinking about how to take your career to the next level?
Consider taking CMP or SCMP certification through the Global Communication Certification Council. This season, we’ll be increasing support for members who are interested in these exams. I recently achieved my own SCMP. I found the studying process extremely valuable to reinforce my knowledge, and it has brought me a lot more confidence in my skills. I strongly recommend you consider it! Watch for more info later this year, or email our VP Career Development, Olya Klymenko, SCMP® with any specific questions.
Ready to start networking?
Come to our first event of the season on September 24! (6 p.m. Member Meetup at CRAFT Beer Market, Lansdowne)
We’ve also launched a new Slack channel just for IABC Ottawa members, and you are all invited to join us for exclusive chats and discussions. Email me if you have any trouble getting on the channel.
Don’t forget to watch our other social channels and our newsletters for regular updates throughout the season.
Want to get involved in IABC Ottawa behind the scenes?
We are looking for a new Board member for this season, as our President-Elect position has become vacant. Being President-Elect is a great opportunity to learn more about the chapter and IABC at large and to learn how to help guide the operations of our chapter. President-Elect is a three-year commitment, with a second year as President and a third year as Past President. If this interests you, please contact me to discuss!
We’re also looking for more amazing volunteers and we have lots of roles to fill this year, on every portfolio. Check out our volunteers page and submit your interest.
Are you looking to showcase your organization and its services to Ottawa comms professionals?
We have so many great ways to help you bring your business to the forefront of our members and the local community. You can submit a Jobline post to promote your open positions to our communications job seekers and get the best candidates for the job.
We are also opening up new IABC Ottawa sponsorship opportunities this year, bringing your branding, your people, and your messaging to our channels and member events. There are options ranging from one-time activities to full-year sponsorship. We would love to talk with you about the possibilities of partnering with us this year! Contact our Past President, Sherry Aske, to start the conversation.
There is so much more waiting for you this season; I can’t even begin to cover it all in this message!
Connect with me any time to share your thoughts, ideas or questions. I hope you join us as much as you can and help make this a vibrant and fulfilling year of growth and fun for us all!
Sandra Caya, SCMP®
IABC Ottawa President
