March 2019: A message from Wellington President, Chris Dutton
|
IABC was a way for me to connect with communications experts in Wellington after returning to New Zealand from the United States. |
I can't write this message without acknowledging last week’s tragic events in Christchurch. In a nation the size of ours, everyone is affected to one degree or another. Many of our members are working to support recovery efforts. We thank you for all that you are doing to help our communities heal.
The IABC Wellington board will use 2019 to focus on building better futures through communications. That means we will continue to deliver resources, events, and professional development courses that can help our members grow personally and professionally.
We will also lend our voices and skills to those who are challenging the status quo, supporting them, at times, to simply be heard. It's important for IABC Wellington to grow and develop, and better reflect the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand.
There are several major initiatives that will carry our chapter forward. The first is the introduction of the Global Communications Certification Council's (GCCC) Communications Management Professional (CMP) and Strategic Communications Management Professional (SCMP) certifications. We will engage employers and recruiters to help them understand the value of communications professionals who are able to meet a global standard in their work. We will have more information about the programme over the coming weeks, including information about a Wellington-based exam for the new credentials.
The second major initiative is related to building better futures within our community. It's important our chapter not become something only for those well-established in their careers. If there's one thing the tech sector has taught us, it's that there is a lot to be learned from those just starting out. To that end, we have taken the first steps to form an alliance between local non-profit Evolve and IABC Wellington. Evolve is a one-stop-shop that provides Wellington's youth with essential health services.
Our sponsor Isentia is helping to lead the charge on this effort.
If successful, our initiative with Isentia and Evolve will provide a platform for local university students to get real-world work experience by providing communications support to an organisation focused on improving the lives of Wellington's youth. IABC Wellington will provide professional expertise and oversight to ensure those students participating can develop their skills while making invaluable connections within Wellington's communications community.
If you're passionate about building a better future— whether it's your own by gaining certification, or the city's, through our work with Evolve— I encourage you to get in contact or come along to our next event on 28 March.
Sonya Williams, from Sharesies, will be with us on the 28th to speak about the company's disruption of the investment market and the work they have done to create a future where people have a positive relationship with money.
Our next event takes place during membership month, when you can save 10% on the price of your membership, and Sonya's message sounds like one worth sharing, so we are inviting each member to bring along a non-member for free! You can use the promo code Sharesies for your friend or colleague's free ticket when registering on Eventbrite. Free tickets are available on a capacity-limited first-come, first-served basis.
I look forward to seeing each of you over the coming year and, as always, I'd love to hear from you if you have any comments or suggestions for me or the board. You can reach me at [email protected]