Sign up for our Email Newsletter

======================
Calgary Chapter Notes
======================

January 26, 2008

======================

Blah Blah Blah by Heather

======================

Hello Writers!

So how did the holiday season treat you? Are you ready for a “great 2008” or “great ‘08” or whatever assonance strikes your fancy?

I need to confess for a moment… I wrote alliteration instead of assonance and I had to go look it up. So, humour me for a moment so I can pretend that I’m not the only one who forgets these things:

Alliteration: Ten Tips for Tongue Tricks

Assonance: Great 2008, damn straight.

There are so many wonderful things going on in our world. Each day I sit here, amazed at the opportunities that are around us. I think you’ll agree when you see the incredible amount of job postings I’ve included below.

I hope that you enjoy this edition of our friendly little eNewsletter. Welcome to all new Calgary Chapter members (and the few prospective members I’ve also included in this mailing)! Please note that this eNewsletter now goes out to PWAC members ONLY. Please do not forward without permission.

Write on,

Heather Cook

======================
Resources

======================

Have you signed in and checked your Writer.ca profile? Recently there was an incident where a member’s profile was changed without his permission by someone unknown. I won’t go so far to say that it was “hacked” but someone got in and changed things… please check your profile.

Your log in information should have been sent to you by PWAC. If you do not have it, please head on over to www.pwac.ca or www.writers.ca and follow the directions to get your log in info.

Also, stop by the PWAC blog: http://www.pwac.ca/blog

======================
Around Cowtown

======================

Calgary PWAC has some great events planned!

This spring, in conjunction with the Writers Guild of Alberta, we’ll be hosting an *evening* workshop that focuses on intellectual property rights and copyright. We’ll discuss what’s new, what’s always been the same and what we can do to protect ourselves.

Also this spring we’ll be able to clean out the cobwebs with a full day ‘Unsticking’ workshop with Lyle Lactmuth. This will be offered at a reduced cost to PWAC members and we’ll be opening registration to the public after you’ve all had a chance to sign up. Limited seating!

What else is happening? Read on…

CALGARY JANUARY WGA EVENT

WRITING PROJECT GRANT WORKSHOP

Tuesday, January 29, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Music Room, Cantos Music Foundation, 134-11th Avenue SE, free

Jonathan Meakin, from the Alberta Foundation for the arts, will give a workshop on grant writing for writers.

Please RSVP by January 22, 2008 to Samantha at (403) 265-2226 or swarwick@writersguild.ab.ca.

======================

Jobs
======================

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – OUTDOOR WRITERS OF CANADA

The Outdoor Writers of Canada is seeking an Executive Director to handle the month-to-month affairs of the organization. Duties include the following:

· manage an office on behalf of the OWC;

· manage all OWC postal, electronic mail, and telephone communications;

· manage membership applications and annual membership renewals;

· update and maintain the membership directory;

· produce an annual operating budget in cooperation with the Treasurer;

· produce, edit and distribute the OWC newsletter;

· update and maintain the OWC website;

· obtain funding for OWC services and programs;

· assist with planning and organizing OWC functions and meetings, including the annual conference and board of directors meetings;

· provide support to members of the board of directors and chairs of committees in fulfilling their duties;

· maintain a list of resolutions passed by the OWC board and membership; and ensure implementation of those resolutions;

· act as a primary liaison with government, corporations and other non-government organizations;

· actively promote the goals and benefits of the OWC.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is self-motivated and has demonstrated organization and administration skills, abilities and experience working with not-for-profit organizations. He or she has knowledge and experience working with recent versions of Microsoft Office®, including Word®, Excel®, Access® and PowerPoint®. The candidate has experience with website programming and management and is comfortable doing business over the Internet as well as the telephone and in face-to-face meetings. She or he has good interpersonal skills, can work alone and in cooperation with others. Membership in the OWC is an asset but not a requirement.

Application

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your résumé of related experience together with a cover letter explaining how you would approach and handle the position to

Don Meredith, President

Outdoor Writers of Canada

Box 2, Site 1, RR #2

Duffield, Alberta

T0E 0N0

or e-mail the application (in PDF) to don@donmeredith.ca

The application must be received at the above address by Friday, February 22, 2008.

If you require further information, please contact Don at e-mail—don@donmeredith.ca or telephone—780-892-2870.

WRITERS GUILD OF ALBERTA POSTINGS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – WRITERS GUILD OF ALBERTA

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Category: Literary Arts

Website: www.writersguild.ab.ca

The Writers Guild of Alberta is seeking a creative and highly motivated Executive Director who will maintain the organization’s programs and services.

The Writers Guild of Alberta (WGA) is a provincial arts service organization that represents over 1000 established and emerging writers in Alberta. It provides programs, services and information to writers in all Alberta regions. Its mission is to support, encourage and promote writers and writing, to safeguard the freedom to write and to read, and to advocate for the well-being of writers.

SALARY:

This is a full-time position based in Edmonton, AB. Competitive ($45K - $60K)

salary and benefits offered based on the candidate’s experience.

Start Date: Feb 15 – March 15, 2008 (negotiable)

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Working on behalf of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides leadership and management in support of the vision, values, policies and objectives of the Writers Guild of Alberta (WGA). As the leader of the organization, the Executive Director works with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the organization’s strategic and operational plans. This includes managing all aspects of the operation of the WGA; directing and overseeing staff; overseeing significant grant applications and reporting, developing and maintaining partnerships with stakeholders. The Executive Director is responsible to the Board of Directors and reports to the President of the Board.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Managing the WGA’s financial affairs;

• Developing and implementing the WGA’s operational plan;

• Seeking and obtaining funding from all levels of government and other bodies including but not limited to foundations, community organizations, corporations and business groups;

• Community and Public relations;

• Membership development;

• Program and service delivery and standards;

• Personnel management; and

• General Administration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated multi-tasker with a degree in cultural affairs and/or arts management, and/or combination of relevant experience in not for profit management. They will possess excellent written and oral communications skills and knowledge of the literary community, fund-raising, and special event/conference planning and management. They will be skilled in the use of computers as research and communications tools, as well as have a proven track record of responsible fiscal management and advocacy. Other qualifications include:

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a complex organization, including excellent communication (written & verbal) skills;

• Demonstrated ability to operate strategically;

• Experience in working effectively with Boards and all levels of Government;

• Extensive knowledge and experience in proposal writing, program and project management;

• The ability to build, inspire and lead a talented team of staff;

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of community partners and groups;

• A passionate commitment to the literary arts;

• The capacity to build public support and profile for literary festivals & events;

• Presence and credibility to be an effective spokesperson for the organization; and

• Knowledge of issues as they relate to the literary arts community.

Experience in membership association management is highly desirable. Knowledge of computer programs such as Simply Accounting, Word, Excel, contact database, design publishing, and website management is recommended.

Please submit a cover letter, resume and three references in Word or PDF formats to:

Dymphny Dronyk, President

Writers Guild of Alberta

E-mail: dymphny@telus.net (preferred)

Or via regular post: c/o Dynamic Data

11306 102 B Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2Y2

Application Deadline: February 4, 2008

We thank all applicants who respond, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

YOUTHWRITE CAMP COORDINATOR

The Writers Guild of Alberta is seeking an experienced individual to coordinate its summer camp for kids who love to write. In consultation with the Executive Director of the WGA, the YouthWrite Coordinator is responsible for planning, scheduling and implementing two consecutive week-long high-quality camp experiences for youth aged 12-14 and 15-18.

YouthWrite, held each July at Kamp Kiwanis in Bragg Creek, Alberta, provides a nurturing environment where young people can find their creative voices working with words in courses on songwriting, playwriting, movement, drama, visual arts, prose, poetry, journalism, cartooning and more, all taught by professional authors and artists.

The YouthWrite Coordinator is responsible for direction, supervision and evaluation of instructional staff and camp supervisors, development of curriculum and extra-curricular camp activities, and for encouraging a joyful, safe camp atmosphere, with an emphasis on creative process.

The ideal candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree in education, recreation, social work or a related field, and have demonstrated leadership abilities and experience in recreational and/or educational programming for youth. Previous experience in a camp setting is an asset. Familiarity and understanding of the arts, particularly the literary arts, is an asset. A demonstrated aptitude for team building and a true passion for working with creative youth are requirements.

This is a contract position, with competitive remuneration. The YouthWrite Coordinator is required to reside on-site at Kamp Kiwanis in Bragg Creek for the duration of the camp, July 6-20, 2008 (all room and board is paid for). The YouthWrite Coordinator must be available for advance planning activities in March through June – hours vary depending on the nature of the planning activity, with some degree of flexibility to accommodate contractor’s work schedule if required.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a police background security check and, prior to the start of camp, have completed standard first aid and CPR training.

Submit resume and cover letter by February 22, 2008 to:

Executive Director

Writers Guild of Alberta

11759 Groat Road NW

Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6

Applications can also be e-mailed to kmulholland@writersguild.ab.ca

EDITOR– WestWord MAGAZINE

The Writers Guild of Alberta is seeking an experienced editor for its bi-monthly member magazine. WestWord is a key communication tool for the WGA, distributed to 1000+ writers across Alberta. Each issue contains articles of interest to writers, covering topics on the art and business of writing, the writing life, member and community news, and issues concerning writers.

The Editor of WestWord is responsible for overseeing editorial content for each issue, from theme to print. The Editor, in consultation with the WGA Executive Director, develops content themes for each issue, solicits contributors, oversees the production of lively, informative, relevant content, liaises with design contractors, writes an editorial column for each issue, and works within production timelines and budget.

Applicants should possess a journalism and/or literary background, production management experience, and experience at writing for and editing periodicals. A familiarity with Alberta’s literary community is an asset. The successful applicant may reside anywhere in Alberta; however, occasional travel to the WGA main office in Edmonton is required. This is a 12-month contract position with the possibility of renewal.

Interested applicants should submit a CV and samples of editorial and written work by February 8, 2008 to:

The Writers Guild of Alberta

Percy Page Centre

11759 Groat Road

Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6

attn: Executive Director

or email kmulholland@writersguild.ab.ca

WEB WRITER- DUCKS UNLIMITED

Experienced web writer needed for overhaul of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Western Boreal Program website. Check out our current site at borealforest.ca, and send us a one-pager on how you think your writing and experience can inject some much-needed pizzazz. Email your one-pager and resume to a_hoang@ducks.ca by January 31st.

JOBS FROM JEFFGAULIN.COM

Media Relations Specialist REF#: 9503-F

United Way of Calgary

http://www.jeffgaulin.com/jobs/JobDetails.asp?id=4858

Editorial Internship (6-months) REF#: 9439

CalgaryInc magazine

http://www.jeffgaulin.com/jobs/JobDetails.asp?id=4773

Senior Communications Advisor REF#: Assignment #1941

Enbridge

http://www.jeffgaulin.com/jobs/JobDetails.asp?id=4730

Western Editor REF#: 9389

Truck News