My volunteer position at the Writer's Guild of Alberta is coming to a finish and I just wanted to say a couple of things about my experience and what I have learned over the semester.  Being a part of a non profit organization comes with many advantages and disadvantages.  Wages might not be the best part of the day but the feeling that comes with helping out an organization that really makes a difference might be.  All the people that I have encountered during my position at WGA were very well rounded and dedicate in providing services and organizing events.  They strive to go the extra mile. I have a basic idea of what it takes to run a non profit organization but I am sure there is probably more to it.

  On the other hand I found out some of the hardships that non profit organizations experience when it comes to attaining donations and funding for different events and operations.  Being in charge of doing research for the Isabel Miller Award for Young Writers was definitely a challenge. Even when it came to asking companies and organizations just for the steps for donation applications.  I found most of the information from the internet in addition to calling the companies and ask for the application steps via the phone.  A majority of the people I talked to were uncertain.  But assured me that if I gave them my number they would call me back as soon as possible.  I received a small fraction of calls back.  This is a primary example of the difficulty that comes with working for a non profit organization. You have to have plenty of patience, consistency, and determination to get results.  My placement coordinator always stayed positive.

  I also got to experience first hand some of the services the Writer's Guild provided for free.  For instance, when I attended the Marty Chan's "Business for Writing" seminar, as stated in a previous post.  I want to emphasize on the fact that I got to ask people their opinions about the Writer's Guild and how they have helped them.  All were positive.  At the end of the day, the good overshadow the bad.  This is probably a concept a lot of non profit organization acknowledge frequently.  I have lots of respect for non profit organizations and I hope the my volunteer position help the WGA because they definitely taught me something valuable.

  I appreciate being in the CSL program very much and my position was a good experience.  I really enjoyed all the different things I have learned in ALES 204.  The course provided me with essential tools that I can use  now, while in school and a lot of things that I can use in attaining a career or even in my career.

        (Splice Event Logo Retrieved Dec 7,   2011 from:      http://www.epl.ca/sites/default/files/images/Marketing/wir_splice5_320x230.jpg)

The last thing I am going to mention is the Splice event that the Writers Guild and the Edmonton Public Library are holding on December 8, 2011 at 7 sir winston churchill place at the edmonton public library basement.  This event i will be helping out with set up as well as taking names for people who registered for the event.  The event consists of a collaberation at different arts.  For instance someone will be reading a passage from a book while an artist draws what they think about thw passage.  Music will be collaberated as well with various forms of art.  If anyone is interested you can click here to register.  I can wait for the event and I hope you all have a wonderful Christams and a Happy New Year.

Hey just wait there!  Why don't you check out Wagma and her final experiencces at Info Link at the University of Alberta.

Business for Writing-WGA Update!

  Last Saturday I was invited by the Writers Guild to attend a "Business for Writing" seminar which was instructed by Albertan author and Writer in Residence, Marty Chan.  It was very interesting and useful for aspiring writers to who are trying to become published authors.  I helped Nick take names as well as introduce and talk about the Writers Guild.  I also conducted a survey on the quality of the seminar.  Being able to sit in a seminar that the WGA gives me insight on what kind of services are provided for members at the Writers Guild.  I got to learn about the tools and tips to self-publish, market, and sell your writings.  I also got to meet a bunch of people at the seminar and I took the opportunity to gain some knowledge about writing, as well as recognition of the Writers Guild among the writing population.  This seminar was free and available to everyone, WGA members or not, and increases a sense of community for writers.  If you would like more information on free writing seminars visit http://www.writersguild.ab.ca/

(Photo of pen and journal) Retrieved October 19, 2011 from: http://courseworkwritings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/cousework-writing-service.jpg)

Check Out My Poster!

  For one of our lab modules we were asked to put together a poster for our CSL placement.  I hope I did justice to the Writers Guild of Alberta because I believe they provide such a good service for those people who are aspiring to be writers.  They are so dedicated to help Albertan writers that I didn't want to disappoint them with my poster. 

  My basic concept for the poster is to give further insight as to what WGA can provide for writers.  So I listed membership services, benefits, and rates.  I feel if people read all the positive useful programs and services the Guild provides, they would be more persuaded to think about applying for membership.  A main goal of the Writers Guild is to start acquiring youth members, so I incorporated the future developments of the Isabel Miller award which is a tactic of the WGA to focus on youth and their future developments as writers.  And not to mention I am still in the process of doing funding research for the award and ceremony!    It also has contact information and social media feeds and pages.

Meet Cassandra!  She's a fellow classmate of mine in our D10 CSL lab. She is very passionate about conseravtion and she her CSL placement is at SUSTAIN SU at the University of Alberta.  Check out her poster here so she can tell you all about the fantastic name change for the organization!

Check out Ales lab students D1 and D2 did for their poster presentations here.  They're an intelligent bunch of students that are making a difference in social media.  GO ALES 204!

  Don't be shy everyone! Take a look and maybe leave a comment to tell me what you think.  I'm open to any criticism!

Pecha Kuna Baby!

  In our lab this week we we're asked to do a Pecha Kucha presentation with a partner on our placement in the CSL program.  Well what's a Pecha Kucha presentation you might ask?  A Pecha Kucha presentation is a power point presentation consisting of twenty slides that run in 20 second intervals.  Mainly having a picture per slide and talking about it for twenty seconds each.  So you'll have to explain your topic, be clear, and make it just about 6 minutes and 40 seconds.  My partner Tania were asked to make half of a Pecha Kucha presentation on the Alberta's Writers Guild. In ten slides we included basic information, up coming events, and projects we have been asked to do through out our placement. I think using pecha kucha is a very good means to focus on what to say and doesn't bore your audience.  We are suppose to be presenting in our next lab to show our classmates what's going on at the Writer's Guild.  Check out our Pecha Kucha power point below and maybe comment what you think!

Presentation1[1][1]

View more presentations from alheureu.

Pecha Kucha was invented by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham who are Tokyo based architects so that new designers can show case their work efficiently.  Many groups, companies, or organizations world wide have Pecha Kucha Nights, which included 8 to 14 presentations in one night where numerous people would present their research, idea, or company to a group of various people.  Pecha Kucha is even common among celebrities, mainly comedians.  A good presentation relies on the speaker's personality, connection to the audience, and substance of their ideas.  Want to make a Pecha Kucha presentation for yourself?  Check out this training video on how to make your own Pecha Kucha presentation.  It even has tips in the blog section of the video to enhance your own pecha kucha presentation.

Meet Arisha! She is another CSL placement student making a difference.  She's placed at Voices for Choices, an organization that supports pro-choice for women.  See what she's up to on her latest development at her placement here.  Keep up the good work Arisha!

New Advancements at the Writer's Guild

  So my CSL placement is going very well.  I have been assigned various tasks to help the Writers Guild  plan events, raise money, and promote the non profit organization.  My first task is to be completed by the middle of October which includes research towards companies who would be interested in donating money to help promote and fund the Isabel Miller Young Writers Award Ceremony.  This award is gear toward the recognition of Alberta's young writers.  Youth province-wide will submit their poetry or fiction for a chance to win one of three big prizes of $200 each. Writers will also have their work submitted in to an anthology of the Isabel Miller Young Writers Award and will be for sale later on in the year. This award will help the Writers Guild attract younger members and help enhance their understanding of literature and creative writing

(Library accessible to Guild members; photo taken by Angele L'Heureux)

   I am thrilled to be apart of this project because it will give me a wide range of skills that can be vital for any future career.  My assignment includes research on the application process for requesting a donation from local companies.  I have been particularly equipped with a very useful website, http://www.albertaspromise.org/, that partners various Albertan companies that are wanting to contribute to organizations and people in need of donations.  Hopefully the research I am putting together can help the Writers Guild with the funding for the Isabel Miller Award and can encourage young writers to become members!

CSL students are making a difference everywhere.  Check out what Jamie is up to at the University of Alberta Sustain-SU

Facebook Page for Business

For everyone who doesn't know yet, Facebook is becoming more than just a website to keep in touch and trade pictures via the internet.  Facebook is evolving into a communication and advertising bases for many companies and organizations.  A huge advantage for using a communication site for posting your resumes, job listings, or ads, is the access to millions of people with various taste which spreads over the majority of the globe.  We have to embraces what we have here!  This is where the future lies!  As you can already see people get jobs via internet sites such as Facebook more frequently.  In my personal opinion, taking a feature of a company, such as the hiring process, and making it accessible to people over a wider employing front can give your business more integrity.  This may be because you are opening the placement to maybe people who aren't in local vicinity and could be more qualified therefor increases the quality of your company and can give you more options.  Below is a screen shot of my personal resume made on Facebook.  I hope to use this tool in the future when the time comes to look for my "dream" career.

  As you can see in my resume listings of education, skills, past employment are easily accessible. Using Facebook is even more of an advantage for the people who are seeking employment.  And yes, you may say "well aren't there those websites already made for looking for jobs, like monster.ca or edmontonjobshop.ca?  Well yes there are, but they are only limited to people who use them.  Facebook, if it isn't already, is becoming the world's most popular website.  You can attach your resume to your Facebook profile where people can access such information about you if they are employing but not posting.  You might even get offers for interviews you didn't even consider applying for because you didn't have knowledge of them in the first place.  But yet someone who looks at your skills can determine if you are right for their open positions.  Jobs are popping up everywhere in Canada, some you didn't even know you were qualified for. Having a globally understood tool like Facebook can expand your limits and get you what you want.  And best of all, to some maybe, you can look for a career at the tip of your fingertips without having to leave the couch. 

Piece 'o cake :)

To have access to my full resume and profile on facebook for format, interests, etc.  Visit this link below!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Angele-LHeureux/216000341794778?sk=info

Also check out what other Ales 204 students have to say!  Here's a link to Xiaomings blog on her ideas on how facebook can be used as an interactive business card!

http://xiaomingales204.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-class.html

My first CSL Lab!

I am so excited and feel so privileged to be in the CSL program for ALES 204.  Having Courtney as an instructor, I can see already, that the class is going to be fun, educating, and exciting. This is going to give all us CSL students a chance to do something that will hopefully benefit our understanding of the world while at the same time provide information through out it. I am a student of hands on learning and face to face interactions. Our lab is small and quaint, but full of personality and potential which makes being a partner in the program an enjoyable and rewarding experience.  Hopefully I will have lots to talk about in my volunteer work and show my fellow class mates the benefits the Writers Guild can provide.

  Being placed at the Writers Guild of Alberta is going to be greatly beneficial for the organization and myself.  Promoting, marketing, and planning events, as well as having that first hands on experience is ,what I believe, what helps an individual learn better. I love how The Writers Guild is an excellent tool for aspiring future writers.  They provide member services such as manuscript revision, peer reviews with published authors, and free writing seminars to give the writing community a chance to flurish in Alberta.  Having met with the program coordinator and aquiring all my tasks through out the semester I can't wait to see what and how my efforts are going to affect the organization.  Being at the Writers Guild I can use a variety of techniques to convey our ideas through social medias and different methods of communication.  I hope through our experience together we can create innovations to benefit everyone. 

(Writers Guild of Alberta logo) Retrieved September 22, 2011 from :http://www.writersguild.ab.ca/images/WGALogo2_010.JPG)

For reference to another student volunteering in the Writer's Guild take a look at what Tania has to say!

For more information about the Writer's Guild visit:

http://www.writersguild.ab.ca/