By Matthew Collis
Matthew Collis shares his volunteer experience with IABC Toronto’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.
Last year, I joined IABC Toronto’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee when I saw a call out for volunteers in the chapter’s e-Lert newsletter. Around this time, the chapter’s leadership and members began having discussions on how we could better meet and champion the needs of our diverse membership. The Board, along with a number of talented chapter members, had the foresight and vision to help establish this Committee.
I was looking for an opportunity to volunteer some of my time and communications expertise in a meaningful way while making an impact in an area important to me. I’ve always been passionate about diversity, inclusion, and social justice. While I didn’t have extensive experience in the DEI space, I knew that my communications background and lived experience would allow me to make a significant contribution.
Since then, I’ve greatly enjoyed being part of the Committee, collaborating with the other members to develop an actionable strategy that is now serving as the basis for much of the great work happening now and that we’ll continue to make headway in 2022. It’s been enriching learning the unique experiences and viewpoints of my fellow committee members and the IABC Toronto community. And I’ve enjoyed the process of combining our talents and lived experiences to craft a series of strategic recommendations that I know, will be very impactful, even if they take some time to fully implement,
If you’re passionate about diversity and inclusion or want to help make a difference, I encourage you to consider joining the Committee. It was formed to drive strategic recommendations to the IABC Toronto Board to further inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility for the chapter and the communications profession in the GTA. As we move into next year, we’ll be focused on building upon and implementing these key recommendations. There are a ton of exciting projects and initiatives on the horizon, including events, advocacy, awards, partnerships, and much more.
As well, I’m very pleased that for the first time in our chapter’s history we’ve initiated a new Board role in 2021-2022 – a Vice President of Inclusion Diversity Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) – to help drive further change.
Please email toronto-idea@iabc.to if you’re interested in volunteering your time in this important area. Like me, I’m sure you’ll find the experience to be fulfilling and an opportunity to both learn and make a difference at the same time.
Matthew Collis is a creative and analytical communications leader with a successful track record of managing strategic communications plans and programs and driving key business results. He has over a decade of marketing and communications experience and has won a number of awards for his work in the digital space. He’s also passionate about social justice, DEI, health, and technology, and considers himself to be a global citizen, having spent time around the globe from Maui to Munich to Madrid and many cities in between. You can connect with Matthew on LinkedIn or send him an email. By Cassandra Cleveland As a new mom and communications professional, returning to work after maternity leave brought a wave of mixed emotions. The excitement of rejoining the professional realm was tempered by the realization that the communications landscape had evolved during my time away, leaving me with a potential knowledge gap. Determined to bridge […] By Linda Bicho-Vachon I’ve always been a learner. In my former role, I completed my association’s certification program and stayed updated by attending industry seminars. The certification demonstrated that I had the skill and expertise to do my job and gave me confidence to grow my career. When I decided to transition to a […] By Prachi Shailendra As a communications professional who embarked on the Canadian journey in 2019 with over six years of international experience in corporate communications, I vividly recall the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the local job market. I soon realized that for newcomers, success often hinges on more than just a polished […] By Andrea Walasek Dear Readers, It is a pleasure to introduce myself as the Editor-in-Chief of IABC/Toronto’s Communicator publication for 2023-2024. As a dedicated professional who has worked in Public Relations for over 19 years and a proud volunteer with IABC/Toronto, I am happy to bring you the Winter 2024 issue, focused on a topic […] By Matisse Hamel-Nelis Matisse Hamel-Nelis reminds us that IDEA are more than just buzzwords; they are vital principles that can transform the world of communications. In the ever-evolving world of communications, the principles IDEA are gaining increasing significance. When applied effectively, they help foster a more enriched, engaging and impactful communication environment – enhancing meaningful internal […]Return to the Fall 2021 Issue of Communicator
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