Season’s greetings! With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season in full force, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read the December 2024 issue of The Buzz.
IABC/Toronto’s Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) and I embrace the festive spirit and dedicate the issue to the value of sharing the gift of expertise with one another.
Sarah L. Manley Robertson recaps the November session, where three panelists shared the gift of their experience of the benefits and risks of partnering with other indies.
In our newest 3×3, Brent Artemchuk gathers thoughts from three PIC members – Priya Bates, Jacqui d’Eon and Matisse Hamel-Nelis – on the benefits of sharing your expertise as a conference speaker, with insights on how to shine on the conference stage.
Brent also brings back Diverse Threads with Part 2 of his conversation with LinkedIn executive coach Sabita Singh. In this feature, Brent and Sabita continue their thoughtful conversation from the November Buzz on how LinkedIn can serve as a powerful tool for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within organizations.
Book Nook returns, courtesy of Jacqui. She shares her take on The Immortal’s Secret, a captivating read filled with mystery and intrigue by PIC’s very own Alix Edmiston.
Each item is a testament to the wealth of knowledge within our community and the impact we can have when we share our skills and insights with others. Whether it’s through collaboration, public speaking or simply curling up with a good book, we all have something valuable to offer.
This time of year also reminds us to appreciate the connections we’ve made. Our community thrives because of the relationships we build and the mutual support we provide. And we know that while the season brings joy and warmth to many, there are some who may be struggling.
That’s why our next virtual event is focused on mental health and wellness. We’re honoured to welcome Monique Giroux to lead our Beyond Blue Monday event in January. Monique is a forest therapy guide, Reiki practitioner, coach, bestselling author and former professional communicator. She’s leading a session for IABC members on Tuesday, January 21, presented by PIC in partnership with the IABC Consultants Shared Interest Group. This session is free for IABC members from any chapter and $30 CAD for non-members.
And one last reminder for 2024: If you haven’t already done so, please don’t forget to renew your IABC membership for 2025 so you are able to continue enjoying the vast benefits of being a member of IABC/Toronto. Whether you would like to connect with fellow communication professionals, access educational resources, gain distinction through GCCC certification programs or simply stay on top of the latest news in the global communication industry, IABC membership is here for you. Renew (or join) today at toronto.iabc.to/about/membership/.
On behalf of the entire PIC Executive team, I would like to wish you a joyous holiday season filled with warmth, laughter and the spirit of giving. May the new year bring you continued growth, success and many opportunities to share your expertise with others.
If you have any comments or questions, ideas for professional development topics, or wish to volunteer with PIC, reach out to me at toronto-sig@iabc.to. I’m always happy to hear from you.