If your local or committee has a newsletter, a social media feed, or active bulletin boards, it’s time to show it off!
The biennial awards ceremony for the best OPSEU/SEFPO comms is taking place in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Please submit your work now at opseu.org/comms-awards, or by emailing links, pics, and PDFs to [email protected].
The awards ceremony is just one part of the InSolidarity Editor’s Weekend, which is taking place in-person in Toronto from Friday, Oct. 18 to Sunday, Oct. 20.
It’s the biennial conference and educational for OPSEU/SEFPO members interested in improving their union communications skills. It features more than two days of workshops, the awards ceremony, and elections for the 2024-26 InSolidarity Committee.
Workshop topics will include:
- Media relations
- Photography and videography
- The secrets of good social media
- How to ensure your posts and PDFs are accessible
Editor’s Weekend Applications are now closed, but we’re still accepting nominations for the comms awards.
The members of the OPSEU/SEFPO InSolidarity Committee look forward to meeting you at the Conference!
Conference details
Location:
- Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, 801 Dixon Rd, Toronto, Ontario M9W 1J5
- In-person only
Dates:
- Friday Oct. 18, 2024 – 1 pm – 5 pm
- Saturday Oct. 19, 2024 – 9 am to 5 pm and awards banquet from 6:30 pm to 9 pm
- Sunday Oct. 20, 2024 – 9 am to noon
Application deadline:
- 4 pm on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024.
On-site child care:
- Friday Oct. 18, 2024 – 1 1 am to 5:30 pm
- Saturday Oct. 19, 2024 – 8 am to 5:30 pm and awards banquet from 6:30 pm to 9 pm
- Sunday Oct. 20, 2024 – 8 am to 12:30 pm
The 60km policy is waived for Saturday night only — if you live within 60km of the hotel, your union will only cover your hotel costs for the night of Oct. 19, 2024.
Workshop descriptions
Starting a newsletter
This workshop offers everything you need to create a union newsletter: writing, design, editing and production. It’s for new editors, editors’ assistants, or others who are new to the process and want it all. Bring a copy of your local’s current publication, if you have one.
Posting on the web
This two-part session will give you the tools to get a local website up and running. Using the popular (free!) web and blog program WordPress, learn the basics of setting up your site, adding content and how to make it available to your members (and the world!) You don’t need a current website to attend this workshop.
Social media
This workshop provides information on what makes a good social media strategy and provides hands-on experience with various social media platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Plain language and the art of editing
Plain words deliver the most punch. Learn how to write and edit strong, clear, punchy messages that will reach and motivate your members. Bring copies of previous work, if you have any, and turn blah into brilliant.
Photography
If pictures are worth a thousand words, you can break a lot of news in a very short period of time. Learn how good pictures can tell a story all on their own. Learn how to take great digital pictures, no matter what camera you are using. Then get the basic software skills to get the most out of your pictures for web or print.
Media relations
Don’t fear the media: learn how to use them to get your message out! Successful media relations are about more than having a good message or soundbite to say. It’s also about knowing how to get your message out for maximum impact. This workshop will offer participants some key skills and concepts, as well as lessons learned in developing a media strategy and communicating with reporters.
Crafting letters to the editor and op-eds
How many times have you sent a letter to the editor – that never got published? Get your letter in print! Find out the secrets to writing letters and op-eds that grab the editor’s attention.
Campaigns
For a successful campaign, you need a plan. Sign up for this course if you want to get the tools to organize and run a highly effective campaign – and to learn the keys to writing and delivering speeches that make an impact.
Video
The use of video to tell a story has exploded thanks to smartphones and YouTube. However, getting a good short video is much more than point and shoot. Learn what makes for good video and how proper preparation, framing, background and sound can get your video noticed…and watched! You must have a video- equipped smartphone for this workshop.
Tentative agenda
Friday, October 18, 2024 – Day 1
- 11 am to 1 pm – Registration opens
- 11:30 am to noon – Smudging Ceremony
- 1 to 1:10 pm – Conference Opens
- Land and Territorial Acknowledgment & Statement of Respect
- Chair’s welcome
- 1:10 to 1:25 am – Opening Remarks from OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and First Vice-President/Treasurer Laurie Nancekivell,
- 1:25 to 2 pm – Opening Plenary
- 2 to 5 pm – Workshops
Saturday, October 19, 2024 – Day 2
- 8 to 9 am – Registration re-opens
- 9 to 9:15 am – Welcome Back! Recap from Day 1
- Conference logistics & housekeeping
- 9:15 to 1 noon – Workshops
- 12 to 1:30 pm – Lunch break
- 1:30 to 4:30 pm – Workshops
- 6 to 9 pm – Awards Banquet
Sunday, October 20, 2024 – Day 3
- 9 to 9:05 am Welcome Back! Recap from Day 2
- 9:05 to 10:30 am Committee Elections
- 10:30 to 12 pm Closing Plenary
Submit comms for the Awards Ceremony
Two ways for you to submit your work for consideration for consideration by the judges:
- Online via opseu.org/comms-awards
- Email links, pics, and PDFs to [email protected]
Please feel free to submit as much material as you’d like!