ECVO takes part in Edmonton’s first Social Media Camp

ECVO attended MediaCamp Edmonton on May 8, 2010 to learn more about the new technologies that are increasingly replacing traditional communications methods. The event attracted 200 ‘hacks and flacks’ (Media and Public Relations professionals) to network and discuss how to apply social media in our daily lives.

As an ‘unconference’ the day’s agenda was set by the attendees presenting to the crowd topics they would like to see discussed. Sixteen small group sessions evolved out of these topics, including using social media to build relationships between media and publicists, whether the traditional definition of journalist was still valid, and how to attract advertising and sponsorship for your website/blog.

The unconference also featured a opening panel discussion which included Sue Heuman (from Focus Communications), Mack Male (local blogger and developer), Dave Cournoyer (local blogger and occasional political pundit), and Paula Simons (columnist from the Edmonton Journal) and was moderated by Karen Unland (Edmonton Journal). Lighting talks on new technologies including the iPad, Empire Avenue and Google Tables occurred after the lunch, breaking the sessions in half nicely.

Social Media was employed throughout the event, with attendees ‘tweeting’ their thoughts and opinions on the event as it occurred, driving #yegmediacamp to be the highest trending topic in Canada on Twitter during the first two hours of the unconference.

Overall, the unconference was a great success and gave a wonderful opportunity to interact with both members of the nonprofit sector and media personalities. It was an excellent chance to put faces to many names ECVO interacts with through Social Media and to gain a greater understanding of the new technologies and their power to influence trends and events throughout Edmonton and Canada.

Hopefully this event will become a yearly occurrence for Edmonton - it was a terrific experience and definitely of value for any nonprofit looking to increase their social media and web presence!

Thank you to the organizers and sponsors for a great day!

ECVO AGM and Community Connector a great success!

The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations' Annual General Meeting and Community Connector events where held May 4, 2010 at the Shaw Convention Centre. The AGM began at 3:30pm and was attended by over 40 members of ECVO.

Highlights of the AGM included a brief overview of 2009’s achievements, the investiture of Cindy Chiasson and Kathy Lenihan as returning board members, and the appointment of new board members Scott Lundell, Craig Stumpf‐Allen and Susan Logan. ECVO also thanked retiring board members Liz O’Neil, Catherine Cole, and Susan Morrissey for their hard work during their terms. The AGM ended with a presentation by Cindy Chiasson on the new Strategic Framework under review by ECVO, and an invitation to attendees to discuss and provide feedback to the board through moderated conversations throughout the room.

The AGM was followed immediately by the Community Connector Event, which brought together nonprofits, government, and business. Approximately 70 representatives of these three sectors joined us for refreshments and networking. Ron Gilbertson, CEO of the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, spoke briefly on collaboration between sectors, and how the EEDC is working with nonprofits to enhance Edmonton through events such as Homeless Connect.

ECVO was delighted to see so many members in attendance, as well as Culture and Community Spirit’s Deputy Minister Lois Hawkins and Assistant Deputy Minister Tom Thackeray, Edmonton-Centre MLA Laurie Blakeman, and Mayor Stephen Mandel and Ward 5 Alderman Don Iveson from the City of Edmonton.

Our thanks to everyone who attended for making both events a great success! We look forward to holding another Community Connector event in the future.

For more photos, please visit ECVO's Facebook fan page.