Confession: I’ve been using up some vacation time to finish the final paper for my master’s degree, so I have asked for a little more help than usual with this week’s newsletter.
In this issue, Marnie has graciously agreed to share her experiences at Sizzler, the now-virtual annual conference hosted by Anthology (the new name for i-Modules, the company we’ve engaged to supply and implement our new email and events systems). As well, the events team shares some insights into virtual events and how we have been doing. Finally, Carla introduces us to a new ALTogether Now feature to help us get to know new colleagues in this virtual environment.
Even though this issue was cobbled together with the help of others, a theme is emerging – engaging communities in the virtual world. I’ll be thinking about that a lot this week as I prepare my defence of my thesis, which just happens to be about engaging communities in the virtual world.
Sizzler Conference recap
By Marnie Girard, Development Coordinator, Donor Relations
Higher education professionals from organizations across the globe came together virtually for the 14th-annual Sizzler conference, Anthology's (formally iModules’) premiere yearly event. Over a fun-filled day, I participated in peer presentations and listened to the inspiring keynote speakers from the Disney Institute. While we weren't able to gather in the most magical place on earth, they brought us there virtually. One of the many nuggets I picked up during the day had to do with "place." Most of us would define it as where we currently are or where we've been. We need to consider how to bring our "place," Queen's, to the client, wherever or however we're meeting them. Right now, for the most part, it's virtually, but what about when we meet with them in a mailing, over email or through a website?
It was a full day of professional development, with the added engagement of social media opportunities, virtual scavenger hunts, and the virtual #SizzlerRedCarpet, where I was a finalist in the Twitter Best Dressed Competition. I knew my fancy mouse ears would be helpful one day outside of the Magic Kingdom!
Shifting from in-person to digital events
By Erin Skippon, Events Assistant
At the beginning of 2020, the Advancement Events unit didn’t have any virtual events on the calendar. In March, when the team was tasked with reimagining cancelled or postponed in-person events, we knew the next step was going to be a rapid pivot to completely digital engagement.
Although it wasn’t without its challenges, the team and our partners have successfully launched five virtual events, the most recent being the second instalment of the Discover Research at Queen’s series: Conversations Confronting COVID-19 – Aging, which had almost 1,500 registrants.
Shifting from in-person to digital events required increased and constant collaboration with our colleagues across the Communications, Marketing, Donor Relations Events unit. It’s been an important learning opportunity, and has paved the way towards a more integrated and strategic approach for future events. As an added bonus, despite the fact that we’re all working remotely, we’ve managed to forge a closer, more cohesive relationship with our C-MEDR colleagues.
Take a closer look at some combined metrics of our virtual events.
Employee Spotlight
While remote onboarding comes with its challenges, the efforts staff are taking to create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment for our newest team members is greatly appreciated. To build on this commitment and create even stronger connections amongst our team virtually, we’re excited to launch a new initiative in the ALTogether Now newsletter, Employee Spotlight. Advancement will celebrate the arrival of our new staff by profiling responses they share through a fun and informal survey that will help us get to know them better. Be sure to review these profiles and use these fun facts and tidbits to find commonalities, embrace differences, and spark a conversation.
Our inaugural Employee Spotlight features Josh Adler who started yesterday in the position of Email Marketing Manager within the Department of Advancement Communications, Marketing, Events and Donor Relations. Learn more about Josh, the languages he speaks and what he’s most looking forward to on his first day!
Jobs with Advancement
We need your recruitment help. Know great talent that would be a good addition to our team? If so, please promote the vacancy below with your networks and let’s find some amazing new team members.
Applications (including a cover letter and resume) must be submitted through CareerQ. For additional information on this posting, please reach out to either Katelyn, Carla, or the hiring manager for the position you are interested in.
Available Position:
| POSITION | UNIT AND DEPARTMENT | CLOSING DATE | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director, Strategic Communications and Events | Advancement Communications, Marketing, Events & Donor Relations | August 11, 2020 | 11 |
| Associate Vice-Principal (Development) | Development | September 21, 2020 |
Fun fact
Queen's Musical Theatre (QMT)
Queen's Musical Theatre is a student-run organization that stages one or two musical productions per year along with holding events such as cabaret nights and training sessions.
In addition to striving for professionalism, QMT aims to provide an environment at Queen's conducive to positive learning for students within the framework of a working theatre company. QMT invites students from all faculties at Queen's to get involved.
The club was formed in 1969 when the Queen's Glee Club, which was established in 1883, made significant changes to its mandate. With the 1969 production of The Boyfriend, QMT started producing Broadway musicals in addition to the more traditional Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.