Shinerama for Cystic Fibrosis Research

In 2005 I was enrolled at Wilfrid Laurier University in my first year of studies. During orientation week at WLU, new students are encouraged to participate in fundraising activities for the foundation known as Shinerama. Shinerama funds research for cystic fibrosis and is responsible for close to $1 million per year across Canada. It was introduced at Laurier in 1961 and has been a part of an orientation week tradition in several schools all across the nation.

Today it was outlined in an article captured by the CBC that Carleton University students have decided to pull out of Shinerama fundraising. The reason? Because it "has been recently revealed to only affect white people, and primarily men." The student council motioned to remove Shinerama from orientation week on the grounds that "all orientees and volunteers should feel like their fundraising efforts will serve their diverse communities" and that orientation week should strive to be inclusive.

This is an issue that people are going to quickly pick sides and that seems to be that case of the student council. Only one councilor voted against the motion and believes that the decision is an example of political correctness gone wrong. A case of playing political and racial politics that he believes is entirely inappropriate.

A representative from the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation responded by saying that the disease, although predominantly affecting Caucasians, also affects people from India, the Middle East, Europeans and although is more common in men it does still affect women. Her little girl is one of the benefactors of the hard work new students provide each fall and she is deeply concerned with the decision.

Beyond the obvious "crushing" financial impact that this will have on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation there are other impacts that can also be considered. Shinerama through its car washes, shoe shines, and other friendship building activities fosters relationships between new University and College students across the country. This is a powerful decision that may have implications beyond the obvious and if other schools decide to follow suit there may be drastic consequences for sufferers of this particular disease.

Robots?

I was searching the news today and I came across something that was funny at first and then made me think. Computerworld posted an article that was picked up by the World News entitled, "U.S. Agency Sees Robots Replacing Humans in Service Jobs by 2025."

Sounds funny, right? Well, the article is actually quite compelling. The United States National Intelligence Council released a report titled "Global Trends 2025: A Transforming World." The report, according to Patrick Thibodeau, encompasses challenges the U.S. will face in world markets, environmental impacts, and of course, domestic changes.

As hilarious as it must have sounded to citizens who were told the Earth was round, the report eludes to advances in robotics technology that will eliminate many low-skill jobs. According to the NIC the statement "would you like fries with that," may soon by uttered by a piece of technology. It seems like a sweeping claim, but when you think about it many industries - IT, manufacturing, telecommunications - have all become increasingly automated. The change in personnel will undoubtedly cause some problems, but may also provide tangible benefits.

If machines are able to affect unskilled labour markets as much as predicted then issues from immigration to unemployment to homelessness will all be drastically impacted. I have no doubt that as technology evolves the world will adapt. And it need not be negative. Automated technology may have benefits for things like agriculture and medicine to name a few. Nevertheless, is scary to think that robots seen in television and movies for decades may actually be a reality soon enough.

Mental Health Partnerships of Canada

For the past few months the Globe and Mail has participated in documenting the unaddressed cost of mental illness to Canadian individuals, families and society. Throughout the investigation they discovered that Canada is the only Group of Eight country with no mental-health strategy. This not only leads to the silent suffering of millions of Canadians, but has lead to social stigmas affecting family issues, homelessness, orphans, crime, etc.

According to Andre Picard of the Globe and Mail, Canada currently deals with mental-health through a patchwork of medical organizations that allow many Canadians to slip though the cracks and go untreated. The Problem? Funding, research, volunteer base...the list goes on! The solution? Seemingly...a new charity!

The Mental Health Partnerships of Canada is the new ambitious endeavour of Michael Kirby, the head of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The new charity is hoped to rival such established organizations as the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. I'll repeat "ambitious" because nearly $400 Million is invested in Cancer research each year. The federal government is on board to help financially and the organization will work closely with many other organizations that deal with mental-health issues.

Mr. Kirby conceded that the project will take time to grow, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. I think the social stigmas attached to mental illness have made it difficult for many people to accomplish their goals - including many youth and homeless persons. This new charity coupled with federal and provincial support will undoubtedly go a long way in removing some of the barriers that an estimated 1 in 5 Canadians will experience in their lifetime.

Lastly, the new charity will encourage and create new opportunities for volunteers in areas like fundraising, event planning, and media relations. I am excited to watch the development of this program and interested in the opportunities that it presents to me and all Canadians.

Resume: 2008

Melissa Yabsley
Objective: To acquire work experience that will benefit my future career goals of working for a non-profit and charitable organization in public relations. My interests are in challenging myself, learning new things and being a positive asset to an organization.


Education

2007-Current Conestoga College Kitchener, Ont
Public Relations

2005-2007 Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo, Ont
Communications

Work Experience

2008 Public Works and Government
Services of Canada Toronto, Ont

Administrative Assistant
§ Actively worked for the Strategic Communications Director of the Public Works and Government Services of Canada for the Federal Government. Worked diligently on various internal communication plans, leadership development plans, and business plans. Skills developed: independence, attention to detail, ability to think about large tasks, computer skills and the ability to communicate clearly.

2008 A-Side Enterprise Whitby, Ont

Promotional Representative
§ Energetically fundraised for Sick Kids and World Vision all over Ontario, mainly working door-to-door sales. Skills developed: sales, persuasion, flexibility, initiative, confidence and self motivation.



2007 Aupair World Victoria BC

Live-In Nanny
§ Lived with a family as an energetic nanny who was responsible for looking after the children (two year old twins and a six year old) preparing meals, house cleaning, general errands and any extra daily tasks necessary.

Volunteer experience

Alzheimer Society
§ Creating, organizing and implementing communications plan for media relations for 2009 Manulife Walk for the Memories. Working in a volunteer team to gain media attention in order for attendance to increase

Centre for International Governance Innovation
§ Positive team player in assisting with organizing events including: guest speakers, panel discussions, conferences and signature lectures. Interpersonal skills, independent decision making skills and multi tasking are valuable skills needed for this position.

Global Youth Network
May 2008
§ Lead team of 14 university students to Mizoram, India, for the month of May to aid in famine relief, distribute rice to rural communities, work in malaria clinics, farm, teach English and HIV awareness and assist in any way possible.
May 2007
§ Travelled to Macedonia with 12 university students to work in orphanages, churches, women’s clinics and work closely with refugees.

Youth With a Mission
February 2008
§ Travelled to Modesto, California for ten days to work with the homeless and under-privileged. Enthusiastically and warm heartedly held barbeques and set up food stands in various locations as well as organized several camp days for children from low income housing.

First Night with CIGI

The event: The Balsillie International School of Affairs Conference

Last night was my first night volunteering with CIGI. When I received the e-mail asking me what events I was available to help out at I sat down and looked at my schedule to figure out when I had time. All of the volunteers get hired yearly so I was a amateur.

The communication between myself and CIGI was not as well organized or detailed as I was hoping. The event started at 5:30 so I thought that if I showed up for 5, it would be ample time; I was wrong. I was late! Late to meet everyone for the first time! AH!

I was given a list of all of the attendees and was responsible for greeting people and taking their names. All of the "whose who" of Waterlo was there and the worst part of it all? I didn't really know any of them. I was asking everyone's names, including the mayor, the Co-Founder of CIGI and so many others. Nobody cared but it was pretty embarassing.

I had the opportunity to mix and mingle with all of the major politicians, board of directors of UW and WLU and all of the valuable members of CIGI. It was a night to remember and I am glad I had the opportunity to attend.

The lesson? Always be more than prepared. My actions were acceptable and maybe even unoticed but they would have been noticed had it been the opposite. I want to impress people and be memorable. I do not want to blend and find excuses for my actions or lack of actions.

IABC

Founded in 1970, The International Association of Business Communicators provides a professional network of almost 16,000 business communication professionals in over 70 countries.

Members of IABC are educated in a number of different fields including: media relations,public relations, corporate communications, public affairs, inverster relations, government relations, marketing communications,community relations, writing, editing,advertising, graphic designs, HR, video productions and teaching.

IABC is a great resource to get out there and network. I have seen the value in this association after attending several different events. IABC creates many opportunities to meet people and learn about what another does for a living. It makes a bigger impact on your job, helps you find the hidden job market, enahnces your skills, and helps you find clients and create friendships.

With chapters all over the world, the opportunities are never ending.

www.iabc.com