EAC: National e-news update, November 13, 2008

News, events, tips and updates for members of the Editors’ Association of Canada

In this issue:

1. CERTIFICATION: Record registration in 2008
2. CONFERENCE 2009: Venue announced
3. MEMBER NEWS: Kelly Fournel nominated for a 2008 Saskatchewan Book Award
4. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: Who said YES to PES?
5. MEETING EDITORIAL STANDARDS: Restocked and available for purchase
6. NATIONAL OFFICE: Seeking grants and interns
7. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: 2,008 in 2008


1. CERTIFICATION: Record registration in 2008

EAC is thrilled to report that registration for certification has reached an all-time high. Eighty candidates have signed up to test their editorial mettle in the association’s 2008 certification administration—almost twice as many as in 2007.

Certification is making waves among employers as well. “The national office is starting to receive inquiries from employers who are interested in certification,” says national professional development coordinator, Helena Aalto. “More employers are taking notice and specifying that they want to hire certified editors.”

This year’s launch of the Structural and Stylistic Editing test completes the first full cycle of the certification program. The 2008 tests will be held on Saturday, November 22 and Monday, November 24 at eight locations across the country.

We look forward to congratulating the first editors to receive EAC’s Certified Professional Editor designation at the 2009 annual general meeting. Congratulations to all past and present members of the certification team and best wishes to the candidates.


2. CONFERENCE 2009: Venue announced

The Conference Committee is happy to announce that we have booked the venue for EAC’s 30th anniversary conference. Conference 2009 will take place from June 5 to 7 at the 89 Chestnut Conference Centre in downtown Toronto. This conference centre is a unique venue that offers affordable hotel rooms on site as well as meeting facilities. Visit the 89 Chestnut website for more information.

We would also like to welcome our new vice-chair, Jacqueline Dinsmore from Montreal. In addition to assisting with the 2009 conference, Jacquie will co-chair the 2010 conference.

The deadline for English conference session proposals is Friday, November 21, so if you’d like to be a speaker, workshop leader or discussion moderator, be sure to submit your proposal soon. The call for French proposals has not gone out yet, so the deadline for French proposals will be extended. Visit the conference website for suggested topics for conference sessions and more.

Jen Govier
Conference Committee
Communications & Promotions


3. MEMBER NEWS: Kelly Fournel nominated for a 2008 Saskatchewan Book Award

Congratulations to EAC member Kelly Fournel of Regina for her nomination for a 2008 Saskatchewan Book Award! Kelly’s book, Great Women from our First Nations (Second Story Press), has been shortlisted in the First Book Award category.

Great Women from our First Nations celebrates ten remarkable leaders from First Nations communities in Canada and the US. Their inspiring stories are written for young readers, aged 9–12.

The 2008 Saskatchewan Book Awards winners will be announced at a gala on Saturday, November 29, at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina. We wish Kelly much success that evening.


4. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: Who said YES to PES?

As you read this, the new draft of Professional Editorial Standards (PES) is going through a review by members of the editing community who are not members of EAC. At this last check-and-balance stage before members review the draft, it’s a fitting time to acknowledge those hard-working volunteers without whom the draft wouldn’t exist.
 
Who agreed to trade in substantial amounts of free time to tackle this big project?
 
1. The members of the Professional Standards Committee have been working steadily on the revision since early 2007, and will see the job through to ratification in 2009. A huge thanks to:
 
Nancy Flight (BC)
Laurel Hyatt (NCR)
Lynne Massey (TO)
Naomi Pauls (BC)
Cy Strom (TO)
Jennifer Latham (NCR) (stepped down in late 2007)
 
2. A special group of volunteers joined the committee at a five-day retreat in June to pull together a revised draft of PES. Their tireless work extended through much of the summer. Sincere appreciation to:
 
Michelle Boulton (SN)
Kathy Garnsworthy (PP)
Perry Millar (SN)
Jan Walter (TO)
Ruth Wilson (BC)
 
All of us in EAC owe these seasoned editors a debt of gratitude for their time, their expertise and their unflagging good will through this demanding project—a project that’s not over yet!.

Frances Peck
Professional Standards Committee chair


5. MEETING EDITORIAL STANDARDS: Restocked and available for purchase

We are pleased to announce that a spiral-bound edition of Meeting Editorial Standards, EAC’s “apprenticeship on a bookshelf” is now available for purchase. This two-volume educational tool covers core editorial skills in a Canadian context. It is adaptable to the needs of all editors—from beginners who are learning the craft to established professionals who are checking and broadening their knowledge. The approach is suitable for either independent study or course work.

Visit the EAC website for more information about Meeting Editorial Standards or to place an order through our distributor, Captus Press.


6. NATIONAL OFFICE: Seeking grants and interns

EAC has some exciting initiatives planned for 2009. Online training and development, revising Meeting Editorial Standards, 30th anniversary celebrations and providing ongoing support for certification are just the tip of the iceberg.

Hands-on volunteer work drives much of the work the association does, but we also need your help identifying programs to bolster EAC’s projects. If you know of any relevant grant or intern programs that could support these initiatives, please contact executive director Carolyn L Burke.


7. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: 2,008 in 2008

EAC’s membership is holding steady at 1,800 members, but there’s still time to reach our goal of 2,008 in 2008. Refer a new EAC member by December 31, 2008, and you’ll earn a recruiting reward of up to $25 per new recruit.

Complete membership drive details and promotional postcards can be found in the Members’ Area of the association website. Print postcards are also available from your branch.


The EAC national e-news update is produced on behalf of the national executive council by the national office.

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