Archdiocese of Vancouver Communications Director - 2008 to 2010
When 14,000 people, including about 20 reporters, showed up for Mass at General Motors Place on Nov. 23 2008 it was an absolutely overwhelming and gratifying experience. I was responsible for publicizing the 100th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, – that meant – get people there, and make sure reporters cover it. I was so nervous leading up to the big day. Would people show? Would there be any reporters?
Were all of my phone calls, emails, fliers, web pages and newsletters for naught?
Not even Roberto Luongo could stop me
I arrived at GM Place on the big day, and watched as a sea of yellow buses with Catholic names on them pulled in and parked. St. Joseph’s, St. Mary’s, Immaculate Conception…. This was good – very good.
I then walked to the other side of the building, ran into Roberto Luongo and barely flinched. I was focused. Where are my media crews?
I then saw the CTV crew outside the building. “Alleluia! We have at least one media outlet!” Then another arrived, and another, and another. Before I knew it, there were more media there than the Oscars.
My publicity efforts for the 100th Anniversary is one of my career highlights. Find out more about it here.
Count one in the win column
In just seven weeks in my new position as Communications Coordinator, I knew I had passed with flying colours in my publicity efforts for the 100th Anniversary Celebration.
I was lured back for my second stint with the Archdiocese of Vancouver in October 2008. I had previously worked for the Archdiocese as a reporter / photographer for The B.C. Catholic from August 2004 to December 2007. My new role allowed me to step into the newly created job of Communications Coordinator for the Archdiocese.
Internal and external communication
As Communications Coordinator for the Archdiocese I was responsible for all internal and external communications. This meant: putting out a weekly e-newsletter, a weekly bulletin, making brochures, posters and collateral, responding to all media and public relations issues, and redesigning and maintaining the website: www.rcav.org.
Redesigning RCAV.ORG is one of my career highlights. Find more out about it here.
The job was a tremendous amount of responsibility, and I was fortunate to have a mentor who would chat with me every Thursday to discuss what I was working on and where I could improve. Her guidance has been tremendously valuable.
Working as a reporter has helped me to think like one
My time as reporter / photographer with The B.C. Catholic was also very rewarding and fun. I got to meet some famous people (Richard John Neuhaus, and Cardinal Zen being my two favourites), and I ended up winning three Canadian Church Press awards for my photos.
I also learned how to think like a reporter. I learned what constituted a good story, how stressful deadlines can be, and how utterly frustrating it is when media relations people don’t get back to you in time!
In a nutshell, the Archdiocese is really where I’ve cut my teeth as a professional.
