Public Relations Programs

Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education is a Montreal-based non-profit organization established in 1967 to advance equality, social justice and respect for human dignity in Canada and around the world. They are currently looking for a volunteers.

The volunteers will be performing some of the following tasks:

1. Development of stories for the web site
2. Increase presence in social media – Twitter, Facebook
3. Development of 1-2 page program descriptions for projects in Canada and overseas
4. Development of media strategy
5. Develop media list for events in Montreal, Ottawa and BC
6. Draft Press release and assist in media follow-up
7. Development of communications strategy and plan for events in Montreal and Toronto

Please direct your resume with a letter explaining your motivation in applying (in one document if possible) to:

Ms. Pego Brennan

Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education

666 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Bureau 1100

Montréal, Québec

H3A 1E7

E-mail: pbrennan@equitas.org

Fax : 514-954-0659

Shriners’ Hospital is one of the beneficiaries this year of the Games for Hope, a corporate sports tournament that raises money and promotes awareness of children’s charities. Volunteers are needed for coaching, photography, welcoming guests, reception, parking directions, set-up and take-down. No experience required. People who enjoy events management may find this an interesting learning and networking opportunity. To donate your time, get a volunteer form from Elizabeth Hirst.

I”m sharing an interesting note from one of our students:

My name is Laurie Schraenen and I am the National Press Officer for the Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada.

This year, we are recruiting studenst as volunteers for our media centre. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to meet national as well as international media and to be at the center of an international event. We have 7 positions available which in general require volunteers to:

–          welcome the media

–          answer their questions

–          ensure the proper functioning of the media centre

–          etc.

These students should be available to work from Wednesday June 5^th until Sunday June 9^th during extensive hours.

We need people who are motivated, serious, responsible, enthusiast and bilingual (at least French and English). It would be great if these students had a previous experience with client services as well as previous contact with media. People who wish to apply can send me a motivation letter as well as their CV via e-mail: laurie.schraenen@mail.mcgill.ca

If you have any additional question please feel free to contact me.

From May 22- 25, McGill’s School of Continuing Studies is hosting the annual conference of CAUCE (Canadian Association of University Continuing Education). Delegates from across the country will be attending sessions on managing and teaching in this challenging environment  (including some of our instructors – e.g. Sharron Wall and yours truly). We will need help in reception, directing delegates to the right room and all the other on-the-spot details that events require. Are there any events-oriented (or education-oriented) students out there who would like to help out?  If so, please contact Megan Hudson (McGill administrator and PR diploma student) at megan.hudson@mcgill.ca

L’Ultime Coiffure & Spa, situated at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Montreal, is looking for a young student who could manage their Facebook and Twitter account, create interesting content for those platforms, and develop relationships with Montreal hair and beauty bloggers in order to promote the salon and their services.

This would be part-time, unpaid, the hours are flexible, and the student would work remotely. Excellent English and French written and spoken skills, as well as an interest in hair and beauty, are a must.

Interested students can send their resume at ugo.tabardel@gmail.com and can contact Ugo Tabardel at the salon: 514.878.3496

The graduating class of the Commercial Photography department at Dawson College will be organizing a vernissage event on May 23rd 2013.This can be a great opportunity for networking and meeting new people; however, this isn’t considered a PR internship —  it’s more of an opportunity to volunteer. Sara Cornett, who’s the media coordinator for this event, is expecting to double the attendance record of previous years!

If you’re interested, or for more information, please contact Elizabeth Hirst at elizabeth.hirst@mcgill.ca

The Marketing and Communications service of the School of Continuing Studies needs part-time help with news releases, articles and media relations with specialized journalists. This unpaid opening would be of interest to a current public relations student interested in gaining a wide range of experience on a continuing, part-time basis. Do you have a few hours a week to give until at least June?  The advantages are: experience for your CV, professional supervision, flexible part-time schedule, letters of recommendation, good contacts and networking opportunities. People taking this opportunity in the past have gone on to permanent employment. Preference will be given to candidates with availability to June and beyond. Good writing skills, needless to say, are essential. Send CV and cover letter to Elana Trager, Senior Advisor, Marketing and Communications, McGill School of Continuing Studies. elana.trager@mcgill.ca.

In fact, we’re looking for more people to work in a group that will link together all the social media relating to the McGill PR programs. A good group has just graduated and our team is down to one + the coordinator. If you are keen to put your social media expertise to novel use in a flexible group of people dedicated to improving students’ abilities and career opportunities, please get in touch with Elizabeth Hirst, Program Coordinator for the PR programs.

McGill BA graduate Kaylann Knickle is recruiting volunteers to work during an upcoming high-profile charity event!

Here’s what Kaylann has to say about the event:

*   This non-partisan event is called Fleurons Glorieux, held on November 8, 2011.

*   700-900 people are expected to attend.

*   Confirmed attendees include political leaders, military brass, celebrities and leaders in the business community.  The four event co-chairs are Paul Desmarais Jr. (Power Corp), Pierre Beaudoin (CEO, Bombardier), Marc Parent (CEO, CAE), Louis Vachon (CEO, Banque Nationale)

*   The evening will be a celebration to thank the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who have reached the end of a long combat mission in Afghanistan.  All funds raised will be donated to Canada Company, a non-partisan charitable organization that serves to build a bridge between business and community leaders and the Canadian military.

Pretty impressive! So, here are three good reasons for PR students to volunteer for this event:

Getting to experience the insider’s view on event planning and media relations; having the opportunity to network with high-profile individuals and other PR students and professionals; and last but not least, helping out a great cause!

To apply for a volunteer position, please forward your CV and a short paragraph about yourself to Kaylann Knickle (kaylannknickle@gmail.com).

A great opportunity for students interested in entertainment publicity and promotion. Bon Jovi has invited a group of McGill PR students to join the crew on the day of the May 4 concert here in Montreal. You’ll spend the day helping to set up for the concert, shadowing and talking with the crew that makes it all happen, including the head of PR for the band. You’ll follow this up by watching the concert. All you have to do in return?  Submit a report to the Bon Jovi people that they will use in their own publicity. (It’s a community relations thing. One of their giving-back-to-the-community projects is contributing to education.) Click on this link for a sample of follow-up publicity at Penn State.

Sound interesting? Get hold of Elizabeth.hirst@mcgill.ca as soon as possible. If we have too many applicants, the winners will be selected by a short note they will write me on how this experience will fit into their career plans.

UPDATE: Yes, too many applicants. Everyone who contacted me by April 15 has been sent instructions for a one-pager to be written and submitted by midnight Tuesday, April 19. If you didn’t get it, contact me.  If you are reading this after midnight, April 19, sorry — next time.

If any talented students are interested in helping to gather and dissemiante information by way of this blog (and passing it on to the LinkedIn and Facebook groups when appropriate) please let me know. There is so much going on, I have trouble keeping up.  (Great problem to have!) Nothing onerous — a couple of hours a week, flexible. Ability to write concise, informative and appealing prose, needless to say, is essential.  Knowledge of WordPress is an asset. Lots of networking possibilities are an obvious job perk.

Contact elizabeth.hirst@mcgill.ca

Recent grad Ema Polifroni once again sends us news of opportunities for students or grad interested in the entertainment industry. (Thanks, Ema!) Her company, Annexe Communications, has six (count ’em!) internships available for this spring and summer, from April to August.  They are unpaid, but offer a great opportunity to get experience and make connections. Interns will be working on English-lanaguage accounts in the film industry and for summer festivals.

See the page at right for more details on requirements. If you’re interested, please send a letter of intent and C.V to Tammy Peddle at tpeddle@annexecommunications.com

The McGill Community of Lifelong Learning (formerly the McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement) is planning a film festival in May, and needs one or more student volunteers to help in the publicity. No pay, but a very interesting project on which to get experience. Contact Elizabeth Hirst at elizabeth.hirst@mcgill.ca

A year ago, Leah Gardner of the Social Justice Committee of Montreal presented a case to the students of the Cases in Public Realtions/Communications Planning courses. As a result of the great communication plans she received, the Social Justice Committee created a summer internship to carry out some of the activities recommended.  Apparently, it went well last year, because Leah is offering the same opportunity to another student this summer. See the page at right for further details on the position and on how to reach Leah. (The internship is unpaid.)

We heard through François Taschereau (one of our webinar speakers – see above) that there is an opportunity for a young freelancer to help out Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre needs help.  It is supported by a $7.5 M campaign currently underway by Catholic Charities – a campaign that needs assistance with brochures, slogans, website design and other tools. While there is a budget, count on spending a little volunteer time as well. If you’re interested, contact Elizabeth Hirst.