2018 Saskatoon Mini-Conference

Confirmed workshops:

• The ins and outs of labour photography with Abdul Malik
  Abdul will go through the process of elevating your photography from simple photographs to striking images that have lasting, memorable impact. This workshop will cover: working with subjects, the best way to shoot a rally, considering the subject, how to improve your skills, efficiency, thoughtful photography and more. 

  Abdul Malik is an award winning photojournalist and filmmaker from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, currently residing in Edmonton, Alberta. His work has appeared in the CBC, Gizmodo, Rabble, and he has done contracts for Random House and Greenpeace, among others. He approaches his work from a strong ethical standpoint, and has been embedded with striking workers in Canada’s North, to Syrian newcomers in Edmonton, and everything in between. He currently works as a staff photographer for a large labour union in Western Canada.

• Clear and persuasive op-ed writing with David Climenhaga
  Writing an Op-Ed for your local newspaper or newsletter requires the ability to clearly and concisely get your message across and persuade the reader to your point of view.

  David J. Climenhaga is an award-winning blogger, journalist, author, post-secondary teacher and trade union communicator who has worked in senior writing and editing positions at the Globe and Mail and Calgary Herald. His AlbertaPolitics.ca blog, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, is also published on Rabble.ca. He works as a Communications Advisor for United Nurses of Alberta in Edmonton.

• Editing union communications with David Climenhaga
  Do typos, AWOL writers and missed deadlines keep you up at night? Whether you’re a volunteer newsletter editor just starting out or a union magazine editor with years of experience under your belt, in this workshop you’ll enjoy learning and sharing tips of the editing trade. (Tip No.1: always expect something to go wrong!) Bring copies of the publication you work on and sample problems that we can solve together.

• Watching ourselves online: what case law says about protecting workers against reprisals with Charles Smith
  Explore what the research says about discipline and social media, what case law says about workers’ actions and reprisals, and what to avoid.

  Charles Smith is a politics professor from the University of Saskatchewan.

• Online privacy and security for unions with Nora Loreto
  Is your union PIPEDA ready? Do you have a privacy officer? Can your members file official requests to see personal information that your union has on file? In this workshop, Nora will walk delegates through the various legal responsibilities that large organizations have to protect private information. Delegates will also have guides and tools that they can employ to improve their privacy and security.

  Nora Loreto is CALM’s editor.

• Crisis communications with Chelsea Connor
  Learn how to keep calm as you weather the media storm when your organization gets hit with a crisis. Chelsea Connor, a veteran communicator on both sides of the Canada-US border, will walk you through how to plan ahead and what to do when the unexpected hits. Learn from her mistakes, see what works and what doesn’t, and get an insider’s perspective on how to be responsive to media demands. This is an advanced-level workshop.

  Chelsea Connor is the Director of Communications and Media Relations for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). Chelsea joined the labor movement after completing a two-year contract with the Government of Canada and with Global Affairs Canada working in Ottawa and New York. In that capacity, Chelsea served as a spokeswoman under two Canadian Prime Ministers (PM Harper & PM Trudeau) and was responsible for the strategic communications planning and execution for the Government of Canada through the transition of governments, and its portfolio of digital, advocacy, diplomatic, technology, energy, trade and foreign relations work. Chelsea has continued her work in Canada as part of the Campaign Gears team.
  Prior to her work in Canada, Chelsea worked as political consultant with two firms in New York City: MirRam Group and the Advance Group. She worked with several clients across industries including: Comunilife, Livery Base Owners Association, Public Advocate Letitia “Tish” James, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Council member Julissa Ferreras, UFCW 2013, TWU Local 100, AARP, on more than a dozen New York City Council campaigns, and for a variety of non-profit organizations, and labor unions including Bertha Lewis’s The Black Institute, CWA 1180 and Pledge2Protect.
  Throughout the years Chelsea has often returned to NBC News where she started career, serving as a Political Producer, Journalist & Researcher for Tom Brokaw on NBC News’ “Decision 2016”, “Decision 2012” and on “Decision 2008” as part of the Emmy Award winning election night broadcast team.

• Targeting your social media ads with Chelsea Connor
  Social media is an effective tool in getting your message out, but is just posting your message effective? If you want to learn how to target your message effectively for both your member engagement and for effective campaigns, this is a workshop you won’t want to miss.

All delegates are invited to submit a newsletter or an article for a one-on-one writing critique with CALM’s editor. Please send your writing sample or newsletter to editor@calm.ca

Conference details are being updated regularly.  Check back often!

If you are interested in attending, and are interested in membership to be able to access a lower delegate fee, please call 647-428-8028 to discuss your options. All memberships paid after Oct. 31 are automatically applied to 2019.

We have secured a discounted rate ($115/night) for November 29-December 1 at:

Courtyard Saskatoon Airport
333 Aerogreen Cres
Saskatoon, SK
1-306-986-4993

Use the code G1473 by phone

If you’re planning to attend, don’t forget to bring some local swag to share with other delegates: magazines, lanyards, stickers — anything that will show off your union’s work.