MSVU Toronto Alumnae

Atlantic Canada Universities Pub Night!

2011-09-09T18:44:00.002-05:00

Are you going?

Toronto Pub Night FINAL

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Dr. Ramona Lumpkin to become Mount Saint Vincent University President

2010-04-27T10:42:00.002-05:00

Good Morning,

Because of your special connection to the Mount, I would like to share some exciting news with you. Below is a media release announcing the Mount's 12th President & Vice-Chancellor.

Kindest regards,
Jone E. Mitchell, CFRE
Associate Vice-President, Advancement
Mount Saint Vincent University
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax NS B3M 2J6
(contact info available upon request)

MEDIA RELEASE

Dr. Ramona Lumpkin to become Mount Saint Vincent University President

April 27, 2010, Halifax, NS - Mount Saint Vincent University’s Board of Governors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ramona Lumpkin as 12th President and Vice-Chancellor of the Mount effective October 1, 2010.

Dr. Ramona Lumpkin is a highly respected academic and administrative leader with over 25 years in the educational field. Since 2001 she has been the Principal of Huron University College, an undergraduate liberal arts institution affiliated with the University of Western Ontario, where she is the first woman leader in the College's 147-year history. She is responsible for setting strategic direction, internal and external constituent relations, and fundraising.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lumpkin to the Mount. She has a solid record of building positive relationships with students, faculty, staff and supporters, including alumnae. We are confident she will continue to advance the Mount as a dynamic and innovative institution,” said Catherine Woodman, Chair of the Mount’s Board of Governors. “Dr. Lumpkin brings leadership experience from roles at Huron and Royal Roads University and her passion for education, lifelong learning and community service will be a perfect fit for the Mount community.”

“Mount Saint Vincent University has a reputation for academic excellence and a commitment to the advancement of women and these are two of my passions,” said Dr. Lumpkin. “I am delighted to be moving to Nova Scotia and becoming part of the Mount community.”

Prior to Huron University College, Dr. Lumpkin served as Vice President Academic and Provost of Royal Roads University and during her tenure over 20 new degree and certificate programs were introduced and enrolment was significantly increased.

Dr. Lumpkin joined Royal Roads from University of Windsor, where she was Dean of Continuing Education, Director of the Division for Instructional Development, and an Associate Professor in the School of Dramatic Arts. She holds a PhD in English Literature from the University of Kentucky and is a former Fulbright Scholar to England.

Throughout her career, Dr. Lumpkin has been actively engaged in women’s studies, in advocacy on behalf of women’s issue, and in promoting the role of women in higher education.

Active in community life, she has been a volunteer with various not-for-profit organizations, most recently Big Sisters of London, Ontario.

Dr. Lumpkin was inducted as an Honorary Life Member of both the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education, and the Ontario Council of Universities for Lifelong Learning, in recognition of her commitment to lifelong education.

Dr. Lumpkin will work closely with Dr. McDonough, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor until September 30th, the Mount’s leadership team and the Board of Governors to ensure an effective and smooth transition of responsibilities.

“Exciting things are happening at the Mount and Dr. Lumpkin’s leadership will ensure the university continues to prepare thoughtful and engaged students. The Mount community will be well served by her energy, passion and skills,” said Alexa McDonough, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “I look forward to working with Dr. Lumpkin in the coming months.”

“On behalf of the Board and members of the Mount community, I want to acknowledge Alexa McDonough for her leadership, for continuing to advance the university’s strategic plan, and for underscoring the Mount’s commitment to social justice,” said Ms. Woodman. “Dr. McDonough, an Honorary Doctorate from the Mount, will continue to be advocate for the Mount and role model for our students and all members of the Mount community.”

Dr. Lumpkin’s bio and photo are available on msvu.ca

About Mount Saint Vincent University

Recognized as a leader in flexible education, applied research, and a personalized approach to education, Mount Saint Vincent University is nationally recognized among undergraduate universities in Canada for our success in Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grants and for having one of the lowest student-to-professor ratios. The Mount is committed to providing the best university experience for all members of our community and to developing thoughtful, engaged citizens who make a positive impact on their world. For additional information about the University, visit msvu.ca.

-30-

For more information contact:

Kelly Gallant
Public Affairs
(contact info available upon request)

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Public Relations now Department of Communications Studies

2010-03-30T16:47:00.001-05:00

For all of the details on this recent change in department name, please follow this link:

http://msvupr.blogspot.com/2010/03/brp-degree-stays-but-department-name.html

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Cheers on the Mount Mystics

2009-11-03T22:53:00.000-05:00

The Mount Mystics Women's Soccer Team will be in the GTA this week to compete in the national CCAA Soccer Championships.

Come out to cheer Mount students -- the Atlantic regional champions -- at the Ontario Soccer Centre, 7601 Martingrove Road in Vaughn. They play Wednesday, November 4th at 11 am and Thursday, November 5th at 1.30 pm. Follow their results at www.humberathletics.ca to see when they will be playing in the medal rounds on Saturday, November 7th.

Alumnae support for our varsity teams -- especially for away games -- is always appreciated!

Go Mystics Go!

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Statement of Support for Chris Crowell

2009-08-05T11:32:00.005-05:00

I am east coast connected (President, Class of '90, MSVU) and East Coast Connected and I would like to take this opportunity to voice my support for Chris Crowell's nomination in Halifax.

The only time that I have met Chris was while he was networking at a Rotman event, working the same circles as David Peterson and an auspicious collection of Canadians who care about our country's future. He mentioned East Coast Connected.

A while back I launched a blog designed to help connect the over 700 Mount Saint Vincent University graduates in the Toronto area and I have written my share about social media, so ECC immediately interested me. I looked it up, joined and the success of this initiative continually impresses me. Score two for Chris ...

At the time, Chris was about to start as the Director of Investments at Social Capital Partners. In my view (and I am not alone), social capital is key to a new economic model that is emerging and Chris' commitment to this kind of economy can not be questioned. Score two more Chris ...

Above all, I think Chris is part of the solution. I think he is committed to an innovation led economy. A lack of innovation and productivity is not a East Coast problem, it is a Canadian problem that in my view requires a cultural shift.

I am not a personal or business connection of Chris'. I hope this post is received with the conviction that it written.

Sincerely,

Michael Cayley

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Pub Night, Wed, June 10, 2009, The Bedford Academy

2009-05-14T12:23:00.003-05:00

Just received in the mail:

We are coming to Toronto!

Jone E. Mitchell
Associate VP, Advancement
&
Shani E. Pearson
Manager, Alumnae Relations

invite you to join them at a gathering for alumnae.

June 10, 2009, 5:30 - 7 pm
The Bedford Academy
36 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto

RSVP by June 5th to 1-888-six-seven-eight-25-eight-six or alumnae (at) msvu (dot) ca

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Support Andre Mazerolle

2009-03-17T17:04:00.004-05:00

Here is a message from fellow alum Andre Mazerolle:

On Sunday, May 3rd I will be joining over 400 other enthusiasts to participate in the ultimate urban environment tradition: a paddle down the Don River. The 16th Annual Paddle the Don event brings together conservationists, business people and recreationalists to traverse one of Toronto’s most important watersheds, the Don River. All donations received will be put toward regeneration projects in the Don watershed. I am inviting you to show your support of regeneration efforts on this urban river by sponsoring me as I paddle its lower reaches to Lake Ontario.
Secure online donations can be made with your credit card by clicking on the link below:

https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=PADD31E&OID=130

You’ll need the following information to make your pledge:

Paddlers Name: Andre Mazerolle
Paddlers Email Address: andre_mazerolle at yahoo dot com
For more information about Paddle the Don, or to join us on May 3rd, please visit http://www.paddlethedon.ca

Thank you for your generous support.

Anyone interested in joining via kayak or canoe is also welcome to connect with Andre.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

East Coast Connected and the East Coast Charity Ball committee partner to bring you the 6th Annual East Coast Charity Ball!

2009-02-17T10:09:00.003-05:00

Here is the announcement regarding the upcoming 6th annual East Coast Charity Ball ...

Please join us at The Berkeley Church, 315 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario on Saturday, March 28th at 9:00pm!

Tickets are only $40 and they will be sold out! Please click on the following link to purchase your ticket to this annual event that can't be missed! Ticket price includes your admission to the event. All proceeds go to Daytrippers Children's Charity.

To purchase tickets:
http://eastcoastcharityball.eventbrite.com

The mission of the ECCB is to raise money for Daytrippers Children's Charity and to provide a venue for Atlantic Canadians and their friends to get together for a night of fun - "East Coast Style". During the evening, old friends reunite and new friendships begin.

In the first five years, the East Coast Charity Ball has raised over $60,000 for DayTrippers Children's Charity and with your help, we will continue to build on that number this year!

Please come out and join us for an evening of fun, help raise money for a great charity, have an opportunity to meet new friends and get re-acquainted with old ones. For more information on the East Coast Charity Ball or Daytrippers, please click on the following links.

www.eastcoastcharityball.com
www.daytrippers.ca

If you are planning to go, please leave a comment on this blog so that other MSVU alum can connect with you.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Dalhousie Honours the Link with Recent Graduates

2009-01-22T10:38:00.003-05:00

Congratulations go out to both our friend Chris Crowell, the Founder of East Coast Connected and Dalhousie University. First to Chris for establishing East Coast Connected. We hope to collaborate with them in 2009!

Next to Dal for this award aimed at honouring their connection to their most recent graduates.

http://www.eastcoastconnected.ca/news/ecc-president-receives-dalhousie-university-young-alumni-year-award

If you are aware of a similar award at the Mount then will you please post about here or leave comments below or share some weblinks so that we can report on it.

Also, I wonder ... how can we do a much better job of connecting with recent graduates who are coming to Toronto? Is there a way that the Mount Alumnae Office can help us connect with these folks?

Can we as a local association do more to bring value to incoming alum who get in touch?

Maybe someone can find sponsors willing to donate "Welcome Packages" or if you are going to a business networking event, you could offer to take an incoming grad along with you?

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Ideas Need People to Spread

2009-01-05T16:04:00.005-05:00

Hey, Happy New Year! All the best for 2009.

MSVU alum have been a great source of support as I have tried to bring attention & resources to Social Capital Value Add over the past seven months. THANK YOU!

I have submitted Social Capital Value Add to Ashoka’s ChangeMakers.net competition The Power of Us: Re-Imagine Media. You can comment and rate the submission now and vote for it after January 21st.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Happy New Year ... Shift Happens

2009-01-01T13:24:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!

Take five minutes and click through to watch this video highlighting the "exponential times" we live in ...

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Merry Christmas Baby

2008-12-18T23:12:00.003-05:00

The Boss says its time for some Christmas cheer. C'mon click through and take 5 minutes out to enjoy some Springsteen.

Best of the season to y'all ...

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Great Job, Deadline Today - December 4

2008-12-04T10:47:00.000-05:00

Sorry! I just noticed this today ...

ECC Program Manager
November 15, 2008 - 8:24pm - Gregory Lam

Location:
Toronto, Ontario
Application Deadline:
Dec 4 2008
Posted On:
November 15 2008

ABOUT EAST COAST CONNECTED

Founded in 2007, East Coast Connected (ECC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a community hub for Atlantic Canadians currently living in the Greater Toronto Area. ECC operates a series of programs and events, including the Atlantic Business Summit, Coast & Cocktails and the East Coast Army.

ECC advocates the idea of brain circulation as opposed to the traditional concept of brain drain. The circulation concept recognizes that Atlantic Canadians everywhere possess tremendous goodwill towards their home which is an asset that can benefit the region when people are engaged.

ECC continues to forge strong relationships within the business community, public sector and academic leaders. In 2009, ECC plans to lead the formation of a second chapter in the Ottawa area.
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

The PROGRAM MANAGER will work closely with and report to the ECC President for the coordination and delivery of a wide range of functions in support of the development and operation of East Coast Connected. The incumbent will be expected to learn and participate in the many aspects of the organization.
NATURE AND SCOPE

This role blends promotional and administrative responsibilities and is expected to be central to the continued success and growth of ECC. The PROGRAM MANAGER will execute management initiatives, provide our members and stakeholders with a consistent flow of useful information about our services and initiatives, and provide management with concise business and market reports that will facilitate decision-making and growth.

The PROGRAM MANAGER will interface with the President, the Board of Directors if required, and various committees within ECC. The incumbent will also deal with members, volunteers, suppliers, sponsors, and various other organizations with connections to ECC.

Occasional evening and weekend work will be required. Some travel may be required.
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. In coordination with ECC executives and committee leaders, manage literature, website content, social media and promotional initiatives.
2. Play a key role in event co-ordination.
3. Research and compile databases of potential ECC sponsors, partners, etc.
4. Actively participate in identifying market segments, trends and marketing or partnering opportunities.
5. Participate in the production of newsletters, including editorial and writing duties.
6. Coordinate and manage administrative duties in preparation of ECC Board meetings and Advisory Panel meetings, as required. May be asked to attend certain ECC Board meetings and functions.
7. Administration of eastcoastconnected.ca including email blasts/newsletters, user management, posting / sourcing content (stories, events, careers) and moderating comments/events/careers for spam or inappropriate content.
8. Develop and report objective feedback from ECC members and stakeholders.
9. Compile and prepare summary sales, website statistics, membership poll information and business reports as required periodically by management.
10. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Familiarity with issues and opportunities pertinent to Atlantic Canada. Connections within the region’s business, public sector, cultural and academic communities a plus.
2. Good business savvy and an ability to effectively interact with individuals at all levels of an organization. Demonstrated ability in a business development / marketing role an asset.
3. A self-starter with the ability to work independently with a minimal level of supervision.
4. Strong and versatile writing skills. Advanced ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
5. A demonstrated commitment to the community.
6. Ability to communicate effectively verbally in English required, and French an asset.
7. Previous experience administering a website, including familiarity with CMS fundamentals, FTP and HTML 4.01 markup, social media, the ability to contribute to the overall development of the site and to source content would be an asset.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to info@eastcoastconnected.ca. Submission deadline is December 4, 2008. East Coast Connected thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

ECC thurs ... gracies presents clam chowder

2008-11-25T00:09:00.000-05:00

http://eastcoastconnected.ca/events/ecc-thursdays-gracies-presents-clam-chowder-1

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Job Posting: Heart & Stroke Nova Scotia

2008-11-20T01:17:00.001-05:00

From the Mount PR Department blog:

http://msvupr.blogspot.com/2008/11/job-opportunity-heart-and-stroke.html

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Remember

2008-11-10T11:21:00.000-05:00

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

East Coast Connected promotes brain circulation

2008-10-31T11:11:00.003-05:00

I met Christopher Crowell at an event to kick of the next phase of building at the Rotman school this week. Chris is the President of East Coast Connected.

There are lots of ways that ECC and MSVU Toronto Alumnae can work together to develop stronger connections. We look forward to a great association!

Here are the details about ECC from their website:

Brain drain is a well known phenomenon. Individuals from Atlantic Canada are drawn to major economic centres, like Toronto, in pursuit of higher salaries and advanced career opportunities. A 2004 ACOA sponsored survey found that 38% of students from the 18 Atlantic universities planned to leave the region upon graduation. Some speculate that the actual number ends up being much higher.

Atlantic Canadians who have moved away still represent a valuable resource to the Atlantic Provinces. Instead of brain drain, East Coast Connected (ECC) will promote brain circulation - allowing both Atlantic Canada and Toronto to benefit from the best of what each region has to offer through the free flow of capital, knowledge and creativity.

Mission & Objectives

Simply put, East Coast Connected will bring the best of Atlantic Canada to Toronto and bring the best of Toronto back to Atlantic Canada. Specifically, East Coast Connected will:

* Create a community hub and strengthen the bonds between Atlantic Canadians living in Toronto.
* Extend this community's scope to include those who have ties to the Atlantic Provinces through extended families, business or schooling.
* Promote regional development in Atlantic Canada through the exchange of capital, knowledge and creativity.
* Provide a forum in which business, political, academic and cultural leaders in Atlantic Canada can engage the Atlantic community in Toronto and vice versa.

The benefits of joining the ECC community

Individuals can become a member of the East Coast Connected Community simply. Membership is free and all members are invited to participate in all applicable ECC events and programs. There are three categories of programming offered by ECC.
Toronto-based Events

* Social Programs & Networking Events - Regular social events and themed business networking events will offer a chance for the community to come together. Visit this website or sign up for the ECC Newsletter to keep up-to-date on the latest.
* Civic Engagement Initiative - Bonds within Toronto's Atlantic community will be strengthened through the shared experience of making a positive contribution to Toronto.
* East Coast Arts Events - A kitchen party is easy to find almost anywhere; even in Toronto! What can be more challenging is finding an opportunity to experience the diversity of East Coast art and music. ECC will partner with arts organizations to expose community members to established and up-and-coming Atlantic Canadian artists from a wide range of media.

Connecting to the East Programs

* Mentorship Program - Recent graduates from Atlantic Universities can benefit from the experience of Atlantic Canadians on similar career paths already living in Toronto or become a mentor yourself.
* Atlantic Leaders Series - A forum for Atlantic Canadian political, business, academic and cultural leaders to engage the Atlantic community in Toronto. Initially, these events may be held in partnership with existing speaker series a few times a year. Eventually, the series will grow into a dynamic program featuring both large formal addresses and more informal and intimate dinners and chats.
* Policy Forums - ECC will bring together leading thinkers from Atlantic Canada and Toronto alike to focus on issues relevant to improving prosperity in Atlantic Canada and Toronto.

Atlantic Region Programs

* University Chapters - ECC Chapters will be rolled out at universities across Atlantic Canada. University chapters will have the opportunity to host business, cultural and academic leaders who are also affiliated with ECC. University chapter members are also eligible to participate in the mentorship program.
* Provincial Councils - Each Atlantic Province has its own council that is committed to expanding the ECC network and promoting the exchange of knowledge, resources and creativity between Atlantic Canada and Toronto. These councils will host their own events and programs, drawing upon the resources of the Toronto community as required.

East Coast Connected will benefit your organization

The ECC Board of Directors is dedicated to creating a dynamic community of Atlantic Canadians transcending the borders of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Toronto. To accomplish this, the Board and the Provincial Councils will produce events and offer programs that community members can rally around.

It doesn't stop at this though. As with all communities, there is room for your organization's message within ECC. We will partner with your organization to help you advance your objectives and provide you with opportunities for exposure to our members. East Coast Connected will provide the medium, you provide the message
If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Melissa Sparks: Woman of Influence

2008-10-25T13:51:00.006-05:00

Thanks again to Steven Rayson and Deloitte for their generous donation of two tickets to try to help MSVU Toronto Alum connect.

Here is the field report from winner Melissa Sparks!

My name is Melissa Sparks, a mortgage consultant with Invis and alumni of Mount Saint Vincent University, BSc.87.

Yes, I am the lucky winner of the two tickets for the Women of Influence Luncheon Series held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on October 22, 2008. Actually, I was very surprised because I usually do not win anything and because I had an extra ticket I took my good friend and girlfriend, Ferenah Karimullah,( a certified financial planner) . That's me in the beige jacket.

The event commenced with a reception before the luncheon which gave many of the women and some men, the opportunity to network and peruse the vendor’s booths. After 45 minutes, we were ushered in the room to start with lunch. Lunch was a very simple cannelloni dish with salad along with a light dessert. It was actually very tasty, but I am a pasta lover anyway.

What I liked the most was the diversity of women who attended this luncheon. I had the pleasure to have lunch with a Director, a VP, an account manager, a financial planner, a lawyer, and an executive assistant and they all were women looking to be inspired. I have to mention also, the head table was made up of a very impressive lineup of women who hold positions are directors and Vice Presidents of various firms and organization in Toronto. The host for the event was Erin Davis, from CHFI and she was the perfect individual to host an event of this nature.

The main speakers for the luncheon were Janet Kestin and Nancy Vonk, Co-chief Creative Officer for Oglilvy Toronto. These two women are the masterminds behind the “Dove Evolution” and “Diamond Shreddies” campaigns. The key message I gather from listening to these two women is to follow your passion, and do what makes you happy. Here you have two women who were moved into a career that is dominated by men, and a career that demands a lot of commitment and time and probably not the type of career suited for a woman who wants to have a family, but these two women have worked through the challenges offered by the advertising industry and followed their passion and had their families.

I encourage any of you if you get the opportunity to attend one these events, you will carry away some valuable information that will help with your personal development. The next event is November 26, 2008 with guest speaker – Maureen Kempston Darkes, President , GM Latin America, Africa, and Middle East. Check out the website for further details – www.womenofinfluence.ca

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

We have a Winner! Melissa Sparks

2008-10-21T15:07:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone! We have a winner of our membership drive contest sponsored by Steven Rayson at Deloitte.

Melissa Sparks, Bachelor of Science 1987 will be heading off to the Women of Influence event tomorrow.

Melissa is busily calling up her friends right now to see who can go with her, but she has offered to take along one of her fellow alum if you get in contact with her first. The clock is ticking!

If you are interested in joining Melissa at the event tomorrow I can put you in touch with her, just email me at mgcayley (at) hotmail.com.

This is a great event and thank you again to Steven and Deloitte for their generous support of our efforts to get MSVU Toronto Alum reconnected.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Looking for Leadership? Invest in Your Networks

2008-10-15T23:39:00.003-05:00

by Michael Cayley & Jonathan Salem Baskin

Lincoln and Roosevelt are heralded as great American leaders in times of crisis, and their vision and fortitude are recognized as drivers of their historic accomplishments.

However, we think their greatness had far more to do with their abilities to be catalysts for network effects.

If we’re right, it reveals a very different interpretation of the calls we’re hearing for “leadership” to restore confidence in our economic system. In fact, there’s a good chance that no government policy gesture or announcement will mollify the worries of businesses and consumers, let alone stabilize the markets.

Confidence must emerge from the networks in which we all participate. We need to lead ourselves.

This raises intriguing issues and opportunities for corporate marketers looking to craft a way forward.

“In times of uncertainty consumers rely more on trusted relationships when making purchasing decisions,” says Dr. Brent Simpson, an expert at the University of South Carolina who specializes in understanding how social order is formed.

Stanford University’s Matt Jackson, a leading social network theorist, adds: ``People's friends and trusted social relationships are important in influencing their behavior, and people learn from and emulate their friends. Attitude certainly can play into that, especially in turbulent times.''

So what does this mean for businesses directly impacted by the financial crisis, like banks, brokerages, and insurance companies, as well as any consumer business facing the prospect of declining (or less profitable) sales?

First and foremost, you can’t brand your way out of it. You can’t rely spin doctors to declare your path through the crisis; your customers must see and verify it. While your hired guns are hatching ads and press releases to statically “position” the situation, your networks are trading information and defining it in real-time.

And that information, whether accurate or not, has absolutely nothing to do with how the brand has been envisioned, promised, or promoted. Every network is founded upon the tangible realities of action and reaction, just as the mechanism of their function is cause and effect.

How do you empower these networks to step up and lead?

• Know your networks. Invest in software to map connections between people and content.

• Move your enterprise closer to customers, employees, partners and investors. In the past we talked about flattening hierarchies; now it is time to integrate internal & external sources of value.

• Trust opportunities that emerge from the exchange (don’t just talk, and certainly don’t lecture).

• Make information a utility as ubiquitous as electrical light. If what you share isn’t affirmed and forwarded, don’t repeat it...instead, recast or reimagine it, and find new ways to prove it to your networks.

• Demand feedback and ideas.

• Stop looking for ‘home runs’ and play ‘singles and doubles’ by finding small wins, frequent trials. Make constant adjustments. Allocate resources to winners and abandon losers without blame.

The larger revelation of today’s various crises is that the era of symbolic branding is waning, if not over. The woes of the financial institutions have graphically illustrated to us why.

It was always untenable for lenders to ignore the details of weak/bad relationships and to expect instead that homes or property (i.e. commodities) would appreciate in value with no accord to the strength of home owners (i.e. the source of value that differentiated the commodity). Instead of accessing and fostering the relationship to make the loan a better product, the banker chooses to focus on the derivatives.

All businesses face similar risks. From toothpaste to software services, consumer brands invite significant downside threats when they focus on manufactured identify and perception, and not on the drivers of true business strength: connection, interaction, involvement, collaboration, consumption and the other aspects of human behavior.

There are no brands, or businesses, without the networks of people who make them real. It is in, and through, the behaviors of these networks that the Lincolns and Roosevelts for our business and social communities will ultimately arise.

Jonathan Salem Baskin and Michael Cayley met through the concurrent release of their manifestos in the 50th issue of ChangeThis.

Jonathan Salem Baskin recently released the book Branding Only Works on Cattle. This post also appears on Jonathan’s blog at http://dimbulb.typepad.com.

Michael Cayley recently released the ebook Introducing Social Capital Value Add: Value Based Management for the Networked Age. This post also appears on Michael’s blogs at www.socialcapitalvalueadd.com and www.memeticbrand.com.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

MSVU Toronto, Women of Influence & Deloitte

2008-09-19T15:11:00.031-05:00

Good things happen when you get connected, that is the moral of this story.

A few months ago, fellow Mount alum Andre Mazerolle (who I have still not met in person, sadly!) set me up to discuss my Social Capital Value Add idea with his friend Steven Rayson, Chartered Business Valuator & Certified Fraud Examiner at Deloitte Canada.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and the Women of Influence Luncheon Series , sponsored by Deloitte, comes on to radar. Emails ensued and thanks to Steven, here we go with a win-win-win alignment of interests that is designed to bring two messages to MSVU Toronto Alumnae:

1. There is great potential in this group of more than 700 hundred in the GTA if we connect.
2. It is worth investing some time, money and effort into.

The October 22nd Women of Influence Event in Toronto is world class. It features a presentation by co-Chief Creative Officers of Olgivy Toronto, Janet Kestin & Nancy Vonk.

They are the creative directors behind the film "Evolution"part of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.

Steven has generously donated two tickets to the event to encourage MSVU Toronto Alumnae to connect with their peers. It is very simple, everyone who connects by adding their names to the MSVU Toronto Alumnae email list between now and October 20th has a chance to win the pair of tickets (value - $176.40).

It is very, very simple - put your email in this box (or the one at the bottom of this blog) and hit subscribe:

Subscribe to MSVU Toronto Alumnae

Email:

Visit this group

UPDATE: The contest may be over, but you can still reconnect with fellow alum by signing up via this box.
Thanks again Steve!

Stand Up for Ontario ... are you talkin' to me?

2008-09-19T15:11:00.003-05:00

Generally we shall stay clear of politics here, but this is not partisan and given the local economy (in for many of us, our adopted home of Toronto) this is worth sharing:

http://actnowforontario.com/

As I write this, I smile wondering how many real Maritimers in this group can bring themselves to actually looking at Ontario like this :)

Have a good weekend!

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Last Chance to RSVP - President’s Reception in Toronto

2008-09-15T08:09:00.001-05:00

From the Mount Alumnae Office:

The President’s Reception is fast approaching – we hope you can make it!*

Kathryn E. Laurin, President & Vice-Chancellor, invites you to mingle with old friends and new at the President’s Reception! Join us for refreshments and hear all the latest news from the Mount.

Date: Monday, September 22, 2008

Time: 5:30p.m. – 7:00p.m.

Location:
The University Club of Toronto
380 University Avenue
Toronto, ON
(Closest Subway Station: St. Patrick’s)

RSVP:
Telephone: 902.457.5546
Toll Free: 1.888.678.2586
Email: alumnae@msvu.ca

In accordance with club policy, please note that dress code is business attire or smart casual. For more information or directions, please visit www.universitycluboftoronto.com.

* For those who have already RSVP’d – thank you! We can’t wait to see you!!

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

ChangeThis 50th Issue includes Social Capital Value Add

2008-09-11T13:36:00.003-05:00

Hey there – www.ChangeThis.com’s 50^th Issue went out to over 20,000 people yesterday. It included new ideas from Seth Godin, John Kotter, Jonathan Salem Baskin, Vince Procente and Andrew Abela (full details here). Thanks to many of you who voted to make Social Capital Value Add the 8^th most demanded proposal in ChangeThis history last spring, the release also included a piece by me.

Business leaders who trust you will likely appreciate it if you share these pieces with them. That is the idea behind ChangeThis.

Thanks,

Michael

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Job Opp: World Health Organisation

2008-09-05T17:52:00.002-05:00

Re-post from MSVU PR dept blog:

http://msvupr.blogspot.com/2008/08/world-health-organization-needs-you.html

Hope you had a good summer!

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Invitation from MSVU President for Sept.22 Reception

2008-08-26T10:35:00.003-05:00

President's Reception

Date: Monday, September 22, 2008

Time: 5:30p.m. - 7:00p.m.

Location: The University Club of Toronto, 380 University AvenueToronto, ON

Kathryn E. Laurin, President & Vice-Chancellor, invites you to mingle with old friends and new at the President's Reception. This invitation is extended to all MSV Alumnae in the Greater Toronto Area. Join us for refreshments and hear all of the latest news from the Mount.

Please RSVP by September 15, 2008.Telephone: 902.457.5546Toll Free: 1.888.678.2586Email: alumnae@msvu.ca

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

I need help

2008-08-22T10:40:00.002-05:00

I am looking for someone who can rework a pdf e-book and tweak the look and functionality of a couple of wordpress blogs.

I figure that it is about a day or two of work and it needs to be done before September 8th.

I can send forward details if you can think of anyone who might lead to someone who may be interest.

email me at mgcayley (at) hotmail.com or call me at 647-407-9598.

Thanks!

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Job Opps: Alberta and Nova Scotia

2008-08-19T21:25:00.002-05:00

A couple of reposts from the Mount PR blog:

University of Alberta
http://msvupr.blogspot.com/2008/08/job-opportunity-at-university-of.html

Geoff Regan, M.P.
http://msvupr.blogspot.com/2008/07/job-opportunity.html

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

The Sound of Innovation

2008-08-11T21:26:00.005-05:00

Ahhh... Summer music - a sweet blend of memories that can take me back five, 10 or (gulp) 25 years, in an instant. I can remember doing the butterfly at the roller rink to Funkytown, singing back up to Summer Lovin', cruising the downtown strip to You Shook Me All Night Long and sneaking in after a few pops with Living on a Prayer. There's no doubt Kid Rock's song, All Summer Long, will be remembered as the 2008 anthem. This hit is a fusion of two songs from the 70s: Warren Zevon's 'Werewolves of London' and Lynyrd Skynard's 'Sweet Home Alabama'. Do you think Kid Rock put two of his favorites together, knowing he would land with a smash hit?

I've been thinking a lot about where the inspiration for "successes" like these come from because I've been working on a project with innovation expert, Rick Boersma, of Floworks. When the energy in a meeting begins to lag, he is wired to "change the stimulants". Not the kind that could have helped Kid Rock along, but the everyday kind that inspire ideas and innovation breakthroughs. We change rooms, play a game, look at random magazines, eat (my favorite), or simply take a walk. Rick says stimuli can come from literally anywhere. Words and images, smells and sounds, indoors and outdoors, something that catches your attention, opening a newspaper, dictionary, catalogue, book of pictures, throwing a dice, a film clip, a piece of music, a physical object... It just so happens the Kid was playing in the background as I was struggling to write this post.

Typically, when faced with a challenge, we tend to resort to the same old stimuli to solve our problems. As Rick puts it, "We can use stimuli to escape our mental box to help us look at situations from a new perspective and generate novel ideas." Stimuli can be related to the subject matter, or completely random. Change the stimuli, change the outcome and results.

Have a bit of writer's block? Go to a card store and check out how many ways you can say, "Happy Birthday ". Can't seem to get a strategy from your head, onto paper? Get tactile and play with some lego, playdoh or nuts and bolts from a tool box. Need ideas to flow from your team? Take them for ice cream and a round of mini golf.

Of course, the summer weather may be calling and your ability to focus and solve problems may be out the window with the birds. If that happens - and I know this from experience - cranking Blackwater by the Doobies and enjoying an ice cold beer helps. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

We need a guest post from you

2008-07-29T08:52:00.002-05:00

Hi there -

I am heading to B.C. for two weeks and would be grateful if you would make a guest post while I am on holidays.

You can post anything you think our fellow alum might find interesting. Career advice, personal thoughts on living and working in Toronto, reflections on the Mount, advice for students considering the Mount, links to interesting articles and websites, etc.

Make your post directly to the blog by emailing it to: mgcayley.msvu (at) blogger.com

The title of your email will be the title of the blog post. The body of your email will be the text of the blog.

I hope that you are having a great summer.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Another gig in Vancouver

2008-07-29T08:43:00.004-05:00

This one is at the Vancouver Airport: http://msvupr.blogspot.com

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Job Postings!

2008-07-10T21:42:00.001-05:00

doctor d is back in town the Mount PR blog has started to light up with activity.

If you are looking for a job in Vancouver take a trip over to:

http://msvupr.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

See You Sunday June 8th??

2008-06-04T21:57:00.002-05:00

Just a reminder that everyone is invited to join in for a regular alum meeting this Sunday starting at 3 pm, followed by Greek dinner at the Pantheon on the Danforth afterwards.

Please give Michael a call at 416-462-1859 or email at mgcayley (at) hotmail (dot) com if you are coming so that we can plan the food and beverage.

Shani Pearson from the Mount Alumnae office will be joining us!

Also, our thoughts are with Shirley Ford this week as she has been called to urgently visit her sister in P.E.I. Shirley will be missed this weekend.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

ChangeThis request for action

2008-05-20T14:11:00.002-05:00

Hi – this will take less than a minute …

A few weeks ago one of the founders of ChangeThis suggested that I submit an idea. Tom Peters, Chris Anderson, Gladwell, Seth Godin, Toronto’s recently attracted Richard Florida and many more have instigated some great ideas through http://www.changethis.com/.

Today their editorial board posted SCVA for voting at: http://www.changethis.com/proposals/1279. I hope that you will support it.

Next Toronto Alum Meeting, June 8th

2008-04-30T12:38:00.004-05:00

Everyone is invited to drop by a meet some other alum before the summer starts to make those Sunday afternoons even more precious.

We are starting at my house (Browning, near Broadview & Danforth) at 3 pm and then heading down to The Pantheon Restaurant on the Danforth for another Greek dinner.

Leave a comment or drop an email if you need directions.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Great Dinner with Fringe Benefits

2008-04-22T09:36:00.002-05:00

Hey - great Thai food, nes pas?

Simply Thai turned out to be a great venue. I hope everyone had a good time?

The conversations ranged from the Tibetian protests of the Beijing Olympics, to Mount stories stretching over several decades, to the personal stories of greeting life (death in the family, challenges of parenting) and career. Very much worth the investment of time and energy.

There was an immediate authenticy and trust. For me, seeing Crista Renner again after about 20 years was a blast. We talked like it was more like a few months since seeing each other.

She was riding high on a work experience from her day that was great intelligence for me. Her company, http://www.juiceinc.ca/ released a white paper in the morning and had a great response. The content is good stuff. Get "The Five Drivers of Engagement: The Role of Emotional Motivators in Employee Performance" here. And make sure you forward the link to all of your friends.

Since, I am getting ready to release a paper regarding the changes that broadband communications have introduced into how corporate value is created and defended, the behind the scenes info of how they crafted the paper based upon a book by one of her partners, raise awareness about it and distribute it is all great insight that she was able to share.

Thanks again to all that could make it out.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Reminder: Dinner tonight! Are you coming?

2008-04-17T08:35:00.003-05:00

Here are the details:

Simply Thai Cuisine, 2253 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S1N8

Time: 6:30 pm.

On the map it looks like it is just East of Jane St. on Bloor St. W (at the foot of Beresford Ave.).

Reconfirms and interest over the last few weeks have not matched up. So at the moment I don't know who is coming for sure. See you there?

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Crista Renner, gets connected

2008-04-15T12:00:00.004-05:00

Hey folks, here is the skinny on Crista Renner ...

Crista is driven to help others realize and pursue their gifting, and find the professional balance that rewards them in all areas of their lives. Currently, she strives to maintain that balance as “mom” to three young children, and “partner” at Juice Inc., a company born the same month as her youngest son in April ’03.

Juice was built on the premise that better conversations create stronger relationships. Within a corporate environment, that means better performance and more engaged people. Crista oversees the company’s marketing strategies and develops and executes client communication strategies. She has a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to build momentum in a new business by attracting the people who are in need of your service, and comfortable with your style.

Crista brings almost 20 years of marketing experience working in a small-business setting. She has been a part of four start-up companies, including her own marketing company, One Fish Two Fish, which she started in 2000. As a “builder” she readily admits she loves the excitement in getting a new business off the ground, and grows a little weary of the maintenance after it’s flying.

Her past also includes marketing and program development with Guelph-based Eagle’s Flight , speechwriting at Queen’s Park, and selling computers in the eighties when a twenty-meg hard-drive was a big deal.

As part of her balancing act, Crista likes to demonstrate to her children, the value of volunteer work. She spends time as a hospice volunteer with bereaved parents, she has served on numerous boards at Guelph General Hospital, she is on the St. Michael’s Parent Council, and she currently serves as Past President of the Grand Valley Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Crista studied Public Relations at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax and she is a graduate of the Corporate Communication Program at Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario. As of August, she plans to return to school and study Social Justice at Royal Roads in Victoria, BC.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Dinner, West End, Thurs., Apr. 17th at 6:30 pm. Final Confirmation pls.

2008-04-14T09:04:00.004-05:00

And the votes are in ... we are heading to Bloor West Village for dinner on Thursday.

Click this link for details on the location (map, etc):

Simply Thai Cuisine, 2253 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S1N8

I am a little worried about the place. I have never been there.

I thought that the West enders would either endorse or recommend an alternative.

If someone is in the area over the next day or two, please check it out, there is still time to change venues.

Please leave a comment on the blog or email mail me to give me a final estimate of how many are coming.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Apr. 6, MSVU Toronto Alum Meeting ReCap

2008-04-11T16:17:00.005-05:00

Attendance:

Stefanie Pavlin
Arlene Steger
Shirley Forde
Brenda Joergensen
Lilly Chan
Marie Ann Skomorowski
Michael Cayley
Jean McNeil
Terri Malcolm
Fatima De Rosa

President Shirley Ford opened with a prayer and welcomed us all to the meeting.

Shirley collected $200.00 for our Christmas Charity and she put in a personal contribution from her own funds to top up the donation. Thanks to Shirley for your great generosity to this special fund for relief for those in the Phillipines who are in need of the basics of food and housing after the floods of 2007.

Michael sent emails and automated phone calls with voice mail to almost 700 Alumnae asking them to get in touch. The effort got several more alum reconnected and a week after the calls went out, we still had responses trickling in.

Jake York is the first Alumnae from the Mount to be gives the Rhodes Scholar. Jake is off to Oxford University to continue with Science Research. This is the first Rhodes Scholar in the history of the Mount. Jake was recently congratulated in the Nova Scotia Legislature. You can read the Hansard notes here.

The Student Union of the Mount has pledged $275,000.00 to the Capital Campaign.

This meeting was our annual Bring, Bid and Buy. Brenda was the auctioneer and we realized $134.00 from the sales of a variety of interesting things.

We are planning to collaborate with the alumni associations of other Halifax based school to organize a wine tasting event in October.

Next Meeting: Sunday, June 8, 2008 at the home of Michael. The meeting will be at 3:00 PM and dinner following meeting at The Pantheon on the Danforth

Notes prepared by: Brenda Joergensen

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Dinner in East End?

2008-04-10T20:10:00.001-05:00

You have a few days left to cast your vote. Right now we have four votes for the East end.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Dinner, Thursday, Apr. 17 at 6:30 pm

2008-04-04T15:54:00.004-05:00

Ok, Let's try Thursday, Apr. 17th for dinner. I have picked out three locations to vote on:

Simply Thai Cuisine, 2253 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S1N8

Korean Grill House, 214 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V1Z2

Sher-E-Punjab Restaurant, 351 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4K1N7

If you are open to more than one location vote for more than one, if you want to suggest a different location, start time or kind of food, please leave a comment on the blog.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Pick a date for dinner

2008-03-31T21:11:00.005-05:00

Hello all -

If you are reading this message in an email, please click through on the link to the blog below or here.

Check in the right column of the blog and vote for a date you can join us for dinner.

I have suggested that we try to get together right after work at 6:30 pm on Apr. 15, 16 or 17. Click on the dates that you can join. Click on more than one if you are open to any date. If you want to join but can't make any of these dates or times, please email or post a comment on the blog. We'll try to co-ordinate so that everyone can join.

We have people from all over the GTA who have expressed an interest in joining us, so location is going to be an interesting discussion. Let's try to come up with an interesting place that will draw us together. Please suggest a location either by email or in the comments at the bottom of this blog entry and we will put that to a vote too.

Vote now. Vote often :)

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Results of Calls are In

2008-03-26T11:49:00.004-05:00

Let us know if you got a call or if we missed anyone.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Calling All MSVU Toronto Alum!

2008-03-25T20:09:00.003-05:00

Ok. Let's get this party started.

Starting tomorrow every MSVU alum in the Toronto region will get a phone call sometime between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. This is the message:

"Hi there – this is a one time message for Mount Saint Vincent University alumnae. There are almost 1000 of us living in the region now. We’ve launched a blog, have a wine tasting event and a dinner coming up. I’m Michael Cayley, I graduated from the Mount in 1990. Please email me at mcayley (at) sympatico (dot) ca or call me at 416-462-1859. That is all you have to do to get connected."

If you get a call, please let me know. If you or someone you know doesn't get a call, please let me know.

I chose those calling times because I think we are more likely to get answering machines during that time and it is probably easier for folks to save the recording than it is to jot down the email or phone number while they are on the phone (although they will have an option to replay the message if they get it live).

I am using software to make the calls. Sorry, I wanted to call everyone personally and I tried a few but, as you know, life is busy. Don't worry your phone number is not going onto some calling list, is has not and it will not be sold. I hate telemarkers too!

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Word of Warning: Did You Know?

2008-02-29T10:30:00.002-05:00

Received from a friend by email.

Somone looked up the statute: http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2003/04/03/c7335.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

What you read below applies to police cars and all other emergency vehicles with flashing lights "on" and pulled over on the right side of the highway.

The story goes ...

"I just had an experience which I hope you will not share.I was driving on the 417 West near Ottawa at broad daylight at 2 p.m.,when I came upon two police cruisers who had pulled over a third vehicle. I slowed down to be cautious, and was surprised when the second cruiser pulled out and pulled me over.Approaching on the passenger side, the officer asked if I knew why I had been pulled over. I honestly expressed that I had no idea.He informed me that Ontario law now states that when approaching anyemergency vehicle, on the roadside, with lights flashing, you must enter the left lane.

He then proceeded to ticket me, taking three demerits and issuing a fine of , wait for it, . . .$490! (Yes, I'm choking as I type that.)

I realize I did not change lanes, but I do believe I was cautious. My message is, be careful. He said that they are cracking down hard on this because of three injured officers in the last ten days. I did not realize this was the law. Neither did any of the 47 drivers (I counted them)who broke the same law as I sat waiting to receive my ticket."

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Social Media - PR's Great Opportunity

2008-02-20T16:41:00.006-05:00

This is my first blog. I've been avoiding this posting for several weeks and my reasons are good. What if I don't have anything meaningful to say? Or what if I violate "the rules"? This whole world of social media is scary stuff when you've hit your fourth decade and you feel sandwiched between what feels comfortable, and what you need to know.

To help remedy my deficiency, I decided to participate in an after-work presentation called Social Media - PR's Great Opportunity, sponsored by my local chapter of IABC. The speaker was Joe Thornley, a guy from a PR company in Ottawa called Thornley Fallis. After defining social media, he introduced us to his Social Media Presence on his blog, Twitter, Del.icio.us, Dopplr, Flickr, youTube, Tumblr and of course, Facebook. The introduction to these sites was interesting at best, but how much of my time were they really worth?

As Thornley began to demonstrate how people have applied these tools to inform, convey or persuade, an internal "urgency alarm" sounded inside. Here are some examples:

Michael Geist, a columnist from Ottawa mobilized a Facebook Group of 40,000 people and thwarted the introduction of a copyright bill that could have been a sell-out to US and lobbyist demands.
Eager to find the latest stats on the number of active blogs and posts on the web each day, Thornley posted a question on Twitter and within minutes received the information he was looking for.
One-third of all Canadians now have a Facebook account. Using their advertising feature, I can instantly target people within my demographic to promote my company's training programs.
del.icio.us is my favorite tool, and the one I use most. (My handle is seedgirl). When I need information I use the search feature and "connect" with people who have similar interests. I seem to find a lot of research quickly, and I get information that I don't find with google. It also allows me to sort bookmarks so I can access information quickly. Thornley - the PR Guy - made a credible connection with a Globe & Mail writer using this tool.

We had the vision for what Social Media could do, but how do you get started, and what are the risks? The first thing to remember - this is a medium about trust, transparency, authenticity and generosity. If you fake it, you'll be found out.

And the risks? By putting your thoughts out there, you are inviting input and you need to be open to public criticism - not everyone is going to agree with you. (Gulp.) You will make mistakes and people will know what you do, and where to find you.

I encourage you to see Joe Thornley speak if the opportunity presents itself. The value I gained in less than an hour was not so much the information, but the courage to act, and write a posting for this blog. Now it's your turn. Respond and then consider becoming a contributing author.

Social Media Resources:

Books - Cluetrain Manifesto, Naked Conversations and The New Rules of Marketing and PR.

Hear Joe Thornley's colleagues speak at the Social Media Summit Canada.

For a powerpoint copy of Thornley's presentation, feel free to email me at crenner (at) juiceinc (dot) com.

Crista Renner was at Mount Saint Vincent from 1986-1988. Currently she resides in Guelph, Ontario where she is a founding partner of Juice Inc., a consulting company that works with organizations to energize employees through more effective conversations.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

I thought you would find this article interesting ...

2008-02-12T12:01:00.000-05:00

You get interesting email that you forward to your friends and read great articles that you share with people all the time right?

How about something that makes you think of your days at the Mount? Halifax? Or hints on how to enjoy life, develop career??

I just read that the Halifax Daily News newspaper closed down. Here is a link to the article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080212.RDAILYNEWS12/TPStory/Business

I am sharing the link with you by simply sending an email to mgcayley.msvu (at) blogger.com.

Whatever you email - photos (hint, who took photos at our last meeting!) with comments, news about your promotion or a fellow alum, links to great stories - will be posted directly to the blog and an email alert will go out to everyone who has signed up for the blog by email.

Come on now … this is really, really, really easy to do and it makes a difference! If I don’t see someone make a post, I am going to start coming over to your house to give you a technology primer!

P.S. in the email address above replace “at” with the symbol @ to put together the correct email address. Generally speaking, avoid publishing email addresses. I have scrambled it to keep the address from being pick up by anyone scanning the internet to find email addresses.

Give it a try!

Coming to Dinner??? Andre Mazerolle

2008-02-07T11:53:00.000-05:00

This is the third in a series of informal mini-introductions coming up over the next couple of weeks to keep the upcoming Dinner with 12 Strangers top of mind with you.

I encourage you to head to Andre Mazerolle's company website to read his biography. It is located at: http://www.mintzca.com/index.php?section=/Bios/amazerolle_bio.

Andre is a great reason why we could all benefit from activating our alumnae network in the GTA. The consulting firm that he is with is one of the best in the city. He has great personal marketing experience including running his own firm called Red Beard (Andre - my firm could have been called Red Head, but now regrettablly, former red head :) He is also active in a number of associations, so is probably very knowledgeable about how to get things done in this town.

He is interested in this event to network -- both social and business. "That shared experience ... time at MSVU and Nova Scotia, will make networking more enjoyable," says Andre.

The goal of these intros is start the process of building our network in Toronto (use it or lose!).

Who are the folks that you are still in touch with from the Mount?? Have an email for them? Contact them now, even if they are not in Toronto, maybe they know another Mount Alum who does live in Toronto? Don't have an email address? Google them or look them up on Facebook or http://www.linkedin.com/ . Have them go grab the RSS feed or subscribe to the email list at the blog: http://msvutorontoalumnae.blogspot.com/ or send me an email at mgcayley (at) hotmail (dot) com.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Coming to Dinner?? Debbie Underhill

2008-01-30T17:01:00.000-05:00

This is the second in a series of informal mini-introductions coming up over the next couple of weeks to keep the upcoming Dinner with 12 Strangers top of mind with you.

Debbie Underhill graduated in '79 from the Admin. Studies program. These days she is a National Sales Manager for Houghton Mifflin (Canada) an educational publishing division of Nelson Education.

Debbie is thinking that it might be better to try to organise Dinner on a week night, what about you?

Hey Debbie, I see that a Houghton Mifflin author is award winning?? Does this mean autographed copies of Julia Whitty's The Fragile Edge, this year’s recipient of the John Burroughs Medal ?? :)

The goal of these intros is start the process of building our network in Toronto (use it or lose!).

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Who Might Be Coming to Dinner??

2008-01-22T12:57:00.001-05:00

Everyone is reminded that we will be zeroing in on a date to have our first Dinner With 12 Strangers. We had a good early response when we announced the plan before Christmas.

To get the ball rolling on the goal, which is the introduce us all to our network in Toronto (use it or lose!), and to encourage you to send an email to remind any MSVU alum that you know ... I asked the early responders to drop me back a note that I could share ...

Introducing - Dr. Jacqueline Karsemeyer

"I did the Med Program at the Mount, in 93-94. The experience was extremely positive, and stands above others in my academic journey. I had returned to school in my 40’s, as mother of 2 children. The particular attention given to building community and the understanding of women who were also raising children were highlights.

The invitation to grads to bring their families to thank them for their support in our studies had me in tears. It acknowledged the sacrifices they made. I know that personal encouragement can be the tipping point to pursuits in all undertakings. Alumni have the arena to serve others in this way.

Following the Mount, I did a Bed at UofT, and a PhD at OISE/UT completed in 2000. I taught in TDSB, and moved into a special education leadership role for which my practicum at the Mount was foundational.

Presently I have been seconded to ETFO (Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario) as executive assistant, equity and women’s services. This builds on my lifelong experience in these areas. Immersion in the arts keeps my imagination alive in the context of large institutions. West African dance literally keeps my feet on the ground."

Hmmm ... perhaps a little West African dance music for the iPod please?? Thank you for responding Dr. Karsemayer.

This is the first in a series of informal mini-introductions coming up over the next couple of weeks to keep the upcoming Dinner with 12 Strangers top of mind with you.

Who are the folks that you are still in touch with from the Mount?? Have an email for them? Contact them now, even if they are not in Toronto, maybe they know another Mount Alum who does live in Toronto? Don't have an email address? Google them or look them up on Facebook or http://www.linkedin.com/ .

Have them go grab the RSS feed or subscribe to the email list at the blog: http://msvutorontoalumnae.blogspot.com/ or send me an email at mgcayley (at) hotmail (dot) com.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

What is eaten in one week - in different countries (content & $$$)

2008-01-15T11:38:00.000-05:00

Taken from an email sent to me.

Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

United States : The Revis family of North Carolina Food expenditure for one week $341.98
Mexico: The Casales family of CuernavacaFood expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09
Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-JeziornaFood expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

Ecuador: The Ayme family of TingoFood expenditure for one week: $31.55
Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey VillageFood expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03
Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

Don't know about you, but right about now, I'm counting my blessings!

Just in case you need to think of something new to be thankful for...

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Season's Greetings! Folia Montana Online

2007-12-12T11:37:00.000-05:00

Schedule is getting crazy for everyone, so a quick note to wish you & yours the best of the season.

We have had a good response so far for upcoming Dinners with 12. More on that after Christmas!

Hey ... who knew you can view Folia Montana online?

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Job Opportunity: Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC),

2007-12-07T11:33:00.000-05:00

Check this one out over at the MSVU Department of Public Relations Blog.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

MSVU Toronto Dinner With 12 Strangers

2007-12-03T10:34:00.000-05:00

Despite the crazy weather, we pushed on with our December meeting yesterday and enjoyed a greek dinner afterwards.

One of the items we resolved to move forward with was a MSVU Toronto Alum Dinner with 12 Strangers program, which I referred to in a previous post.

Simple idea: arrive for dinner as 12 strangers, leave with a lasting connection.

Dinner with 12 Strangers is a simple program that many alumni associations and universities have adopted all over the world. I believe the award winning program started at UCLA. The alumni organisations at U of T and NorthWestern also support programs. In fact, there seem to be dozens of similar initiatives: read more here.

We would like to have at least two "Dinners" in Toronto between now and our next Alumnae Association meeting, April 6th. If you are interested in attending, hosting or co-hosting a Dinner, please leave a comment here or email me at mgcayley (@) hotmail (dot) com.

We will have one Dinner west of Yonge Street, the other east. Venue will be neutral turf - i.e. a resturant will be selected that is convenient for the attendees. So far we do not have a sponsor for the program, so everyone will be asked to cover their own costs of the meal.

Marie Ann Skomorowski is organising West of Yonge & Michael Cayley is doing the first one east of Yonge. You can attend either one.

Be sure to click on all of the links above for more information about how and why these Dinners are so successful.

It is obvious that your MSVU alumnae network in Toronto offers you the potential of a "bonding" kind of networking experience. A chance to connect with others who have similar experiences. What may not be as obvious is that research into social networking tells us that investments that we make with our time and energy into "loose links", i.e., those more diverse connections that may seem to be less obviously a social match are often the investments that yield the most value. Check out this paper for the hard theory if you are interested.

It makes sense - if you are just talking to friends who graduated from the same years and/or programs, you are likely all feeding off of the same information and experiences. Once you start to connect across time and experience, really interesting outcomes can be expected.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

MSVU Toronto Public Relations Grads - Job Posting

2007-11-21T17:30:00.000-05:00

You might be interested:

Sobeys
Director of Corporate Communications
Senior Level
Part Time Permanent Staff Position

Job Description
Sobeys has an exceptional opportunity for a Director of Corporate Communications within the National Communications & Corporate Affairs Department. With exposure to the CEO, this role provides critical internal communications support to the organization in addition to providing external public relations counsel and support for select Company-wide initiatives. The breakdown between internal and external responsibilities would be approximately 70/30.As a key member of the Company’s Communications team, the successful candidate will:• Work with senior leadership, including the CEO, providing communications counsel and lead the development and execution of national internal communications strategies to support the Company's business strategy• Provide change management communications counsel and support to the organization to help advance the Company’s business strategy • Manage multiple communication projects from development to implementation• Put processes in place to evaluate communication effectiveness and manage the feedback process• Ensure timely and accurate administration and content development of internal and external web-based communication tools.• Develop and/or edit written documents and presentations to support the Company's goals and objectives including content and coordination of newsletters, brochures, manuals, web site and other internal communications• Work with the Company’s regional communications teams to advance programs and communications that are national in scope

Location
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Qualifications
• Track record of progressively senior strategic corporate communications/public affairs experience, particularly as it relates to implementing innovative communication programs designed for internal / employee audiences• Proven ability to deliver over the course of 8 or more years of relevant work experience• Ability to counsel and support executive leadership up to and including the CEO• Ability to think and act strategically, while playing a hands-on role in the development of communication tools/materials• Familiarity with the news media• Exceptional writing, editing, proofing and researching skills• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills• Detail-oriented• Excellent organizational, time management and project management skills• Ability to build partnerships, set and manage priorities and meet deadlines, all within a multi-tasking environment• Ability to deal with diverse groups of people with diplomacy and tact• Experience with electronic media, particularly web publishing an asset• Bilingualism an asset• Previous communications in a retail-oriented environment an assetInterested candidates are encouraged to apply online by following clicking here
Contact Information for Position
Contact:
Nicole FougereSobeys1680 Tech AveMississauga ON L4W 5S9E-Mail: nicole.fougere@sobeys.comWeb-Site: http://sobeys.cvmanager.com/careers/home.asp?region=nt&lang=e&call=viewjob&jobid=2422

Listing to be posted until: 12/14/2007

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Its Been a Long, Long Time Coming! Join for Greek Christmas Dinner?

2007-11-05T11:07:00.000-05:00

Well I can not believe that it has been so long since the last post. Apologies.

I was thinking maybe six or 12 posts a year when I started out. Will definitely try to do better in the months ahead.

My family and I were in France for the summer while I did my MBA and it was a crazy first half leading up to that.

I attended the Sept. 30th Toronto Chapter Alum meeting and here are a couple of the highlights:

The Mount is launching a new Capital campaign for a Teaching, Learning and Research Centre to be built behind the Seton Centre. We'll get more details on that in the coming months.

On Dec. 2 I am hosting the next Alum meeting at my house and we will all be heading down to the Danforth for some great Greek food afterwards. Send me an email to mgcayley (at) hotmail (dot) com if you are interested in joining.

I am hoping that this get together might be a kick off for more dinners together. Take a sec and google Dinner with 12 Strangers. This is a proven program that helps build alum networks at Universities all over the world. M.S.V.U. has about 1000 alum in Toronto, why not see if we can build some connections between us?

The idea is simple. 12 people come together, sit down to dinner as strangers and walk away as friends. Do you want to put a dinner together in your area? Make a comment or drop me an email.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Happy Holiday's/ Merry Christmas

2006-12-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

We hope this note finds you ready for Christmas both spiritually and mentally ... considering all the consumer, career and relationship stresses that this season is loaded with!

And a happy holiday season to everyone who may not be celebrating Christmas, but has other celebrations to observe or just enjoy over this period.

Here is a Christmas gift that you can give to me ...

Send this blog to a fellow MSVU grad, make a comment or a posting or donate a pair of tickets or something so that we can or have a contest or draw and get some folks together in January!

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

Mark Sitter moves from Edelman to Sherritt International

2006-12-19T10:04:00.000-05:00

This is a short note to let you all know that Friday, December15, will be Mark Sitter's (hey Mark ... I know you are a PR grad, but what year?) last day at Edelman. He has taken a corporate affairsposition with Sherritt International, a diversified resources companybased in Toronto. His first day will be January 8, 2007. Good luck getting settled Mark, congrats on the new gig and please pass along your contact dets when you move in.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

What Might Be Valuable to MSVU Toronto Alumnae

2006-11-21T17:47:00.000-05:00

I have started to think about this, wondering how to activate and engage this group in a meaningful way.

I have started to borrow the brains of a few friends asking questions like ...

What is the best women's networking group in Toronto? What do they do for their members?
What are some of the best activities that alumnae associations from U of T, Western, etc. offer?
What do you get from you alumnae association?
What does it take for people to make a break from their locked in routines (busy yes, but isn't all about what actually makes it onto your priority list? Grey's Antatomy or meeting people who do not have an apparent, immediate impact on career and/or family.)

Can you add some questions or answers to this list?

One consistent answer that I get back, and have experienced for myself, is that Toronto is a difficult place to get settled in. This stretches from the basic challenge of getting a job and figuring out where you want to live ... to meeting people, to some of those aspirational goals like developing a social network of consequence that can help orchestrate business relationships, contribute to fundraising help to spread buzz about an event or new resturant.

There are 700 MSVU alumnae in the GTA. No one can answer the question ... what is the geographic distribution of this population, unless we start to share this information voluntarily.

There must be at least 100 Public Relations grads (of which I am one) out there. This should be a group that can see the benefits of getting together and is positioned to make the organising as painless as possible.

Anywhoo ... the bottomline is, I wonder how could we do something together that is cool?

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment and we will be in touch!

MSVU Toronto Alumnae - Count Me In

2006-11-20T16:02:00.000-05:00

I think it's a great idea to see if you can gather us all up in one place! Let me know if you need volunteers to help coordinate things.

What to do? What to do? What 2Do?

2006-11-20T00:17:00.000-05:00

Hey ... so a few months back, during the course of work, I noticed the feature on business networking site LinkedIn that let's you find people who went to your school.

I surfed around there for a bit and came across an old friend that I had completely lost touch with. We have exchanged some email, caught up on family & biz info and she has introduced me to a colleague of her's that lives around the corner from me.

Not too long later I received an invitation to a MSVU alum event at the Bata Shoe Museum. I went, drank a few glasses of wine with a bunch of people I had never met before, but who had gone to the Mount and had a pretty good time.

And a couple of weeks ago I ran into someone from the Mount in the subway. Someone who I knew, though we never really travelled in the same circles while we were at school, but who apparently lives about four blocks from me ... I was supposed to text my email addie to her, but I screwed up when I tried to save her phone number.

Anywhoo ... apparently there are about 700 MSVU alum in the GTA. So this blog is a bit of a flyer to see who is out there, start to generate some conversation and see what happens.

I went recently to a couple of the Toronto Alumnae Association meetings. As you probabably have envisioned, these meetings are steep with the history of the Mount. There is a small group of women who have been involved for years. What strikes me most about the group dynamics is that you have a group who come from a very wide variety of backgrounds, yet who are connected in someway. Over the years they appear to have shared a part of their lives.

This seems valuable to me.

I would appreciate it if you forward this around to anyone who went to the Mount so that we can eventually spread it virally to as many in Toronto as possible.

Take care.

If you are interested in being a contributing author to this blog, please leave a comment at we will be in touch!