Written by Tanya Colledge
Dear CPRS Vancouver members,
Well, we made it. The end of 2020 is almost here. As communicators, it’s hard to describe the feeling coming through the other side of what has been a challenging year for so many of us. But of course, we’re not supposed to say ‘challenging’ anymore, are we? Or difficult, unprecedented, unusual, exceptional, extraordinary, or unique. Then again, that’s always our challenge as communicators—to find the words. To find the words to support our organizations, to up-lift employees, to share good news stories, and bring clarity when things feel uncertain.
And while the pandemic has certainly put the spotlight on our health care heroes, it has also highlighted the importance of strategic and strong communications— giving us all a chance to sharpen our crisis, stakeholder, and internal communications skills (just to name a few). And, in many of our cases, pivot entire plans and strategies in order to adapt to quickly changing situations.
CPRS Vancouver has also had to pivot this year and despite the challenges, we have much to celebrate and be thankful for! In the past six months, we’ve brought on six new board members, hosted four virtual professional development and networking events, kicked off our mentorship program, hosted an APR information session, and began planning to launch a Vancouver awards program in 2021.
I’m so grateful to our team of board of directors who, despite busy work lives, caring for their children who were home from school, and various other personal stressors during the pandemic, have dedicated themselves to our organization, and to you, to ensure you find value support and value in CPRS Vancouver.
To all of our members who have worked tirelessly this past year supporting your clients and organizations through this [insert favourite adjective here] year—kudos. Kudos for the long days and nights wrestling with key messages, for becoming experts at virtual meetings and events, and for finding words to provide reassurance, support, and explanation. It hasn’t been an easy year, but news of the vaccine being distributed in B.C. is the tangible light at the end of the tunnel that we’ve all so desperately been searching for.
On behalf of CPRS Vancouver, I’d like to wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season; may it be filled with warmth and laughter. We look forward to connecting with you all virtually in 2021 until we can meet in person again.
Tanya Colledge
President, CPRS Vancouver
