Category Archives: Canada

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ottawa via Asif A. Ali on Flickr

The Shebeen Club Opens in Ottawa

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Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ottawa via Asif A. Ali on Flickr

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Ottawa via Asif A. Ali on Flickr

Well, kittens, we’ve up and moved to Ottawa for the next few wintery months, a place where we have literally two connections to whom we are not related by blood, so we’re dusting off the Shebeen Club and looking for a new monthly home in the freezing-rainyest city on the planet.

We have also given the Facebook group a bit of a tune-up, with a fancy custom URL https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheShebeenClub/ and a call for new members and suggested venues. Our needs are simple.

For a Shebeen Club meeting, we need a room that won’t charge us for the space, but will supply waitstaff, foods and beverages, and be okay if everyone wants separate bills (everyone will). To start with, seating for a dozen should be adequate, and if it’s not, we’ll learn fast. Hopefully we can get to critical mass fairly quickly. We need this once a month, from about 6 to 9pm. We don’t need this for September, and probably not for October either, but for November, for sure.

We also need you to invite your literary friends who live in Ottawa, since right now our Ottawa membership consists of: me.

Job: Children’s and Family Literacy Librarian in Victoria

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Librarians are cool. Are YOU gonna tell her different?

Librarians are cool. Are YOU gonna tell her different?

Got this from a friend via Facebook. Temporary (to cover mat leave) full time:

Children’s and Family Literacy Librarian

The Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) is an innovative library system with one of the highest per capita usage rates in Canada.  Our Vision is to inspire literacy, lifelong learning and community enrichment for all. Serving 315,000 residents in the Greater Victoria area, we provide library service to 10 municipalities. We are currently seeking a temporary, full-time Children’s and Family Literacy Librarian to fill a maternity leave position which we anticipate will conclude in April 2015.

The successful candidate will be a dynamic, enthusiastic, creative and flexible individual with exemplary leadership, programming/outreach and customer service skills. The main duties will be related to service to children, families and teens. GVPL is currently undergoing extensive restructuring and review of service delivery. The successful candidate will be flexible about how their duties will evolve as a result of ongoing improvements and role adjustments.

Highlights of requirements:

•    Proven programming and outreach skills;
•    Proven ability to develop and maintain community partnerships;
•    Project management skills;
•    Proven leadership and advocacy skills;
•    Strong commitment to customer service;
•    Knowledge of current trends and best practices in public library services;
•    Superior time management and organizational skills;
•    Superior written and verbal communication;
•    Innovative and flexible;
•    Technologically nimble;
•    Fosters enthusiasm and teamwork among staff and colleagues.

Required Education and Experience:

•    MLS or MLIS from an accredited academic institution;
•    Previous library experience in a public services capacity.

For more details: Children’s and Family Literacy Librarian Job Description (PDF)

This is a Union position, with an hourly pay rate of $33.15 – $36.49 plus 13% in lieu of benefits.

Applicants will be required to prepare a written and/or oral assignment.

To apply: Send your résumé and cover letter via e-mail to applications@gvpl.ca outlining how your qualifications, skills, abilities and professional goals match the requirements of the position and GVPL values.

Review of applications begins Monday, May 26, 2014. Potentially start date is early June, 2014; however the competition will remain open until we find the right candidate.

Selah.

Workshop: Write So Your Soul Smiles by Melba Burns

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Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you

Dreams are illustrations from the book your soul is writing about you

Melba Burns has been a leader among writing teachers in the Lower Mainland for many years, so we’re very happy to feature her new writing workshop announcement. And no, we’re not getting paid for this!

Hello, and Happy Spring,
It’s been 5 months since I offered a writing workshop, but because it’s a time of renewal and rejuvenation, I decided to create one on the weekend of May 3rd and 4th. It’s also because I will have my book in paperback by then, and because I have also been reading another fabulous book (check out the flyer). And I realized that I love doing these workshops, and I so enjoy everyone who attends.
So, there you have it!
Me again — 5 months later.
There is a discount of $30 off the workshop if paid by next Wed, April 16th. This also includes a FREE copy of my book, Write a Journal So Your Soul Smiles.  Check the flyer for times, etc.
Please let me know as soon as you can because space is limited in my home. It will be a wonderful workshop and I’m excited about doing this one — it’s brand new.
I hope you are doing well, and smiling even more with our beautiful weather.
May I hear from you soon…
Sincerely,
Melba
You can contact Melba and register at soulwrites @ telus . com

 

Job: Friesen Press is looking for a Sales and Marketing Director

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Christmas in Victoria

Christmas in Victoria

Ignore the obvious copy-paste error in the first line unless you are a copy editor or Quality Assurance Coordinator, in which case you may wish to pitch them. This job is in Victoria, not something that can be done remotely.

Sales and Marketing Manager

We are currently looking for a Quality Assurance Coordinator for our Downtown Victoria office. We offer an attractive compensation package, including:

  • Competitive wage
  • Full training including job shadowing, ongoing job training, and cross training
  • Extended medical and dental benefits
  • Group RRSP with matching contributions
  • Excellent opportunities for career development

Job Summary:

The Manager of Sales & Marketing is responsible for developing a team of highly productive Publishing Consultants and Marketing Specialists who are able to meet and exceed revenue targets while promptly and professionally addressing the needs of customers. The Manager of Sales & Marketing is also required to generate and deliver sales initiatives, revenue growth and staff and client retention strategies. The Manager is further required to coach and mentor the Publishing Consultant team through motivation, leadership and encouragement while striving for exceptional customer service standards and accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Plan, direct and evaluate the operations of the Publishing Consultants team;
  • Develop, implement and monitor detailed sales strategies and objectives;
  • Ensure the provision of excellent customer service;
  • Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and client retention levels;
  • Contribute to the development, mplementation and execution FriesenPress’ business plans;
  • Build and retain an effective team of Publishing Consultants with a strong positive culture;
  • Lead, coach and motivate the team to achieve sales goals;
  • Model and champion FriesenPress values and mission;
  • Attain revenue expectations;
  • Generate an annual sales and marketing strategic plan with specific and measurable tactics
  • Set sales expectations for each of FriesenPress’ Publishing Consultants including customer service expectations and quota achievement;
  • Manage the activities of Publishing Consultants and Marketing Specialists, measure their success and coach for constant improvement;
  • Resolve customer concerns and complaints in a courteous, professional manner;
  • Determine staffing requirements and oversee the hiring of staff;
  • Create a safe working environment for the discussion and resolution of issues and concerns;
  • Work in concert with other department and management team members to assure sales operations;
  • Complete various sales reports as necessary;
  • Conduct regular performance evaluations with each of your direct reports;
  • Ensure the product portfolio evolves to respond to changing market conditions, customer needs as well as supporting FriesenPress’ goals and vision
  • Oversee the planning and implementation of various marketing activities
  • Find new ways to generate business opportunities for FriesenPress through advertising, sponsorships and partnerships
  • Actively oversee the Google Adwords performance to full optimize
  • Ensure that all staff comply with Company policies, procedures and ethical standards;
  • Ensure compliance with FriesenPress standards for cost control, waste reduction, qualilty, safety and on-time delivery;
  • Provide leadership for employee relations through effective communications, coaching, training and development;
  • Other duties shall be assigned as required.

Job Requirements:

  • University degree in associated field;
  • Minimum 5 years Sales and Marketing experience with a track record of proven results;
  • Leadership experience with an emphasis on coaching for high performance, business planning, business process engineering and business development;
  • Strong attention to detail, capacity to learn and accept additional responsibilities;
  • A personal philosophy that embraces constant learning and solicitation of feedback from your manager, peers, employees, stakeholders and customers that promotes personal development;
  • A desire to foster a company culture that values honesty, open communication, performance excellence, collaboration, innovation and constant learning.
  • Exceptional presentation and writing skills and ability to convey a message that is clear, concise and relevant, linking business issues, financial results and strategy;
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize workload to meet deadlines;
  • Highly proficient with PC business software including CRM, Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.
  • Demonstrated experience with Zoho systems would be an asset;
  • Prior book publishing knowledge would be an asset.

This role will have minimal travel requirements and is based out of our office in Downtown Victoria, B.C. If you meet the above criteria and would like to apply for this position, please email your cover letter and resume. We look forward to hearing from you!

email: careers@friesenpress.com  

Special Story Writing Friends Needed!

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…and by “special” we mean exactly what you think we do.

The big bad grammar Nazi

The big bad grammar Nazi

This is the Craigslist Ad of the Week, from the Writing Opportunities section of the Victoria, BC Craigslist. Whether this is a greater opportunity for writing or for derision is an open question, but it won’t be after you read the full ad. Here’s a teeny teaser.

It’ll be like Xman meets Harry Potter. I’ve got so many stories inside me. & more manifest! This is your Door. Watch my YouTube videos?! I need to put out. Help!! <3

[What’s the old saying? Beware of shamans who want to put out for you?]

I’ve got a story about a couple that traveled to hold really special party’s wile racking up really dope radical siblings & social life. Sick connections as they traveled the lands of their world with objective & uncanny timing. Their target is to find & provide a four day super positive metamorphic catalystic work space for safe people who want to really activate their superpowers right away.

To hold this gathering, we find & rent someone’s house, but not a small one. Then make sure you have at least 27 people are coming to attend this fore day break through session. $20.oo a head at the least. What happens is; there’s several songs that are potent light spells. Filled with carefully worded positive & uplifting affirmations. Loads a inner self supportive collective consciousness. Reinforced with lyrics to conger energy’s of safe love & protection.

I can definitely see at least 27 people wanting to pay $20.oo a head at the least for “fore” days of this. Yew betcha. If, again, only for the comedy value.

You fast on Day Two, and on Day Three 80% of you get acid. The other 20% get the shaft, I suppose. He does want to put out. Well, it doesn’t say “acid” specifically. It says “A equally porssoned mixed halusigenic liquid supplement…to conger energy’s of safe love & protection.”

But not, apparently, grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

Please, please, can someone I know go to this and take notes?

h/t Steffani Cameron