Volunteerism

How high is the reboot bar for IABC?

Neville Hobson 25 Comments Business, Communication, Experiences, IABC, Leadership, Professional Development, Reputation, Volunteerism
Misty road ahead

#88388338 / gettyimages.com Every time I hear about IABC these days, I suffer a continuing feeling of sadness. The news this past week about the professional association for communicators does little to change that feeling where that news is all about financial loss (again), leadership issues, and an unclear future. On June 4, long-time IABC commentator David Murray – often seen by IABC’s leadership as its nemesis by asking questions the leadership don’t like being asked, never mind answering – published a guest post by former IABC Executive Director Julie Freeman on the state of IABC’s financial affairs as revealed in its 2013 financial statement that Murray says was leaked to him a month ago. Freeman took the helm at […]

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Goodbye IABC and good luck

Neville Hobson 19 Comments Business, Communication, IABC, Leadership, Public Relations, Reputation, Volunteerism

Last week, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) held its international conference in New York. By all accounts I’ve read, some 1,400 members went and took part. I’ve heard, too, that the professional development, networking and social events over the three days of the conference were as compelling and enjoyable as they ever have been at IABC conferences. A different picture emerges, however, when it comes to the business of IABC itself. You may know that I was an active member of IABC for 23 years, until I let my membership lapse in November 2012. I was dismayed by what was happening to IABC under Chris Sorek, the executive director hired in mid 2012 and who resigned earlier this […]

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Because it’s a good cause

Neville Hobson 7 Comments Communication, Guest Post, Society, Volunteerism

Like most business bloggers, I’m pretty immune to unsolicited requests to publish guest posts and other content especially from people who clearly have undisclosed motives (take a look at what Paul Sutton has to say on that topic). Now and again, though, something feels right and clearly is worth doing. This is one of those instances – an email I received from Jason Hulbert, press officer at the charity Meningitis UK, asking if I’d publish a letter from their founder, Steve Dayman. “We just want to thank our volunteers and hope they know they are appreciated,” said Jason’s note. My pleasure, Jason: Dear editor, It has been a busy June with the nation’s eyes focussed on the Queen’s Jubilee, the […]

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FIR Interview: John Clemons, Interim Executive Director, IABC

Neville Hobson Business, Communication, For Immediate Release, IABC, Leadership, Volunteerism

Leading a professional association that represents about 15,000 business communication professionals in over 80 countries is a challenging opportunity for a visionary leader. It’s a challenge that John Clemons, ABC, APR, has grasped with alacrity following his appointment as  Interim Executive Director of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) in early January as the association leadership pursues its search for a new permanent leader. In this FIR Interview, Clemons discusses his new role with co-hosts Neville Hobson, ABC and Shel Holtz, ABC – both long-time IABC members – starting with his reasons for accepting it on an interim basis. In a wide-ranging discussion, Clemons outlined his vision as interim leader, explaining what he intends to accomplish. He paid tribute […]

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Introducing Bright One ambassadors

Neville Hobson 16 Comments Communication, Professional Development, Public Relations, Volunteerism

A new website went live about an hour ago, one that showcases the talents and thinking of a group of committed people who are going to do some amazing communication things in the third sector otherwise known as the voluntary sector. It’s about Bright One Communications, a volunteer-run communications agency for the third sector founded a year ago by London-based practitioner Ben Matthews. What’s special to me today about Bright One, on their first anniversary, is that they’ve announced four ambassadors, people who have committed to support the agency’s activities by talking about them and doing what they can to help it succeed. […] The four ambassadors come from some of the PR industry’s most prestigious agencies and will become […]

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