Youth Award Sponsor Function

It has been an eventful week at DfC for me. I am currently working on a communication plan for Cadets WA and in following up on the plan I had to draft email and call scripts. Even these need to go through approvals because I will be communicating to the host organisations through the staff in-charge, therefore he has to buy the idea first. There is a need to be sensitive with the words used because you should not promise anything you cannot deliver. So I had to avoid using definite words, and use words like "possibly", "will be" and "might". It is part of building trust, because some people take it personally and get upset when you don’t deliver and it can be detrimental to the relationship you have with them.

I had the opportunity to assist in the Youth Award Sponsor Function at the Parliament House. It is a relatively informal and small event that ran between the minister's break for 90mins. The first job was to learn the way around the venue, and know where the toilets are!

Then we had to set up venue, put up DfC banners and arrange the framed certificates for the sponsors. It was good that we left early to prepare, because first guest arrived really early. I was assigned the task to receive guests at the foyer and escort them in batches to the designated venue. It was little embarrassing when I took a wrong turn while leading the first batch up, but considering how majority of the guests approached me to direct them back to the main foyer I guess they feel like it had been quite a maze as well!

I handed the framed certificate to Minister, and had to position myself strategically so that she stands where the camera takes the best picture. Of course all of that was planned and rehearsed with my colleague beforehand.

The guests that night included Andy Milne from Nova 93.7, Ron Kawalilak from Department of Environment & Conservation, Michelle Scott Commissioner for Children and & Young People, and Lisa Wallace from Propel Youth Arts. Jeremiah Wordsworth, WA Young Person of the Year came along as well, and it was great to finally meet him after writing a couple of media releases about him. It was really intimidating when my duties are done and it was time to mingle. I didn’t really know what to talk about though a couple of them were really gregarious and easy to engage with, some gave one word answers which was really hard to carry on a conversation.

It was really an eye-opener to be on the other side of the event and watch it unfold. Contrary to PR techniques, the event did not have a set structure and not everything followed the running sheet. There were last minute changes in the guest list, people who end up not coming and the minister did not even use the speech written. Despite all that, the event ran smoothly and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was a really fun experience and I am really thankful that the opportunity was offered.

Hope everyone is enjoying their placement too!