Goodbye

Hey everyone,

My placement at Cancer Council WA (CCWA) came to an end last week and I actually felt a bit sad to leave. However, I was also so pysched to get a week of holidays before uni started again! Before I commenced my placement I was not expecting to have so much freedom to share my ideas and be creative, and I am so grateful that I was provided this opportunity at CCWA. The tasks I completed during my placement included;

• Ongoing media monitoring
• Devising an internal relations plan to improve communication and information sharing
• Updating their style guidelines
• Competitor analysis
• Editing and proof reading speeches, newsletters, and other communication material
• Creating an online photo library
• Helping coordinate an event

It's great that I was able to complete tasks that my supervisor has being meaning to do for years, but provided her limited time, has never got around to doing. So not only have I gained a lot from my prac, I think that I have also made a lot of positive contributions to CCWA. It was also a good feeling to apply what I've learnt over the years to a real life situation and see it take shape. Overall my experience at CCWA was really positive; I've learnt how to prioritise tasks and manage my time to ensure I meet deadlines, I've seen how an event is run, I've learnt the importance of multi tasking within a not for profit organisation and my confidence as a 3rd year public relations student has boosted.

It was also quite an insight reading everyone's blogs each week, it really enhanced my understanding of pr's role within an organisation. It's now time to start putting my report together, which I have been putting off for a while:-) Good luck to everyone still completing their placements or just about to begin, I hope you enjoy your placement as much as I did.

Chelsea

Social media to be or not to be?

Hi All,

Unfortunately this week I fell sick and missed a few days of prac, so have only just found time to write up my 3rd blog. Since my last post Cancer Council WA received great news that the Dig Deep Game Day raised $22,834.05 dollars, exceeding their target! I have attached a few snap shots from the event.



This week I have been working on a social media plan to improve Cancer Council WA’s online communications. Provided Cancer Council WA has limited resources, like most not-for profits, I have to justify why the organisation should allocate resources to social media channels. I also have to put together how they could best use each social media channel to reach out to existing and new supporters.

A few pros I identified included;

• Low cost and affordable
• Enhances two way communication with stakeholders
• Relationship building opportunity
• Possibility to strengthen Cancer Council WA’s brand and also increase awareness of the organisation
• Improves search engine results
• Increases website traffic
• Enhances visibility and brand recognition
• Able to attract, engage and communicate with new and existing supporters.
• Able to update and keep stakeholders informed on upcoming events, latest news etc.
• Environmentally friendly way to communicate

The risks I believe associated with social media include;

• Sending out mixed messages which can reduce stakeholder trust and organisations credibility
• Negative feedback or comments which can damage reputation and image
• Limited control
• High demand on time given it requires constant monitoring and management. Content must be edited, approved, published and updated.
• Invasion of privacy and confidentiality
• Difficulty in creating on going exciting and relevant content to engage audience
• Intellectual property complications involving copyright, trademarks etc.

However, despite all the benefits social media can provide, how do you identify if social media is suitable for your organisation and if it’s the best way to communicate with your target audience? Also in your opinion do the benefits of social media out weigh the risks?

First week at Cancer Council WA

Hey everyone,

I've just completed my first week of placement at Cancer Council WA (CCWA) and thought it was time to write up my first post! I am working within the Business Development sector which involves community liaison, corporate relations, donor and supporter communications and events. I am really enjoying my placement so far and cannot believe I've already completed a week, I already feel so welcome and apart of the team. The CCWA has such a positive and friendly working environment which makes it so much easier coming into work each day!

The first day of my prac was pretty tedious and involved reading over CCWA's mission, vision, values etc. My supervisor had only just returned from service leave so was a bit disorganised and did not have much planned for me to do. So after completing my first day I was a bit worried if I would get much out of my placement at the CCWA and questioning if I had to find a placement elsewhere. However, after the first couple of days I really started to settle in and my supervisor provided me a large list of tasks to keep me busy for the week!

A few examples of the tasks I was assigned to in my first week include; competitive analysis, media scanning and clippings, developing an electronic photo library and editing their ‘Lifelines’ newsletter. This week I will be helping out at the CCWA 'Dig Deep' event at Subiaco Oval and I am really interested to see how an event is run in real life. This week I will also be involved in creating an online newsletter for the CCWA which I am really excited about.

To end my post, I just want to wish everyone luck with their placements and hope they are enjoying them as much as me. Just as a tip, don't stress out if the first couple of days are not what you expected, hang in there, it does get better!