President’s Message
I’d like to start off this report by giving a HUGE thanks to the outgoing board members Karoline Cullen, who has been amazing as our treasurer, keeping out books healthy and leading us through very challenging dealings with the BC Registry; as well as Chris Milllikan, who has been diligently recording our meetings and performing the duties as secretary with great devotion.
And to both of them for all their contribution in ideas and participation at our symposium events; you have been greatly valued members of out team. Best of luck in your next pursuits!
That leads to a big welcome to our new board member Taylore Daniel, who has stepped in as Secretary; Edward Quan who moves from Member-at-Large to the position of Treasurer; and returning board member Randi Winter who fills the Industry Media Liaison position
Thank you all for stepping up and bringing new ideas and new energy to those positions.
So that leaves two and a half spots still vacant: OurMember-at-Large, Communications Co-Director, as well as a Travel Industry Member.
If you have been interested in just dipping your toe in the waters of the BCATW board, Member-at-Large is a great place to start, as your role is simple – helping out by providing ideas to improve our society and supporting the board as needed.
As Communications Co-Director, you’ll help Mari Kane with publicizing the society in social and traditional media, and communicating with the membership
As Travel Industry Member, you’ll communicate the challenges and suggestions of the travel industry to the board. (And by the way, this will give your company a higher profile and more recognition in the association.)
I hope you give strong consideration to helping out the directors in 2018; we have an amazing symposium coming up – more info coming soon – and we’ll need many hands to run a successful conference once again.
As we approach the holiday season, I hope you are able to satisfy your travel bug and get out to warm climates. I’m sure we’re going to have a crazy winter up here. If we don’t connect in the next month, best wishes for the new year. May the wind always be at your back, the sun in your face and may you access free wifi wherever your travels take you.
-Baila Lazarus
BCATW, president
Website Update
BCATW.org has a new look!
Our Home page now features content in three sections: Buzz Monthly Newsletter, BCTW Monthly Meetups and Learn about joining.
The Media Members page now features a pretty face pile of all our members who have created a Profile Page. That layout was enabled by converting our previous WordPress “Pages” into “Posts”.
Look how pretty we are on the new Media Members page!
If you are familiar with how WordPress works, you know that Posts can be segmented by their singular Categories and Tags.
Only Featured Images of Members whose Posts use the “BCATW Member” category will appear in the Face pile.
Please update your Page/Post and if you need help, email Mari Kane.
You can use my profile as a model.
Also, we’ve implemented a new member application system which allows applicants to create a unapproved User Profile. (Which caused last weeks errant email to go out!)
The system expands the data types we collect about members, and we encourage long-time members to log on and update your own User Profile.
For more tips on updating your Posts, read this tutorial about How To Post On A WordPress Blog
Media Member News
Downtown Fremantle has been transformed into an art exhibition by Paris based Felice Varini “Arcs D’ Ellipses”. A painted geometric design that seems to float in front of your eyes, spans 800 meters down High St which can only be viewed from the Roundhouse. Photo: Edward Quan
Luxury fashion & travel writer Edward Quan is on assignment at Eco Fashion Week Australia in Fremantle, Western Australia. Between designer fashion runway shows from across the globe, he is exploring this historic port town at the foot of Swan River on the shores of Indian Ocean.
Fermantle was the primary port where convicts were landed and detained, but thrived into an independent city in 1829. For visitors, the past has not left this city as many of the original Victorian buildings still stand today as a testament to their British colonial history.
Jet Britnell photo
Jett & Kathryn Britnell had a brief profile published in Scuba News Canada. Jett was also asked by Dive Photo Guide if he would write “An Underwater Photographers Guide to British Columbia” article that was published a few weeks ago. Two DPG editors commented, “It is an amazing piece! Our best Underwater Photo Guide, for sure.” And, “It really is a fabulously well written and detailed piece, which I’m sure readers will find fascinating—and inspiring.”
On November 16th, Jett was elected a Fellow of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS). Fellows in the RCGS are deemed to have distinguished themselves by directly contributing to scientific knowledge in the field of geography, exploration, or allied sciences (i.e., archaeology, atmospheric sciences, marine biology, zoology, etc.). The RCGS College of Fellows includes many of Canada’s eminent explorers, astronauts, writers, geographers, scientists, artists, anthropologists, soldiers, business leaders, historians, educators and even some former Prime Ministers.
Santas on the beach in Spain. Darlene Foster Photo.
Darlene Foster is looking forward to Christmas in sunny Spain, where everyone gathers on the beach, shares food and drink, listens to music and has a great time. She is happy with sales from her recent book, Amanda in New Mexico-Ghosts in the Wind and is busy working on book seven, Amanda in Holland-Missing in Action. She wishes everyone a Happy Holiday Season, wherever you spend it!
Ruth Kozak will be reading from her two-volume historical novel SHADOW OF THE LION at the Anvil Centre, December 7 6.30 sponsored by the Royal City Literary Arts Society. Ruth has also accepted the position of organizing their bi-monthly “In Their Words” program in which readers talk about their favorite authors or poets and then read from their work. I you are an avid reader and would like to participate in future readings let Ruth know. Email her at: wynnbexton2@nullgmail.com.
Fire in the sky. Sunrise at Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage. Photos by Pharos 2017
Polar bears in Churchill MB. Karoline Cullen photo
Karoline Cullen found her November photography trip to Churchill to be an edifying and enriching experience, despite the -35 C windchill.
Industry Member News
Experience the cuisines and culture of exciting Vietnam with Bestway Tours & Safaris’ latest food tour.
A Culinary Journey through Vietnam is led by chef Cameron Stauch, whose cookbook, “Vegetarian Việt Nam”, is set for release in 2018. Originally on the kitchen team of the last three Governor Generals of Canada, cooking up Canadian delicacies for the likes of the Queen of England and the Emperor of Japan, Stauch now lives in and travels throughout Asia. His three years spent in Vietnam provide him with the background needed to lead travellers on a captivating 12-day culinary journey featuring Vietnam’s best chefs, most popular street food, most famous markets, hidden gem restaurants and cultural highlights in Ha Noi, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and more.
The one-time adventure kicks off on November 04, 2018, with limited space available. For more information, visit: https://bestway.com/tours/pvt/culinary-vietnam/
BCTW Meetups
Learning WordPress is a great way to start the new year!
WordPress is everywhere and it’s only a matter of time before you’re asked to post on a WordPress site. Or, you’ll want to create your own blog. Will you be ready?
In this Meetup, Blogger, Web Designer and BCATW Communications Director Mari Kane will show you how easy it is to post your writing on a typical WordPress site.
She’ll cover:
formatting text
uploading and formatting images, audio and video
optimizing posts for search engines
working with links
composing compelling headlines
…and more, all questions answered!
This Meetup would be an excellent opportunity for members who haven’t created a profile page at bcatw.org and want to learn how to do it.
BCATW Board Members – please arrive at 6pm for a tutorial on using our Mailchimp service!
BCATW members on the waitlist should not hesitate to attend. We always have no-shows and you will NOT be turned away.
See you at the Meetup!
And happy holidays from all of us at BCATW!
No comments yet.