Introducing Activ

It’s never been a question about whether or not I want to work in a not-for-profit organisation, it’s always been about where and when.

For my public relations internship I have been interning at The Activ Foundation, a not-for-profit disability service provider that supports my family. Choosing to complete my 20 days with Activ was a fantastic way for me to help out at an organisation that helps me, and gain valuable experience in the  sector that I one day want to be a part of. I have so much to learn about the NFP industry and I know that interning at Activ will be a vital help in putting me on the path to success and my perfect career.

For more information on this fantastic organisation click here.

 Having the opportunity to intern at Activ has shown me just how crucial public relations is to not-for-profit organisations. Not only does Activ’s communication department have to regularly communicate with their key stakeholders (clients, supported employees, and their families), but they have to connect the organisation with the general public in such a way that they feel compelled to donate. As a not-for-profit, there’s so much more to lose if the organisation doesn’t succeed in these roles; they aren’t just supporting themselves, they are supporting a lifestyle that their clients rely on.

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was an inspiring example of a successful PR campaign in the not-for-profit industry. 

One of the things I particularly liked when I learnt about Activ’s current public relations plan was their communication strategy, which is perfectly encompassed by their slogan: ‘Enabling those living with a disability to pursue a better life’. The organisation endeavors to send the message that those living have the potential and capabilities to reach their dreams, and that Activ facilitates this opportunity, not gives it. As someone with a disabled sibling, I believe this is crucial distinction and what makes Activs stand out as a disability service provider.

Activ's Artspace Event celebrated the artistic talent of Activ clients, and is a great example of how the organisation respects the capacity all individuals have to reach their dreams. 

I can't wait to share more thoughts with you about Activ and the amazing job the communication team does in fundraising and raising awareness for the organisation.

Being a socially conscious PR consultancy

Hi Everyone,

In my report I'm just about to start writing my recommendations to Savvy Creations which will outline its areas of improvement and areas of strength. After reflecting on the firm's areas of strength, something I've found really admirable is the way in which Savvy Creations places charity and not-for-profit organisations at such a high priority. My mentor at Savvy Creations who is also the Director, Sandra Spasojevic, goes about exercising its  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to help out those companies who may not have the big budgets to afford PR professionals to promote their cause to the public.

An example of this is Savvy Creations' client, a bottled water company who are a charitable organisation that gives over half of its profits to international charities. There are 3 different bottle caps which represent different charity sectors; the red bottle caps donate funds to health orientated charities, green bottle caps donate funds to environmental charities and blue caps donate money to clean drinking water projects in developing countries. It really is a great initiative where by buying a bottle of water,  people can contribute just a small donation to important causes without going out of their way to do so.

Savvy Creations offers free initial consultations and pro-bono work as part of their mission to help smaller companies, thus strengthening their CSR to the local Perth community. I think this is becoming a greater expectation that in the PR industry, firms need to be socially aware of the economic climate  smaller companies and charities are in where they don't necessarily have the big budgets to hire a PR consultant who could make their brand even more recognisable.

This definitely resonated with what I've learnt throughout my studies at Curtin, especially in the PR consultancy unit, where CSR and community engagement is crucial in order to maintain a positive reputation in the industry as stakeholder expectations are growing where by giving back to the community from firms is becoming a priority. After all, the fundamentals of PR that I learnt way back in PR Principles is that the role of PR in society is to create mutually benefit relationships between firms and their stakeholders...so why not create these relationships directly between the PR firm and the community which they practice in?

Something to think about!

Tahlia

Events, events and more events!

So far in my internship at networking WA I have been lucky enough to work at a number of events for them. Preparing and working up to the events has been great learning experience as I have gotten to seen what goes into making the end product or the actual event, from beginning to end.

Events Include:

Homeless persons debate – Luckily enough I was able to work this event and network will all attendees. On the day I was part of the setup, greet, and serve team.

Homeless persons walk - Unfortunately I was not able to attend this event but I did do a lot of work leading up to the event. Tasks included looking for entertainment, marketing and advertising.

Giving West NFP event – I did get to work this event. Giving West ran this event and the Networking WA team was apart of the setup and registration table. It was a really amazing event held at Parliament House, which is an amazing venue. I also got to see the Governors wife, Tonya Nicole McCusker, do a speech on Non-for-profits gaining sponsorship, which I found very interesting and a great experience. 

Escape – This Event was a Networking WA event; I was also lucky enough to work on the evening. The event was a VIP networking event held on a Captain Cook Cruise boat. In preparation for the event I was able to help with a lot of the creative set up side, which was really fun. In events there will always be something that will go wrong that is out of your control, and I got to see this happen first hand this event, with one of the entertainments cars breaking down just an hour before the event starts. In the end everything turned out really well and all guest had a wonderful time, and I did too.

Linneys – This was another VIP networking WA event held by Networking WA at Linneys Jewelers in Subiaco. The Parisian themed event was spectacular. I was about to help with some of the event coordination leading up to the event, as well as attend to event as a guest. I was a really fantastic night filled with champagne, canapés, and of course networking.

Chinese investment - At the moment Networking WA are working on preparation for the Chinese Investment event they are holding which I have been helping out on. It will be held in a Couple of weeks. One of the major parts that I have been helping out in is trying to market the event and get more attendees.

All the events I have help out with have been such a great learning experience and i really have enjoyed  the variety.