Ending an IABC hiatus – what brought me back after three years away
by Jody Lucius
I first joined IABC in 2005. I was in the middle of a public relations diploma and took advantage of the student membership rate to attend my first IABC conference. Soon after, I took advantage of membership perks like the Career Centre to help get my communications career started. I also attended local professional development events to build connections in the industry. Several years later, I started volunteering with IABC for some new experience – it looked great on my resume and helped with networking. I can’t say enough about IABC and the benefits it brought early my career.
However, things changed significantly in 2017 when I moved to Kamloops, B.C. for a position with the BC Wildfire Service. My role involved repeating cycles of 14 to 16-hour days for 14 days in a row during the peak wildfire season, often in remote locations with limited access to the internet and most basic services. My job was as unpredictable as wildfire and it was all-consuming at times. It made taking advantage of IABC’s many advantages challenging, especially at certain times of the year. That’s one of the reasons I let my membership lapse in 2018.
My membership remained dormant until another life change brought me back to Saskatchewan in 2021. I’m back to being an active IABC member, and I’ve recently stepped into the role of membership director with the IABC Saskatoon chapter.
You see, I really missed IABC. I enjoy keeping up with trends in our industry by reading articles in Catalyst, meeting communications professionals in my new hometown at local events, hearing from subject matter experts at international events (so many of which are virtual now, giving each of us access to more than ever before!), checking for ideas and solutions to communications challenges on the Hub, and more.
IABC has been an integral part of the success I’ve felt throughout my communications career and, even after more than 15 years in this industry, I still have so much to gain from being a member. I noticed a big gap when I let that membership lapse and I’m thrilled to be back.
Life will continue to change, that I know for sure, but my IABC membership status won’t. It simply means too much to me and my career to let it lapse again.
If you’re on the fence about getting a membership or renewing one that’s about to expire, I can only say, “do it”. If you’re anything like me, you’ve got plenty to gain. Join or renew in March and you’ll also take advantage of Membership Month savings! Visit the IABC Member Month page for details.
