The Social Media director is responsible for ensuring that all of EPIC’s social media platforms (including Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and Instagram) are updated regularly, given that EPIC’s social media platforms are often the first point of contact for new members. They are responsible for developing and following guidelines for social media usage, and mentor other committee members to ensure that each platform is being used appropriately. This position requires that the individual update social media on a regular basis, and must take steps to appoint another member of the executive to fill their position should they not have access to the internet for an extended period of time. They must take steps to keep informed on campaign progress and share this progress on all social media outlets. They must also work closely with committees to plan timed social media bursts during major events and campaigns. Strong written skills are required, and a familiarity with social media platforms is considered an asset.
My name is Amy, and I've been your Social Media Director for the last year (and unofficially since the inception of Potterwatch!). You may recognize me as ‘that one who laughs really loudly’ or from the many videos of me crying that exist on the internet.
I am a student at Concordia University and will be entering the second and final year of the after-degree program in Education this fall. In my spare time, you can usually find me in choir rehearsal (this year I reached my all-time high of four choirs) or on the internet. I work as a swimming instructor and as the program assistant and head counsellor at the summer camp Singspiration. My passions include harmonies, Tumblr, and CAPS LOCK.
Why do you want to serve on the EPIC Executive Committee?
Throughout my life, I have invested myself in many leadership roles and involved myself as much as I could with my community but I've never been as proud or honoured to be a part of something more than I have with EPIC. Over the course of this last year and a half, it was absolutely incredible to see initiative being realized, and sense the real difference that we were making in our community. Having the actual effects of efforts and actions present themselves so clearly and be so tangible was a feeling I’d never experienced before, and I can say without a doubt that it is through my involvement in EPIC that I have found and rediscovered an incredible sense of direction and purpose. Having the joy of being a member of a group that functions on the sheer dedication and commitment of such incredible people—most of whom are young adults—has strengthened my passion for community, my love and dedication to my city, and my commitment to the people within my city. Continuing on into a new year, I have no doubt that my passion for activism will grow no matter what way I’m involved, but I’d love for the chance to continue on as an executive member as I feel like I have even more to give back to the organization.
What skills or qualities do you bring to the EPIC Executive Committee?
I have been on the social and executive groups of many of my choirs in the past, and I also have extensive experience in the area of public speaking, writing, and social media. I love working with people and have strong interpersonal skills, and I’m very dedicated to time management. I enjoy being creative, and I try and incorporate a sense of humour into my work.
Having taken on the role of social media from the inception of Potterwatch and subsequently sitting on the executive as Social Media Director over the past year, I also bring experience in regards to EPIC itself and the way things have run and developed over the last year and a half.
Describe your personal involvement in one EPIC project or campaign from the last year that you are particularly proud of.
From the moment the Facebook event for the Yule Ball went live, I was updating all of the various social media platforms every couple of days. Throughout the ticket ‘crunch time’, I was updating multiple times a day, and I was constantly checking in to reply to questions through Tumblr, Twitter, email, and Facebook. Even towards the end of the ticket sales, once I was familiarized with how Eventbrite (our ticket provider) worked, I also assisted in the refund process.
I soon realized that whenever I would post a reminder to purchase tickets in the Facebook event itself, we would get a rise in ticket sales, and if I were to remind the Yule Ball committee and other Potterwatch members and encourage them (with help from the executive team) to post about it on their own social media, there would be yet another rise in sales, so I increased the frequency with which I posted. I also attempted to always have some sort of Harry Potter related quote, reference, or theme in each update, just to keep things new and hopefully have people smiling about the multiple reminder notifications. There was a week span in which approximately 20 tickets were sold every day, and it was without a doubt due to social media and the collective efforts of everyone united in that front towards the same goal. Overall, it was just incredible to actually see the difference that social media made in the ticket sales, and ultimately the amount we were able to donate to YESS and the hype and community we were able to build for the Yule Ball itself, and I was extremely proud to have been a part of it and to have supported our climb to a sold-out event.
What new ideas, projects, campaigns or policies would you like to see the EPIC Executive Committee implement in the coming year?
Even if not in the coming year, at some point in time I’d love to see a project or a campaign that focused on supporting the arts in Edmonton, whether in education or in just the general community itself. As someone incredibly invested in the arts personally, I've seen first-hand what change and lasting impact the arts can bring to both the individual and the fostering of community as a whole, but it is often the first area that is neglected when funds or other resources are tight. I also know that there are many Potterwatch members who are very artistic themselves in many different areas, whether it be visual art, drama, or music, so I feel like we would have both the support and creative energy to run a campaign as such very effectively.
If you could change one thing concerning the operation of EPIC over the past year, what would it be?
Overall, for our first official year in operation, I think things went very well. The further we go and the more experience we gain, I have no doubt that adaptations will be made to make things run in the best way possible, but if I were to change anything about the past year specifically, it would just be along the lines of communication, specifically in regards to making it more efficient and effective.
Potterwatch as an organization is incredibly invested in fostering leadership, and most of our major campaigns are led by committees and not the executive team. Partially just as a result of the way this played out for the first time and, no doubt, also just as a result of new working relationships, there was occasionally a lack of communication (between the executive team and the committees, and the members themselves). Ultimately, just fostering an environment in which roles are clarified early, tasks are delegated, and updates are frequent and expected from all involved parties will definitely open up the lines of communication, help to keep all committee members and executive up to speed on all information, and support the follow-through of actions.
