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Q&A with 2011-2012 Arthur Lowell Winner, Anne Canfield February 9, 2012

Posted by Anna Lewis in Bronze Quill Tags: , .

I recently had the chance to interview the 2011-2012 Arthur Lowell winner, Anne Canfield, about her experiences and responsibilities as the latest KC/IABC Arthur Lowell winner.  The 2012 Bronze Quill Awards is Thursday, May 3 at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, Mo. The deadline for Bronze Quill entries is March 19. Contact Lance Yoder at lyoder@cerner.com for questions about registration or submitting your entry. For questions about tickets or the event, contact Rachel DeShazo at rdeshazo@hntb.com for more information. Visit kc.iabc.com/bronze-quill for competition rules and helpful tips.

Q1: The Arthur Lowell winner has several responsibilities and events to attend during her year of service. Can you tell us some of the things you have done as the 2011-2012 Arthur Lowell winner?

Anne: I’ve written a blogpost for the KC/IABC website; attended several Special Interest Group (SIG) meetings; moderated a panel discussion on “Excellence in Communications” with three previous Lowell Award winners; and hosted a KC/IABC holiday event at Wayside Waifs, among other activities.

Q2: Is there an event that stood out to you the most?

Anne: Moderating the Lowell Award-winner panel discussion was both fun and a great honor, and hosting the holiday event at Wayside Waifs was rewarding in so many ways: It was great to see lots of friends (old and new); to have been able to involve an illustration student from the Kansas City Art Institute in the activity (she agreed to create a pet portrait for the winner of a raffle and she also attended the event with me); and, most importantly, to have raised more than $500 for Wayside Waifs, an organization I support as a volunteer.

Q3: Has becoming an Arthur Lowell winner had a positive effect on your job?

Anne: I’ve been proud to let colleagues, including our president (my supervisor) know about the award, and any time I get involved in things outside the office – such as all of the Lowell Award-related activities — I come back to my desk with new ideas and fresh enthusiasm. I have to say that simply attending KC/IABC professional development events also has had this effect on me over the years.

Q4: Did you learn anything new or gain any new experiences from this award and its responsibilities?

Anne: I’ve made a number of new friends, and that’s been one of the greatest rewards of the experience. I am so impressed with everyone connected with IABC, including the incredible wealth of young talent involved in the organization. I’ve done a bit more public speaking as the Lowell Award winner than I would ordinarily do, and I am hoping that practice makes better, if not perfect.

Q5: Would you encourage people to nominate themselves or other qualified candidates?

Anne: Yes, I would absolutely encourage people to nominate themselves or others for the Lowell Award. In fact, I’ve already turned in a nomination myself for 2012. It’s a great honor, and there is tremendous organizational support for the award recipient, thanks to KC/IABC members who are involved with all of the follow-up activities. I’ve been very impressed with the professionalism of chapter volunteers and amazed at their selfless donation of time.

Q6: What is your favorite part about being a KC/IABC member and now an Arthur Lowell winner?

Anne: No matter how many years I’ve been in the trenches, professional development is, for me, the most valuable thing about being involved with KC/IABC. Aside from that, as a Lowell Award winner, I’d have to say my favorite part has been getting to know the people who have been involved in all of the activities with me throughout the year – coaching, nudging, nurturing, encouraging and supporting me. Everyone has been wonderful.

Q7: Why should people attend the Bronze Quill Awards?

Anne: The Bronze Quill Awards event is a great opportunity to network. It’s also always interesting and inspiring to see who has won awards and get a sense of the great work that is being done, all the time, by communications professionals throughout our community. The volunteers who organize this event always do a wonderful job, and attending the event is a way of supporting and celebrating all their efforts.

Do you know someone who has the qualities of an Arthur Lowell candidate? Review the qualifications below and submit your nomination by March 15 to Donna Schwartze at donnaschwartze@kc.rr.com.

About the Arthur E. Lowell Award

The Arthur E. Lowell Award is the highest honor given by KC/IABC. Named for the late Arthur E. Lowell, the first honorary lifetime member of the chapter, the award recognizes business communicators in the Kansas City area who have qualities of excellence, achievement and civic involvement. Candidates do not have to be an IABC member, but must meet the following criteria:

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Comments

1. Donna Schwartze - February 9, 2012

This is an excellent interview! And, we’ve been proud to have Anne represent the KC/IABC this year.