New immigrants attend the IWN's second newcomers' networking event

Another successful newcomers' networking event was held last Saturday afternoon at BCIT downtown. Consultant Jennifer Gerves-Keen gave a fantastic presentation on resumes and the Vancouver job search, local immigration lawyer, Gabriel Chand conducted a Q + A about visa issues, Co. Mayo newcomer, Fergal Dempsey talked about the tactics that worked for him in getting a job and President of Ledcor Industrial Group, Don Breen gave a talk on the opportunities available to young Irish people here in Canada.  Everyone joined up in Mahony's pub/Burrard Landing afterwards for a socializing pint!

Thanks to Mahony's Pub for their support and for everyone who participated in the event especially the presenters and the resource people who took time out to give career advice.


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IRISH NEWCOMERS' NETWORKING EVENT
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012
BCIT Downtown, 2nd Floor, 555 Seymour Street
FREE EVENT!


AGENDA/SCHEDULE

2 – 4 pm: HOW TO GET THAT JOB! Info on resumes, informational interview; sourcing employment plus assistance with reworking your resume

4 – 6 pm: Visa info from an immigration lawyer; an employer's perspective; networking; roundtable discussions grouped by employment sector; and other helpful info and contacts.


Registration has now closed. We are at capacity but please come along and we'll fit you in if you haven't registered.

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Congratulations to Betty Allen who was presented with the Irish Women's Network Woman of the Year Award for 2012 at the Nollaig na mBan dinner on Saturday 7th January.

For more details go to the IWN Woman of the Year page.

Great fun was had by all on Saturday night, not least of all by Betty, who was a match for even the youngest members on the dance floor. See photos on the Nollaig na mBan 2012 gallery page.
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Join us for our 13th annual celebration of Nollaig na mBan in honour of "Women's Christmas", when women traditionally celebrate the end of the Christmas season by getting together with friends. The IWN Nollaig na mBan dinner has become a tradition with Irish women in the Lower Mainland.

For more details and to purchase your tickets go to the Events page.

 
 
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After days of what seemed like dancing to a verse of Lannigan's Ball (people stepping in and stepping out again), we had 15 teams take part in the pub quiz last Thursday night at The Shebeen, at the back of the Irish Heather in Gastown.  Tara Burke-Brutus, the woman who spearheaded the quiz night, along with Aoife Brennan and Eilis Courtney were the quiz coordinators and did a fantastic job making sure everybody was behaving and not cheating ;-)
The questions were set by Ita Kane-Wilson (me!) and while she thought the questions were fair, most people found them very challenging! (I'll go easy next time round!)
There were tonnes of door and raffle prizes and our thanks go to The Shebeen for giving us the use of their space, Toybox on Broadway for the games, The Chor Leoni Men's Choir, The Vancouver Bach Choir and the Elektra Women's Choir for their very kind donation of tickets to see their wonderful Christmas choral celebrations, The Irish Heritage Society, Keith Henderson etc.

It was a very lively, entertaining night with lots of laughter and a chance for people to meet new friends as well as raise money for the Irish Women's Network, TASO Uganda and ACIO.
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Fergal Dempsey from Castlebar and his teammates having a great night!
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The Irish Women's Network held a very informative networking event for newcomers last Saturday, November 5th at the BCIT downtown campus. It proved to be the prefect venue for such an undertaking as there was plenty of space for the numbers that showed up.  People had mostly registered online prior to the event but there were also a good number of registrants on the day. A survey about the event will be sent out shortly as plans are underway to hold another networking event in the early Spring and all suggestions are very welcome.

   
Here are a smattering of comments from the attendees:

 I'd just like to say a very big thank you to you and the team behind Saturday's networking event. What an informative and encouraging event it was. I am so delighted I went. I not only had the opportunity to make new contacts but also have possibly made some new friends that are in the same situation as myself, fresh off the boat and knowing very few people! (GL)

It was so lovely to meet you on Saturday, and the event seemed to be a huge success. I learnt a lot and Jennifer looked at my resume, which was fantastic! (KM)

Fair play to you all, you did a great job setting it up and providing such a useful resource for all of us ex-pats. Thank you so much for your help with my job search, it is very much appreciated and again thank you for organizing such a great event and providing much needed support to the Irish Community in Vancouver.  (ED)

Thank you and your organization for that great event at BCIT on Saturday. It was such a great source of information, inspiration and a fun networking opportunity. (GR)

I just wanted to say well done to you and all involved in the get together on Saturday. It was great to see so many established Irish people there and willing to help us younger ones. (MM)

I just wanted to thank you and all involved with the networking event on Saturday. Unfortunately I had to leave just before 6 and never got to thank you in person. It was another great event and very helpful. (LT)

….. firstly I would like to congratulate you and your team for the newcomers networking event. I found it extremely helpful and informative. Everybody involved were very approachable and friendly. (BM)

Just want to say thank you so much for organizing this event- I had to leave quite early for work, but found it very, very interesting and useful! (TC)
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Even though Saturday evening was definitely an evening for a BBQ, a good crowd gathered in the relative cool of The Shebeen at the back of the Irish Heather pub in Gastown.  New immigrants were welcomed, old friends caught up after the summer and the Irish Ambassador, Ray Bassett was warmly received.  Eilis Courtney, the President of the Irish Women's Network received a $3,000.00 grant cheque on behalf of the IWN. These monies from the Irish government will assist in the development of a series of networking events for new immigrants in the coming months.



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The Irish Ambassador, Ray Bassett and Irish Women's Network President, Eilis Courtney.
 
 

The reception planned for Saturday, September 10th is still taking place but has moved time and venue.

Check out the details on the events page.

 
Successful Day 28/06/2011
 
Yesterday's Multiculturalism Day Fair was hailed as a great success by the IWN volunteers who hosted the Ireland table.
Check out the photos on the Photo Galleries page.
 
 
The Irish Women's Network will be hosting a table for Ireland at the Vancouver Public Library 2011 Multiculturalism Day Fair - Monday June 27th 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - please stop by for a visit!!