Development and External Relations Update

The Development and External Relations office UPDATE is a monthly summary of activities in the section and is published for your general information. If you have questions, please contact Jim Goit or call at (902) 893-7950

• Jim worked with the Foundation Executive to secure replacements for Directors leaving the board
• The request for quotes was made for a new audit firm after Myles Johnson, who had done the job for some time, left his former position with PwC to start another firm. The committee assigned with the task recommended the Foundation accept the proposal of PwC and we will remain with that firm.
• Jim toured Acadian SeaPlants production and research facility at Cornwallis industrial park with Kevin Sibley and Laurie Sandeson. This was the NSIA Fall Tour and an excellent opportunity to connect with other agricultural professionals as well as a company that have an ongoing relationship.
• There was a lot of changes made to the Datatel database as result of the first Harris imports. Jim and Joanne merged over 100 corporations and 60 individuals during the month.
• A new thank letter was written for the fall appeal. A number of problems with the program were fixed to make it easier to function.
• A series of reports were created to help with future appeals.
• Jim developed a proposal for a new scholarship fund that will be launched in the new year.
• The AASTW 2004 program was a great success. Staff of the section helped with many aspects of the event including publicity, registration, audio visual and the website.
• There was significant progress on preparation for the Winter Alumni Phone program that we are planning for February and March 2005. This will be the launch of our campaign for additional endowed funding. A case for support has been drafted, position descriptions formatted and plans for the phone center itself started.
• Jim hosted a tour of the NSAC by Colin Latham and Dian Gorsky of the Life Science Development Association on Nov 16th. The LSDA is an important partner in the bio-economy sector and provides links for NSAC to the Halifax area.
• Jim and Sarah accompanied Dr. Hicks to the launch of the new regional youth website that we sponsored with the NSCC and CORDA.
• Tim coordinated the A/V requirements for the AASTW. This included organizing, setting up amd troubleshooting the equipment before and during the workshop and creating a compilation CD of the fifty presentations. He also participated in a debriefing meeting and forwarded a series of suggestions for future workshops of this nature.
• Tim met with Roseanne Chapman and began preliminary work on a website for the Atlantic Association of College and University Student Services (AACUSS) workshop which will be hosted by NSAC in February 2005.
• Tim met with Dr. Hicks and it was determined that the refreshed version of our website will be deployed by January 4, 2005.
• Tim met with Brad Yeadon, who is working on a refresh of NSAC International's website.
• Jim, Tim and Stephanie worked to have the Noticeboard transition from IT Services to Development and External Relations. The Noticeboard has a new look and requests now come to Stephanie.
• Tim fielded several calls from web editors unable to FTP their information to the web server. The problem was due to a Windows update (Windows XP Service Pack 2). The concerns were passed along to the Helpdesk for desktop support.
• Tim edited and posted the pictures of the award winners at the Autumn Assembly.
• Tim met with Tarjei Tennessen and his teaching assistants regarding concerns with student website projects. Tim conducted an afternoon help/workshop session in CDE's computer lab, which was filled to capacity.
• Tim met with Jenna Tingley and Wayne Paquet about the website refresh.
• Assisted Krista Lake by providing an on-screen presentation which she is took to Hong Kong and China, on a recruitment excursion.
• Continued to consult on market analysis required for revamped Continuing and Distance Education programs
• Consulted on look/feel of new poultry research facility planned for NSAC
• Administered First Year Student Surveys to students around campus, capturing 90% of that class
• Planned and conducted focus group to identify new areas of offerings for Continuing and Distance Education
• Worked with Marketing and Recruitment Working Group of EMC to realign objectives and actions to be completed this year
• Coordinated development of www.fifteen2twentynine.com with CoRDA, NSCC and other partners
• Continued working with NSAC Conference Services on new marketing material
• Took part in panel discussion at MSVU on careers in professional communications
• Provided support to International to prepare for FAFU visit to China
• Coordinated photo shoot of hands-on science work by our international students
• Coordinated article to appear in Atlantic Business Magazine on biotech-related activities at NSAC
• Prepared annual marketing plan for NSAC
• Coordinated new design of program-specific marketing sheets
• Learned SPSS software to tabulate and report on First Year Student Survey
• Coordinated newspaper ad of volunteer position with NSAC committee
• Continued work on joint ILI-NSAC brochure to be sent to international education agents to promote our programs
• Coordinated last of Recruitment campaign advertising
• Coordinated article on careers in agriculture, both traditional and non-traditional, for NB Telegraph Journal
• Began work on Centennial Gala planning, scheduled for March 19th, 2005
• Continued coordinating Centennial promotional items to be available as sales items and gifts for visitors to NSAC
• Began coordinating Founder's Day event around our Centennial stamp launch, February 14th

• Summary for all donations Nov 2004
  Fund Name	# of Donations	Total $
  NSAC	100	$60,053.49
  Hall of Fame
  Total Receipts	100	$60,053.49

  
  

  Website Statistics, Nov 2004
  Category:	Novt. 2004	Oct. 2004	Nov. 2003
  Requests (hits)	383,136	370,248	246,177
  Average hits per day	12,771	11,943	8,251
  Unique Visitors	27,298	28,614	25,455
  Distinct Files	7,409	7,495	5,960