We here at Story Board would like to send some freelancer high fives out to a new freelance group in Halifax this week. The group is planning to hold regular monthly get-togethers and build a casual network for support and freelance camaraderie.
The idea for the regular event came out of an info session organized by the Halifax Media Co-op earlier this month. Representatives from the Canadian Media Guild and the Canadian Freelance Union were on hand at the session to talk about the benefits of belonging to a union — access to legal advice and extended health plans among them — and to answer questions from the freelancers in the crowd.
Halifax Media Co-op podcast producer and reporter Erica Butler says the info session was focused on spreading the word about freelance unions.
“As hoped, the discussion was lively and wide-ranging,” Butler told Story Board via email this week.
“The best part of the night was the Q&A portion, with lots of specific and challenging questions getting asked and answered.”
The info session also sparked the idea for regular freelance gatherings.
“Several people suggested a regular meet-up to talk shop, something that freelancers don’t get to do in the course of their day, being somewhat solitary workers,” said Butler.
The first meet-up is happening tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Gus’ Pub n’ Grill in Halifax. Future events will be on the third Thursday of every month (keep the mnemonic Media Freelancers THIRDsdays in mind) at the same time and place.
For more details about the event, or to connect with the group for discussion and networking, you can request to join their Facebook group here.
