http://swo-btlines.com/btl200910/context-and-creativity Context explains content. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:10:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://swo-btlines.com/btl200910/context-and-creativity/comment-page-1#comment-50 Louise Tincher Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:10:03 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/btl200910/?p=58#comment-50 Take another look at STC. The December issue of Intercom included articles on Survival Strategies from Lone Writers, Finding Support When You Work Alone, Nine Suggestions for Writing Engaging and Relevant Questions, and How Documentation Specialists Can Help the Bottom Line. The March-April webinar shedule includes Strategies for Achieving Success, Working with Contract Agencies, and Writing News Releases. SIGS include Scientific Communication; Policies and Procedures; Marketing Communication; Lone Writer; Environmental, Safety, and Health Communication. Locally, we base our chapter programs and activities on input from our members. It only seems fair that members who show up, provide input, and volunteer their time get a disproportionate say in chapter operations. Take another look at STC. The December issue of Intercom included articles on Survival Strategies from Lone Writers, Finding Support When You Work Alone, Nine Suggestions for Writing Engaging and Relevant Questions, and How Documentation Specialists Can Help the Bottom Line. The March-April webinar shedule includes Strategies for Achieving Success, Working with Contract Agencies, and Writing News Releases. SIGS include Scientific Communication; Policies and Procedures; Marketing Communication; Lone Writer; Environmental, Safety, and Health Communication.
Locally, we base our chapter programs and activities on input from our members. It only seems fair that members who show up, provide input, and volunteer their time get a disproportionate say in chapter operations.

]]> http://swo-btlines.com/btl200910/context-and-creativity/comment-page-1#comment-44 Diane Alexander Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:39:09 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/btl200910/?p=58#comment-44 I thought I would share my STC experience to give you one person's insight into your membership/leadership issues. After completing my master's work in technical and scientific communication I joined STC as a student member, but I have let my membership lapse. I work for a hospital doing employee communication about technical subjects, and I felt STC had a very narrow definition of technical communication that did not include me. Most STC articles and speakers seemed to relate to DITA, translation, multi-use of documentation and other topics on the technical side. At first I signed up for sub-groups that I thought would deal with broader interests but this didn't pan out. So after several years, I chose to join IABC instead. Though I don't feel IABC's writing expertise is as strong, I feel the organization understands that its membership is diverse and does a much better job addressing its diverse needs. I think if STC were more benefits-focused (as we're trained to be as writers) then took a broader view of who might benefit from membership, it would be more successful attracting members. I hope this feedback is helpful to you. I thought I would share my STC experience to give you one person’s insight into your membership/leadership issues. After completing my master’s work in technical and scientific communication I joined STC as a student member, but I have let my membership lapse. I work for a hospital doing employee communication about technical subjects, and I felt STC had a very narrow definition of technical communication that did not include me. Most STC articles and speakers seemed to relate to DITA, translation, multi-use of documentation and other topics on the technical side. At first I signed up for sub-groups that I thought would deal with broader interests but this didn’t pan out. So after several years, I chose to join IABC instead. Though I don’t feel IABC’s writing expertise is as strong, I feel the organization understands that its membership is diverse and does a much better job addressing its diverse needs. I think if STC were more benefits-focused (as we’re trained to be as writers) then took a broader view of who might benefit from membership, it would be more successful attracting members. I hope this feedback is helpful to you.

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