By Taryn Light
Would you believe it? It's already the beginning of our 2002-2003 year! We hope that you had a great summer with your friends and family and are now ready to discover what the STC has to offer this year.
In response to overwhelmingly positive feedback about our dinner programs at the Sheraton Lexington Inn last year, you can look forward to these culinary delights and comfortable surroundings again this year.
Jim Lidington, the Council's first vice president, has a year of fantastic programs to offer. Over the summer, Jim and the Programs Committee have planned exciting topics and arranged special presenters for you. Check the programs page (http://www.stc-boston.org/programs/programs.shtml) to learn what's going on each month and to register for events throughout the year. We know that you will be pleased with the programs; after all, they are created from your suggestions!
Our kickoff STC program is Wednesday, September 25. Mark you calendar and come socialize with your friends, have dinner (that you didn't have to prepare), and learn more about tools and techniques in technical communications.
Unless otherwise noted, all programs will be at the Sheraton Lexington Inn on the third Wednesday of every month.
The Boston Chapter is also offering Saturday workshops. Georgette Gagne and the Employment Workshop Committee plan a fall seminar on employment strategies during these challenging times. If you are between jobs (or concerned that you might be), then this full-day seminar is a must for you to attend. For more information about the workshop, date, location and cost, visit the Workshops Page (http://www.stc-boston.org/programs/workshop.shtml).
But that's not all. This fall, we are offering another Saturday workshop of cures for your problem documents. Bring your ailing pieces to various miniworkshops to get advice on writing, editing, cost reduction, illustrating, printing, or packaging. Experienced and talented professionals in each of these areas will lead the workshops, so you can count on expert advice. Again, check our http://www.stc-boston.org/programs/workshop.shtml for more details.
You know that you can check job listings on our Web site, right? But did you know that you can also post your resume? Many people have found jobs using our site. For more about these two free resources, see Barbara Casaly's article about the Member Profile/Resume Bank (http://www.stc-boston.org/broadside/09_2002/v60_no1_casaly.shtml) and Georgette Gagne's article about the Job Bank (http://www.stc-boston.org/broadside/09_2002/v60_no1_gagne1.shtml).
John Minniti has completed the gathering of all the salary data that you sent him, so be sure to check the awesome 2002 Salary Survey at http://www.stc-boston.org/membersonly/survey2002/. Speaking of the 2002 Salary Survey, be sure to see John R. Marple's article about the 1961 Salary http://www.stc-boston.org/broadside/09_2002/v60_no1_marple.shtml; I think you'll find it interesting.
We have an opportunity that guarantees you two priceless commodities: Experience and Networking. How can you take advantage of this opportunity? Simply check the STC Volunteer Job Bank on our Web site (http://www.stc-boston.org/chapter-info/jobs/volunteers.shtml) and help the Boston Chapter help you and others. Only 12 Council members serve 1,200 members—you do the math. Even if you volunteer for a onetime task such as helping at a program, writing an article, or judging at competitions, your help is greatly needed. You will have fun and meet friendly people and your efforts will be well appreciated.
Let's say you've been a tech writer for a long time and would like to try marketing writing. Do you break into marketing by asking a company for a chance to see if you can do it? Not in this economy. However, if you write an article for our chapter's newsletter, the Boston Broadside, you will be published, your name will be introduced, and you will have a byline to add to your resume. This is just one example of how you can help the Boston Chapter and, in turn, help yourself.
To help the Boston Chapter in a large or small way, contact me. I will connect you with a committee chairperson or a council member to match your talents and passion with our needs.
Thump, thump, thump...I'm climbing down off my soapbox now.
Oh, one more thing. Whether or not you volunteer, be sure to give yourself a big treat and sign up to attend our programs. You'll be glad that you did!
Taryn Light, the president of the STC Boston Chapter, works at ArchiText, Inc. in Methuen, Mass. You can reach her at Taryn.light@verizon.net