I haven’t posted regularly during the summer for various reasons related to changes in my personal life. Fortunately, the dust has settled and I look forward to writing here more frequently.
Though I have been relatively quiet, I have been lurking in various online spaces. I have been especially tuned in to the lively exchanges about the future of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) and the future of technical communication in general. I contributed comments to some of the discussions.
The STC certainly has formidable challenges. The field of technical communication now comprises many professions, and each profession has its own specific needs. Increased specialization has given rise to organizations that are geared to more focused practitioners. I belong to two of those organizations: the Information Architecture Institute and the Usability Professionals Association.
Competing with speciality organizations isn’t easy. The STC cannot be everything to everyone. And I agree that the STC is behind the times. I agree that it needs to be more open. And I believe that now, more than ever, it needs to focus on member value. My opinion is closely aligned with the opinions expressed in the posts that are featured in the Relevant links section at the end of this post.
Even so, I know from experience that STC membership can provide many benefits. I have made great connections through my STC network. I have gained indispensable knowledge, found work opportunities, and made lasting friends. When I served as president of the Washington, DC chapter in 2005 – 2006, I also gained valuable leadership experience.
I was honored when earlier this summer an STC board member asked me to join a committee to help redesign the STC web site. I am working on a good cause with a talented, creative, and highly opinionated group of people (and I mean that in a good way). I am learning a lot from the experience. Our shared goal is to help the STC develop a more streamlined, more efficient site that better serves members and other interested visitors.
I invite you to share comments about the STC site. What do you hope to accomplish when you visit the site? Can you achieve your goals? If you would rather express your opinion in an email message, please write to me.
Meanwhile, I’ll save my thoughts about the future of our profession for upcoming posts. Stay tuned.
Relevant links
- Sarah O’Keefe: Whither STC?
- Tom Johnson: Lifelines to the STC
- MK Anderson: In Which I Comment on the STC Issue
