Does the drop in number of memberships directly impacts STC’s financial stability? If not, does it mean that the organization is financially stable enough?

Naturally, lower membership numbers affect revenue and financial stability. Membership dues are a huge source of revenue annually. However, the previous Boards have been working to identify other revenue streams and to ensure our long-term financial viability.

One of the primary duties of an officer of the international Board is a fiduciary one. This means that we have a duty to make decisions (to the best of our ability) that are beneficial to the long-term viability of the organization.

I am hopeful that we will see an increase in membership as we do a better job of partnering with industry and other organizations, and as we do a better job of showing the value add of membership.

Membership dues are one of the revenue streams that enables STC to serve its communities, members, and the technical communication industry. Since my previous time on the Board, our leadership has done a great job of reducing the dependence on membership dues and identifying additional revenue streams to ensure the Society is stable. They have also reduced expenses where possible.

I would like to see STC strengthen its relationships with companies to provide additional training, and through that training communicate the value of STC and the technical communication profession.

As content strategists highlight the need for well-written and well-organized information, the value of technical communication continues to rise. Companies have specific education and training needs for their communication teams. STC can expand and improve the educational programs to target these needs and support the growing technical communication industry. As companies see the value that STC delivers, we can also communicate the value that technical communication provides to each organization.