By Bernard Aschwanden | 2015–2016 President
July seems like both mere days ago and years behind me. With the election upon us, and a new board to instate in May in Anaheim, it also seems like mere days but months to go before the handover of the gavel to Vice President Adriane Hunt. Time has that mystifying ability to seem to pass at a snail’s pace, or to fly by, but looking back (and ahead) at my mid-term gives me some insight on the many things that have happened to STC during my term as President.
During the Annual Meeting at the Technical Communication Summit in Columbus, Ohio, in June 2015, the current board was sworn in. As hundreds of members came to the main hall to be introduced to the new Board, discuss topics of interest, and make motions of their own, I had the chance to say hello to almost every person who entered the room. It was incredible to see the diversity in our membership. There were even two brand-new members in attendance who had just signed up for membership in STC at the Summit!
Since being sworn in, the Board of Directors has debated topics such as changes to our bylaws, decisions around locations for future Summits, plans around professional certification and the reopening of the Certified Professional Technical Communicator certification program, the work of our many committees and task forces, and the very future of our Society. As someone who is a seasoned professional, I’ve been looking at the membership with an eye toward attracting a younger crowd. The challenge of an association continuing to be relevant to a diverse population—people who are new to the Society, those who have 5 to 10 years of experience as a member, or those who, like me, are over 40 (or 50, or even 60)—is an interesting challenge.
Certification is on the comeback, with a three-tiered structure (Foundation, Practitioner, and Expert) intended to certify technical communicators looking to set themselves apart. For those new to the profession or for people who have already put in the years, all will have the opportunity to independently validate their skillsets and be recognized in the industry as Certified Professional Technical Communicator.
STC communities have also been active in 2015, updating websites and hosting meetings. Following the current industry interest in APIs, an API SIG formed to facilitate discussions on topics related to API writing. In the interest of keeping STC relevant, I’d encourage those curious about forming a SIG on a hot topic area to review the process for chartering a SIG and help build STC’s body of knowledge in 2016.
STC’s Corporate Value Program has experienced growth in 2015 as well. If you are a writer in an organization that has broad reach and many employees locally, nationally, or even globally, you may want to help support all the writers in your organization by joining this program as a group membership.
The Gold Value Package membership also grew in popularity in 2015. The number of people who sign up for this value-based membership increases every year, and it’s great to see it. The overall package offered (Classic membership, free webinars, SIG membership, print Intercom, and discounts) makes it an obvious winner for those looking to make the most of the benefits STC offers.
The efforts of the staff should not be forgotten either. Without the support this small group (comprising under a dozen people!) does every day, we wouldn’t be the Society we are today. Add to that the inordinate amount of work that is done by volunteers and you get, literally, tens of thousands of hours put into the advancement of the Society and the membership. No wonder we are experiencing growth.
Looking ahead, the Summit is in Anaheim, California in May this year! The changes implemented last year are largely back, meaning a far more social and affordable Summit. Awards will have a more casual and fun feel. There will be chance to mix and meet with friends new and old. Networking. Education. Socializing. It is safe to say that STC membership provides us all with an opportunity to do enjoy the experience to its fullest.
For those who are lifelong members who have more years within STC than outside of it, thank you for your ongoing support. For those who have been members for 5 to 20 years, stick with it! There is a lot more to come in the years ahead. Lastly, for those who are new to STC, who are students, new to technical communication, or even considering the field as a career, welcome.
I sincerely thank every person who touches STC for participating in supporting the field of technical communication, and I know there will be many more years of great interaction ahead. While I do hope to see many of you in Anaheim, I also understand that we can’t all travel to California. I plan to attend events in Colorado, Pennsylvania, New York, and other states and communities in the months that I have left as President. I hope to network with you there.
The past months have had challenges and successes, and the rest of my term is filled with a chance to meet and talk to more of the membership. The year ahead is promising, and STC is on a path to a successful future. Thanks for being a part of it.
