By Chris Lyons | CEO and Bernard Aschwanden | President 2015–2016
We would like to thank all of the members of the Society for Technical Communication for their support and engagement again in 2015. It was a year with some challenges, but a great deal of progress was made in improving programs and expanding benefits for members. In 2015 STC was stronger than it has been for several years and, as 2016 begins, is poised for growth.
In 2015 we continued to look for ways to enhance STC membership benefits. Last September, we reduced the price of Gold membership for 2016 new Gold members and renewals. We also introduced a free Education Report Card for all members, a professionally formatted compliment to a resume showing currency in the field. In response to trends in the field, an Application Programming Interface (API) Special Interest Group (SIG) was created as well as a series of API-related webinars. The annual Salary Database was improved with the inclusion of a free webinar explaining ways to use the survey depending on an individual’s goals. Finally, we continue to expand the Corporate Value Program (CVP), growing membership through this discount program by 20%. At the end of 2015, STC had nearly 500 members enrolled through the CVP.
Many aspects of the Technical Communication Summit were modified in 2015 to make them more impactful and new events were introduced. In Columbus, Ohio, the Community Reception was moved to the Expo Hall in conjunction with the community awards. The Honors Reception was trimmed to a faster paced, more casual reception with no additional fee and open to all attendees. New programming at the Summit included a closing keynote speaker and a highly popular speed-networking event. Attendance may have been lower than past years due to location and a holiday weekend, but attendee satisfaction was very high. We intend to make the 2016 Summit in Anaheim, California, even better.
The most exciting accomplishment of 2015 was the reopening of the STC Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) certification program. After over two years of study and re-engineering, the CPTC program reopened in December. The new three-tier program launched the Foundation exam through our UK-based partner APMG International. We are pleased to be setting the pace for professional certification in the field and will be working to fully develop the certification levels as well as robust continuing education offerings. STC members are offered a significant discount on cost, so please look into becoming CPTC certified.
STC saw strong financial performance again in 2015. Moving forward, we will ensure fiscal prudence so that STC will continue to be a strong and viable leadership organization for the field.
This Year in Review highlights the actions taken in 2015 to strengthen the Society’s programs, increase value to members, and lead the field of technical communication. We hope all STC members and volunteers will share in these accomplishments and continue their generous support.
To read the entire 2015 Year in Review, visit www.stc.org/images/stories/pdf/stc2015yearinreview3.pdf.
