By Nancy Hoffman | Fellow and Co-Chair, STC Development Task Force
Have you ever thought about the many ways STC has helped you professionally and personally? Have you ever wished you could, in some way, big or small, give something back to STC for that help? Well, you can.
Think back. Remember giving your first paper presentation at an STC conference and the excitement you had in meeting others who understood what you do? There was the time you found the answers you needed in a Technical Communication article, or when you’d learned enough about usability or XML to win your point in a discussion with someone in the engineering department.
Perhaps the STC Salary Database helped bring the raise you deserved, or an STC discussion group helped give you the solution you brought to management. You may have been fortunate to have a winning entry in an STC competition or gained enough information from a competition’s judging comments to be a contender the year after that.
If your association with STC helped you in your career, take a few minutes to consider how you can help STC sustain programs to help others by participating in the Society’s recently released “Giving to STC” development program. Some of the ways to help include the following:
Giving Cash Gifts and Matching Funds
You can give a gift of cash to support any of STC’s programs. Charitable deductions on your federal or state income taxes may allow you to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of your gift. You’ll see an immediate effect of your gift on the program you choose.
Many companies have matching programs that may help you to enhance the value of your gift to STC. Be sure to check with your employer’s benefits department to determine whether your company will match your charitable contribution to STC.
Setting Up Your Own STC Scholarship Program
Although STC offers a variety of scholarship programs that you can support, you also can establish your own specific scholarship program at either the Society level or as part of your local STC community. A number of Society members have done just that, providing a lasting legacy that benefits students, professionals, or the community at large.
Naming STC as Your Estate Plan Beneficiary
In addition to giving to STC as part of an annual charitable giving program, you also can name an STC scholarship program as a beneficiary of your estate, either by naming the Society as an heir in your will or by designating that STC receive a portion of your assets, as specified in a revocable living trust. There are many different ways to give through your estate plan and the laws of different states vary, so it’s a good idea to consult with a local attorney in the drafting of such a gift.
Naming STC as a Life Insurance Beneficiary
Another effective way to benefit the Society is by naming STC as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy. In this way, you can enhance the value of life insurance premiums to create a significant lump-sum payment to the Society to help promote its various programs. Such a payment can go to the STC “general fund,” to any of the various established specialized programs, or to establish a new program in your name.
For More Information
Consider giving to STC today, while you can enjoy the rewards of your gift! To learn more about how you can support STC and the technical communication community, contact STC today at:
Kathryn Burton
Executive Director/CEO
Society for Technical
Communication
9401 Lee Highway, Suite 300
Fairfax, Virginia 22031
+1 (703) 522-4114
+1 (703) 522-2075 (fax)
stc@stc.org
www.stc.org
STC has made a difference in your career. Now you can make a difference for STC.
