Slack

Slack is a virtual communication tool, a free benefit for STC members.

Join now by clicking the link to receive the code you need to create your account.

All are welcome and encouraged to join the STC Communities Slack to meet, engage, and collaborate with fellow technical communication colleagues. Note that the link is temporary and expires periodically (a Slack ‘feature’) and is updated on this page at the beginning of each month. If you are having trouble with the link, please wait and try again after a day or two.

When you have created your account,  visit the Society for Technical Communication Slack Workspace and check it out. (Workspaces comprise many different channels.)

To help get you started, we have outlined some the most useful STC Communities Slack channels. These include channels for events, education programs, support, topics/interests, and conduct (plus more). Introduce yourself, learn what’s happening, and get to know other members. It’s your space!

Using the Slack App

Slack has an easy-to-use client app to install on your phone and your computer. Multiple Slack workspaces can run from within the app. Follow these steps to install and configure the Slack app on your computer and to add all your workspaces to the app.

  1. Download the Slack client/app for Windows or for Mac.
  2. Install the client/app.
  3. Sign in via the client/app. It will prompt you to sign in via a browser initially.
  4. When the sign-in screen opens in the browser, sign in using an email address and a code. Use the email address associated with the workspace(s) you want to add to the client.
  5. When the browser opens a list of the workspaces associated with your log in email, click the arrow to open each workspace, one at a time.
  6. For each workspace, choose to open it with the Slack client, not the URL for Slack in the browser.
  7. Subsequently, click the + at the bottom of the list of workspaces.

Channels

Default Channels

Everyone who joins the Slack will be added to these channels:

  • #general – Start here for general STC and techcomm topics, questions, and conversation.
  • #introductions – Say hello and introduce yourself to the group.
  • #slack-conduct – Understand the expected behavior for those who participate in the STC Slack. Please be kind and respectful.
  • #slack-help – Get help with using STC Slack.
  • #webinars – Learn and join fellow STC colleagues for online education events.
  • #community-events – Check out what our virtual (SIG) and geographical (chapter) communities are up to.

Other Channels

  • #programideas – Let us know what topics and subjects we should consider for an education program.
  • #website-feedback – Having issues with the STC.org website or have suggestions? Tell us here.

Community of Interest (COI) Channels

We have topic-based channels for our virtual Special Interest Group (SIG) – Communities of Interest (COI) that are focused on specific subject areas within technical communication. Members of these communities are encouraged to meet, engage, and collaborate with colleagues who have similar interest in these channels. Visit a #sig-<coi_name> channel and check it out.

Conduct Guidelines (#slack-conduct)

Everyone who joins the STC Slack community is valued and should be treated with respect and courtesy. As such, we have a Code of Conduct (below) that lays out the expected behavior of Slack members; it applies to all channels and areas of the STC Communities Slack workspace.

We also have a thread with guidelines for Reporting Issues, for cases of conduct violations or instances where members feel certain behaviors should be looked into or addressed.

Code of Conduct

This code of conduct governs the STC Community Slack Workspace. We want the STC Community Slack to be a fun, productive, and safe space for all members. The STC Board of Directors created it because we believe that articulating our values and obligations to one another reinforces respect between our members. Members of the STC Slack are invited to contribute to this code of conduct by submitting suggestions in the #slack-conduct channel.You may be a witness to something that seems like it isn’t aligned with our values. Please error on the side of caring for your fellow members in situations like these and reach out to the admin team with any concerns. Slack admins reserve the right to ban any group member who violates either the letter or the spirit of this code of conduct.Treat others the way they'd like to be treated. We have created this Slack workspace as a space to ask questions, discuss topics, and seek advice. We want this community to be able to discuss our interests thoughtfully. Please be supportive of your fellow technical communicators.Keep it clean and civil. We ask that you refrain from profanity. If you have to ask yourself if something is appropriate to  post, it probably is not. Please error on the side of caution.

Expected Behaviors

In addition to the core STC values, we want to embrace the behaviors below in this Slack:
Be kind. Consider others’ perspectives and remember that we are all people on the other side of the screen. Sharing your expertise with others and helping them reach their goals is appreciated by all.Respect everyone. We do not tolerate threatening behavior or harassment of any kind. We want all members to feel welcome here.

Unacceptable Behaviors

STC is committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment for people of all races, gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, physical abilities, physical appearances, socioeconomic backgrounds, life experiences, nationalities, ages, religions, and beliefs.We will not tolerate discrimination and harassment of any kind. Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
  • Verbal comments that degrade others for their gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, etc.
  • Sexual images
  • Deliberate intimidation
  • Unwelcome sexual attention
Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior If a Slack participant engages in harassing behavior, the Admin team retains the right to warn the bad actor or expel them from the Slack.Any behavior or language which is unwelcoming is strongly discouraged. Please do not commit any of the behaviors below:
  • Do not post inflammatory comments. Our users are established professionals. They did not join the group to argue with you.
  • Do not share personal information that someone posts without their permission. While the Slack is open to members, we want to have trust among our members.
  • Do not sell to members. People do not join this Slack just so you can have access to spam them with personal emails.