Another STC "First" Look: First Gold Membership

Yesterday I blogged about the first STC member to renew membership for 2010 and the first to become a new member for 2010, asking each a few questions about why they joined and what they get out of STC.

As it turns out, there’s another member to highlight. While those two were the first official members to register online, one member actually couldn’t wait for the noon EDT (GMT-4) kickoff and phoned in his renewal to the STC HQ early that morning. He’s John Hedtke, and he grabbed the very first Gold Membership package as well.

I asked John some of the same questions, and his answers are below.

How long have you been a member of STC?
I believe since summer of 1986, though it may actually be officially in 1987. I started attending meetings in 1986, though. [ed note: According to our database, he joined 15 October 1986.]

What prompted you to first join STC?
I was working my first contract for Microsoft for Peg Cheirrett of WASSER, and she was a big proponent of the STC and got me into it. It was a great decision.

What went into your decision to renew?
The same thing as it always does: being a member of the STC is fun and bucks. Fun, because I get to see old friends and meet new people (and frequently help them get better situated) and bucks, because I make a pile of money networking with and through STC folks.

You actually called in before the official start to join, correct? Was there a specific thinking of “I want to sign up right away for 2010”?
I had decided to be a Gold Member in part because I'd made up my mind months ago to make an additional donation to the STC of $250 over and above my basic membership cost, whatever that was going to be. When I heard about the Gold Membership program, I figured I'd go for that and pay more and have the ego satisfaction of getting Gold Membership #1. And if things turn out as well as I think they will, I can always make another donation this coming spring.

What’s your history as a technical communicator and your current position?
I've had a really varied TC career. I started as a programmer and programmer analyst, then looked for and found a job as a tech writer in 1984. I won my first award in 1985, started freelancing in 1986, published my first article in 1987, wrote my first book in 1988, became a Tech Pubs manager in 1988, and attended my first annual STC conference in 1996. At this point, I'm up to close to 8 million published words, including 26 books and close to 200 articles, a Fellow of the Society, and looking at some surprising new ventures I'll tell you about in 2010.

What STC benefits have you taken advantage of the most?
I've learned massive amounts from local STC meetings, I've polished my presentation skills from speaking at chapter meetings and at regional and annual conferences, and I've had a lot of fun doing all of it.

How has membership in STC helped you in your career?
Networking! By the end of 2010, I'll have made close to a million dollars from being an STC member I wouldn't have made otherwise. And people!! Some of my very best friends are people I met through the STC.

2 Replies to “Another STC "First" Look: First Gold Membership”

  1. Surprising new ventures? John, the only way you could surprise me is if you announce that you’re quitting TechComm and joining a monastery. 🙂

    You nailed it when you said that the benefits of STC are fun, bucks, and people. You’re one of the people who make STC valuable for me.

    To anyone reading this who’s new to the organization or still sitting on the sidelines, I encourage you to engage with the STC community. You’ll find that the benefits are tremendous.

  2. I’m just curious how you calculated that you made $1 million dollars because you were an STC member that you wouldn’t have made otherwise. I can see the fun, the networking, but honestly, I can’t see calculating a specific figure that only came about because you were in STC verses other activities you have done in the technical writing community.

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