Body of Knowledge Introduces "Adopt a Topic"

AdoptATopicThe Summit seems to be a time for milestones with the Technical Communication Body of Knowledge (TCBoK). Members were first introduced to the site map and polled for suggestions at a past Summit, with the sitemap and personas revised as a result; at the 2009 Summit, a partially populated wiki was first displayed and feedback exposed some issues and helped focus the site; and just recently at the 2010 Summit, the TCBoK Task Force introduced its latest push, for populating the wiki: Adopt a Topic!

The Body of Knowledge relies entirely on volunteers to be populated, and starting with the 2010 Summit, the population push is on! Visit the TCBoK site and click on “Volunteer – Adopt a Topic.” Or if you want to jump right into it, go directly to the Adopt a Topic page!

At the Summit, I spoke with Connie Kiernan, co-manager of the TCBok Committee; Caroline Jarrett, former project manager and currently assisting in an admin role; and Mark Clifford, the former Board liaison for the committee. All three were excited about this next step and looking forward to populating the site more.

“Technical communication as a profession is defined in many places,” Kiernan explained. “There are a lot of resources but no one place that pulls it together. The Body of Knowledge will be that place.” She pointed out that the topic pages would link to works, articles, the Summit’s Proceedings, books, and more.

Realistically, she said, the site will be fully “ready for prime time” in 12-18 months. “But that depends on how much help we get,” she cautioned. And, of course, it will never be fully done. “There will always be updating, editing, consistency checks, etc.”

Caroline Jarrett said she’s taken a more behind-the-scenes role with the BoK, and encouraged members to adopt a topic. She mentioned the “Roll of Honor” for volunteers, pointed out it would be a good resume boost, and would be an avenue to both do research and share research, not to mention a networking tool.

And while Mark Clifford is cycling off the Board of Directors (his stint as Immediate Past President ended at the Summit), he plans on staying quite involved as “Special Support,” he said. He’ll work with volunteers, help with governance, and provide additional support as needed. But like the others, he’s currently focused on the push for volunteers. “If anybody has anything they need or want to share, please do,” he invited. “Email volunteer4BoK@stc.org and we’ll set you up.”

So check out the TCBoK, adopt a topic, and help make an impact. If you want, you can even get your own sign!

2 Replies to “Body of Knowledge Introduces "Adopt a Topic"”

  1. I am not a current member of STC. Right now, I just do not have money for the membership. However, I would like to keep an eye on this process as time goes on. I would also like to contribute to the shaping of the Body of Knowledge if it is found that I have something of value to contribute.

    Is contribution only open to members of the STC or can anyone provide feedback and/or content?

  2. Contributions are welcome from all who want to contribute.

    Please study the Comap (http://go.comapping.com/comapping.html#mapid=20060&publishKey=uL1ah6YUPS), the project charter, and the wiki as it currently stands (http://stcbok.editme.com/Home), and choose the domain(s) and topics you would like to contribute to.
    Then email me your details (name, contact number, email address) and your chosen Domain/topics.
    Once I have that information I can introduce you to the Domain Leader(s) and sign you up on the Wiki.

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