As part of the STC election process, we invited the candidates to submit a blog posting addressing members. This week, the two candidates for Vice President speak to members. Today we have a blog post from Alan Houser; yesterday we posted one from Victoria Koster-Lenhardt. See the STC Election website for more information about all candidates plus a form to ask questions of the candidates.
- Alan Houser
I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with many STC members and STC staff during my professional career, and am honored and thrilled to seek the office of STC Vice President. My background and experience is documented elsewhere, so I would like to use this forum to share some personal perspectives and philosophies that are relevant to my candidacy.
International Perspective
I’ve been privileged to have met and worked with STC leaders from around the globe. I consider all to be valued colleagues and many to be friends. I’ve also been privileged to meet and interact with leaders from other international technical communication organizations, including the ISTC (UK), TCEurope (Germany/Europe), COM&TEC (Italy), TWIN (India), and ASTC (Australia).
Some may claim that these organizations compete with STC for members. I claim that these organizations support a diverse global community and, together with the STC, provide a rich set of opportunities for technical communicators around the globe. We as a Society and we as a profession benefit from this global community of professional organizations.
Philosophy
As a candidate for the STC board of directors, I cannot promise specific actions. The STC board of directors operates as a unified body. However, I consider the following Society initiatives to be essential:
- Continue the success of Project Phoenix, and empower community managers to create successful, engaging communities.
- Continue development of the Body of Knowledge
- Successfully roll out and promote the certification program
- Increase member value
- Increase membership, in number and diversity
- Promote the Society and the profession
- Continuously self-analyze and improve the Society
The Value of STC I’ve had many wonderful experiences as a direct result of my STC membership and participation. To me, the STC value proposition is unquestionable. I don’t evaluate my STC membership in terms of dollars and cents—I view it as a source of invaluable professional and life experiences.
However, many members require a demonstrable value proposition to justify STC membership. These members will add up the value of business contacts made, webinars viewed, publications received, meetings attended, and knowledge acquired. STC certainly must provide a quantitatively defensible value proposition for this group.
Others (like me) are more likely motivated by intangible factors. Members must feel valued by the Society. Members must experience positive interactions with STC members, STC staff, and STC communities. The Society can meet the needs and ensure the loyalty of these members by providing rich professional experiences, rewarding volunteer opportunities, continued avenues for recognition, clear and open channels of communication, and engaging community interaction.
The Powerful Tap on the Shoulder
A favorite among my Society experiences has been the “tap on the shoulder.” That’s the nudge or encouragement that comes, usually from another STC member, who believes in what you are capable of doing, knows that you can contribute more, and invites you to do so.
I’ve experienced the “tap on the shoulder” several times in my STC career—during my service to the Pittsburgh chapter and when I rose through the ranks of the conference committee. Each “tap on the shoulder” started a new set of rich, wonderful experiences.
The most recent and most powerful tap on the shoulder came from those who encouraged me to run for vice president of the Society. It’s humbling to know that people close to me believe in my capabilities and contributions. I have the right combination of education, professional skills, personal demeanor, knowledge of the profession, and knowledge of the global community to effectively serve as your Society Vice President.
Looking Ahead
Now is the most exciting time in the history of the profession to be a technical communicator. Never before have we had more and better ways to know and engage our customers. The Society has taken the correct and necessary actions to renew its leadership of our profession during these challenging and exciting times. I plan to continue the work of those who came before me and strive to create an STC that is a source of pride and symbol of stature for its members. I will be grateful for your vote for STC Vice President during the March election.
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