We reach the final “Welcome Edition” for new Board members. Over the past few weeks we’ve issued welcomes to new directors Tricia Spayer and W. C. Wiese; this week we welcome Rachel Houghton, new Secretary. Below is a brief Q&A to introduce her to members.
Can you give us a thumbnail bio of your non-STC life?
I’m a senior information designer at Sage, working in the Construction and Real Estate Division. Prior to Sage, I had been looking for work for almost 15 months, as was detailed in the March 2010 Intercom article. I’m very happy to be working again!
I regularly take trips to the Oregon Coast and other scenic venues to work on my photography skills. I love taking pictures, and have been a shutterbug since I was about 15. I use some of those photos in my digital scrapbook layouts. I create those layouts in Photoshop, and have had several layouts published in scrapbooking e-zines over the last five years. This summer, I’ll be participating in the 3rd Annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk in my local area. The photo walk is a worldwide event that involved over 32,000 photographers (amateur and professional) in 900 locations from all over the world last year.
I teach one class per year at Portland State University, an introductory course on the Adobe Creative Suite. It’s part of a “tools” track to expose technical writing students to programs they will (often) run into outside of the classroom.
When I’m home, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three cats.
How long have you been an STC member?
I’ve been an STC member since March 1998. I often figure out how many years I’ve been in STC by figuring out my wedding anniversary (March 1999) first, then adding one.
What other positions have you held in STC, both in the communities and nationally (if applicable)?
You sure you want that list? 🙂
In the Willamette Valley chapter, I’ve held several leadership positions. I started out as the assistant PR manager by creating the flyer for the competitions banquet. From there, I held the positions of PR manager, local SIG manager, 2nd VP (while serving as Competitions Manager), 1st VP, Chapter President, and webmaster. I’ve also contributed photos and articles to the chapter newsletter, the Willamette Galley.
Regionally, I was the signage coordinator and backup audio-visual person for the 2001 Region 7 Conference, which our chapter hosted and planned.
At the Society level, I’ve held the following positions: Nominating Committee member (2007-2009), Community Achievement Award Executive Committee (2006-2010), newsletter competition judge, PR competition judge (and committee member), and international technical publications judge. I’ve also been a part of the LCR, and received the 2008 LCR Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award for my monthly LCR articles in Tieline.
I just finished being the Program Chair for the 2010 STC Summit recently held in Dallas, TX. I was a conference track manager in Philadelphia (2008) and Deputy Program Chair in Atlanta (2009).
What prompted you to run for office this time around?
It may sound cliched, but it was time for me to take it to the next level. The right position was key though. I’m not numbers oriented, so running for Treasurer was not for me. Secretary seemed the best fit for my skills, and with the term limit (a Secretary can only serve 2 terms consecutively), the position would be open for the 2010 election. After talking with Char James-Tanny (now immediate past Secretary) and several other people I trust in STC, I was assured that I was choosing the right path for me.
What do you feel you bring to the position?
I bring a fresh perspective, as does each new Board member every year. I’m fairly proficient in use of social media, and I incorporated Twitter as one of the main avenues of communication for the 2010 conference. I also listen well, which is an essential skill, both as Secretary and as a technical communicator.
What advice have you been given by those you’re replacing?
Make the job your own.
What are your goals for your term in office?
To get the minutes posted as fast as legally possible. To increase communication with members about the minutes, by making sure that publication of the minutes is regularly communicated in multiple venues (STC’s Notebook blog, member emails, etc).
Any final comments for readers?
I’d love to see STC members all around the world doing the Worldwide Photo Walk on Saturday, 24 July 2010. Let me know if you sign up (you can check it out here: http://worldwidephotowalk.com/), and I’ll generate a Flickr group so we can all share our best photos from the day. My email address is in the STC directory.