Comments on: Bye bye STC

By: Sita

Sita — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:18:41 +0000

Count me in if you’re doing some collective thinking on the new organization. I think the focus should be on technical content rather than technical communication.

By: Ben

Ben — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:47:24 +0000

As president of the Intermountain Chapter of STC, I can say that there is a lot of dialogue going on, and STC has plans in the making. You’re right that most of the conversation has not been going on with anyone outside STC, and not much outside the leadership yet. It has been up to the community leaders to relay info back to the general membership, but I’m sure STC will be sending out some communications to the members in the near future.

If STC can get past the initial hurdle of solving the shortfall problem, I think we’ll have a much better organization. I expect to be posting about this soon on my blog. It may be that what emerges from the ashes is a better STC rather than some different organization.

To reply to Renee, I’ve seen comments from people for whom networking has been the biggest benefit of STC, and they have secured jobs and contracts because of that networking.

By: Cornélius Carcajouriadis

Cornélius Carcajouriadis — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:40:14 +0000

Hello,

Perhaps it’s time for STC to do a thorough strategic planning session?

By: Renee Baker

Renee Baker — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:34:12 +0000

I am an engineer who happens to love to write. I consider it my biggest passion in life. I am moving out of engineering into tech writing and have been thinking of joining the STC. I live in Dallas, so it is even more interesting to see the reply by Arroxane.

Is STC still relevant enough to join, or is there another tech communications organization that is more modern with local networking.

Thanks!
Renee Baker
renee@renee-baker.com

By: Arroxane

Arroxane — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:06:50 +0000

I, too, am relatively young as STC membership goes. And I knew in high school what career I wanted. But I also knew that STC had a legacy. And I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to get the scoop on the latest methods, techniques, and technologies. I also wanted the prestige.
So, here I am a Senior Member and 1st VP of the Lone Star Community of STC. I’ve only recently begun to examine the inner workings of the parent STC org and am disturbed that they have not done more for their public image. I think this is due to a variety of reasons and the main one is manpower vs priority.
Right now, they’re not concerned about letting the non-member public in on their plans. Like any organization with severe economic woes, it is disseminating privileged info. But, they are definitely doing something (a lot of somethings) and they are taking action based upon blogs, tweets, comments, articles, etc.
As you mention, those interested are rallying. That is what you are seeing. Like the Iran election, you may not have been voting, but you’re seeing the mobs. Unlike the Iran election, STC is reaching out to these digital mobs and asking advice and guidance. Kudos on their efforts, even if it’s a bit late in the game.
I think the lack of interest in STC comes from both a lack of definition of itself as well as a lack of awareness within related fields. They are also addressing these matters.
I hope that over the next couple of years not only will STC recover, but it will define itself in such a way that even those who never had any interest in joining will nod with respect at their achievements.