communication department

Volume XX Number 8

Invest in an STC Membership

By Karen Mardahl, Comanager, AccessAbility Special Interest Group

Collaborating Virtual Style: Hints from STC’s SIG Leaders In each issue of Tieline, a representative of the twenty STC special interest groups (SIGs) shares wisdom, hints, and lessons learned. Each is free to focus on a different aspect of facilitating STC communities—whether those communities are based on subject matter or geographic location. Currently, SIG leaders are exploring various collaborative tools and management styles to benefit their members and recruit new volunteers and leaders. As designer, author, and artist Edwin Schlossberg says, "True interactivity is not about clicking on icons or downloading files; it’s about encouraging communication." SIG leaders are working on just that. We hope that some of the information in this series will be applicable and helpful to other STC community leaders as well. Judith M. Herr, STC SIG Advocate

STC renewal time is here again! Another year in STC brings another year when you can continue to:

• Grow as a technical communicator
• Develop skills and ideas
• Exchange knowledge and visions
• Gain insight, peer respect, confidence, and strength
• Mentor others or be mentored
• Explore all the new frontiers waiting for you
• Make new friends around the globe

As a member of STC and as one of its leaders, think about the benefits and value that you have received from your participation in the Society. First, as a member, where you soaked up information and slowly began to share your own insights. Then, as a leader, where you found opportunities to learn about mentoring and managing (which are powerful skills to add to a résumé). Over time, you have accumulated knowledge about tools, processes, and more—simply from peer discussions online or in person. Collecting that same knowledge outside of STC could cost much more than the yearly STC membership. Ultimately, as STC grows, the knowledge base from which you can benefit grows, making the potential value returned to you even greater.

Communicate STC’s Value to Your Members

Think about the value of an STC membership (rather than the cost) when renewing this year. Try using the value angle (rather than the cost angle) when discussing renewal with your community members. Use the same tactic when you talk to someone who is considering an STC membership. Of course, there are many factors that influence our financial decisions, and some of these are quite personal. We can rarely change factors in someone else’s life, and we cannot dictate what decisions other people should make. Life happens, and we have to make decisions that are best for us. Still, STC can prove to be a value-packed network even in times of crisis. There is no price tag for such a network, and I speak from personal experience! Career opportunities and close friendships may be just around the corner when someone renews his or her membership or joins for the first time.

Looking back over my five years of membership in STC, I can see how my investment of time, energy, and dues has given me so much value. I have developed new skills and refined existing talents through my participation in various SIG discussion lists, live Web seminars, conferences, and leadership roles. The latest return on investment I received was being personally headhunted for a new job—which became mine on August 1 this year. I am the one with the job, but I could not have reached this point in my career without years of support from my STC communities.

If anyone doubts the value that they have received for their dues, ask what he or she has done to cultivate the value expected. What did he or she invest? The community leaders are responsible up to a certain point—but even the most enthusiastic and self-motivated leader needs members! Have members forgotten the role they play in the well-being and success of their community? Paying dues and then waiting for something to happen is not really investing anything. Without an investment, there is little chance of any value in return. Involvement is necessary, but this does not entail going straight for some major role such as that of manager or president. Participating in virtual discussions or attending events now and then can be just fine.

Members Provide the Substance

STC provides a basic framework; members provide the substance. Both members and leaders can work together to shape the Society at many levels. We choose our level of participation. If anyone feels the community leadership is not living up to expectations, encourage him or her to run for an office and take a turn at developing the potential in the community.

Remind members that leadership roles—whether for a full term or for one project—are opportunities for showing what they’re made of. Consider whether you should look for projects to showcase the talents of members rather than letting community projects dictate what members should do. This method—called asset mapping—has provided tremendous benefits to both members and the community alike. (For the curious, read more about asset mapping.)

Some may argue that all this value can come from outside STC—and even at no cost. Yes, there are many other types of communities outside of STC that are suitable for technical communicators. Some cost money and some are free. Many STC members also belong to other paying societies and free networks. All the different societies, networks, and discussion lists serve various purposes. I’d like to think that they complement each other and provide healthy competition. It has been my experience that listing professional (paid) groups such as STC on my résumé has a positive effect on hiring managers. It is a tangible proof of commitment to the groups. The true proof of commitment is demonstrated when I discuss topics at work and communicate the knowledge that I have accrued through STC activities.

Technical Communication Is About Growth

One last thought about renewing. Perhaps a member feels there is nothing more to gain from a membership in STC because he or she knows what is necessary to know. That may be so, for now. But what will tomorrow bring? Can you face the future on your own with today’s skill sets? If you say yes, what about helping others? Not everyone may be as strong as you are. You can support your community by passing on your knowledge to new generations. Share your experience and insights. Technical communication is about growth. Let’s build together.