communication department

Chapter Bylaw Models Available Soon

The bylaws committee will soon review two newly-drafted sets of model chapter bylaws: one for domestic U.S. chapters and one for international chapters. Community leaders of international chapters should be aware their chapters will need to sign an affiliation agreement.

Reporting Process and Dates for Current and Future Chapter Treasurers

The upcoming fiscal year change (described in “Change to STC's Fiscal Year to Improve Financial Management” in the February Tieline) will affect chapters’ financial reporting and budgeting. Since chapters are not separately incorporated, their fiscal year will automatically change January 1, in sync with STC’s. During 2008, chapter financial reports will be due, as usual, on September 30. However, chapters must prepare a budget for the “short fiscal year” (which will run July 1–December 31, 2008) and submit a second financial report for that period due March 31, 2009.

Chapter treasurers will then prepare a chapter budget for the 2009 fiscal year (January–December 2009). In 2010 and future years, financial reports will be due to the Society office by March 31.

As chapter elections approach, candidates for treasurer should be aware that they will be responsible for preparing two budgets during their time in office in addition to helping their chapters to address updated schedules and processes related to chapter finances.

A session will also be presented during Leadership Day on Sunday, June 1 at the Technical Communication Summit regarding the change to the fiscal year.

Key Dates for Chapters

June 30, 2008 End of current fiscal year

July 1, 2008 Beginning of “short fiscal year”

September 30, 2008 Financial reports due for period July 2007–June 2008.

December 31, 2008 End of “short fiscal year”

January 1, 2009 Beginning of new fiscal year period to coincide with calendar year.

March 31, 2009 Financial reports due for period July–December 2008.