December 2003 (Volume 15 Number 4) About the Quill

In This Issue

President's Message

Heidi makes resolutions for the new year. She thought she would share them with you so you can help to keep her on track. More

Success Story

It's one thing to do a great job, and another to be recognized for your hard work. Find out how a documentation group has been recognized for their skill using RoboHelp. More

Programmer to Writer

Pauline wrote this article to show us that there is always hope for a programmer. Find out how she came to see the light and how her programming skills are a valuable commodity in her new field. More

New Members

As people in the communication field, we are always eager to learn and always eager to welcome people with new ideas. Read this article to find out more about three of our new members. More

December History

December has always been a busy month for people. As you will see, December has been a busy month for our chapter as well. More

Templating

It's one thing to find just the right words, and to match them with complementary graphics. It's even better when there is consistency between the words and the graphics. Patrick Hofmann shares his words of wisdom in this article on templating. More

Translation

Pauline isn't the only one who has been involved in career changes over the years. From translation to technical writing and back again, find out what changes Al Daigen has seen over the years. More

Workshop Ideas

The February workshop is just around the corner. You can have a say about what this workshop will address. Find out where you can submit your wish list and vote on possible topics. More

News from England

All work and no play would make life dull for Nancy Halverson. Find out what is happening in Nancy's life in England as she continues working and makes plans for an upcoming vacation. More

November Recap

High tech meets education at November's general meeting. Find out what's happening at the University of Waterloo. More

Company Recognition

Many companies do a lot for the STC, either directly or indirectly. Find out how you can recognize the efforts of a particular company by nominating them for this award. More

Upcoming Events

The STC provides you with a lot of opportunities to learn and grow as a communicator. See which of the upcoming events might interest you. More

CIC Business Plan

Before you can start a business, you have to develop your business plan. If you are not sure what you need to do, read Elaine Garnet's words of wisdom to help get you started. More

Next CIC Meeting

It's one thing to develop your business plan and make contacts; it's another to turn leads into paying customers. Attend this meeting and find out how you may be selling yourself short. More

STC Head Office

Opportunities for learning are not restricted to your STC chapter. Find out about upcoming conferences so that you can keep your skills up to date. More

Just for Laughs

Part of being a good communicator is being able to laugh at ourselves and the world in which we live. More

The Editor's Message

Although this is the December issue of The Quill, it is indirectly the January issue as well. I didn't have the heart to make people write articles while they were visiting with family and friends over the holidays. If the truth be told, I also wanted to be able to enjoy the holidays without worrying about getting the January issue ready. Although The Quill is a labour of love, it isn't that I necessarily love labour all the time.

Unfortunately, for you avid readers, this slight break in the newsletter may cause you to suffer withdrawal. If you start seeing pink elephants, you might want to try reading a back issue of The Quill. If that doesn't work, you can write an article and submit it. I think writing an article is a cure for everything. It will make you feel like you have accomplished something, and I know it will make me feel better to have an extra article.

Since January is a time for resolutions, I thought I would let you know some of my goals are for next year's newsletters:

To continue the regularly featured articles, like our president's message and helpful advice for consultants and independent contractors.
To keep you informed of upcoming events, like meetings and the February workshop.
To feature more industries that use technical communication (for example, manufacturing, education, agriculture). I am always looking for volunteers to write an article.
To find out how Nancy goes about getting an STC chapter started in northern England and what the next development will be where she works.
To introduce you to more of our members.
To share more success stories that show the value of our profession.
To provide reviews of various Websites and books that may interest communicators.

There is a lot to accomplish over the next year, but I have faith in those people who have helped me in the past and those people who will help me in the future. If you have already experienced the satisfaction of being involved in The Quill, l want to thank you for adding value to this newsletter. I couldn't have done it without you.

If you have an opinion about anything that appears in The Quill or suggestions for new avenues to explore, I look forward to hearing from you. It's your feedback that determines the direction of the newsletter and improves its value.

Send your questions or comments to me, Debbie, at quill@stc-soc.org

Creating and supporting a forum for communities of practice in the profession of technical communication