November 2004 (Volume 16 Number 3) About the Quill
In This Issue
President's Message: The English Degree Bites Back
Some off us have been technical writers for years; others have just started in the business; and then there is
still a whole
other group who are doing technical writing without even knowing it. 
Upcoming Chapter Events
There is a lot happening in November. Maybe we have to keep busy so that we
can forget that it's going to get cold.
Munch and Learn: Management SIG Kickoff!
Managers are always busy helping others, so it's only right that they take
the time to help themselves. The first Management SIG meeting takes place over a
relaxing meal.
View From the Other Side...The Other Side of The Pond
After months of reading descriptions of England, be prepared to cross the
ocean (pond) and see what you have been missing.
Improving the Readability of Your Docs
It's not always what you say, but how you say it, that makes all the
difference. Get some tips on improving your documentation with simple
layout changes.
Board Amends Student Member Category
The definition of a student has changed for the STC. Find out what
requirements must be met to be eligible for a student membership.
How Do I Love a Student Membership...Let Me Count the Ways
One of our student members shares her list of benefits for becoming a student
member of the STC.
Scholarships in Technical Communication
Don't miss receiving some financial help with your schooling because you
didn't read this article about scholarships that are available.
The Search for an Employment Match
The job bank is for both job seekers and employers. Both are needed to make
the job bank a win-win situation.
Jobs or Lack Thereof
The Director-Sponsor of Region 1 talks about the STC job bank and what it can
and cannot do for you.
October's General Meeting: All About Coaching
At the October general meeting, we learned about the difference between
coaching and managing. Find out what you can do to encourage productivity and
get results.
Minutes of October's Council Meeting
Your council meets regularly to plan and organize what value that you can
receive for your membership.
Telephone/Web Seminar: Cascading Style Sheets: Creating Layouts without Tables (Part II)
In the second of a two-part telephone/Web seminar, attendees received more
detailed information about using a cascading style sheet (CSS).
Networking Through Member Introductions
Since our chapter covers Southwestern Ontario, it seemed only right
that we start introducing members who cannot make it to our meetings.
Ask the Expert: Page Numbering in Framemaker
If you have ever tried to consecutively number pages in a large Framemaker
document, then this is the article for you.
Book Review: The Hidden Power of Social Networks
Find out what our reviewer thought of the book, "The Hidden Power of Social Networks—Understanding How Work
Really Gets Done in Organizations." It's an article you won't be
able to put down.
The Editor's MessageWhen I'm reviewing articles for the newsletter, I am forced to stop and look at all that is going on in the chapter. So, for awhile at least, I step out of my work and home life, and focus on the goals and achievements of the Southwestern Ontario chapter. AssumptionsThere is so much going on, and I take much of it for granted. I just assume that there will be meetings to attend, a workshop in February, a competition in the fall, and a Wine and Cheese in March. These things happen like clockwork, because the council members make everything look so easy, and, because things go so smoothly, it's easy to forget how much work each of these events takes to arrange. Being HumanIn addition to taking things for granted, my other problem is that sometimes I forget that everyone is human. No one lives to write for The Quill (although I like to believe that this is true!). Sometimes people are having the week from h***, as they state in their e-mails when they make their submissions, and I am like the icing on the cake when I say, "Are you still submitting that article to me?" I appreciate these same people going the extra mile to make their submissions, regardless of the type of week that they are having. Being the Same but DifferentAlthough we are all in the same field, and have many of the same personality traits (detail-oriented and analytical), we are all unique. Unfortunately, many of us never take the time to see all these differences, because we focus on work-related topics and don't focus on the actual people. Maybe the reason we miss getting to know these people is because we are generally talking in venues that are work-related. Maybe this is why we start to talk to people AFTER the general meeting, because we are no longer locked into our "learning" modes. Networking MeetingThis change in venue is what Opal Gamble is using to encourage members to get to know each other. When you think about it, we already have so much in common, it would be a shame to not take that extra step to get to know each other as people. Look in the Upcoming Events article for details about this networking opportunity. Don't pass it up!
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Creating and supporting a forum for communities of practice in the profession of technical communication