December 2004 (Volume 16 Number 4) About the Quill

In This Issue

President's Message:
Sure, but what have you done for me lately?

President Opal Gamble discusses what our chapter is doing for its members, which is a good reason to select our chapter as part of your membership renewal.

Upcoming Chapter Events

Find out what events you have to look forward to in December and January, because it's always the right time to learn something new.

Education Seminars in 2005

Our annual workshop is just around the corner. In fact, in 2005, there are four mini-workshops over two days. Register early to avoid disappointment.

Can't we just get along for the sake of the product?

Read this success story about how engineering / product development and the technical documentation team worked together to create a great result for the customer.

Technical Writing Post-Graduate Program: the field placement course credit

If you are struggling to meet your deadlines and you could use an extra writer, then this may be the opportunity for both you and a student looking for a job placement.

Not everyone can make it to general meetings. Not everyone has the opportunity to introduce themselves to other communicators...until now. Find out what you can do to introduce yourself and your skills.

Telephone Seminar Recap: the quest for a good index

If you were unable to attend the index Webinar, then find out what you missed, and do it over a pint of beer.

Launching the 2004-2005 Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award

Are you a student who is interested in technical writing? Did you ever wonder if you could win an award? Get the details by reading this article.

Telephone Seminar Recap: Introducing Windows "Longhorn" user assistance system

Microsoft is scheduled to release a new version of Windows, and with it comes a new "user assistance system." See what you need to do to get ready for this release.

Getting My Financial Books in Order

When it comes to technical communication, there are so many options and so little time. Read how one writer has been conquering the financial training world.

View from the Other Side...the multiple sides of the weather

Neither rain nor sunshine nor snow could prevent a former chapter member from giving us an update about what is happening in England (and Spain).

General Meeting Recap: the "magic" of science writing

Find out how "So what?" and "Who cares?" relates to this general meeting recap.

Recap of the November Council Meeting

Your council is trying to give you the value that you deserve for your STC membership. Find out what your council is doing for you.

STC Costs: the cash you save may be your own

Everyone likes to get good value for their money, so it's not surprising that the STC compares well to other organizations based on membership fees and the cost of registration for various conferences.

The Editor's Message

We just received a request to address these two topics from the Society Leaders' "Tieline" newsletter.

Don’t Lose Touch with the STC

Update your membership information to include your home contact information (address, phone number, or e-mail address) so that Head Office does not lose track of you when you change jobs.

You can do this by completing the address change form on the STC Web site or by contacting Head Office at (703) 522-4114.

Renew Your Membership Online

Online renewal is quick and convenient; it reduces printing and postage costs; it also reduces environmental costs (for example, it uses less paper). To renew online, go to the STC Web site and access the renewal form using your STC membership number and password.

No January Issue

For those of you who have been regularly submitting articles, I am giving you a reprieve for Christmas. There is no deadline to hit in December, because there is no January issue.

For those of you who look forward to The Quill and might miss it, you will just have to entertain yourself with a good book or do some Web surfing. Whatever you come up with, don't make it too much fun: I don't want you to get used to doing something that might (but not likely) be more fun than The Quill.

My Suggestions

I must have been crazy when I made that last statement; there is no way that there is anything more fun than The Quill.

If you are going to read a book, make sure the book relates to technical communication so that you can write a review of it for the newsletter. Think of the thrill you will get knowing that by reading a book you are actually performing research for an article that will get your name in print—online.

The same is true when you are surfing the Web. Why not search out new sites that relate to our field and then review them? There are so many sites out there that no one can possibly visit them all. By providing reviews, maybe we can get to more sites faster and avoid the "dud" ones.

Send your articles, suggestions, and comments to me, Debbie, at quill@stc-soc.org.

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