Council Spotlight: Student Awards & Volunteer Coordinator

My name is Heidi Marr, and I am our chapter's new Student Awards Manager. For several years, I have been a judge of the Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award submissions and, because I know the quality of those submissions, I am even more excited about my new role.

About the Awards

The Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award recognizes outstanding technical writing by full-time students who are in their 3rd or 4th year of study at the University of Waterloo, the University of Guelph, or Wilfrid Laurier University. With a history of winners from both the arts and sciences, this award honours strong academic performance, and the integration of effective communication and a technical aptitude.

The Fanshawe College Technical Writing Award recognizes the top academic performer in the Fanshawe College Technical Writing Certificate program.

The Timing of the Awards

In the past, the competition has received entries from exemplary young writers, which is why I am keen to read their work in the fall and meet the talented winners when I present the awards at the March Wine and Cheese. Two months later, I have the pleasure of giving out the Fanshawe College Technical Writing Award at our chapter’s June general meeting.

Want to help Judge or Submit an Entry?

Watch our chapter’s website (www.stc-soc.org) and future issues of The Quill for more details about judging opportunities and competing for the Heidi Thiessen Memorial Award. You can also email me at awards@stc-soc.org.

My name is Fei Min, and I am back again as the Volunteer Coordinator because I have unfinished business. One of my mandates is to help volunteer organizations with their technical communication needs by finding them volunteers from our chapter.

Postings for Volunteers

In June, we implemented a system to allow volunteer organizations to post positions on our website, so I drafted a letter to send to organizations to let them know about this avenue to our skills, and let them know what we can do for them. I sent the letter to a few organizations, but no response. I have to research and find more organizations in our area to contact, and follow up on the ones I sent to make sure the word gets out, and then you can check the job bank for possible volunteer positions. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.

Want to Volunteer?

To get involved in STC chapter activities, email me at volunteering@stc-soc.org and I’ll try to match up your time and interests with work that we have to do.