General Meeting Announcements

September 6
Going Head to Head with Communication

Do you interact with non-writers on a daily basis at work? Most of us do, and it can be frustrating getting non-writers to understand writing processes and requirements. Barry Clegg to the rescue! Barry will share his experience running a project for an IT department to promote the importance of communication and boost non-writers’ writing skills. Learn how to manage the challenges of getting project approval, getting suitable content, and getting people to listen.

Barry Clegg is a senior member of the STC Toronto Chapter, a Professional Engineer with a BA from Cambridge and an MSc. in Solid Mechanics from Aston University (don’t ask!). Barry spend 30 years in IT development and management and he now works as a freelance communicator. He as written articles (serious and less than serious) for in-house and external publication in user manuals, technical documentation, reports, newsletters, websites, conference papers, speeches, skits, poetry and a coffee-table book.

October 4
Card Sorting 101

No, this is not a seminar on antique computer building! Communicators often use card sorting to map out architecture and navigation models. This method of getting at mental models gives great bang for the buck – it’s affordable and useful in everything from organizing a user guide to determining the information architecture and navigation for a web site or enterprise web application.

In this session, Sherry McMenemy will go through the basics of card sorting, including planning, conducting sessions, analysis, implementation, and follow-up. She’ll also share some tips and tricks to add some “finesse” to the process.

Sherry McMenemy is a senior STC member with experience in technical communication, information management and, user interaction design. She uses card sorting at work, where she manages an IT Knowledge Operations team, and is a consultant to local companies.