Membership News

by Leanne Rollins, Membership Manager

I was thrilled to meet several new chapter members at last month’s meeting. Although I have been issuing personal invitations to each new member encouraging them to come out to a general meeting, I know that putting yourself 'out there' in a new situation with new people can be very intimidating. I think this is the very reason that the council agreed I should be membership manager this year—I'm the least physically imposing person you could hope to meet (well, other than Opal anyway).

New members represent new ideas and talent within our chapter. We're also at a point now in our chapter history where we have an amazing blend of veteran members and new members. Recent statistics sent out by our chapter president, Debbie Kerr, show that of our 152 members, 32 people have been members of the STC for at least 10 years.

With a 21% veteran membership, there is a great deal of talent to draw on, and we often ask these veterans to speak at monthly meetings. But just because you are a new(er) member does not mean you are new to the field.

I want to hear from those within our membership who joined the STC within the past two years, but have been in the industry for five or more years. Email me a brief biography, and let me know why you eventually decided to join the STC. I'll include selected biographies in this membership article over the next few months.

This month we welcome Richard Gagnon to our chapter. We also congratulate our members, Debbie Davy and Chet Skibinski, on becoming senior members of the STC. This change in membership status occurs when someone has been a member of the STC for five years.

Again, new members, please come check out a meeting, and make sure you find me and say hello! Veteran members, you are still encouraged to find me and let me know what’s new.

About Leanne Rollins

Leanne recently became a self-employed contractor, escaping management roles for the first time in years. This newfound freedom has allowed Leanne to take on extra-curricular activities such as a more active role in the STC. When not writing or playing with her kids, Leanne enjoys running and soccer.