Membership News

by Leanne Rollins, Membership Manager

A great big ‘thank you’ goes out to the members who submitted a profile this month. Heidi Marr, Tracy Smith, Pauline Horn, and Opal Gamble officially reached senior member status this month. As members of the STC for 5 years, I asked them to submit a profile, and they graciously agreed. Opal was excused from this exercise – we decided that the membership already knows all there is to know about our past president! I hope you enjoy the profiles… consider sending your own profile to me at membership@stc-soc.org for publication in an upcoming newsletter.

Our membership count now stands at 154 members strong. Welcome to Dan Boylan, transferring into our chapter recently. I hope to see Dan, and all of our membership, at our STC general meeting this month.

Member Profile: Heidi Marr

Member Since:	2000 (although I was also a student member for a couple of years in the '90s)
Education:	MA, University of Waterloo (Language & Professional Writing); BA, University of Waterloo (Rhetoric & Professional Writing with a minor in Speech Communication)
Years in Technical Communication:	10
Work experience includes:	Marketing writing (Marketing Manager for an architectural firm), technical writing (Information Developer for a software company), training (Technical Training Specialist for a software company), and leadership (Team Lead for an Information Engineering team).
Why did you join the STC?	Several University of Waterloo (UW) professors encourage their students to join as student members. I was one of the students who actually listened. I soon learned that one of the benefits of membership, at the time, was the opportunity to use the STC publications as resources for school projects!
Why do you renew each year?	As a professional, I believe it's important to keep up with the latest trends, tools, and technologies. Because the STC is dedicated to advancements in our field, my membership helps me stay current. Additionally, networking opportunities and the Job Bank have helped me land at least two positions at local companies—and I also know whom to hire :-)
How do you give back to the STC?	For several years, I have been a member of our chapter's council. I was the chapter president, employment manager, and have helped out on some of the committees, such as Student Awards and Public Relations.

Member Profile: Pauline Horn

Member Since:	2000
Education:	BA Sc, University of Guelph (Consumer Behaviour)
Years in Technical Communication:	5 1/2
Why did you join the STC?	I joined the technical writing team after spending most of my career as a systems developer. At our company, we had an active Community of Practice for the Technical Writing Skill. My manager was the skill leader and an active member of the STC. Because of her positive influence, I decided to join and have always been pleased with that decision.
Why do you renew each year?	There are so many benefits to belonging—the SIGs, the chapter, the websites, the magazines, and the conferences. I could keep on going. One of the main reasons is that 99% of the technical writers that I have met through the STC are wonderful people and fun to be around.
How do you give back to the STC?	At the conference in 2001, I attended a progression run by what was then called "the Special Needs" committee. Since I really believed in their mandate, I joined that group. The committee became a SIG and needed to launch a membership drive in order to survive. I participated in the efforts to contact local chapters in Canada and the US and we were successful in increasing the membership of what is now the AccessAbility SIG. More recently, I have become more active in the local chapter by assisting with the efforts to promote our skills to volunteer agencies. As well, I took over the well-organized Student Awards portfolio late this fall, after Heidi Marr was unable to commit the time to complete the work. Because Heidi did such a great job of organizing this, my job is very easy.
How can others give back to the STC:	It's very easy; you just need to attend a meeting, say hello to someone, and see where that leads you. There's always a lot to be done at the chapter level, in the various SIGs or just to promote the STC to others who haven't heard of the organization.
Will you continue your involvement in the STC:	Definitely. It's a great place for sharing common interests, learning new things and having fun. I get so much more than it costs me in time or money.

Member Profile: Tracy Smith

Member Since:	2000
Education:	BA in Applied Health Sciences (Dance) University of Waterloo
Why did you join the STC?	After graduating from UW in 1993, I taught high school English for five years. I then returned to school to complete my MA in Language and Professional Writing (Waterloo). During my co-op terms as an MA student, I was introduced to technical communications and the STC. I spent two work terms as a technical writer for a radiology software company in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). After obtaining my MA, I joined a local high tech company as a writer and web content developer. Currently I work at Unitron Hearing where I author everything from user guides to ad copy. I’m also responsible for the company’s public relations, e-learning initiatives and websites.
How do you give back to the STC?	Last year I assisted with the launch of the new Marcom SIG website. This year I joined the Consulting and Independent Contracting SIG with the hopes of one day being my own boss. I also freelance as an independent writer and I have published articles in arts publications.
Other Important Facts:	I live with my husband, Mark, in Kitchener. In my free time I enjoy reading, dabbling in creative writing and running half marathons.

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.

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