MARCH 2006 (Volume 17 Number 6) About the Quill
In This Issue
President's Message
Debbie provides a strong case for President...so take her job, please.
Message from the Director-Sponsor
Cindy is back this month, and updates us on an all the STC happenings, events, initiatives, and chapter awards.
Making Software Accessible to the Blind and Disabled
At the February general meeting, Donald tells us about how Celia Clark, of Digital Frog International, opened his eyes to a whole new world of writing for a blind, or otherwise disadvantaged, audience.
I Feel Your Pain: Some Good Questions to Ask
Are you asking the right questions to get the MOST out of your deliverables? Chapter member, Sherry McMenemy provides some guidelines for really getting at the pain points for users.
Content Management Technologies: Picking Through the Alphabet Soup
Rahel Anne Bailie, an Associate Fellow, and senior member in our Canadian West Coast chapter, talks abut all the
content management acronyms floating around and what they actually mean.
Subsetting and Customizing DITA
Bernard Aschwanden, publishing guru, provides us with some tips for making DITA work for you.
Education Seminar a Success!
Kim Creed, Education Manager, provides highlights from this year's local Education seminar. Who knew there was an art to name-calling? Read on to make sure you are doing it right.
STC Toronto Spring Conference
Rob Hanna, president of the STC Toronto chapter fills us in on the upcoming Spring conference in Toronto. Hurry and register by
March 10th for an Early Bird discount!
Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires
It's that time again — your council needs you! Opal talks about the nomination process, and how you can make a difference. Step up to the plate and nominate!
STC Elections Are Here!
It's almost time to cast our votes for the candidates at Head Office. Who are you going to vote for? For more information about all the candidates, and why Mark Clifford wants your vote, read on.
Membership Update
Do you need to update your contact information? Leanne tells you how.
Upcoming Chapter Meetings
Read all about the meeting topics still to come for 2006, including the annual Wine and Cheese!
The Editor's MessageTime to come out of hibernation, get ready for Spring, and join your peers for some wine, lively conversation, and a plethora of appetizers. (Welcome to the five dollar word of the month — "plethora" — enjoy.) You don't want to miss the songYes, our chapter's annual Wine & Cheese event is in the air. You can just smell the fermenting fruit and old socks. As inviting as that sounds, you really don't want to miss the opportunity to meet new friends, catch up with old ones, and find out just how many glasses of grape juice (unfermented) it takes for Debbie to sing the STC theme song. What, you didn't know we had a song? Well, you'll just have to come out to the Wine & Cheese at the University Club on Tuesday, March 7, between 7 and 9 pm to find out. So there. What else is in the airVote! Vote! Vote! The voting for the STC elections starts this month as well — visit http://www.stc.org/candidatesFAQ/index.asp to find out about all the candidates. You have the power to decide who you want to work for you in the next year. This is your chance to either change the "face" of our organization at the top level, or keep the faces that are already there. Speak up and be heard. Thank you, thank you, thank youIf you hadn't already noticed, look at the left hand side of this page. This month was a super month for your contributions to The Quill (Did they have a sale on Wheaties that I was unaware of?!). And there is lots of "new blood", so thanks to all of you for taking time out of your busy lives (which just seem to be getting busier, no?) to submit articles in the midst of flu season. This newsletter would be pretty bare without you. I always enjoy getting any kind of material, and different perspectives, on what is going in the world of technical communication and beyond. The education never ends, and that is what makes our profession so diverse and challenging. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone turns the book on its side. Whomp. Keep up the good work, and see you next month. Give yourself a hand, you deserve it. The Power of WordsFrom a Church Bulletin: As always, I welcome your articles, suggestions, and comments. Email me, Margie, at quill@stc-soc.org.
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Creating and supporting a forum for communities of practice in the profession of technical communication