Upcoming Chapter Meetings

November 6th, 2007
Making It on Your Own as a Contractor

It doesn't matter if you are new to contracting or if you have been contracting for years, there is something to be learned at this panel-style presentation. For some of you, you may have been contracting for years, but never managed to get your business to really get off the ground. For others, you may have just been tossing the idea around, and you would like to get more information about it before you actually take the plunge. Whatever your reason for attending this meeting, it is the perfect place to make some contacts, and to find out whether this type of work is the right work for you. There is always something to learn when there are a lot of people with similar backgrounds in the same room. Who knows, maybe that business that has been a little flat will take a few steps forward with some tips from our panel.

Roxanne Eszes, of Cleartech Documentation and Training in Guelph, started as a contract technical writer 15 years ago after abandoning her first career as an environmental consulting engineer. She has since carved a niche for herself, developing content and creating and delivering training for the financial planning and insurance sectors.

Lori Jankowski started Heterodox Communication + Design with Peter Szabo two years ago after being laid off from her cushy tech writing job. Determined never again to be the victim of anyone's bad business decisions but her own, she has enthusiastically embraced the challenges and opportunities that come with getting started as a freelance technical communicator.

Carol Lawless is relatively new to the contracting world when she was downsized from a major financial services company. Now, instead of managing others, she manages her own time. She can give you a fresh perspective on what it feels like to be in a contractor's position compared to being in a "so called" permanent role.

December 4, 2007
Management Panel

At the December meeting, our panel of managers will provide insight into how they draw on the skills learned through technical communication to lead various teams in different industries. They will discuss the tips and tricks they employ daily to inspire their teams, stay on top of conflicting priorities, work with virtual resources, and use the latest technologies to maximize efficiencies. If you're a manager already, you will have the opportunity to share your own experiences and learn from your peers. If you're not in a management position but are interested in the skills required, you will hear some examples of how these panelists moved into their current roles. You will also find out more about our Management Special Interest Group (SIG) so that any networking you do at this meeting does not have to end here.

Holly Curtis has been managing writing teams in the software industry for the past 18 years. In her current position as Corporate Communications Manager, she manages a team of web specialists, marketing writers and consultants and technical writers. Holly also runs a non-stop taxi business for her active children.

Lori Jamieson is the manager of a technical communications department at an insurance company, where she deals with the world of forms, translation and strict legislation and regulations. When she is not dealing with read tape and taming the corporate world, Lori unwinds with her love of music and figure skating.

Heidi Marr manages a global support and integration team responsible for supporting Xbox 360 manufacturing and repair sites. When not coordinating shift schedules, certification training programs, multi-site upgrades and hotfix rollouts, she enjoys international travel adventures and the great outdoors.

Sherry McMenemy manages global workgroups and projects involving knowledge management, training and documentation. When she's not busy trying to get federated search implemented or talking to people in Belgium, she's working on her house in Waterloo.