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Resources & Links
Starting a Chapter-Level CIC SIG
If your chapter does not have a local CIC SIG and you want to start one, read Cheri Taylor's article, "Starting Your Chapter's CIC SIG." (HTML version or PDF version) This is an excellent, step-by-step guide for getting your CIC SIG off and running.
If your chapter already has a chapter-level CIC SIG, perhaps you can use some of the ideas presented by Deanne Levander (Twin Cities Chapter) in this April 2003 Tieline excerpt, as well as a list of potential meeting topics.
Chapter CIC SIG Directories
Several chapter CIC SIGs publish an online directory of their members and their members' services. Chapters with online directories are marked with "(directory)" in the list of links below.
Chapter CIC SIG Leaders' Newsgroup
Join the newsgroup for the leaders of STC's chapter CIC SIGs. You can share your ideas and ask advice of other chapter CIC SIG leaders.
List of Chapter-Level CIC SIG Links
Most of the links shown below connect directly to the SIG’s home page; for others, you will need to navigate from the chapter’s home page to the CIC SIG information. If you belong to your local CIC SIG and your chapter is not listed, please send e-mail to and let her know your SIG exists!
Atlanta
www.stcatlanta.org
Austin
www.stcaustin.org/sigs/indepsig.html
Boston
www.stc-boston.org
Canada West Coast
www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/site/contractor_zone
Carolina (Research Triangle Park area)
(directory)
www.stc-carolina.org/www/PICs/cic/
(Note: PIC must be capitalized)
Central Illinois (Champaign-Urbana area) (directory)
www.prairienet.org/cil_stc/
Chicago (directory)
www.stc-chicago.org
Houston (directory)
http://www.stc-houston.org/sigs.html
Lone Star (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
www.stc-dfw.org/sigs_cic.htm
Manitoba (Winnipeg) (directory)
www.stcmanitoba.org
Northeast Ohio (Cleveland area) (directory)
www.neostc.org/sig/cicsig.htm
Pittsburgh
www.stcpgh.org
Rocky Mountain (Denver) (directory)
www.stcrmc.org/jobs_freelance/freelance.htm
San Diego (directory)
www.stc-sd.org/
Silicon Valley (San Jose)
www.stc-siliconvalley.org
St. Louis
www.stc-stlouis.org Contact:
Toronto
www.stctoronto.org
Twin Cities (Mpls./St.Paul)
http://www.stctc.org/sigs/cic.htm
Washington, DC (directory)
www.stcwdc.org/doc-company_resources.shtml
Willamette Valley (Portland, OR)
www.stcwvc.org/sigs/sigs_contractors.htm
Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
http://www.stc-wi.org/
(Contact
)
Potential Meeting Topics
The following is an unordered list of topics that may interest your chapter's CIC SIG members. If you're stuck for a topic, browse the list for brainstorming purposes! If you have an idea for a great meeting topic, please e-mail !
- Marketing, services, self promotion
- Low-cost marketing (see http://www.stcrmc.org/jobs_freelance/freefaq.htm#q15
- Taxes, 1099s for subcontracts, CPS
- Hourly rates, estimating, W-2 vs. 1099
- Contracts, fixed vs. Hourly, writing, legal requirements -- also see http://www.stcrmc.org/jobs_freelance/freefaq.htm#q10
- Locating clients, need for independents, new business areas
- Internet networking, PIC home page, list server
- Client relations, disputes, problem-resolution, value added
- Insurance, liability, health -- see also http://www.stcrmc.org/jobs_freelance/fr_samples/insurance.htm
- Rates, raising without losing clients, value of tech writing
- Business management, office organization, expanding, with a household
- Negotiating, rates, work locations, fixed bids
- Writing proposals
- Estimating projects and project calculation
- Sole proprietor vs. incorporation
- Professional and technological skills: improving for home workers
- Telecommuting, promote, trends, how to
- Legal issues
- Collections, encouraging on-time payments, billing, late fees
- Subcontracting, working with agencies, educating agencies
- Collaboration, working with other independents, sharing overload
- Training, affordable retraining
- Innovative communications technology: keeping up with and using
- Becoming an independent, case studies
- Saying no to too much work
- Time management, project management
- Bidding on projects, fixed-price bids
- Computer maintenance and back-up information
- Tax issues
- Writing proposals
- Sharing resources (Web sites, books, publications)
- High-speed Internet access options for small businesses
- Creating a professional image
- Creating and maintaining a portfolio
- Financial planning (consider having a professional financial planner speak)
The St. Louis Chapter SIG has a great meetings page that might give you some ideas for CIC SIG meeting topics. Check it out at http://www.stc-stlouis.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=19
