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STC News Feed
Resources for members during tough times
<p>During a downward cycle in the economy your STC membership becomes even more valuable. You have instant access to thousands of colleagues worldwide. Use the time now to expand your network so you can meet the added challenges thrust on you by a market downturn.</p>November 2008 Intercom Posted
<p>The November <em>Intercom</em>, a special issue on standards, is now available on the Website</p>The Business of Technical Communication: "The Current Economy: What's a Technical Communicator to Do?" (October 2008)
<p>I'm this close to swearing off TV for good. If I see Ali Velshi and Suze Orman on another talk show together, I think I'm going to be sick. They've been spending more time together than a couple of high school sweethearts. (Get a room, people!)</p> <p>But seriously, there is a lot of uncertainty swirling around these days about the economy. That's why we are being bombarded with the "sky is falling" message wherever we turn.</p>STC Refreshes Logo to Coincide with Strategic Plan
<p>STC Refreshes Logo Design</p>Next 5 STC Conference Sites Very Affordable
<p>STC's Board of Directors recently approved the selection of future venues for the Technical Communication Summit, the Society's annual conference. Sleeping room rates at each of the venues from 2009 until 2013 will be guaranteed less than $200.</p> <p>"Having affordable room rates was a key element in our selection process," explained Lloyd Tucker, STC's director of education and membership. "As much as possible, we try to disperse our meetings across the country in locations that are convenient, attractive destinations, and affordable for our cost-conscious members."</p> <p>2009 Atlanta, Georgia<br/> 3-6 May<br /> Room rate: $174.00</p> <p>2010 Dallas, Texas<br/> 2-5 May<br /> Room rate: $169.00</p> <p>2011 Sacramento, California<br/> 15-18 May<br /> Room rate: 174.00</p> <p>2012 Chicago, Illinois<br/> 20-23 May<br /> Room rate: 199.00</p> <p>2013 Atlanta, Georgia<br/> 5-8 May<br /> Room rate: 179.00</p> <p>The above rates are exclusive of taxes or other typical fees.</p>Tech Comm Body of Knowledge Task Force Seeks Your Feedback on Phase 1
<p>The Technical Communication Body of Knowledge Task Force is developing a pathway for people interested in technical communication to find and navigate the huge amounts of knowledge in the technical communication profession. This knowledge currently exists on many different websites and publications. There is no central point that directs people to it.</p> <p>Phase 1 in creating a Technical Communication Body of Knowledge (TC-BOK) is developing the STC Knowledge Portal and creating a draft site map. The site map is a way of organizing the domains of knowledge, skills, and concepts necessary for the practice of technical communication.</p> <p>We need your help in refining this map and ensuring that, a wide variety of technical communicators can find what they need on the site. <a href="http://www.stc.org/stcmembers/bok-index.asp">Please give us your feedback.</a></p> <p>The next step will be to populate the site with content. Initially, this site will be a way to direct people to the knowledge that we have. Eventually, it will become the place that can expand as our knowledge expands, and we hope it will become the definitive source for "what you need to know to be a technical communicator."</p> <p>Thanks in advance for your help and comments.</p> <p>Hillary Hart<br /> Mark Hanigan<br /> Co-chairs, TC-BOK Task Force</p>STC Chooses One of Its Own for Editor Position
<p>Elizabeth Pohland has been selected as the new editor of Intercom, the monthly magazine of the Society for Technical Communication. For many years, Pohland, an STC member, served the Folger Shakespeare Library as editor and designer of the scholarly journal Shakespeare Quarterly, as consultant to the Folger Magazine (a membership publication), and as contributor to the Folger Website and branding, among multiple other publications and multimedia projects.</p> <p>Pohland brings to <em>Intercom</em> over ten years of extensive experience as an editor, content and production manager, designer, and writer. She introduced usability and readability standards to the Folger's publications, and she has researched new technologies in editorial management software. Her freelance editing includes topics as diverse as Japanese anime, baseball, and memoirs.</p> <p>"We are especially pleased to have selected an editor with excellent credentials who is also an STC member and understands technical communication," said Susan Burton, STC executive director. "I was also excited to see several candidates mention they were STC members in their resumes."</p> <p>Pohland received her bachelor's degree in English and French from Hollins University; a master's in English from Virginia Tech University, where she interned with distinguished professor and poet Nikki Giovanni and won an award for her thesis; and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Technical Communication and Rhetoric from Texas Tech University.</p>Salary Database Available
The Salary Database contains wage and employment data for U.S.-based technical writers. Members can access the Salary Database free of charge on the STC website.NEW: STC Members Receive Software Discounts
MadCap Software and ComponentOne used the 2008 Technical Communication Summit as a platform to announce they would offer discounts on products to STC members. The offer is an exclusive member benefit and not available otherwise. Details on the amount of the discounts and products offered can be found under the Membership tab of STC's homepage on the Web.Telling Our Powerful Story
With increasing demand for technical products, the technical communication field has grown. What used to be the strict discipline of creating and editing policies and manuals has now exploded into a rich field of communicating in many media as well as performing user analysis, applying usability methods, creating e-learning, and much more.Check the Related Events Page for Up-to-date Event Information
The <a href="http://www.stc.org/edu/relatedEvents01.asp">Related Events</a> page on the STC Web site is updated regularly with information about upcoming events and ongoing opportunities for technical communicators. These include conferences, seminars, calls for papers and grant proposals, publishing opportunities, and other items of professional interest.
