The STC Board of Directors recently contacted members who have not yet renewed, asking for feedback on the reason or reasons. Many members stated that had hoped to renew their membership, but were still feeling the effects of unemployment or underemployment.

STC's 2010 election is now open. All ballots must be received by noon EDT (GMT-4), on 8 April 2010.

The election process is important to STC's future since these leaders will be guiding the organization. Thank you for doing your part to make STC a vibrant, growing organization.

STC is your association. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to get to know the candidates for the Society's top elected positions. Links to the candidate information are at the bottom of this page.

If you are ready to vote and have your election user name and password, please go directly to the secure Online Election Ballot.

The February 2010 Issue of Intercom, "The 'Art Of Writing' Issue: Writing for Mobile Devices, Writing a Podcast, Writing for Video, Unusual Writing Environments," is Posted Online

STC has announced the schedule for live web seminars in 2010.

In a web seminar, participants listen to the presenter over the phone (much like a conference call) while viewing presentation materials via the website. This format provides easier access to materials for reference during the presentation, as well as a more intimate, "classroom" setting than the typical telephone seminar. Registrants are provided a toll-free number, a secure URL, and access to both the audio and online elements of the presentation.

Benefits: No travel time; Pay per site and not per person; Train without leaving the office
Cost: Members $79; Nonmembers $149

Visit http://www.stc.org/edu/seminars01.asp for the full schedule, subjects and details, and to sign up.

STC is running full speed ahead with the 2010 Membership Renewal Challenge. The Challenge will run 4 February through 19 March and is designed to support chapters' renewal efforts. Chapters in each category that obtain the highest renewal percentage rate will be declared the winners and receive prizes to raffle off to their members.

The US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its newest Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) in December and, as STC announced in April, "Technical Writer" has its own chapter for the very first time.

For the 2010 membership year, the Marion Norby Fund is enabling STC to offer a new program to help up to 400 members affected by the economic recession. STC will award up to 100 Full Recovery Packages and up to 300 Subsidy Recovery Packages. Read more . . .

On behalf of the Nominating Committee, I'm pleased to announce the 2010 slate of candidates for Society office.

Renewing members will have access to several logos in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format to acknowledge their status as member, senior member, associate fellow, or fellow.

STC has provided answers to many of the questions about the new dues structure posed on listserves, blogs, emails, and phone calls.

Ever since we announced at the Summit in Atlanta in May that STC is experiencing an unprecedented financial challenge, the Board of Directors, chapter leaders, key committees, and staff have concentrated on finding an appropriate solution. I'd like to share that solution with you here.

While 2008 proved to be a tough year for technical writers, the profession can at least claim to have outperformed the labor market as a whole and the market for other writers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual Occupational Employment Statistics, U.S. businesses employed 47,460 technical writers in 2008, 720 more than in 2007, marking an increase of 1.5 percent from the previous year. By comparison, the employment of all other writers shrank by 140 jobs in 2008 to a level of 44,170

Where are salaries increasing the most in specific states or metropolitan areas? For the 2008 listing of the number of technical writer jobs and salaries by state and metropolitan area, read STC's Salary Database.

NEW THIS YEAR: STC has added several maps that plot changes in technical writer employment, hourly wages, and annual salaries for states and major metropolitan areas. These maps provide the reader with simple snapshots of the major shifts in technical writer jobs and pay levels across the United States and show clearly which markets best weathered the economic storm in 2008 and those that suffered declines

The PDF of STC's Salary Database is an exclusive member benefit and is available to members without charge.

STC offers four online courses where participants can earn a certificate. The courses are divided into 90-minute sessions and presented live online over five to eight weeks. Participants must log in for all sessions to earn the certificate. Individual sessions may also be purchased without a certificate.

The Occupational Outlook and Handbook (OOH), published by the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), will have an individual report on technical writers in the next edition.

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.

"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."

2010 Dallas, Texas
2-5 May
Room rate: $169.00

2011 Sacramento, California
15-18 May
Room rate: 174.00

2012 Chicago, Illinois
20-23 May
Room rate: 199.00

2013 Atlanta, Georgia
5-8 May
Room rate: 179.00

The above rates are exclusive of taxes or other typical fees.