Rechartering
As part of the STC transformation, communities such as chapters and SIGs must “recharter” with the organization. The Wisconsin Chapter Rechartering Committee, consisting of Mollye Barrett, Kathie Gorski, Joann Berg, Susan Duncan, and Bob Graw, is pleased to release our new chapter charter as we kick-off an inspiring 2007/2008 year. For many of us, it's a reminder of why we come together as a community of technical communicators, excited about meeting new people, learning new innovative ideas, and sharing what you have learned! I look forward to seeing you at the next chapter meeting!
STC Community Re-Chartering, May 2007- What is the current name of your chapter (geographic community) or SIG (community of interest)?
Wisconsin chapter - Do you want to change the name of your community? If so, please enter the new name.
We are retaining our chapter name. A Chapter Renaming committee may be formed if there is interest in changing the name in the future. - What is the mission statement of your community?
Our mission is to promote the value of technical communication and to provide members with programs and activities that encourage and support their personal and professional growth. The chapter positions itself as an intermediate-sized geographic community within STC and as the premiere, broad-based technical communication organization in Southeastern Wisconsin. - 4a. What are the goals of your community?
4b. What strategies will your community strive to implement to achieve your goals?
4c. What programs and activities will your community offer to implement your strategies?
►To serve as an information resource focusing on new and emerging technologies while at the same time provide ongoing support for members’ current professional needs:- Provide outstanding speakers at monthly meetings
- Survey members on their interests
- Announce meetings via newsletter, Website, and emails, with reminder email
- Invite at least one “STC luminary” per term to present at a chapter meeting
- Send announcements to local business newspaper
- Share out-of-town speakers with nearby chapters
- Offer workshops and themed events that provide in-depth training
- Survey members on their interests
- Announce well in advance, via same means as above
- Support STC Webinars
- Continue sponsoring (paying for) Webinars and expand the number of host institutes
- Continue with minimal payment by members to attend ($10)
- Announce via email and on Website
- Disseminate information effectively via the Website and newsletter
- Keep the chapter Website calendar up to date by posting details on meeting, workshops, Webinars at time first announcement goes out
- Provide newsletter articles with a technological bent, reprinting articles from other chapters’ newsletters and soliciting articles from local and other experts
- Maintain and grow
- Run a strong membership drive that includes inviting students from local schools to join
- Contact lapsed members and encourage them to rejoin
- Consider subsidizing meetings more, at least for one or two meetings a term, to determine its effect on attendance (e.g., a “half-price” meeting)
- Use newsletter, Website, and emails to keep members connected
- Maintain newsletter schedule and focus
- Strengthen SIG presence on Website, consider section for local consultants (STC members) to highlight their offerings
- Provide networking opportunities
- Offer an “ice breaker” at meetings and a networking speaker, consider organizing a business skills workshop where networking would be an important focus
- Maintain the mentoring program
- Publicize the program and provide support to mentoring manager
- Establish a continuing education fund and mechanism to handle submissions
- Set aside an agreed amount of money so chapter members can apply for support for conferences and training courses
- Highlight members’ accomplishments
- Develop and run a chapter or regional publications competition
- Establish a robust PR program
- Send letter to both members and their managers during Technical Communication Week, informing them of the contribution of STC to its members’ professions
- Create a “PR” booth that can be used at local student fairs, etc.
- Announce meetings in local newspapers
- Establish a section of the Website for related local community events, also host joint meetings with other organizations
- Become more involved in the local community
- Participate in an event that offers our members the opportunity to support local community-based projects, e.g. a toy drive at the holidays
- Increase academic relationships and help support technical communication programs and curricula
- Set up a speakers bureau for local institutes
- Nominate outstanding leaders for recognition at the society level
- Create a nominating committee at the start of each new term to begin the selection process and prepare needed support materials
- Develop a mini-conference: Midwestern leadership training (on society leadership, career growth, etc.)
- Work with leaders in other chapters to solicit topics, create an agenda, and solicit speakers
- Have volunteer recognition at the June chapter meeting
- Celebrate volunteers’ contributions in a meaningful way, including a small gift from the chapter
- What has been your average annual cost of operating your community over the last three years?
2005–2006 = $9,524.79
2004–2005 = $9,410.87
2003–2004 = $10,789.49 - Describe the members whom you hope to attract to your new community.
A balance between writers of hardware and software; young and seasoned technical communicators; managers and non-managers; Web developers and non-Web folk. - How will your community provide value to the larger STC community and further the overall goals of the Society?
By being a strong spoke in the STC wheel, we should accomplish these goals. - List names of community members who took part in this re-chartering process.
Mollye Barrett
Joann Berg
Susan Duncan
Kathie Gorski
Bob Graw