Everything Counts in Large Amounts By Dan Dornbrook, Treasurer, Chicago Chapter Finance is not a skill set that comes easily to most technical communicators. Many of us earned our college degrees in majors (journalism in my case) that were more related to our verbal SAT scores than to our math scores. Also, those of us who aren’t in business for ourselves often rely on invisible corporate functionaries to handle all that tedious, confusing money stuff so we can focus on more important, or at least more familiar, matters. In recent years, the leaders of the Chicago chapter realized that it needed to take control of its finances by altering its activities. Read more...   Getting the Most from Volunteers—and Giving Them Something in Return By Brenda Huettner, Fellow As a long-time STC member, I strongly believe that you get out of STC what you put into it and that community leaders need to encourage participation at all levels. Many members are eager to help but assume all positions are filled. It’s easy for people to ignore a general call for volunteers; it is much more difficult to say “no” if someone calls them personally for help with a specific task. Read more...   STC Announces Fellows, Associate Fellows for 2008 The highest designation that the Society for Technical Communication can confer upon a member is that of fellow. Individuals selected as fellows were previously associate fellows who attained prominence in the arts and sciences of technical communication through service to the Society and the profession. Read more...   Early Bird Deadline Extended to April 15 Register early for STC's Technical Communication Summit and save up to $300! Read more...

March 2008 Table of Contents Features Everything Counts in Large Amounts Getting the Most from Volunteers STC Announces Fellows, Associate Fellows for 2008 Administration Connect with Inactive and Lapsed Members Send Contact Info to STC Office Moving? File Address Changes with STC Convincing Your Boss to Pay STC Dues Find Inspiration and Ideas from Fellow Community Leaders Elections Vote in STC's 2008 Election Communities Chapters Challenged to Boost Renewal Rates IDL SIG Announces Scholarship Offering Chapter Bylaws Models Tips on Intellectual Property and Chapter Postings Conference Online Conference Registration Now Open Early Bird Deadline Extended to April 15 Conference Lodging Communities May Sponsor Activities at Summit Events Society Events Honors and Awards Community Achievement Awards Deadline: April 18 Jay R. Gould Award Winners PDF Version Leadership Links Chapter resources Chapter finances Tieline knowledge base LCR Web site

Month at a Glance

In Your Mailbox from the STC Office

• STC members who did not pay their dues or requested a hard copy invoice received reminder notices from the STC office in early February.
• In March, all eligible members will receive ballots and voting instructions for the upcoming election for Society office. Information on candidates is included in the March 2008 issue of Intercom.

Community Leaders’ Monthly Reminders

March

• Entries for the International Student Technical Communication Competition (ISTCC) must be received by Lloyd Tucker, Director of Membership and Education, by March 15.
• Application materials for the Community Achievement Award (CAA) must be sent to Elreatha Matthews, Education Manager, by April 18.
• Presidents and membership managers can download a membership roster or create a custom report at any time by selecting Community Reports under My Account on the STC Web site. If you are a president or membership manager and do not see the Community Reports option, please inform the STC membership department of your role.
• Start thinking about 2009 international competitions. To receive competition mailings, designate an individual to serve as interim competition manager pending final appointment of next year’s manager.
• Report community election results to the STC office.
• Community leaders who will be attending Leadership Day on Sunday, June 1, during the 2008 Technical Communication Summit should register on the STC Web site.

Membership at a Glance

As of March 3, 2008:

Total members: 15,995

Members residing in the U.S.: 13,430

Members residing in Canada: 1,526

Members residing elsewhere: 1,039

Total communities*: 155

*Includes 104 professional chapters, 30 student chapters, and 21 SIGs.

Masthead

Editor
Cecily Walters

Tieline is published 10 times a year (monthly, except for June and August) for STC leaders. The purpose of Tieline is to improve communication and serve as a link between STC communities, volunteer leaders, and the Society office. Distribution to other community leaders is encouraged. Reprints from Tieline are permitted if credit is given and a copy sent to the editor. Electronic copy is available at www.stc-cdx.org/tieline.

STC Office Staff

Executive Director
Susan Burton, CAE

Membership Manager
Lynn Anderson

Director of Information Services
Merrick I. Bechini

Meetings Manager
Elaine Gilliam, CMP

Marketing Manager
Erin Heinhold

Education Manager
Elreatha Matthews

Membership Development Manager
Stacey O'Donnell

Publications Manager
Ed Rutkowski

Webmaster/Developer
Shafqatullah Syed

Director of Membership and Education
Lloyd Tucker

Associate Editor
Cecily Walters

Member Services Representative
Priscilla Weeks

Staff Accountant
Iyassu Yohannes

Society for Technical Communication
901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 904
Arlington, VA 22203-1822
+1 (703) 522-4114 • +1 (703) 522-2075 fax

stc@stc.org • www.stc.org • www.stc-cdx.org

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