The STC Technical Editing SIG is pleased to be co-sponsoring the next Webinar on Friday, June 27th, from 11:30am to 1:00pm EST, where our former co-manager Michelle Corbin will be presenting.  The fee for attending this webinar is $10 for Technical Editing SIG members, $15 for STC members, and $20 for non-members. (Students get an additional discount as well!)

Michelle will talk about the importance of terminology management, in her presentation “Words, words, words: Controlling the unnecessary sprawl of terminology.”  This presentation will describe why controlling technical terminology is so critical to our success, explain common terminology challenges that writers and editors face today, and discuss tools, tips, and tricks for how you can control the unnecessary sprawl of terminology.

You can read more about this webinar and register (and pay) for it from the following event Web site:

http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=fee70797-dc0a-49f0-ba2e-47d99087e0f7

If you have any additional questions, you can contact the event coordinator in the STC DC chapter: events@stcwdc.org.

The Consulting and Independent Contracting SIG is hosting a Fall Webinar: “Business Insurance for the Self Employed: What You Need and Why.”  Please refer to their Web site for more information or to find out how to register or ask questions about this Webinar:  http://www.stcsig.org/cic/.  Here’s their official announcement.

Don’t miss this chance to learn all about business insurance!
 
* What’s E&O? How does it differ from general liability? 
* What about Worker’s Comp? 
* What are the differing insurance needs if you are a sole proprietor? Sub-S? LLC?
* What about subcontractors? Are they covered under your policies? 
* If your office is in your home, is your home-owners policy enough?
 
Learn the answers to these questions and more at the fall CIC SIG Webinar, “Business Insurance for the Self Employed: What You Need and Why” on Wednesday, October 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m., CDT, US.  (Please note that while the insurance concepts may be applicable in other countries, the details are intended for a US audience.)
 
Robert Jester, principal of Jester Insurance Services in Des Moines , Iowa , will lead us through the ins and outs of the various types of business insurances, in which situations they are required, and answer other questions concerning insurance coverage.  Mr. Jester has degrees in business and mathematics, and has been involved in the insurance industry for over 40 years.  He is a sought-after instructor and lecturer on many aspects of the business insurance industry.
 
The cost of this webinar is $45 for CIC SIG members and $65 for non-CIC SIG members.  To register, go to the CIC SIG website, http://www.stcsig.org/cic/, and click on the link for the webinar.  Registration deadline is October 22. 
 
If you are unable to participate on the scheduled date, you can purchase the recorded webinar for $35 and view the slides when it’s convenient for you.  We’ll make the materials available at http://www.stcsig.org/cic/ soon after the webinar.

STC’s 55th International Conference will be held June 1-4, 2008 in Philadelphia, PA.

Technical editors need and want to see more conference sessions about the interests and concerns of  editors. YOU can help address this need by proposing a topic to present in a Technical Editing progression.**

The progression format is ideal for presenting tips and tricks or for discussing a single aspect of technical editing that would not warrant a full-length presentation. It is also a great way to “get your feet wet” if you have never presented at an STC conference. The roundtable format is conducive to sharing ideas instead of delivering a lecture.

If you think you would like to present a topic in a Technical Editing progression, please send me the following information by AUGUST 22:

• Your name and contact information
• A description of the topic you would like to discuss
• The key points you will cover
• Sample handouts or discussion questions.

Stumped for ideas? Here’s a list of possible ideas to stimulate your thinking:

• Practical editing tips and tricks — not tool related, but editing related
• Process of online editing
• Editors’ role in content management
• Editing graphics, figures, and other visual elements
• Editing remotely, building editing relationships across the miles
• Editing non-native English writers
• Comparing and contrasting editing styles for native vs. non-native writers
• Creating and using a frequently used terms list
• Project management for editors — how to juggle multiple projects all the time

Please note: It is not necessary to have your presentation completely mapped out at this time. Spend some time thinking about your key points and what sorts of questions you might ask to keep the discussion going. If handouts will help convey your points or add value to your message, describe what they might contain.

Taking part in a progression is a lot of fun. We urge you to give it a try!!! Don’t hesitate to contact  us if you have questions about what’s needed or if you’d like help with framing your idea.

Send your proposal information by AUGUST 22 to:

corbinm@us.ibm.com

Michelle Corbin and Pat Moell
Co-Managers, STC Technical Editing SIG

**In a progression, 8-12 speakers each deliver an oral presentation (5-10 minutes) to a group of 6-10 participants at a roundtable. The speaker moderates a short discussion with the roundtable participants for 15-20 minutes. Then the participants change tables to hear a different presentation. Each presentation is made 3 times, each time with a different group of roundtable participants.

Hi everyone!

During the last week in July, we held our quarterly membership meeting.  As promised, we recorded the technical program and have made it available off our our Meeting Archives page.  It’s nearly 11 MB, but you should be able to download it to your system and listen to it on your favorite music-playing device.  I don’t know that anyone would consider editing as music for the ears, but….. Enjoy!

The Executive Director of STC sent out a survey late last week, asking for your input and feedback about the STC publications — the journal (Technical Communication), the magazine (Intercom), and other communications.  Please take a few moments to complete this survey!

Attached below is the e-mail announcement from STC:

*************************

The STC Board of Directors wants your input for its meeting on May 11th and 12th. Please take a moment to answer the questions at http://www.stc.org/stcmembers/surveys/pubsSurvey01.asp.

As you may recall, the Board has adopted a new information gathering process called Knowledge-Based Governance. Just before a Board meeting, the Board asks STC members questions that are related to topics that will be discussed during the Board meeting. For the upcoming meeting, the Board will begin discussing possible changes to the publications options offered as part of membership in STC. Please share your thoughts with the Board by participating in the survey.

The Board will use the survey results to prepare for discussions and decisions. This practice reflects a belief that a well-informed decision-making process, including significant input from Society members, is critical for a successful organization.

To make sure your voice is heard, we need your input by 12:00 Midnight (EDT) Tuesday, May 8, 2007. This will enable us to compile and consider STC members’ responses in time for the meeting.

We look forward to receiving your input. Thank you.
Susan Burton, CAE
Executive Director
Society for Technical Communication
susan@stc.org
STC fosters industry-leading technical communication by stimulating information exchange, cultivating educational programs, recognizing outstanding contributions, partnering with other organizations, funding research, and promoting the profession.