When Coast lines editor, Theresa Putkey, told me the theme of this issue, I was reminded of a Technical Communication article from a few years ago, “Essential Works on Technical Communication,” by Gerald Alred. (STC members can access archived journal articles online at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/stc/tc/.) This list was derived from suggestions by both practitioners and educators of what can be classified as “essential literacy” in contemporary technical communication.

As chapter president, I’m often asked what is required learning for technical communicators and this long list, while certainly not the only of its kind, is a good starting point for newcomers and seasoned practitioners alike who wish to tackle specific practical and theoretical subjects.

In May, our final program meeting, until September, will focus on understanding and using taxonomies. Be sure to keep checking our Web site for up-to-date listings of these and other CWC Chapter events.

Next to fielding questions about foundational techcomm knowledge, the most frequent queries I get deal with the value of certification. The STC has recently set up an online forum (stcforum.org) where you can read and participate in certification discussions at an international level. If this is a subject that interests you, be sure to participate!

Speaking of participation, we will soon start planning for fall 2006/spring 2007. If you’d like to network with the who’s who of our community, develop your skill set, be a leader, have fun, and help grow the CWC Chapter, be sure to contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Liessi Haussler, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). We’d love for you to be a part of our team.