November 2011 Digest

This month we highlight Community in the Spotlight, Program pricing for 2012 plus these items:

• Writing for Translation
• Admission rates for members
• Programs for 2012
• Forums and Coast Lines
• Page 2 announcements
• Stats Canada West Coast

Community in the spotlight

From the STC Notebook - picking apart the composition of communities
VP Mellissa Ruryk initiated some community PR when the Canada West Coast chapter answered the question: if Broadway makes a musical about us what would it be called? Huh? That answer and many more appear in the 16 November edition of Chapter Spotlight. http://t.co/glKfxK9C #stcorg

Programs at a a glance

Report on Translation - November 15
To irritate a translator, just call him or her an interpreter. Ouch! That point came from translation expert Anthony Michael of Le Mot Juste Translations. Before he took the floor to talk about written words, a funny moment passed. This was the first time our speaker liaison heard our multi-lingual guest speak English! Anthony presented (in perfect English) tales about cultural faux pas and doh! moments. Shampooing instructions are simple: lather, rinse, repeat. Now imagine instructions that depict it this way: repeat, rinse, lather. Lesson 1: don’t assume the audience reads left to right. When the presenter suggested it might take 3 or 4 days to translate a 4-word slogan, I wondered if any translator charges per diem? For more tales from the translation desk, check out Coast Lines, Writing for Translation. http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/site/coastlines_article/writing_for_translation/
January 17, 2012 - Joe Welinske
Renowned speaker Joe Welinske of WritersUA.com returns to the circuit. Each year he visits chapters to talk about user assistance. This stop he’ll present Optimizing the Googleability of Your Content. If it’s like his other presentations, it promises to be informative and well attended. Network from 6:30 to 7:00. Pre-register to ensure a seat. http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=47&EID=11011
February 21, 2012 - Chair yoga for the office
Wow! We’re thrilled to make this program an annual event. Certified yoga instructor Karen Rempel helps us stick to our New Year resolution or at least revitalize our efforts. Absolutely no experience is necessary. This session is appropriate for any fitness level. Wear comfortable clothes. Chairs provided! As always, come early to mingle; stay afterward to refresh. Network from 6:30 to 7:00. Pre-register to ensure a chair. http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=47&EID=11004

Programs miscellany

Photos
You’ll see our roving photographer taking candid shots at program events. We use photos to accompany meeting reports to promote chapter activities on the chapter website. That’s it. When you register you’ll see the permission form. If you absolutely don’t want your likeness shown in chapter materials raise your hand. We give you a chance to opt out if that’s your wish.
Member admission
Starting in January 2012, STC members pay $5 with valid ID. The council voted to impose a $5 fee on itself and members. Admission rates for students and not-yet-members remain the same.
STC ID
Dog ate your ID? You can always print it from the self-service area on MySTC. Make sure you’re logged in. http://www.stc.org/mystc/
Third Tuesday
Programs are held on the third Tuesday of the month. Arrive 30 minutes early to meet and greet other technical communicators. Dress is casual to business casual. Best to preregister so we can plan seating and refreshments. Got an idea for a Program meeting? Ping us. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Break time
The teams take a well-deserved break in December. You’ll know when things resume by simply subscribing to events. http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/site/events_rss/

Quarterly planning meeting

Team leads and guests discussed agenda items which included budget, services, volunteers, programs, publicity and sponsorship. Minutes will be posted but highlights include: filing committee budgets with HQ, charging admission for members effective January 2012, and polling members about fees and offerings.

Contractors & Independent Consultants SIG

The special interest group regroups on the first Tuesday of the month. Whether you’re seeking advice or voicing your two cents, there’s no better place to connect. Don’t have business cards? Get advice on where to get them for free. Check the home page for details or join the mailing list. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Having trouble accessing Contractor listings?
When you join the chapter, we ask if you want to be included in the Contractor listings. If you said No but meant Yes just let the membership manager know what you decide. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Coast Lines and forums

The chapter’s newsletter blog carries photos and articles about programs. Got something to say? Say it in Coast Lines. Contact the web editor. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
What are members thinking?
Check out the Members Forum for an intelligent discussion. The Members Forum is open to chapter members. http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/forums/

In other news - page 2

Canadian issues
What’s missing from the STC salary database? You guessed it, Canadian salaries. This was the topic Canadian chapter presidents recently discussed. Our chapter may poll members in the new year. STC Toronto compiled some helpful links here: http://www2.stctoronto.org/career/salary-info
Got issues? Send yours of the STC Canadian variety to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
From the STC Notebook - picking apart cross border relations
The US government is making it increasingly difficult for U.S. associations to have international chapters. In spite of this, STC reasons:

• Head office has an obligation to all members everywhere to advance the profession.
• Technical Communication is increasingly a global enterprise.
• Communication and social-media technologies are making it increasingly possible to provide support networks for all members everywhere without going broke or going against governmental regulations.

Job bank
This is a self-service area, open 24/7. Anyone can post. Members can view. http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/site/job_postings/
Volunteer opportunities
As they say it’s who you know, so let us know about your professional interest in or wish to pursue any of these areas. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

• Treasurer or bookkeeper
• Professional Development coordinator
• Program sponsor
• Website or wiki gardener
• Blogger

Information Interviews
Since September when the chapter launched the Information Interview service, information interviewers have been signing up at the rate of one or two per month. This service connects new and aspiring writers with senior writers. Requiring less of a time commitment than mentorship, this is an opportunity for chapter members to share their valuable experience and insights with people who are new to technical writing. The service offers a 60-minute interview and admission to a program evening. The service raises awareness of our chapter, brings new people to program meetings, generates potential memberships, and raises money for the chapter. Read more about the Information Interview Service. http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/site/about_archives/information_interview_service/ Get paired up. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Social media stats - November
Facebook: 83 active users, 70 likes, 362 visits, 3 posts
Twitter: 146 tweets, 504 following, 272 followers, 20 listed
LinkedIn: 69 members, 42% in Media&Communication, 23% in IT, 9% in Arts&Design
Soft sell
Approximately 600-700 email subscribers receive the monthly digest. If you want to subscribe go to http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/site/coastlines_rss/
If you’re interested in advertising or sponsorship, let us know. http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/site/about_archives/sponsorship_and_advertising/
If you no longer want to receive messages let us know. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Not yet an STC member?
Get the scoop on joining. http://www.stc.org/membership/join-or-renew-now.
STC vision - Technical communication is recognized as an essential part of every organization’s competitive strategy.
STC mission - STC advances the theory and practice of technical communication across all user abilities and media so that both businesses and customers benefit from safe, appropriate, and effective use of products, information, and services.
About Canada West Coast
We are a geographic community of the Society for Technical Communication, a worldwide association dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practice of technical communication. Our community represents technical communicators throughout British Columbia. Send general inquiries to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Find us fast
http://www.stcwestcoast.ca
http://twitter.com/#!/stccwc
http://www.facebook.com/stccwc
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=122291
http://www.stc.org
Join, get active and engage with your chapter!
Pam Drucker
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An archive can be found here:
http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/site/coastlines_article/november_2011_digest/