STC!

["Victoria Sharpe" <vmsharpe -at- prodigy -dot- net>]

I am not sure that your perception is one that benefits the field. STC gives
discounts to students only, as far as I am aware, so that they will get
involved and the field will continue to flourish. I am not so sure that what
you have to say is worth any more $ than what I do in a conference designed
for sharing ideas and I don't know how you would expect any one to determine
that either. I like the idea of instilling professionalism in future
technical communicators by encouraging them to come to such knowledge
sharing events and most of the senior people in the organization I have come
across agree.

I happen to love this field and I am not out to simply make a few bucks. I
read everything I can get my hands on and see the fields are more than mere
documentation, etc. and I suspect that that the philosophy of STC is
equivalent to mine. I would rather see the organization devote money to
research and scholarships than to cut someone a small discount. If you are a
"senior technical communicator," it might benefit you to go out on the
lecture and training circuit, much as Jakob Nielson does. Again, the
conference is for sharing ideas!

Victoria Sharpe



I think we're almost in agreement, but from different
perspectives...however, you bring up a very good point about being sucked in
to the trivialities of self-perpetuation, and that too is a bit
serendipitous because over the last few months, I've been wrestling with
continuing my participation at the annual conference.

In fact, your post and that of Elna Tymes have provided some additional fuel
for thought. A previous post of mine stated that I enjoy giving back to the
profession in the way of articles to InterCom and participation at annual
conferences, but of all the conferences and meetings (international,
national, and regional) that I've spoken to, the STC is one of the few that
doesn't cover the full conference registration of the presenter and/or pay
an honorarium.

I will continue my membership in the STC and contribute articles a few time
a year, but until they change their policy on how they treat their most
experienced presenters, I'm seriously thinking about bowing out from that
type of participation/contribution.

I can't discount the speaking and consulting opportunities that have come my
way through membership in STC, though. So, I'm somewhat inclined to still
disagree with your assessment that STC is irrelevant to success...but then
again, maybe it's being at the right place at the right time with the right
message...

Regards,
Donn Le Vie



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