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There seems to be a great dissonance in the chorus of opinions regarding the STC. Partly, I believe, it is because of the very disparate goals that many individuals have.
One group wants *academic respectibility* at all costs--for tech writing to be recognized at the universities as an equivalent to an engineering program, perhaps, replete with the bureaucratic trappies of academe...the scholarly articles, the journals, etc. Obviously, from its publications STC has quite a cadre of this group.
Another group, the "just the facts, ma'am" type we might call it, takes a much more utilitarian approach. For these people, there is an emphasis on value for money--what benefits do they derive, if any, from STC membership compared to what they might get elsewhere for the same investment of time and/or money. Among these individuals, much depends upon the local chapter and how it is run...which, in turn, depends upon what sort of folks step forward to lead the chapter in its various activities. If someone feels a need for development of a particular SIG, and is willing to work on it, then that person may attract enough others to present meaningful programs.
>From monitoring the various discussions, it seems to me that STC has missed a basic understanding of the technical communications community as a whole, and has done reasonably little to foster value for the various elements within it.
Today, there seems to be a movement to transfer what once required conventions and meetings into a virtual presence that can be presented when and where the audience wishes. In this, I believe the STC has thus far largely failed.
When we are beset with a multitude of media and the increasing pace of information, print or online "magazines" cannot rely upon words alone to hold the interest of readers. Traditionally-formatted formal publications outside of medicine and law are becoming rarer each year...and many of these are moving online. I do regular research in the library of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. At present, it appears that between half and two thirds of the medical journals they received in printed form as little as three years ago are now received electronically only...and this trend is accelerating in many other fields as well.
Thus, again we may rightfully ask whether the present methods of communicating with its members are serving STC or its members in the most effective manner. Any society which emphasizes "communications", it seems to me, should be in the forefront in terms of meaningful and effective communications in all media it may choose to use.
As they are evaluating their role, I believe STC should be encouraged to ask questions like "Why do we not attract a larger percentage of the community?" or "Why do we seem to have polarized the profession to such a degree?"
To me, it would make sense to reach out to other professional organizations--such as the American Marketing Association--to get help in how best to appeal to the broader audience and how to better "sell" the STC as a meaningful organization to the group that matters most--those who *employ* technical communicators.
However, I for one will not be holding my breath for this sort of forward thinking.
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