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Subject:RE: Is the STC worth it? From:Debbie Hemstreet <D_Hemstreet -at- rambam -dot- health -dot- gov -dot- il> To:"'techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com'" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Thu, 6 Nov 2014 08:50:57 +0000
I used to be a very active member of the local chapter in Israel. I loved the meetings, and networking, and I learned a lot. I became an avid believer in professional organizations, and have maintained my membership ever since.
When I was in Michigan, the chapter was quite active and again, I learned a lot.
On returning to Israel the chapter is pretty much defunct. I've gotten older and no longer have the energy I once had to invest in STC. No one else seems to and a once thriving chapter is now just about non-existent.
During my years in the USA, although money was tight, my husband felt membership was important as a professional asset, and, like I said, the MI chapter was active. After he passed away, I kept up my membership for the same ideals.
My boss at work is a strong member of professional membership, and respects my profession. Hence, work is covering the costs and I've been able to enter competitions, gain valuable feedback, and, faint shock, received not one but TWO international awards for excellence (no small achievement, I believe, for a primarily lone writer).
Every year when dues sign up time comes, I wonder if it is worth it, even if I don't pay. I don't have time to hassle with the STC website. I've forgotten a dozen times how to access the publications online and don't read them -- I simply have too many other things to do. I can't attend meetings, webinars of potential interest are inaccessible due to the time zone problem. So other than possibly submitting other projects to a competition, and the occiasion request to give a webinar by a chapter in the US... why join?
I guess it is not very impressive in the US anymore (perhaps) but membership and my past activites still do impress people here in Israel, so as long as my boss will continue to support my membership, I'll continue. Truthfully, membership only gives what each member puts into it. That is probably the case for other organizations as well. Unfortunately, despite their claims to otherwise, STC does very little for international members. Where international chapters are active, STC thrives, where international chapters are not active, STC falls into oblivion.
Thoughts from an international person.
Deborah
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+d_hemstreet=rambam -dot- health -dot- gov -dot- il -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+d_hemstreet=rambam -dot- health -dot- gov -dot- il -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Cardimon, Craig
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2014 22:26
To: 'techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com'
Subject: Is the STC worth it?
Whirlers,
Business being how it is, I would not feel comfortable asking my company to pay for my STC membership.
So, I'm asking you:
First, for those of you who are STC members, who pays, you or your company?
Second, for those of you who are STC members, do you think it's worth it, especially if you pay for it yourself?
Third, for those of you who are not STC members, what is the sticking point?
Cordially,
Craig Cardimon | Technical Writer
Marketing Systems Group
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