Our Corner

While there are several fine articles in this newsletter that address the topic of emerging technologies, this is not one of them. I continue in my effort to master the technologies of the here and now. I have decided to use this space to update those of you who have missed a meeting or two. Here are some highlights:

Meetings

Thanks to our programs manager, Diana Wilcoxson, and our president-elect, Melody Brumis, we have had some absolutely awesome speakers. They have been informative, motivating, and—dare I say it?—inspirational. For example, Dana Chisnell, our guest speaker at the February meeting, gave a presentation titled "Usability Assessment Methods to Empower Technical Communicators." She demonstrated three types of usability testing (heuristic, focus group, and lab) through audience participation. It was an informative, interactive, and lively discussion. (Be sure you check the Meetings page on our web site for upcoming program information.)

Newsletter

Please take the time to really read this newsletter. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that our newsletter team, which is led by co-editors Becky Rude and Ashwini Tharval, is doing a fabulous job.

Web site

You have to have noticed the redesigned web site. The credit goes to our new Web committee, chaired by Janet Bran. Look for additional design changes and enhancements in coming months.

Employment Searches

Linda Shaltz, a.k.a. the Jobs Lady, invites recruiters to our meetings, maintains the Jobs page on our web site, and tracks employment opportunities for our members. Although, the market situation is particularly challenging at this time, our unofficial survey indicates that our members are finding work. (Whether we can attribute that to all of Linda’s extra efforts, I don’t know, but I would like to think so.)

Volunteers Wanted—EBSTC’s 40th Anniversary

Yes, EBSTC will turn 40 in June 2002! We would like to get as many people involved as possible to plan a celebration. How should we celebrate? Get a major speaker? Locate former EBSTC presidents? Change the venue? Honor our members? Recognize our volunteers? What do you think? If you have ideas and would like to help, send an email message to Melody Brumis or to me.

Although EBSTC continues to grow in membership, we are still considered a moderately sized chapter. However, thanks to a lot of truly dedicated volunteers, the quality of our newsletter, web site, programs, membership services, and other chapter support, the level of participation is very high. We are demonstrating a level of professionalism that you usually only find in much larger chapters. Congratulations, everyone.

I think this makes our chapter unique: We’re small enough to enjoy each other’s company at chapter meetings and large enough to effectively support each other. As I always say, we’re the best-kept secret in the East Bay!

2002 promises to be the year that will lift us out of our gloom. We are slowly coming out of our adversity and moving on. More jobs are opening up, and new products are being created. We devote this issue to interesting technological developments seen in recent times.

Roz Rogoff, immediate past president, gives us a unique perspective on Web Accessibility in her article "Accessibility = Usability." As technical communicators, we have the opportunity to make the Web user-friendly for everyone. Guest writer Faraz Hoodbhoy discusses high-speed data communication and its amazing progress in the last four decades. "3G for Everyone" talks about third generation wireless telephony, which is no longer restricted to mere phones, but translates into tools that will interact with us through voice, graphic, and tactile devices.

Another modern development is the use of nanotechnology in material and biological sciences. Dan Day describes the microscope that allows scientists to see their "micro" work in "Characterizing Materials on the Nanoscale."

Ashwini Tharval, co-editor, presents a humorous view of technology in her article "Technology Unraveled." Susan Harlan gives information on upcoming classes and other resources for popular applications—FrameMaker, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver—in her column "Education and Training Resources." We continue our journey through past newsletters in "Blast from the Past" where co-editor Becky Rude shares excerpts from the 80s. We also found a number of 80s-related web sites on the Internet. Here’s one of our favorites: 80s Nostalgia.com.

Seen in the picture (from left to right): Susan Harlan, Angelina Nachimuthu, Janet Bran, Becky Rude, Don Huntington, Margie McCutcheon, and Ashwini Tharval. Missing are regular team members Hasmig Vasgerdsian, Elaine Parrish, and Adrienne Tange.

Hope you enjoy reading this issue. We welcome your criticisms and comments, as well as your suggestions. If you would like to read about any particular topic, please email us.

Region 8 Director-Sponsor Guest Column
Recognition is Key
Andrea L. Ames

One of the most important jobs of an STC leader at any level—Society, regional, or chapter—is recognition. At the Society level, we take that responsibility very seriously, and we recognize not only volunteers, but members of the outstanding technical communication community, as well. We strive to develop Society-level recognition programs that are prestigious and significant in meaning.

Also in the area of recognition are professional competitions, recognizing excellence of both member and non-member entries, including:

STC recognition programs also reward the efforts of outstanding volunteers and chapter achievements with the following programs:

This year, we’ve instituted another very important recognition program: The Distinguished SIG Service Award, recognizing sustained and outstanding contributions of a volunteer to a SIG. The first recipients of this award will be announced at the 2002 STC Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, in May.

If you are a chapter, regional, or event (conference, competition, etc.) leader, take some time this year to review your recognition program(s). Ensure that you keep track of those who help you, and reward them for a job well done at the end of the event or STC year (May/June).

If you are a member, consider volunteering or submitting entries to a competition! It’s a great way to network, to gain visibility in the Society and the industry, and to be recognized and appreciated for your work in furthering the efforts of your professional society and industry.

If you have any questions about STC’s Society-level recognition programs, please contact me at aames@pobox.com.