Newsletter of the East Bay Chapter of STC
May/June 2004

Member Spotlight: The New EBSTC Leaders

The new East Bay Chapter leadership introduce themselves…

Becky Rude
President

A talent for writing (discovered while working as a social worker and graduate services administrator) led me to the profession of technical communication seven years ago. Soon after that, I joined STC as a way to become educated about the profession and to meet other communicators. I have really enjoyed my volunteer work for STC, first in Wisconsin, and now in the East Bay. Volunteering has given me great resume and portfolio material, confidence in my abilities, and wonderful friends.

Past President Melody Brumis coined the phrase “the friendly chapter” as a way to describe EBSTC. I want to continue that tradition by meeting more of you and encouraging you to get involved with the chapter. I think there are great things we can do for the community and each other if we work together.

Linda Shaltz
President-Elect

I grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and stayed there until I married my husband Mark, who proceeded to move me around the country until he found a place that “fit.” Seriously, we transferred due to his position in ChevronTexaco and have lived in Michigan (of course), California, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Texas.

In my position with STC, I’m hoping to help build chapter membership, and am especially interested in bringing in students and recent graduates. I would also like to more actively pursue employment opportunities for our unemployed members (I can’t seem to take off that Employment Manager hat!) through rejuvenation of the Job Posting page on our web site and involvement of recruiters at the meetings. I welcome your ideas as well!

Joe Humbert
Treasurer

My background is actually in physics, with a B.S. and an M.S. from Cal State University at Los Angeles. In the mid-1980s, I owned and operated a homegrown software company, Kidbit Software, featuring educational software, where I wrote the programs, user guides, brochures, and advertising copy. I am the co-owner of a child care center, where I write the monthly newsletters, parent guidelines, employee contract, brochures, and advertising copy. I am working on a Certificate in Technical Communications at UCB Extension, which I hope to complete this summer.

An active member of the East Bay STC, I twice judged in Touchstone, have helped keep the web site up to date for the last two years, and am currently the chapter’s treasurer.

Melody Brumis
Vice President: Programs

I have been writing stories all my life. I wrote and illustrated my first book, Corny the Carrot, at age 6. By age 10, I was writing the life story of JFK as narrated by his rocking chair. I now enjoy writing creatively for a technical audience. Besides writing, I love to teach, train, and sing at karaoke bars. I have my own consulting business, and am currently on contract at ChevronTexaco in San Ramon. As VP of Programs, I am looking forward to learning a lot, making new friends, and having fun.

As part of that fun and to pique your interest…In July, look for a special Ergo Interlude at your favorite pizza parlor—details will be posted on the chapter web site.

Joy Montgomery
Nominating Committee Member

I have been a procedure writer, procedure analyst, technical writer, and editor since 1981. I do procedure analysis, and write process and product documentation, some of which have won awards from STC. I have provided high-energy, dynamic presentations for APICS, Rotary, California State Employment Development Department, and Pronet, and am a member of the Toastmasters District 57 Speakers Bureau. I have a B.A. from San Francisco State University. I think the most important task for our organization is to educate employers on the value of STC members.

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