Greetings STC WDCB Family,
Thank you very much for tuning into STC WDCB’s 2020-2021 New Chapter Year Update. The world as we know it has changed dramatically in light of COVID-19; I wish you the best of health, and special condolences to those that have been touched by the Pandemic in ways that have caused the illness, or loss of loved ones. My goal is for the STC WDCB virtual community to provide a wealth of uplifting resources, and a sense of community that positively contributes to your efforts to maintain mental wellness, peace, and a balanced sense of new-normalcy. I encourage you to lean into our community and take advantage of our offerings, which will be covered during our New Chapter Year Kickoff Celebration on Friday September 25, 2020 @ 6:30-7:30 PM ET via the GoToMeeting Platform. We will commemorate another successful year with the 2020-2021 STC WDCB Administrative Council, acknowledge award recipients, and discuss upcoming events while networking. Please sign up for your free ticket and invite your colleagues and friends.
The Masterclass in TechComm Webinar Speaker Series
The All-Stars in TechComm Webinar Speaker Series that I created to support the professional development edification of our community, has been re-branded as The Masterclass in TechComm Webinar Speaker Series. It will continue to feature prominent figures in the technical communication (TechComm) industry offering candid discussion on crucial topics, trends, and skills within our field. Why should you tune in? Because thought and practitioner leaders embark on ways to challenge themselves for refinement, inspiration, and to provide mentorship. If you ask an Olympic champion that has a record of longevity in their specialty about how they’ve continued to manifest successful results, they will express the sentiment that leaders (Olympians are world leaders in their specialty) are tried, and tested individuals that defy stagnation by finding ways to stay sharp… let’s stay sharp together! The Fall 2020 lineup of speakers includes the following:
September 2020
Dr. Ginny Redish – UX Writing: A New Role for Technical Communicators?
With lots of examples of successful and unsuccessful user experience (UX) writing, Ginny will show you that UX work is not new for technical communicators, and may be the challenge that you need for your next career move.
Webinar: Wednesday September 30, 2020 @ 7:00-8:00 p.m. ET
October 2020
Dr. Ugur Akinci – Self Publishing on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for TechComm Pros
Ugur will teach all the tricks and tips for how to leverage on-demand self-publishing via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Attendees will have the opportunity to publish their first book on the KDP platform in real-time.
Webinar: Thursday October 29, 2020 @ 7-8 p.m. ET
November 2020
Ms. Shawneda Crout – Integrate Social Media into Your TechComm
Technical communicators with the ability to adopt social media into the creation, and review phase of content planning, find it to be an invaluable resource in their TechComm projects. Shawneda will advise on how to use social media and social search platforms to provide opportunities to illuminate customer pain points, provide customer preferences, and receive real-time feedback to benefit work processes.
Webinar: Thursday November 12, 2020 @ 7-8 p.m. ET
December 2020
Dr. Liz Herman – Identity Disruption and the Technical Communicator
It’s an amazing time to be a technical communicator. Our talents, skills, and smarts are needed. The way we have identified ourselves for the past several decades is changing. We need to prepare for an identity disruption. Join Liz as she shares insights and data about this seismic change.
Webinar: Thursday December 3, 2020 @ 7-8 p.m. ET
Our chapter uses the GoToMeeting platform to host webinars. The webinar link will be emailed by noon on the date of the event. Be sure to also subscribe to The MasterClass in TechComm Podcast to support this growing professional development initiative. Stay tuned for further details!
STC Alliance Competition
STC WDCB joined forces with the STC Alliance Competition this past term. Thank you to those that entered the competition, and/or volunteered to be a TechComm judge.
Award Information
Entrants received comments on their work from designated judges in the TechComm industry. Winners from our chapter will be recognized at the New Chapter Year Kickoff Celebration and are encouraged to sign up to attend! Check out the STC Alliance 2019-2020 Competition Winners list.
How to Enter the STC Alliance 2020-2021 Competition
Check out STC Alliance 2020-2021 Competition Entry submission Guidelines. The 2020-2021 competition is still in planning stages so check back for updates from time to time.
STC Summit 2021
STC’s TechComm Summit is the organization’s annual conference. The Summit attracts over 650 like-minded industry professionals that come together to continue growing in the TechComm field via workshops, panels, and other career enhancing opportunities. Due to the Pandemic, the 2020 conference was held virtually, however, the 2021 conference is scheduled to be held in Atlanta, Georgia on June 6-9, 2021 at this time. For details, check out the STC 2021 Summit .
STC WDCB Networking and Volunteering
Our First Friday Lunches were a successful networking event that we’ve decided to put on hold in support of current social distancing measures. However, what may be perceived as a setback can also be harnessed as a great opportunity; Let’s dive deep together in support of our speakers in The MasterClass in TechComm Webinar Speaker Series, and tap into a free subscription to The MasterClass in TechComm Podcast.
**Please consider the current chapter volunteer openings to review opportunities to get involved.
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Online Resources
Our chapter website offers job listings, a LinkedIn Group, and much more. View chapter updates in Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Renew Your STC WDCB Chapter Membership
Please Renew Your STC Membership for 2021 and allow us to continue to serve you by selecting STC WDCB as your home chapter. We welcome your suggestions for how we can continue to bring you meaningful professional development events, and networking opportunities, so please do not hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for your time and membership. Please let me know how I can be of any further assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Tavia Record
President and Professional Development Director
STC Washington, D.C.-Baltimore Chapter
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