Dec 2010 Chapter Meeting
You are receiving this message because you are a member of STC Phoenix or have indicated an interest in receiving information regarding our programs and offerings. If you would like to not receive emails in the future, please follow the unsubscribe information at the bottom of this message.
Seeding the Clouds
…or, how to make it rain on you even during a dry spell, is a presentation for technical communicators who have been affected by the rotten economic conditions… which is to say, all of us.
Whether you’re a captive or a contractor, if you’re looking for work or you think you might be looking for work soon, this presentation will present dozens of ideas that can improve your own financial outlook, including:
- how to be more competitive when you’re looking for work
- ways to prime the pump for future work
- how to make yourself more visible to potential employers
- new places to find work
- new types of technical communication to try
- ways to keep your spirits up while job-hunting
Even if you’re already fully employed and aren’t feeling at risk, this presentation will tell you ways in which you can lend a hand to others and ensure their future success and your own immortality.
(The entire presentation will be annotated with diverse anecdotes and several digressions of varying degrees of relevance.)
About the Speaker
John Hedtke: Author, Consultant, Writer
John Hedtke is the award-winning author of 26 books. He has over 30 years in the software business, over 25 years writing, and 7 years in technical publications management. John has developed and written documentation and books for many leading software products, and has received 26 writing awards to date. John regularly contributes articles to magazines such as Publish! and Accounting Technology. A complete list of books, articles, projects, and awards can be found online at his web site, www.hedtke.com.
John owns a small company that offers writing and business consulting services for a variety of private, public, and governmental clients. John also does numerous radio and magazine interviews and frequently travels to do lectures and guest appearances at conferences and seminars. John was the last Region 7 Director on the Society for Technical Communication’s Board of Directors and is a Fellow of the Society. When not otherwise occupied, John writes magazine articles and sleeps late as much as possible.
Meeting Information
Date/Time
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
5:30- Networking, 6:00- Dinner; 7:00 Program
Dinner Options
Meat Entrée: Traditional Lasagna
Vegetarian Entree: Grilled Polenta with Seasonal Vegetables over Tomato Sauce.
All entrees include a tossed green salad, rolls, tea, coffee and dessert.
Location
Phoenix Airport Hilton, 2435 South 47th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-6410
Located just northwest of Route 143 and University Drive. From University, turn north on 47th Place, and the hotel is ahead about two blocks on the left.
Registration Information
Cost: STC Member-at-Large $25, Phoenix Chapter Member $18, Non-member $35, Student $15, Program only $10.
Rewards Program: Earn a Free Dinner!
Starting with the Sept. ’09 meeting, those who have contributed $60.00 or more in dinner meeting attendance, “program only” attendance, or combination of the two, can enjoy dinner at the June meeting free of charge. (Virtual meeting does not count toward the rewards program.)
New Member Incentive: Member and first-time guest
- $40 for two dinner/program
- $10 for two program only
Registration Deadline: Thursday, January 7, 2010 at noon. We cannot guarantee a dinner to late registrants, although there may be one available. Please be sure to ask. No-shows will be billed.
Register Online: To register online using PayPal, please click here.
This message was sent to email@example.com from vice_president@stc-phoenix.com
STC Phoenix Vice President
Society for Technical Communication
P.O. Box 11116
Tempe, AZ 85284
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Renew Your Membership and Get a Chance!
Do I have an opportunity for you! As we’ve done for the past three years, once again we’re offering an incentive for your to renew your STC membership. Renew your STC International and STC Phoenix memberships by March 1, 2010 and have your name entered in a drawing for one of four Barnes and Nobel gift cards.
What do you have to do? Very little, just follow this simple procedure:
- On your computer, launch your favorite browser and go to: www.stc.org.
- Click the big blue Renew Now button. (If asked, login.)
- On the next page, once again click Renew Now.
- On the Membership Application page, click Renewing Members/Existing Accounts.
- Follow the directions to renew your membership in STC International.
- Remember to add the Phoenix Chapter to your renewal.
- Add any SIGs to your renewal.
- Follow the on screen directions to complete your renewal.
Now, you may be asking, “Karen, what is it going to cost me to renew for 2010?” Honestly, more than it did for 2009. STC International has found it necessary to raise membership rates to support what it really costs to support an individual member. Also, membership in Chapters and SIGs are now additional fees. The 2010 fee structure is:
- Basic membership: $215 USD
- Chapter membership: $25 each
- SIG membership: $10 each
- Students: $75
- Retirees: $145
- Gold memberships for $395 (limited number available, Phoenix has two Gold members)
Please note that you must be an STC International member in order to be a chapter and/or SIG member.
If your dues are too big to swallow in one bite, you can arrange to pay them in four equal installments over four months. You’ll find all this information and lots more on the STC web site, www.stc.org.
Best regards,
Karen L. Zorn
President, STC Phoenix
This message was sent to email@example.com from president@stc-phoenix.com
STC Phoenix President
Society for Technical Communication
P.O. Box 11116
Tempe, AZ 85284
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Feb 2010 Chapter Meeting
You are receiving this message because you are a member of STC Phoenix or have indicated an interest in receiving information regarding our programs and offerings. If you would like to not receive emails in the future, please follow the unsubscribe information at the bottom of this message.
Getting Social Media to Work for You
Join us at our dinner meeting February 9th for a one-hour workshop by guest speaker Jack Smith of http://www.thesociallatte. He’ll introduce you to the nuts and bolts of social media, where it is being used, and by whom. But most importantly, we’ll talk about what these examples mean to you and your business/profession and some steps you can take immediately after the workshop to start to put social media to work for you.
Whether you are a freelancer or a captive, employed or unemployed, a risk taker or a cautious observer, join the conversation. Bring your questions and be prepared to have some fun along the way!
About the Speaker
Jack Smith, Interactive Media Consultant specializing in social media
Jack has over 10 years of experience in marketing, technology, and business.
He is the creator and founder of The Social Latte which specializes in consulting with companies large and small on how to best implement the power of social media and online media for maximum business success.
Jack is also a speaker, educator, and trainer who brings humor, insight, education and value to every engagement. He has spoken for Bolo 2009, Social Media Club, Agency Side, Boomerz, Fidelity and has been featured in the online publication called Practical Social Media. He has been a guest blogger for the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and also writes for Jobing.com.
Jack is an entrepreneur at heart and has worked with companies on the Fortune 100 as well as local businesses. He is also actively involved in various volunteer projects and organizations such as the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, the Gonzaga Alumni Association, and many others.
Previously, Jack was a key software consultant for PeopleSoft and has worked on projects for Accenture, State Farm, Aspen Resorts, and the Justice Department. He also formed his own consulting company and created his own travel company founded on proprietary technology he developed.
Meeting Information
Date/Time
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
5:30- Networking, 6:00- Dinner; 7:00 Program
Dinner Options
Meat Entrée: Baked Stuffed Manicotti
Vegetarian Entree: Vegetable Wellington w/Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
All entrees include a tossed green salad, rolls, tea, coffee and dessert.
Location
Phoenix Airport Hilton, 2435 South 47th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-6410
Located just northwest of Route 143 and University Drive. From University, turn north on 47th Place, and the hotel is ahead about two blocks on the left.
Registration Information
Cost: Phoenix Chapter Member $18, STC Member-at-Large $25, Non-member $35, Student $15, Program only $10.
Rewards Program: Earn a Free Dinner!
Starting with the Sept. ’09 meeting, those who have contributed $60.00 or more in dinner meeting attendance, “program only” attendance, or combination of the two, can enjoy dinner at the June meeting free of charge. (Virtual meeting does not count toward the rewards program.)
New Member Incentive: Member and first-time guest
- $40 for two dinner/program
- $10 for two program only
Registration Deadline
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Noon. We cannot guarantee a dinner to late registrants, although there may be one available. Please be sure to ask. No-shows will be billed.
Register Online: To register online using PayPal, please click here.
This message was sent to email@example.com from newsletter@stc-phoenix.com
STC Phoenix
Society for Technical Communication
P.O. Box 11116
Tempe, AZ 85284
March 2010 Chapter Meeting
You are receiving this message because you are a member of STC Phoenix or have indicated an interest in receiving information regarding our programs and offerings. If you would like to not receive emails in the future, please follow the unsubscribe information at the bottom of this message.
DITA 101: Introduction to Structured Authoring and DITA
DITA, the Darwin Information Typing Architecture, is the new buzzword in technical communication. But why? Find out in this free webinar co-hosted by the STC-Phoenix and STC Alberta chapters on Tuesday, March 9th.
You’ll learn about:
- DITA concepts
- the business case
- typical scenarios where DITA is used
Our featured speaker, Sarah O’Keefe, will sort it all out for you in her “mostly-buzzword-free” presentation. Then, you can evaluate for yourself whether DITA makes sense for your content.
About the Speaker
Sarah O’Keefe, owner of Scriptorium Publishing, specializes in streamlining publishing processes, including implementing DITA, for numerous high-profile clients in telecommunications, defense, technology, and other content-rich industries. Sharing knowledge is a priority for Sarah, who strives to be both entertaining and informative during training sessions and conference presentations.
In 2002, she received her Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) accreditation from CompTIA. Her presentations at international, national, and regional conferences (including STC, tekom, and WritersUA) have consistently earned high ratings.
Her publishing credits include Publishing Fundamentals: FrameMaker 7 (originally published as FrameMaker 7: The Complete Reference), The WebWorks Publisher Cookbook, Technical Writing 101, FrameMaker 5.5.6 for Dummies, and numerous white papers.
For more information on Sarah, Scriptorium Publishing, or to catch up on her blog posts, visit her website http://www.scriptorium.com.
Meeting Information
Date/Time
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
6:00 p.m. MST (EMT -8:00 p.m.)
Location
Your choice! Pick a place with a good internet connection. Bring your own dinner. Bring as many friends as you’d like.
Registration Information
Cost: Free
Register Online: To register, click here.
April 2010
Common Misconceptions About e-Learning
“Just put the document online,” is just one of the many statements you’ll hear upper management and others say about e-Learning. And it’s also just one of many myths that instructional designers, e-Learning developers, and technical communicators who are interested in developing skills in e-Learning must face and answer. But what are the answers?
In this interactive session, Jane MacKenzie-Smith will explore many myths about e-Learning, and offer some insights as to why they are myths and how to educate clients and management so that the myths are not perpetuated. Come for a fun, engaging, and interactive discussion.
About the Speaker
Jane MacKenzie-Smith, Certified Performance Technologist and STC Fellow
Jane Smith has been an instructional designer for over 23 years. She has written, designed, and produced training for instructor-led classes, e-Learning, audio training, and CBT.
She has facilitated instructional design courses for classroom training and e-Learning for Clark Training and Consulting as well as for her own company, JEM Communications, LLC. Because she has also facilitated quality management courses, she brings an aspect of quality improvement to all projects and training.
She is a popular facilitator of highly interactive and engaging workshops for professional organizations and corporations. In 2004, she facilitated a JEM Communications five-day e-Learning Development course for the Vietnamese Telecommunications and Training Center in Hanoi, Vietnam.
In addition, she taught at the secondary level for six years and the community college level for 15 years. She also has completed her training for personal and professional coaching and has a small virtual practice out of her home in Sedona, Arizona.
Meeting Information
Date/Time
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
5:30- Networking, 6:00- Dinner; 7:00- Program
Dinner Options
Meat Entrée: Pot Roast
Vegetarian Entree: Sun-dried Tomatoes & Capers over Angel Hair Pasta
All entrees include a tossed green salad, rolls, tea, coffee and dessert.
Location
Phoenix Airport Hilton, 2435 South 47th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-6410
Located just northwest of Route 143 and University Drive. From University, turn north on 47th Place, and the hotel is ahead about two blocks on the left.
Registration Information
Cost: Phoenix Chapter Member $18, STC Member-at-Large $25, Non-member $35, Student $15, Program only $10.
Rewards Program: Earn a Free Dinner
Starting with the Sept. ’09 meeting, those who have contributed $60.00 or more in dinner meeting attendance, “program only” attendance, or combination of the two, can enjoy dinner at the June meeting free of charge. (Virtual meeting does not count toward the rewards program.)
New Member Incentive: Member and first-time guest
- $40 for two dinner/program
- $10 for two program only
Registration Deadline
Thursday, April 8, 2010 at Noon. We cannot guarantee a dinner to late registrants, although there may be one available. Please be sure to ask. No-shows will be billed.
June 2010 Chapter Meeting
Destination: June STC-Phoenix Chapter Meeting
After taking to the open road, our featured speaker, Bonni Graham Gonzalez, and her traveling companion and fellow adventurer, Sharon Burton, will join us for the last dinner meeting of the 2009-2010 program year. (Follow their travel adventures @STC_Phoenix.)
Karen Zorn, our out-going President, will start the evening by recognizing the past year’s board members’ service to the chapter. Following that, our in-coming President, Kathy Graden, will bring us news from her trip to the STC conference in Dallas. To complete the evening, Bonni Graham Gonzalez, well-known for her humorous take on the technical communication field, will provide a one-of-a-kind comedy routine for the occasion.
Come celebrate with us June 8th at the Hilton!
About the Speaker
Bonni Graham Gonzalez is the owner of Manual Labour,Inc., a full-service technical documentation firm that supports the consumer electronics industry. As CEO and President, Bonni has spent almost 20 years as a business woman and practicing technical documentor.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the Society for Technical
Communication, as an STC Associate Fellow, and as a popular presenter, Bonni helps define and guide the theory and practice of technical communication. As an instructor at two University of California campuses, she is training the next generation of technical communicators.
Other Meeting Info
Rewards winners: Register at the chapter website as you normally would and add the word “Rewards” in the Notes field located under Meal Options.
Photoshoot for May door prize winners and Board members.
Meeting Details
Date/Time: Tuesday, June 8, 2010
5:30- Networking, 6:00- Dinner; 7:00-8:30 Program
Dinner Options
Meat Entree: Chicken Parmesan
Vegetarian Entree: Candied Vegetable Salad (Seasonal Berries with Marinated Grilled Vegetables & Candy Walnuts served with Grape Serrano Vinaigrette.)
All entrees include a tossed green salad, rolls, tea, coffee and dessert.
2010-2011 Chapter Planning Meeting
| ||
| ||
September 2010 Chapter Meeting
What’s Up, EDoc! – Trends in Tech. Comm.
The once stable, almost staid world of technical writing has turned turbulent. Consider that, in less than a decade, we’ve seen:
- The rise of topic-based authoring
- The rise of structured authoring in general, and DITA in particular
- Increasingly complex technical ecosystems that ask us to decide about the Mark of the Web and quirks vs. strict browser modes
- The growth of mobile devices, and the need to create single-source output that can work on them, as well as a standard PC or laptop
- The growth of social media and the need to integrate content from social media with that from more traditional documentation
- The spread of metadata and the promise of dynamically-modeled online help, CMSs, and more…
What exactly can we expect, and how do we deal with all this?
In this presentation by Neil Perlin, a 31-year veteran of technical communication, we’ll first look at the high-level technologies and methodologies coming our way. We’ll then look at what we need to do to function in this environment, such as:
- Viewing ourselves as independent consultants rather than employees
- Taking charge of our own careers, rather than waiting for the company to do so
- Accepting the need for lifelong technical learning
- Accepting the need to go beyond technology and writing and into the business side of our world
- These are turbulent times. But they’re interesting times too, promising new and challenging work, if we keep up.
Come join the conversation at the September 14th chapter meeting as Neil discusses current and future trends.
About the Speaker
Neil Perlin, owner and principal consultant of Hyper/Word Services
Neil entered technical writing in 1979, began creating online documentation in 1985, and is now an internationally-recognized expert in online help and documentation design and development. He has been providing online documentation training and consulting services for 15 years, is a popular speaker at various technical communication groups and conferences, organized and ran the “Beyond the Bleeding Edge” stem at the STC annual conference from 1999 to 2006 and again in 2010, and is a columnist for the STC and IEEE/PCS. He also spends enough time travelling to indulge his road hobby, searching out fine BBQ joints. He can be reached at nperlin@nperlin.cnc.net, or at his web site – www.hyperword.com.
Meeting Information
Date/Time
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
5:30 Check-in & Networking
6:00 Dinner
6:30 Announcements and Discussion
7:00-8:30 Program
Dinner Options
Meat Entrée: Chicken Florentine
Vegetarian Entree: Vegetable Wellington
All entrees include a tossed green salad, rolls, tea, coffee and dessert.
Location
Phoenix Airport Hilton, 2435 South 47th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-6410
Located just northwest of Route 143 and University Drive. From University, turn north on 47th Place, and the hotel is ahead about two blocks on the left.
November 2010 Chapter Meeting
Thriving in the Agile Environment
What is Agile? Scrum? XP? and what do they mean to you? Learn how these development methodologies provide opportunities for you to improve your corporate and team value. See how to get and stay involved in the project from beginning to end, and gain the interest and respect from your team and across the enterprise.
About the Speaker – Kathryn Poe
Kathryn’s technical communications career began over 20 years ago when mainframes still roamed the earth. She’s worked in verticals including software, manufacturing, hardware, professional services, telephony, networking, and pharmaceuticals, on a myriad of projects. As Kathryn puts it, “If you can read it, follow it, or try to use it, I’ve probably written something of that ilk.”
A Certified SCRUM Master and self-proclaimed Agile zealot, Kathryn’s recent focus has been on the benefits that a technical communicator can offer within an Agile SCRUM framework and how it can be used to the tech comm’s advantage, as well. Kathyrn: “We are all a bit tired of being the Rodney Dangerfield of the development world, I think. Agile gives us the chance to change that perception, or at least start the process.”
Meeting Details
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
- 5:30 Check-in & Networking
- 6:00 Dinner
- 6:30 Announcements and Discussion
- 7:00-8:30 Program
Dinner Options
Meat Entree: Petit Filet of Salmon with Jumbo Shrimp served with Scampi Sauce & Whipped Mashed Potatoes
Vegetarian Entree: Mixed Vegetables including Carrots, Zucchini, Mushrooms, Broccoli, and Onions in a light Sesame Soy Sauce & served over Rice Pilaf
All entrees include a tossed green salad, rolls, tea, coffee and dessert.
Location
Phoenix Airport Hilton, 2435 South 47th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-6410
Located just northwest of Route 143 and University Drive. From University, turn north on 47th Place, and the hotel is ahead about two blocks on the left.
Registration/Cost Information
- Chapter Member via Pay Pal $18
- Chapter Member paid at meeting $20
- STC Member-at-Large $25
- Non-member $35
- Student $15
- Program only $10
New Member Incentive:
Member and first-time guest this program year: $40 for two dinner/program
Not a member, but want to attend? We can match you with a member for one meeting this program year, at the discounted price. Contact Jan at programs@stc-phoenix.com if you are interested.
Registration Deadline:
Thursday, November 4, 2010 at Noon. We cannot guarantee a dinner to late registrants, although there may be one available. Please be sure to ask. No-shows will be billed.
Register Online:
To register for this event, please click here.
December 2010 Chapter Meeting
Forensic Linguistics: Real-life CSI with Word People
Ransom notes, terrorist threats, stalker letters…the language used in these documents can give clues about their authors. Forensic linguists apply linguistic analysis to legal documents of all types, and work both with lawyers and law enforcement. This presentation will focus specifically on analysis of written evidence—criminal or potentially criminal communications—using real-life examples.
Learn about what the language used in a document can tell us about its author, and the techniques used to find those clues. Play forensic investigator during the audience participation activities.
Join us December 14th for an enlightening and entertaining glimpse at forensic linguistics!
About the Speaker – Joe Devney
The subtitle of this month’s presentation is “Real-life CSI with Word People.” Joseph Devney, M.A., is a “word person” himself. He has been a technical writer (and STC member) in the San Francisco Bay Area for many years, but his lifelong interest in language is now taking him in a new direction. He took a sabbatical to earn a Master’s degree in Linguistics at Georgetown University, and found out about the fascinating field of Forensic Linguistics, the intersection of linguistics and the law.
Joe has been a technical writer since 1995, and has long been active in STC. He was president of the Berkeley, California chapter and has served as a judge for technical communication competitions at both the local and international levels. He taught an introductory class in Adobe FrameMaker through his home chapter, and has given this presentation there. This year he was nominated for the honorary rank of Associate Fellow of the Society. (New Associate Fellows will be announced in January.)
Joe is also a native Arizonan, born in Tucson, where he lived until age 9.
Meeting Details
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
- 5:30 Check-in & Networking
- 6:00 Dinner
- 6:30 Announcements – Membership Drive
- 7:00-8:30 Program
Dinner Options
Meat Entree: Beef Stroganoff – Thin slices of tender beef, onions and mushrooms, in a sour cream sauce served over buttered noodles.
Vegetarian Entree: Vegetable Lasagna – The Hilton’s twist on the original using grilled vegetables and a creamy white sauce.
All entrees include a tossed green salad, rolls, tea, coffee and dessert.
Location
Phoenix Airport Hilton, 2435 South 47th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034-6410
Located just northwest of Route 143 and University Drive. From University, turn north on 47th Place, and the hotel is ahead about two blocks on the left.
Registration/Cost Information
- Chapter Member via Pay Pal $18
- Chapter Member paid at meeting $20
- STC Member-at-Large $25
- Non-member $35
- Student $15
- Program only $10
Rewards Program – Earn a Free Dinner
Starting with the Sept. 2010 meeting, those who have contributed $70.00 or more for dinner meeting attendance, “program only” attendance, or combination of the two, can earn a free dinner. Rewards can be redeemed for one dinner meeting starting with the June 2011 meeting and ending with December 2011 dinner meeting.
New Member Incentive
Member and first-time guest this program year: $40 for two dinner/program
Not a member, but want to attend? We can match you with a member for one meeting this program year, at the discounted price. Contact Jan at programs@stc-phoenix.com if you are interested.
Registration Deadline
Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Noon. We cannot guarantee a dinner to late registrants, although there may be one available. Please be sure to ask. No-shows will be billed.
Register Online
To register for this event, please click here.
