January Webinar

Mark Your Calendar

Job Banks

Volunteering Benefits

Kim Rosenlof

President

president@stc-phoenix.com

Jeanette Lee-Randall

Vice President

vp@stc-phoenix.com

Lou Kummerer

Secretary/Treasurer

treasurer@stc-phoenix.com

REGISTER NOW!

January 22

Lunch at Maggiano's Little Italy, North Scottdale

RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Metro-Phoenix-Technical-Communicators

Tatiana Batova

Charlie Fernandez

Dana Johnson

Have You RENEWED Your STC Membership Yet?

Are you a techcomm professional who needs to put reference material on a company website or intranet as one of your many deliverables? Would you like some tips on how to create Web-based reference guides quickly and efficiently from existing source material?

Recorded at the 2013 STC Summit, the webinar "Make It Snappy: Web-based Reference Guides," presented by web developer Donte Ormsby, provides an overview of the elements, technology, and pitfalls associated with creating Quick Reference Guides.

The STC Phoenix Chapter will be re-broadcasting this free webinar on January 14 at 7 pm. Only 25 seats are available. Register by 7 pm on Monday, January 13 at the MPTC Meetup site.

Metro Phoenix Technical Communicators Lunch

Where:  Maggiano's Little Italy, North Scottsdale

16405 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (map)

When:  Wednesday, January 22, 11:45 am - 1:15 pm

What:  Lunch with fellow technical communicators in North Scottsdale. Meet others and discuss techcomm topics. Lunch is on your dime. RSVP at the MPTC Meetup site)

Program Meetings

Program meetings will be scheduled for the second Tuesday of each  month unless otherwise noted.

The preliminary schedule for 2014 includes:

February 11 -- Brenda Huettner presents "Taking Charge of Your Career" at Total Wine Camelback (RSVP at MPTC Meetup site)

March 11 -- Chip Gettinger and PJ Bartlett present "Future of Technical Communication in a Content World" at Total Wine Scottsdale

April 8 -- Lynn Gorton, Rachel Houghton, and Kim Rosenlof present "Writing and Editing Progression Session" at Total Wine Tempe

May 13 -- The New Face of Documentation (webinar)

More meetings will be announced as speakers and locations are confirmed.

IF YOUR COMPANY HAS MEETING SPACE THAT COULD BE USED FOR STC PHOENIX CHAPTER MEETINGS (TYPICALLY 14-30 PEOPLE), PLEASE LET US KNOW! THANKS!

If you're looking for your first position in technical communication, or for just a new opportunity, don't forget to use the sources provided by STC. Phoenix Chapter volunteers Michelle Parcell and Gloria McConnell maintain our local job bank, posting information on our website and Tweeting out job opportunities (@STC_Phoenix). And if you're looking for opportunities in other locales, visit the STC International job bank at the STC website.  

Most people are already leading incredibly busy lives, balancing work, family and friend commitments, health priorities and hobbies. Volunteering for yet one more thing may feel like too much. But volunteering just a few hours per month can make an incredible difference to the lives of your fellow STC members, and you benefit too!

Here are a few ways YOU can make a difference:

Hospitality Chairperson  

Create name tags and greet other members at meetings. Help with setup and take down.

Time commitment: Three to four hours per month (and most of that is attending the meeting itself!).

Benefit: Personally greeting every member can lead to new jobs, new friends, and other new opportunities.

Membership Chairperson  

Monitor the chapter membership list, send welcome letters to new members, update the iContact database, and send other communications to members.

Time commitment: Two hours per month

Benefit: Learn new software; gain satisfaction from creating a welcoming atmosphere for new members and from helping the chapter grow

WANT TO KNOW MORE?  CONTACT CHAPTER PRESIDENT KIM ROSENLOF FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN HELP!

March Program

Mark Your Calendar

Summit Activities

February Program Recap

IABC Call for Entries

Kim Rosenlof

President

president@stc-phoenix.com

Jeanette Lee-Randall

Vice President

vp@stc-phoenix.com

Lou Kummerer

Secretary/Treasurer

treasurer@stc-phoenix.com

REGISTER NOW!

Plan on participating in special chapter activities!

March 13

Lunch at

Tim Finnegan's

Phoenix

RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Metro-Phoenix-Technical-Communicators

IDL SIG Scholarship Entries Due March 12!

For eligibility requirements, see http://www.stcidlsig.org/wp/scholarships/college-student-scholarships/

Dr. Grady Pearson Jr.

Paul MacDonald

Anna Armas

AND THANK YOU RETURNING MEMBERS!

Presentation by Miachelle DePiano

Join us March 11 for a presentation on photography in technical writing at Total Wine in Tempe.(I-10 and Warner Road, near IKEA).

With images dominating our world of communication, it's a great time to learn how to incorporate them successfully in our personal and professional work. Miachelle DePiano, technical writer  and photographer at Shutterfly, will discuss how to use photography in technical communications.

Drawing on her experience as a professional magazine photographer and incorporating photography into work instructions at Shutterfly, Miachelle will provide tips and tricks on producing effective photos for print and online publications. For more information on Miachelle and to see her amazing photos, go to http://www.miachelled.com/.

We'll begin the meeting with a light dinner and wine tasting provided by the Total Wine staff.

Dinner and wine tasting starts at 6 pm
Short business meeting at 6:40 pm
Program starts at 7 pm

Where: Total Wine, Tempe

8544 South Emerald Dr., Tempe, AZ 85284 (map)

When: Tuesday, March 11, 5:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

What: Photography in Technical Communication

RSVP by March 10  at MPTC Meetup site.

Cost: $18 per person, paid through MPTC Meetup site or at door.

Metro Phoenix Technical Communicators Lunch

Where:  Tim Finnegan's, Phoenix

9201 N. 29th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ (map)

When:  Thursday, March 13 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

What:  Lunch with fellow technical communicators in Phoenix.

Meet others and discuss techcomm topics. Lunch is on your dime.

(RSVP at the MPTC Meetup site)

April Program Meeting

Join us April 8 for the Writing and Editing Progression Sessions at Total Wine in Tempe. Visit the MPTC Meetup site for more details.

Phoenix will be host to a variety of presentations as part of the STC Summit in May. In addition, the Phoenix Chapter has planned a number of fun-filled after-hour events. For details, see http://www.stc-phoenix.com/. We welcome everyone at these chapter events whether you're attending the Summit or not.

If you can't make it to Summit, consider helping with the after-hour events or volunteering at the Phoenix Chapter's hospitality table. For more information or to volunteer, contact Chapter VP Jeanette Lee-Randall.

In case you missed the chapter meeting, here are the key points Brenda Huettner provided in her presentation:

• Know your strengths and weaknesses. Use Myers-Brigg Type Indicator or Belbin Team Roles Theory.
• To figure out quickly what you value in a job/career, use the Knowdell Career Values card sort exercise.
• Get involved with organizations that parallel your career goals. Include STC and the chapter, but also look at IEEE, IABC, IXDA, Arizona UPA, AZ Tech Council, and other trade organizations.
• Attend conferences for networking and knowledge. Participate in the STC Summit in Phoenix in May, but also consider LavaCon, WritersUA, and TCWorld.

We hope to see you at a chapter meeting soon!

It's time for the Copper Quill Awards! If you write business communications, here's an opportunity to be recognized for the work you do. For Copper Quill entry requirements or for other IABC events, visit the International Association of Business Communications website.

April Program Mtg

Mark Your Calendar

Helvetica Film Tickets

DCSA Winners

Kim Rosenlof

President

president@stc-phoenix.com

Jeanette Lee-Randall

Vice President

vp@stc-phoenix.com

Lou Kummerer

Secretary/Treasurer

treasurer@stc-phoenix.com

REGISTER NOW!

April 24

Lunch at Carlos O'Brien's, Scottsdale

RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Metro-Phoenix-Technical-Communicators

Tony Notermann

Have You RENEWED Your STC Membership Yet?

Presentations by Lynn Gorton, Rachel Houghton and Kim Rosenlof

Join us for an insightful presentation on career growth while sipping some wine at a "Washington State Rocks" wine tasting at Total Wine on Camelback (near S.R. 51).

Lynn Gorton, Rachel Houghton, and Kim Rosenlof will present three separate topics related to writing and editing in a rapid-fire progression session format. Each presenter will have 15 minutes to present her topic, with five minutes for questions.

Lynn will present on "Using New Media and Formats to Accommodate Changing Audience Needs." Kim will present on "Bending the 'Rules' to connect with your audience." Rachel will present on "What you Need to Know about Intellectual Property."

The meeting will begin with a 30-minute wine tasting session called "Blends Have More Fun" presented by the Total Wine staff.

Wine tasting begins at 6 pm, along with a light pasta and salad dinner. We'll have a short business meeting from 6:30 to 6:45, and presentations will start at 7 pm.

Where: Total Wine, Tempe

8544 South Emerald Dr., Tempe, AZ 85284

When: Tuesday, April 8, 5:45 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

What: Writing and Editing Progression Presentations at Total Wine Tempe (RSVP at MPTC Meetup site)

COST: $18 per person paid through MPTC Meetup site or $20 at the door

Phoenix will be host to a variety of presentations as part of the STC Summit in May. However, the Phoenix Chapter has even more fun in store. Meet us for a technical communication-minded movie night, museum outings and great conversation.

"Helvetica" at the FilmBar

Reflect on typography, graphic design and global visual culture with the movie "Helvetica." Grab some drinks and popcorn. Thanks to our sponsor, Discount Tire, the tickets are only $15, which includes a beverage and popcorn.

Where: 815 N. 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 map

When: Monday, May 19, 7-9:30 pm

TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE AT THE MEETUP SITE

Metro Phoenix Technical Communicators Lunch

Where:  Carlos O'Brien's, ScottsdaleChandler

West Boston Street, Chandler, AZ 85225 (map)

When:  Monday, February 17, 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

What:  Lunch with fellow technical communicators in Chandler. Meet others and discuss techcomm topics. Lunch is on your dime.

(RSVP at the MPTC Meetup site)

Program Meetings

Program meetings will be scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted. Speakers have been booked for March 11 and April 8 at Total Wine Tempe. Visit www.stc-phoenix.com or the MPTC Meetup site for more details.

by Chanda Child

After dinner and Argentinianwinetasting at Total Wine and More in south Tempe, President Kim Rosenlof made surprise

presentations of the Distinguished Chapter Service Award (DCSA) to former chapter president Jan Kruse and former chapter vice president Miachelle DePiano. The DCSA is given to members who display exemplary effort, energy, and dedication to an STC chapter. It is the highest level of recognition members can receive for consistent and varied service.

Jan became a member of the chapter in 1998 and participated in a variety of activities through the years, most visibly as Program Committee manager beginning in 2009 and continuing through 2012 while she was our chapter president. The programs Jan delivered were vibrant and engaging.

Miachelle joined the Phoenix Chapter in 2006. By 2011, she worked her way up to manager of the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair (AzSEF) Committee. While manager, Miachelle helped develop an online screening process that streamlines AzSEF judging. Her efforts contributed to the Phoenix Chapter winning a Pacesetter Award in 2012. Miachelle also served as Membership Committee manager from 2010 through 2012, the year she was also our chapter vice president.

Please congratulate Jan and Miachelle on their awards!

by Tony Holterman

Miachelle DePiano, technical writer at Shutterfly, presented several tips for incorporating photography into work instructions, including tips on how to shoot photos on the production floor.

Here is a summary of her presentation:

If possible, use a DSLR camera on the manual setting for more control. Use a higher ISO level for less noise (grain); shoot at a minimum ISO of 800 (preferable 1600 or 2500).

Avoid using the on-camera flash, which can create shadows and highlights.  Most production floors use fluorescent lighting. To counter the color cast from the lighting, use Auto White Balance on a DSLR camera. To allow more light in, widen your aperture number (or make the number smaller), which creates a sharp focal point and blurry surrounding objects/images.

An example of a simple workflow: crop image; adjust exposure, levels, contrast, and tone; lighten shadows, reduce highlights and noise; use a quick selection tool to cut unwanted elements; save as a medium quality jpeg; if using Word, Save As > Tools > Compress pictures, select Delete cropped areas of pictures, click OK then click Save.

Free Adobe Day

Helvetica Film

Mark Your Calendar

Chapter Wins Award

Kim Rosenlof

President

president@stc-phoenix.com

Jeanette Lee-Randall

Vice President

vp@stc-phoenix.com

Lou Kummerer

Secretary/Treasurer

treasurer@stc-phoenix.com

Stop by the STC-PHX Hospitality table for event information and MORE...

May 28

Lunch at Fired Pie Chandler

RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Metro-Phoenix-Technical-Communicators

Tony Notermann

Chanda Child 

Jan Kruse

We appreciate your contributions to the chapter newsletter.

Take advantage of this free preconference event that is open to all.

Date: May 18, 2014 (Sunday)
Time: 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Place: Hyatt Regency Phoenix

Learn from the experts, exchange ideas and information with peers, and grow your professional network—while you enjoy the exclusive Adobe hospitality! Breakfast, refreshments and lunch will be served. Seats are limited. Online registration ends May 16. To register, go to http://adobedayatstcsummit2014.campaignsandevents.com/

As part of the STC Summit in May, meet us for a technical communication-minded movie night.

"Helvetica" at the FilmBar

Reflect on typography, graphic design and global visual culture with the movie "Helvetica." Grab some drinks and popcorn. Thanks to our sponsor, Discount Tire, the tickets are only $15, which includes a beverage and popcorn.

Where: 815 N. 2nd St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 map

When: Monday, May 19, 7-9:30 pm

Movie starts at 7:30

TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE AT THE MEETUP SITE

Metro Phoenix Technical Communicators Lunch

Where: Fired Pie, 2855 W. Ray Road, Chandler, AZ map

When:  Wednesday, May 28  12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

What:   Lunch with fellow technical communicators in Chandler. Build your own pizza, meet others, and discuss techcomm topics. Lunch is on your dime. (RSVP at the MPTC Meetup site)

June Program Meeting

Where: Discount Tire on Scottsdale Rd.

When: Tuesday evening, June 10

What: STC Summit 2014 Recap

by Tony Notermann

The Community Achievement Award recognizes special interest groups, professional or student chapters for achieving the STC’s goals through outstanding, innovative, and sustained performance.

Congratulations goes to the Phoenix chapter for receiving the award of 2013 Community of Excellence!

As a chapter, we:

• increased financial stability with meetings held at locations where costs were not incurred
• recruited 12 new members
• increased member attendance at chapter activities and programs using several communication tools and social media
• implemented the Metro-Phoenix Technical Communicators (MPTC) Meetup site
• increased networking opportunities for technical communicators with 20 Meetups in various locations in the Metro Phoenix area
• sponsored Technical Communication Week for the State of Arizona
• began planning for our host duties for the upcoming STC Summit international conference.

According to a member of the Community Achievement Award Evaluation Committee “I was most impressed by your chapter’s dedication in bringing back the chapter from the brink of extinction. Your use of social media, particularly Meetup, was instrumental in not only providing venues for members to network, but also for non-members to learn more about STC. I’m still amazed how your chapter membership nearly doubled in less than a year’s time – from 29 to almost 50 members in less than a year's time.”

STC Phoenix – take a bow!

Chapter at Summit  

June Program Mtg

Mark Your Calendar

MembershipCampaign

Scholarships

Kim Rosenlof

President

president@stc-phoenix.com

Jeanette Lee-Randall

Vice President

vp@stc-phoenix.com

Lou Kummerer

Secretary/Treasurer

treasurer@stc-phoenix.com

Chanda Child              
Denene Fletcher Basset
Debra Gabriel

Kathy Henry
Rachel Houghton
Brenda Huettner
Dana Jordan
Lou Kammerer
Cat Klein
Jan Kruse
Jeanette Lee-Randall
Tony Notermann  

Barbara Randall            
Kim Rosenlof
Patricia Silverberg

Prize Donors

Chanda Child

Rachel Houghton

J. Lee-Randall

Kim Rosenlof

Our Event Sponsor Discount Tire

Lunch at

Anzio's Italian Restaurant in Phoenix

RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/Metro-Phoenix-Technical-Communicators

Apply now! The Tech Editing SIG is accepting applications until
July 1, 2014

For more details on eligibility and requirements, visit

http://www.stc-techedit.org/Scholarship

STC Summit attendees were welcomed to Phoenix each day from May 18th through May 21st, by a team of enthusiastic Phoenix chapter Hospitality table volunteers who provided good cheer and sound advice for those navigating their new surroundings. When stopping by the table, attendees could enter the STC-Phoenix trivia contest to win an AZ goodie bag, snag a plush Diamondback snake as a momento of the Summit in the desert, or just talk "techcomm." And let's not forget stopping by to sample and purchase those tasty peanuts from Yuma, Arizona!

Treasurer Lou & VP Jeanette                         President Kim & Winner Jaya Pandey
from the STC-DC chapter

The most talked about after-hours chapter activity was the evening at the Phoenix FilmBar to view Helvetica, an independent feature-length documentary film by Gary Hustwit about typography and graphic design. With its retro charm, the FilmBar set the stage for this thought-provoking film full of passionate graphic designers and typographers. As the film's interviewees expressed their provocative points of view, the crowd often exploded with shouts and laughter. Attending the film was a great way to both relax and to be inspired! The evening ended with a presentation to our sponsor, Discount Tire, and a raffle of Arizona-made items.

To view a video of the event, see STC Notebook Helvetica event

Phoenix Filmbar Entrance                         The Crowd Abuzz before the Film

A volunteer-led trip to the Phoenix Art Museum via light rail capped off Summit week. The 40 museum-goers, like Manisha Khurana from the STC-India chapter, were wowed by the exhibits and spent much of the afternoon taking it all in. Below are a few museum highlights.

• The celestial world of the Yayoi Kusama experiential exhibit
• The outstanding multimedia show in the Hollywood Costume exhibit that tells the story of costume design as a key component of cinema
• The star power of the gowns in the Hollywood Red Carpet exhibit
• A new perspective on book publishing given by photographer artists like Ansel Adams in The Process and the Page exhibit

Did you miss this years Summit? Here's an opportunity to learn from a number of Summit attendees.

• Gloria McConnell will provide an overview of the Adobe Day workshop
• Rachel Houghton will present a photo slideshow from the event
• Jeanette Lee-Randall will present a slideshow from the successful Helvetica after-hours event
• Several other members will present information from sessions that they attended

Where: Discount Tire Corporate Headquarters

20225 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ, on the corner of Scottsdale Road and Thompson Peak Rd. (Map)

Directions: From the 101, go north on Scottsdale Road to Thompson Peak Pwky. Turn right on Thompson Peak, then make an immediate left onto 73rd Street. Make another left into the Discount Tire parking lot and park under covered parking.

When: Tuesday, June 10, 5:45 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

6:00 - 6:45 Light dinner and networking
6:45 - 7:00 Business meeting
7:00 - 8:30 Program

What: STC Summit Recap Presentations  (RSVP at MPTC Meetup site)

COST: $18 per person paid through MPTC Meetup site. $20 at door.

Metro Phoenix Technical Communicators Lunch

Where: Anzio's Italian Restaurant
12418 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 (map)

When:  Thursday, June 26, 12: 30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

What:  Lunch with fellow technical communicators in Phoenix.

Meet others and discuss techcomm topics. Lunch is on your dime.

(RSVP at the MPTC Meetup site)

Next Program Meeting August 19

What: Webinar: Cracking the Code: Live webinar about QR Codes by Pam Coca. Stay tuned for more details.

Recruit new members by September 1st and the Phoenix chapter will be entered to win prizes for its members. For more details, see:

http://www.stc.org/membership/join-or-renew-now/mgam

For added incentive to join, between now and September 1st, new members who you recruit can receive a 20% discount on their Classic Membership. All they need to do is enter a code on their membership application. If you have any questions about this, contact STC’s membership manager Megan McBroom at megan.mcbroom@stc.org

August Webinar 

2014 Chapter Programs 

Mark Your Calendar

Volunteer Opportunities

Chapter Website  

Special Welcome

STC Membership News

Kim Rosenlof

President

president@stc-phoenix.com

Jeanette Lee-Randall

Vice President

vp@stc-phoenix.com

Lou Kummerer

Secretary/Treasurer

treasurer@stc-phoenix.com

August 8

Lunch at ZTejas in Chandler

RSVP at the MPTC Meetup site

Aug 5-Sept 9

STC 6-week online class by Matt Sullivan

For details see

http://www.stc.org/education

Take advantage of tiered pricing in September! The sooner you register, the lower the price.

SmartDocs Content Management & Content Reuse Software Tool for Writers

Aug 5 and Aug 13

For details see http://www.thirtysix.net/events/webinar/smartdocs-techpubs.aspx

To register, contact Laila

at lbenarab@igius.com

Carole  M. Smyser

Tom Barnett

Nathan Smith

Nominations Due

October 1

Pam Coca, experienced professional speaker and award-winning technical writer, will present a LIVE webinar entitled: Crackin' the Code - The Who, What, Where, and How of QR codes.

This hour-long presentation will show you the good, bad, and ugly of QR codes. It also will include the hands-on experience of making a QR code. After the presentation, there will be 30 minutes for discussion and questions. Join us for a fun exploration into the world of QR codes!

FREE for STC-Phoenix Chapter members and paid MPTC members

$15.00 for non-members

The Webinar is a remote meeting connected through GoToMeeting. Participants will receive their information the day before the webinar.

Attendance is limited to the first 25 who register.

For more details or to register, see the MPTC Meetup site.

Here's an easy way to keep up with what's happening in the Tech Comm field---Take in a chapter program! Our current offerings are as follows:

• Aug 19 Pam Coca "Crackin' the Code", a live webinar about QR codes
• Sept 9 Jack Molisani “Be the Captain of Your Career” presented at Total Wine on Camelback  Jack is an engaging speaker! For details on this presentation and Jack, go to the MPTC Meetup site.
• Oct 15 Steve Ballard “Using DITA for Large Scale Projects” presented at Intel in Chandler
  Chapter celebrates Technical Communication Week
• Nov 18 Chip Gettinger and PJ Bartlett “The Future of Technical Communication in a Content World” presented at Discount Tire in North Scottsdale

You can find program information at the MPTC Meetup site throughout the year.

Metro Phoenix Technical Communicators Lunch

Where: ZTejas in Chandler, AZ 85226 (Ray and 54th St)

7221 W Ray Road, located 1 block east of I-10. map

When: Friday, August 8 12:30 - 1:30

What: Join colleagues for lunch and to share ideas. Individuals pay for their own meals.

RSVP at the Metro-Phoenix Technical Communicators Meetup site. 

Thanks to those who have stepped up to volunteer for next year! (We'll see you on the election ballot in November!) Here are the current volunteer opportunities:

Nominations Chairperson needed for chapter election in November

Position highlights are listed below.

• Start date: Mid-September  End Date: Mid-November
• Tasks include working with the President, communicating with candidates, sending ballots to chapter members, and communicating election information to others throughout the process
• Estimated time commitment: 15-20 hours
• Current Nominations chairperson is available to advise.

Vice President needed for 2015

Position highlights are listed below.

• Start date January 1, 2015
• 2 year commitment,if possible
• Tasks include planning program meetings, submitting community achievement award paperwork,running meetings when the President is not available, and providing input for special projects and other chapter plans.
• Current Vice President is available to mentor.

If you are interested volunteering, contact Kim Rosenlof.

One of the chapter's goals this year is to renovate the Phoenix chapter website. The team is organized and ready to tackle this challenge. If you are interested in working with WordPress, either as a coder or content writer, we'd love to have you join the team!

If interested, contact Kim Rosenlof.

We'd like to extend a special "welcome back" to STC Fellow and former chapter President Tom Barnett. We look forward to seeing him at upcoming chapter events!

Now is the time to take advantage of STC membership offerings that apply for the rest of 2014. 

• Classic Membership dues are 20% off until September 1 ($144.00)
• For technical writers that are new to the field, STC offers a special status called New TC Professional. This includes Classic membership status plus 1 SIG & 1 Chapter designation. ($120.00)

For more details on dues, see http://www.stc.org/membership/join-or-renew-now/1154-dues-schedule-policy

Sept Program Mtg   

Mark Your Calendar

Chapter Elections Learning Opportunities

Kim Rosenlof

President

president@stc-phoenix.com

Jeanette Lee-Randall

Vice President

vp@stc-phoenix.com

Lou Kummerer

Secretary/Treasurer

treasurer@stc-phoenix.com

Evening of Sept 19

D'Vine Bistro in Chandler

RSVP at the MPTC Meetup site

October 12-18

Sherri Lynn Porter

Take advantage of tiered pricing in September. The sooner you register, the lower the price!

Nominations Due

October 1

Are you just starting out in the technical communication field or have you been in the field for awhile but need to rekindle the enthusiasm and drive to pursue your career dreams? Either way, perhaps it's time to get some assistance with navigating those choppy career-waters. At the Sept. chapter meeting, Jack Molisani, STC fellow and author of the new book, Be the Captain of Your Career, will steer you toward career success.

During his 20+ years experience, Jack has seen every mistake the professional (or not-so-professional) can make to sabotage their efforts in today's highly-competitive job market. In his presentation, Jack will discuss short-term tactics and long-term strategies to help you avoid those mistakes and stay on-course toward your career goals instead.

About the Speaker

Jack, a frequent speaker at conferences, also organizes and produces the LavaCon Content Strategy and User Experience Conference. He is the founder and President of ProSpring Technical Staffing, an agency that specializes in placing project managers and technical communicators in contract and permanent positions.

The Meeting

The meeting will begin with a 30-minute wine tasting session and a light meal, followed by a short chapter business meeting. The presentation begins at 7:00 PM. Attendees who do not wish to participate in the wine tasting should arrive between 6:30 and 7:00 PM.

Where: Total Wine and More on Camelback

1670 E Camelback map

When: Tuesday, September 9th  5:45 to 8:45 PM

Agenda:

5:45 Sign-in and networking

6:00 Wine tasting and light dinner

6:30 Break

6:40 STC Phoenix Chapter meeting

7:00 Be the Captain of Your Career presentation

Cost:

$20.00 per person paid in advance through the MPTC Meetup site

Additional Notes:

• Paid MPTC and STC Phoenix Chapter members and current Technical Communication students who present a valid student ID will receive $5.00 refund at the meeting.
• Students must be over 21 years old to participate in the wine tasting. ID will be required.
• Meeting charge includes a light dinner and presentation. Wine tasting is offered complimentary by Total Wine and is not part of the charge. No additional refunds are given to those who choose not to participate in the wine tasting.

To register, go to the MPTC Meetup site.

Metro Phoenix Technical Communicators Evening Meetup

Where: D'Vine Bistro in Chandler, AZ map

3990 S Alma School Rd.

When: Friday, September 19  5:30-7:30

What: Let's socialize or discuss technical communication over a leisurely glass of wine at the end of the week. Arrive early to take advantage of D'Vine's Happy Hour Menu and specials (ends at 6:00PM). Beer is also available.

RSVP at the Metro-Phoenix Technical Communicators Meetup site. 

Chapter officer elections will be here before you know it!  Expect to see candidate biographies in October followed by election ballots at the beginning of November. Some candidates have already committed to running in Nov., but there is still time for you join their ranks! To learn more, contact chapter president, Kim Rosenlof.

Still needed: Nominations Chairperson. Position highlights are listed below.

• Start date: Mid-September  End Date: Mid-November
• Tasks include working with the President, communicating with candidates, sending ballots to chapter members, and communicating election information to others throughout the process
• Estimated time commitment: 15 hours
• Current Nominations chairperson is available to advise.

If you are interested in volunteering for this task, contact Kim Rosenlof.

Fall is a great time to pick up new skills or to meet Tech Comm experts. Take advantage of any of the following events.

• Sept 22-24 Best Practices Conference in Washington state
• Sept 25    Tech Editing SIG Webinar: Editing Training Materials 
• Oct 12-15 LavaCon Conference in Portland, Oregon
• Oct 22-24 Information Development World Conference in San Jose CA