STC Rochester Chapter

Thanks to our STC Rochester 2012 Sponsors for your support! You’re making it possible for us to deliver quality programming, especially with our 2012 Spectrum conference.

Adobe

RIT Department of Communications

Front Runner Training

Vasont

Webworks

ThirtySix Software

Xerox

LavaCon Conference

TechWhirl

TechSmith

Madcap Software

RIT Venture Creations

Related articles

• Spectrum 2012 Opportunities for Support (stc-rochester.org)
• Spectrum 2012 (spectrum.stc-rochester.org)

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

We’ve opened up registration to this April 4th webinar to everyone. It’s free for Spectrum registrants, $15 for STC members, and $20 for non members. Sign up today at http://stcrochspectrum2012webinar.eventbrite.com/

Abstract

Technical communicators are highly skilled in translating the language of one group into something another group can understand. However, few think of themselves as knowledge specialists—people who can capture, preserve, and present the cognitive content of an organization as no one else can.  Few take business, management, or leadership courses that would provide a better understanding of the roles they can play in helping organizations achieve their goals. When it comes to writing a resume and cover letter, those who pride themselves in being great communicators often fall short when it comes to stating what they offer in terms that hiring managers and recruiters can appreciate.

These are just a few of the reasons we are offering this webinar. Come learn how to translate your skills, knowledge, and competencies into a value proposition that makes clear to an organization what you can offer that can help it achieve its business goals. Learn how to find and use available resources to speak to an organization using language it understands, how to find its pressure points and offer relief, and how to align yourself with its mission and values. Learn how to liberate yourself from a narrow definition of what you can do and expand your expertise into roles and capacities that enable you to step up to the plate and offer solutions when leadership doesn’t know who to ask, what to ask for, or how to ask for it.

Conference Chair Notes:

Bettie’s topic is the perfect introduction to Spectrum 2012’s conference theme Knowledge, Expertise, Leadership. Our conference format and presenters are dedicated to empowering techcomm professionals with the necessary skills to be change leaders in their companies and in their lives. Join us to learn business skills, technical skills, and soft skills that will help you create opportunities and enhance your career.

Consultant and writer Pam Sherman will discuss tools for leadership presence

She’s an actor, writer, columnist and outlaw.

Pam Sherman, also known as “The Suburban Outlaw,” will bring her irreverent and energetic take on leadership and success as keynote presenter for the annual Spectrum  2012 conference. The event, “Knowledge, Expertise, Leadership: Influence Change in Your Organization,” is hosted by the Rochester Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, in partnership with Rochester Institute of Technology, and takes place April 22–24.

Sherman’s address opens the event at 6:30 p.m. April 22 in RIT’s Golisano Hall auditorium. A reception follows immediately afterward. Workshops take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 23 in Louise M. Slaughter Hall. Information about registration and fees for member, non-member and student participants is available on Eventbrite.

The event is open to managers, information architects, instructional designers, technical writers and editors, technical marketing communicators, Web designers, graphic artists and students. Spectrum 2012 offers a variety of educational sessions in four tracks: management methodologies, workplace skills, professional development and tools and technologies. There will be a separate vendor track for product demonstrations and education. Attendees can also visit exhibits by leading technical communication industry vendors and enjoy a luncheon to honor winners of the Chapter Technical Publications Competition Awards.

Sherman leads programs around the world for Fortune 500 companies, law firms and advertising agencies about improving leadership, business development, customer service and communications. In addition, she provides individual and team coaching to executives and other business leaders on storytelling and presentation skills.

She is however, best known as The Suburban Outlaw, and her column can be read weekly in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle and monthly in Gannett’s Rochester Magazine where she also contributes feature articles.

For additional questions about the conference or to register, contact spectrum@stc-rochester.org

Related articles

• Register Today for Spectrum 2012, April 22-24, 2012 (stc-rochester.org)
• Spectrum 2012 Opportunities for Support (stc-rochester.org)

I believe that the degree of satisfaction you gain from involvement in a professional organization is directly related to the depth of your involvement. One of the most rewarding ways to serve is in leadership. We’ll have elections for our 2012-2013 leadership council in May and we’re currently seeking nominations for all positions.

We have a great chapter and are one of the most accomplished in all of STC. Don’t assume that we can continue to provide a great experience without your help!

Here’s a short list of what you may experience from active involvement in STC Rochester and serving on the leadership council:

• The opportunity to network globally with leading technical communications practitioners.
• The opportunity to network face-to-face with the local chapter.
• Engagement with high level and challenging thinkers in the technical communications profession that will help sharpen your thinking. Iron sharpens iron.
• Opportunities for recognition through tech pubs competitions at local and international levels.
• The opportunity to be a change agent, to impact a close circle of fellow practitioners in a positive manner.
• The opportunity to help an organization reinvent itself to keep pace with a changing profession and society.
• The opportunity to use your skills and knowledge to mentor others and help them advance in the profession.
• The opportunity to forge friendships with a great group of people who face similar challenges.
• The opportunity to participate in regional and international conferences.
• The opportunity to learn.
• The opportunity to experience the joys and challenges of casting a shared vision.
• The opportunity to learn and practice servant leadership.

The following positions are open for nominations for 2012-2013:

• President
• Vice-President (one or two positions)
• Treasurer
• Recording Secretary
• Program Manager (one or two positions)
• Education Manager
• Member at Large (two positions)

Position descriptions are available at http://stc-rochester.org/2012-13-stc-rochester-leadership-positions/ or contact Ben Woelk at nominations@stc-rochester.org