Candidates –
Region One
Director Elections
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Donna Ford
There is little need for me to write much about either STC or the economic down turn in New England. Anyone who takes the time to read this message already values STC membership. Anyone who is asked to read this resides in Region 1 and probably knows someone who is no longer doing technical writing due to the dot com bust or out-sourcing. Personally, I know three former chapter leaders whose new careers range from plumber, to master gardener, to Merry Maids owner.
Likewise, it is not my style to promote myself. Although I have yet to meet my fellow candidates in person , we all earned our stripes at the STC local level and each qualifies to become the next Region 1 Director. It might be worthwhile, though, to state why I am willing to toss my hat in the ring a second time for this position. But how does one explain a gut-level feeling that my turn is due?
To learn more about my qualifications see: http://www.stc.org/candidatesFAQ and more specifically please view my bio. here.
What is my style is to take this opportunity to offer encouragement to my fellow STC members. While one of leadership’s objectives is increasing membership, members seated at office desks are the real STC recruiters.
As we go about our daily work with integrity and excellence, we demonstrate to business management the value of hiring a professional technical communicator. When we take time to really know fellow employees, we may spot the budding writer hidden within the temp receptionist and encourage her muse. We can teach those around us how to use the bells and whistles in PDF or how to insert a screen capture into Word. We can talk to a nephew in high school about technical communication as a career, or volunteer to mentor students in a college technical writing program. We can volunteer as judges in our local STC competition. And when we decide to retire, we will have even more time to volunteer.
You have probably heard that “Knowledge is Power.” You may be surprised to know that the complete phrase is “Applied Knowledge is Power.” You and I together applying what others taught us and sharing it with the next generation is true STC Power.
Donna A. Ford
Candidate for Region 1 Director
John Garison
Thank you for taking time to research the candidates for office, and thanks in advance for voting in an STC election. The Society needs your input and more importantly, your participation.
Why am I running?
I am running for the Board of Directors because I want to use my experience to contribute to the Society’s goal of representing technical communicators to our employers and our audiences. We ourselves are not unanimous when it comes to defining what we do and what services we offer, so it’s understandable that the business world is confused too. If we are to advance as a profession we need to present ourselves as valuable contributors to corporate goals in a changing world.
So, how do we present technical communications as something necessary instead of a ‘nice to have’ adjunct to primary goods and services? Instead of reacting to change, we need to be proactive. STC needs to take a leadership role in defining what technical communication is, in showing how communications matter, and in presenting the profession as one of worth and merit. STC needs to demonstrate how technical communications can make a difference not only in how a product is perceived, but in the corporate bottom line.
The depth and breadth of my experience has provided me with an understanding of these issues, and I would appreciate the opportunity to contribute as part of STC’s governing Board. I welcome your input and would enjoy hearing what you have to say about our profession and our future.
More Information
Information submitted to the STC by all candidates for this election is online at the STC site at: http://www.stc.org/candidatesFAQ/
Additional information about me and my background and experience is found on my web site at http://www.garisons.com where there's a link to an expanded version of the information on the STC page.
Discussing the Issues
The STC Forum has a topic for the Region 1 election at http://stcforum.org/viewtopic.php?id=898 and it's a good place to discuss the issues that face us as a profession and as a Society.
Vote!
Please remember to vote between July 20 and noon, August 3, 2007. Thank you for your support.