What Can
You Give Back?
by Bonni Graham,
Region 8 Director-Sponsor
"Gee,"
I said to my friend with a new job, "Being a technical writer sounds
interesting. I don't suppose you need any interns?" He did, and I
landed my first technical writing job. Within six months, they had rightsized
my friend and handed me the department. Two months after that, I was ready
to quit.
None of my
SMEs returned drafts on time. My management didn't understand what I did
or take it seriously. The software kept changing, and I found out only
by accident. There were three development teams and one of me. Deadlines
didn't move, although feature sets increased and internal releases didn't
work. My software tools were inadequate and my computer underpowered.
I spent most of my time in meetings where nothing was decided.
Remember,
this was pre-Dilbert, so I had no idea these issues were status quo across
all areas of a tech corporation.
Then I found out about STC and went to my first meeting. I sat at a table
with some of the most senior members of the San Diego Chapter. Collectively,
there was something like 250 years of technical writing experience at
the table (counting my eight months). What did everyone talk about?
None of their
SMEs returned drafts on time. Their management didn't understand what
they did or take it seriously. The software kept changing, and they found
out only by accident. There were three development teams and one of them.
Deadlines didn't move, although feature sets increased and internal releases
didn't work. Their software tools were inadequate, and their computers
underpowered (OK, except Peggy Cathcart's since the aerospace industry
hadn't quite bottomed out yet). They spent most of their time in meetings
where nothing was decided.
I felt a
great weight lifted from my shoulders — it wasn't me! It wasn't hard
because I was bad at it; it was hard because it was hard! I've been a
big supporter of STC since then. My staff are all members; they and I
go to meetings; we serve as judges and managers in the competitions; and
I've served conferences, meetings, and leadership summits. I've volunteered
time and office space for STC activities because I always get something
back and because I feel I need to pay something back for all the good
I've gotten.
Surely you
remember that feeling: the meeting you went to where a tablemate had solved
a problem you were wrestling with and gave you that solution. The seminar
that taught you how to use a crucial tool-at a far lower cost than you
could have found it elsewhere. The meeting topic that showed you a new
or better way to perform a task. The job lead you wouldn't have found
out about any other way.
STC is a
volunteer-run organization. Events like chapter meetings, regional conferences,
competitions, leadership summits, and much more happen because people
just like you give of their time and energy to make it happen for you
and for other members and the community.
You may be
thinking that you don't have a lot of time to give; that's understandable.
Believe me, with three kids in the house and a fledgling business in a
challenging economy, I understand the crunch of time. But there's plenty
to do that doesn't require that much time:
- If you have an area of expertise, volunteer to speak at your local chapter. (Also, send me a line. One of the biggest challenges chapter leaders are facing right now is getting enough speakers for chapter meetings. I'd love to start a regional speaker's list.)
- Write an article for your newsletter.
- Ask the chapter Webmaster if you can help with updates to the Web site.
- Serve
as a competition judge. (It's less work and more rewarding than you
might think.)
- Help the
regional conference committee. (My next column will provide more info
on that.)
If you volunteer with a specific task and time commitment in mind, you'll find that it's manageable and even fun. STC volunteers are a great group of people. Think about what you can do, do it, and watch the benefits come back to you. I did, and it's been worth every minute.
