Spread the Word

by Beth Atchison

How do we generate interest in technical communication within the Des Moines Metro area?
How should we promote our chapter and our profession?
How do you think we should do it?

The International Society for Technical Communication’s Mission Statement provides a series of goals for designing the future of technical communication:

• Enhance the professionalism of the members and the status of the profession.
• Provide information through publications, reports, and conferences.
• Report on new communication technologies, methods, and applications.
• Provide recognition and awards.
• Provide services to members at all levels of the Society.
• Promote the education of members and support research activities in the field.
• Give service to industry and academe.

Promotion of STC and Technical Communication is an important part of achieving these goals and this is also our goal within the Des Moines Chapter of STC.

As technical writers, multimedia artists, editors, Web designers, graphic designers, translators and others who make technical information easily understandable, we are often at a loss to explain what it is we do in our job as technical communicators.

We need to provide information to the Des Moines business community through fliers, news articles, and our newsletter. We want to promote recognition of our members who receive awards from their employers for projects well done. We want to speak at high schools, college classes, and association events to explain who we are and what we do. But we can’t do it without our members' help!

• Are you willing to ask your employer if you can post our newsletter and meeting announcements on a bulletin board at work?
• Have you received recognition for a special project or award for your work that should be noted not only in our newsletter but also in your company’s newsletter?
• Would you be interested in talking to a high school English or communication’s class, or a college writing or journalism class about your job and what you do?
• Would you be able to speak to fellow employees in your company who may be interested in speaking at one of our meetings about Web design, graphic design, translation projects, or multimedia experience—anything that may help other members understand what a diverse group technical communicators are!

We are asking for your help in finding where we need to focus our public relations. Please e-mail Beth Atchison (blatchison@home.com) or Ruth Book (rebook@prowriting.com) with ideas and suggestions. And, if possible, please volunteer to be a speaker or part of an education outreach team.