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Journals by EmailWhile at the STC Summit in Atlanta, I learned the results of the Intermountain Chapter elections: 21% of our chapter had voted, and they unanimously agreed to my becoming president and our current treasurer remaining in her position. Before I received that email, I told a few people that I was pretty sure that I was president. It seems picky, but I didn’t want to count that chicken before it busted free of that egg.
I talked to some other chapter leaders over the course of the conference. In those conversations, I thought it relevant to mention my position. This is a generalization, but technical communicators don’t seem to care as much about hierarchy as members of other professions do, so it’s not like I had to introduce myself as a chapter president in order to get people to talk to me. But it seemed that when it was relevant to introduce myself that way, the other person was only too happy to talk.
Frankly, I ran for president because we’ve been without one for the last year. Our treasurer has been president in the past—more than once is the impression I’ve gotten—and she has been the heart and soul of our chapter, pushing it forward from her positions on the board, believing that STC can be a significant professional asset. I was a senior in college when she asked one of the professors in the tech comm program to choose a student to build a proceedings site that could be distributed on CDs to the attendees of an Intermountain Chapter conference. I was picked, and that was my first interaction with Marj.
So one of the reasons I ran for president was for Marj’s sake. She needed assistance from a level up. I’ve learned that sometimes a leadership position is only good for what you can do for other people by virtue of that position. Sometimes you can get something done only because you can say “I’m the president.” People listen to that. And the chapter needs someone who can say that and then do something positive about it.
The main reason I ran is not because I thought I had amazing ideas or I wanted attention. In fact, I hate being a spectacle, which is probably why giving a presentation isn’t my favorite thing to do. I ran because I think I can give the chapter a nudge in the right direction. I think I can help people see that they can get more out of STC for the same dues they’re already paying. They can become more skilled professionals and more informed about what is happening in the field.
I want people to see that paying dues isn’t all it takes to get something. In college, I remember one student in particular who claimed that the tech comm program wasn’t preparing us for the profession. He expected to just pay his tuition and fees and then magically become a technical communicator that any company would have to be crazy not to hire.
At the same time, I thought I was getting a good deal. I was taking advantage of a couple of internship opportunities and an honors program to maximize my education. I think I graduated pretty well equipped for an entry-level position.
It’s the same thing with professional organizations. Just paying some dues isn’t going to transform a person into a better professional. Some action and participation is required. I hope that as president I can help a few people see that so they can maximize their membership.
I met the president of the Trans-Alpine Chapter, CJ Walker, at the Summit. Her story was to some degree like mine: She pretty much came out of nowhere and became president of a chapter that was struggling in participation. It’s good to know that there’s another president out there who understands the situation.
I don’t have a monopoly on good ideas. I attended part of Leadership Day at the Summit and heard some of Bernard Aschwanden’s presentation on what the Toronto Chapter has done to increase participation. I don’t think we’re ready to take the steps he did, but it certainly gave me some ideas. I talked with a couple of my officers the other night, and we came up with the idea of creating a PR position to help us with getting attention and membership. We also have a goal to hold webinars so we can reach more of our members.
I would like to know what you expect from a professional organization. What could your local chapter (STC or otherwise) do to help you develop professionally at a low cost? Why do you join professional associations? I know a few of the Intermountain Chapter members are reading, and I appreciate your ideas also.
A year seems like a short time to get something done. But it’s enough time to see progress. My goal for the year is to increase our membership and active participation, and we’ll set specific numbers on those goals soon. As my doctor told me today, even if my HDL cholesterol level is up by only five or ten in the next six months, at least it’s up.
STC—Raising Your Good Cholesterol.
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1 Comment to 'Early Thoughts as Intermountain STC Chapter President'
May 13, 2009
Ben, as you have discovered, sometime all it takes to be president is to show up and say, “Okay, I’ll do it.” Congratulations don’t help get anything done, but I wish you good luck and cooperation from the chapter members. Go ahead and ask for specific help with any specific tasks for whatever needs to be done. Many members probably want to contribute, but they’re scared to death to be the one who takes charge. Again, good luck.