STC March Meeting and State of the Union Address
STC-Montreal Event | Posted February 27th, 2010
Want to know what’s up with the Society for Technical Communication?
Are you a technical writer? Do you want to be a technical writer? Then STC-Montreal’s March Meeting is the place to have a drink, schmooze, and learn more.
A special welcome to all of the students who attended the recent job fair at Concordia University!
STC-Montreal President Everett Larsen will give a brief report about the state of the Montreal chapter and the organization as a whole. He will also talk about how to use social networking tools to market yourself.
When and Where
When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 — 7 p.m.
Where: Pub Alexandre (second floor) — 1454 Peel, Montreal (Google Maps)
Cost: No cover charge.
February 28th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Posted by Michel Di Stefano.
I’m just curious. I looked up the expression, “State of the Union Address.” Here is what I found: “The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President of the United States to the United States Congress.”
Is Mr. Obama coming to address the STC Montreal chapter? If so, I’ll be first in line.
Seriously, why is the STC Montreal chapter using a typically American expression to call a meeting. I have nothing against the USA, but as a Canadian and a Quebecer, I find the term slightly offensive in this context.
So much for making an effort to protect Canadian culture.
February 28th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Posted by Andy Gural.
It’s a concession to our cousins since the don’t know how to play hockey.
February 28th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Posted by Andy Gural.
Err…they, I mean.
February 28th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Posted by Jim Royal.
Well Michel, please offer a suggestion for a different headline.
What short phrase comes to your mind that has the same connotations as “state of the union address” — that is, a public statement of the activities and status of the organization — that is more Canadian in character. “Throne speech” I think sounds a bit grandiose.
February 28th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Posted by Ev Larsen.
I don’t know, Jim; I kind of like the sound of Speech From the Throne, but that wasn’t what I had in mind for the gathering. I will be remarking on the overall unity of the organization, and of efforts by Canada chapters to coordinate more closely, but perhaps we should entitle the event “Question Period.”
February 28th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Posted by Poppy Quintal.
I believe that Town Hall Meeting is the term that we have used in the past.
It is defined as “an informal public meeting which gives the members of a community an opportunity to get together to discuss emerging issues and to voice concerns and preferences for their community.”
March 1st, 2010 at 7:12 am
Posted by Michel Di Stefano.
I agree with Poppy – Town Hall Meeting seems more appropriate and less foreign.
Speech From the Throne is definitely Canadian, but it brings up wierd visions – I don’t want to go there!
Have a good day everyone.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:14 am
Posted by Michel Di Stefano.
oops…weird
March 1st, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Posted by Andy Gural.
STC-palooza?
March 3rd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Posted by Jim Royal.
“Town Hall” is shall be in the future, then.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Posted by Poppy Quintal.
Michel, whatever it is called, I still hope to see you there on Tuesday.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:43 am
Posted by Nada.
Hi all,
I am a new member of the Montréal chapter (longtime member of the Eastern Ontario one) and planning to attend tonight…
cheers!
Nada
March 9th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Posted by Poppy Quinal.
Nada, I am looking forward to meeting you.
And I am certain I will not be the only one.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Posted by Michel Di Stefano.
I enjoyed the Town Hall meeting held 9 March at Pub Alexandre. I was thrilled to see old friends and to meet new ones. Having been away for so long, I preferred to listen much more than talk. Judging from the discussions, I came away thinking that the STC Montréal chapter should begin to look at a Plan of Action for the future. It was obvious to me that change is obviously coming.
Several questions need to be addressed.
. What is the Montréal chapter`s vision for the short, medium, and long term?
. What are the options open to the Montréal chapter?
. Complete separation from STC headquarters.
. Status quo.
. Sovereignty Association with other Canadian chapters? (sound familiar?)
. Other options.
. What are the financial projections based on each option?
. What are the membership issues for each option?
. What services can be offered under each option?
The situation, I believe is serious enough to start looking at this problem immediately.
A three or four page Plan of Action presented to the members and supporters would open up brain storming sessions that would allow the STC Montréal chapter to be better prepared for an uncertain future.
If headquarters had done their homework five or ten years ago when the member interest started to decline, I do not believe that they would be in the difficult situation they are in today.
The Montréal chapter must not fall into the same trap.
Any thoughts?
March 12th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Posted by Ev Larsen.
Greetings Nada, good to meet you at Pub Alexandre; and Michel thanks so much for outlining here the components of an action plan. As you say, it is obvious that change must come.
Our chapter Administrative Council has been debating many of these points already. One additional point that I didn’t emphasize as much as I wanted to is the option of becoming a fee-based service organization, charging flat fees for our programming. We certainly do have some choices to make in the near future.
Watch this website for more information on our transition options and to all readers, it’s YOUR organization so please do offer feedback for improvement.