I was an STC member for two years. My input has a shorter focus than many long-timers.
There have been deep dues increases that appear to be the result of a large drop in membership. The drop in membership has caused a drop in service (i.e. the salary survey). In an effort to cover the administrative overhead they have raised dues and cut services. Most organizations would try to identify why there? was an exodus and tailor their offerings to attract more members. By raising the dues on a yearly basis they are pricing members out of the rolls and creating an environment where only those who work for corporate sponsors are willing to continue to pay these rates. Most of the offerings for webinars and conferences were overly expensive and therefore of little value. I loved the Lone Writer SIG and appreciated the local chapter meetings that I attended occasionally. But, this was not worth the $180 investment out of my own pocket. The ROI just wasn't high enough for me to justify more time, talent and treasure to STC. I can still attend the local chapter meetings for a few dollars more than the member rate. And it seems like I have found another list serve for the online SIG benefits. I am also a member of my local ASTD chapter. ASTD has a chapter membership level with annual dues of $100. I'm sure some of this money is bound for the national organization. There is also an International dues structure for those who want to belong to the international organization. I think STC will have to evaluate a chapter centric approach to the organization and restructure accordingly if they want to continue to offer services. Teresa Trujillo Book Workshop/Mighty Designs 1501 E. Orangethorpe Avenue Suite 130 Fullerton, California 92831 Phone (714) 525-0882 Fax (714) 879-7156 Cell (714) 926-8343 -----Original Message----- From: Bill Swallow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sue Heim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; tcp@techcommpros.com Sent: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 9:47 am Subject: Re: [TCP] STC Refugees (was Re: New User Introduction) Speaking from my own experience, things are a bit wonky with the STC right now. Good people trying to do good things, but administrivia seems to get in the way, and there seems to be a disconnect between Society goals and Staff initiatives. I do hope that last bit gets sorted out. I know a few things have irked some members this year. The salary survey was nixed in favor of a paid-for model with a limited freebie option, but it's US-centric and the data is limited to the government's limited knowledge and statistics concerning tech writing. That peeved a few people. Also the recent "tip of your tongue" marketing campaign rubbed quite a few people the wrong way (it was complete with images of animals licking their chops). There were others, but those were more recent as the year closed. I also see a decline in the quality of communications coming out. It's not so much the content, but the delivery. Announcements tend to be lost in long articles, important info is sent in a buzzword bingo e-mail, etc. Overall, as a Senior Member and SIG Manager, I feel a bit lost, and then overwhelmed when I do catch up. I've not yet re-upped my membership for 2008. I'm still on the fence. I see a lot of potential, but if things continue the way they have been going, that potential will be lost, no matter what people put into it. Just my thoughts. Bill On Jan 4, 2008 12:32 PM, Sue Heim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > OK, I'm curious... > > What's going on? This is not the first we've seen of folks coming here from > STC lately (in one form or another). Are you all not renewing your > memberships? Why? > > I'm a bad example, since I've not renewed in the past 2 years, but I thought > things were improving? Or heading that way? If there's this big giant > exodus, then apparently either it's not improved, or something else has > happened? > > Curious minds (and kitty kats) wanna know... :) > > ...sue -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. 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