TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
L>Then, of course, there are ancillary issues -- at least one of
L>which is very important to STC: Should the Society restructure
L>its membership categories and/or change the qualifications for
L>membership?
No. I think membership should be open to anyone who is interested enough
to join it. It's not like people join for the status symbol it
represents. <g> I think determining credibility and such is the role of
certification, not membership.
L>- Someone mentioned that certification might lead to government
L> control of our profession. But I think certification might actually
L> be a way to forestall government intervention. By certifying, we
L> (as a profession) might be able to persuade the gummint that their
L> involvement isn't necessary, that we already have a self-regulating
L> process in place.
I agree here, although I think the government would be most likely to
regulate what goes into manuals, not who writes them. For example,
requiring that Warning 100058697 goes with any possible electrical shock
hazard.
L>- Arlen: I pay my own STC dues. And I think a great many of my
L> colleagues -- including all those who are self-employed -- do too.
I've paid my own dues at two companies where I've worked full time and
now pay them as a freelancer. It's well worth the money.
Barb
barb -dot- philbrick -at- pcohio -dot- com
---
* CMPQwk 1.4 #9107 * A pile for everything, and everything in its pile.
