Certification Discussion at Reg. 5 Conf.

[LaVonna Funkhouser <lffunkhouser -at- HALNET -dot- COM>]

Either Misti or Becca wrote in part:

>ARUGH!!! I'm unlikely to get to go to Seattle, and this is a hot topic for
>me: my employer is really pushing certification, but the only things he can
>think of as appropriate for writers is to become certified in the tools we
>use, like Word...

If certification of technical communicators is a hot topic where
you work, then perhaps you would be interested in attending the STC
Region 5 Conference coming up Sept 29 & 30 in Tulsa, OK.  One of=20
the sessions will be a discussion led by Larry Kunz, STC's Assistant
to the President for Professional Development.

Here's Larry's summary:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STC and Certification:  Issues, Answers, and Actions (discussion)

Should there be certification for technical communicators? If so,=20
what form should the certification program take, and who should=20
run it?  STC is currently investigating these questions, and we=20
would like all interested members to take part in discussing the=20
pros and cons.  The session will cover:

=B7 STC=92s investigations into certification in the past
=B7 Current issues in the profession
=B7 Pros and cons of certification
=B7 STC=92s current investigation
=B7 What we hope to accomplish

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Of course, this is just one of several interesting sessions that
will be presented at the conference.

If you live in AZ, NM, TX, OK, AR, LA, or MS, and you are a member
of STC, you should be on our mailing list to receive a registration
brochure (to be mailed at the end of July).  Otherwise, if you are
interested in attending the conference and you want to be on the
mailing list, send a note to Suzanna Laurent and include your
postal address.  Her e-mail address is=20
   slaurent_at_AIGWHQ -at- mailhost -dot- aig -dot- com -dot- 

If you have questions about the upcoming conference, you may
write to me.  In general, I'll say that STC regional conferences
are a bargain!

LaVonna
  LaVonna F. Funkhouser           Immediate Past President, OK Chapter
  lffunkhouser -at- halnet -dot- com         Program Manager, 1995 Region 5 Conf.=20
  technical writer                Society for Technical Communication
  COREStaff Communication Svcs.        =20
                                   =20
  My opinions do not officially represent anyone other than me.