Re-upping STC membership?

[Stephen Arrants]

I haven't found the salary surveys all that useful, except as a "ballpark" guide to rates.  Even when I tried using a survey, I often got more accurate information from talking to other tech writers in the area I worked in (Seattle area, SF Bay/North Bay, Vermont). Calling some writing managers to do a reality check on an offered rates was sometimes useful.  If I read the seminar information correctly, we're asked to pay $99 (STC member price) for the webinar on salaries.  

I don't know...I've been a member for twenty years (boy, time flies!) and I've always gotten more out of the local group than the big, (inter)national STC. To be honest, the Society's publications haven't been all that useful or informative to me for quite a few years. "Intercom" articles seem to be too introductory, too geared to the novice. "Technical Communication" seems too academic and not really grounded in the real world of what I do every day. 


I'm *really* on the fence about renewing membership this time around. The only things that are pushing me to do it are the folks leading the Vermont chapter and the resources they make available--good meetings and seminars, and membership in something called "The Professional Collaborative (STC members can attend ASTD, PMI, and other organization meetings at no or low cost).  

So what am I going to do?  Mull it over and make a decision at the last minute, most likely.



-- 
Steve Arrants   steve at mbfbioscience.com
Writer
MBF Bioscience  (Microbrightfield, Inc.)
+1.802.288.9290 ext: 124
www.mbfbioscience.com