To help us try to ensure seating for everyone, please email the site contact (listed above for each location) and let him or her know you're coming. Drop-ins are always welcome, but reservations are recommended. Questions? See Thursdays @ STC Chicago.

Want to start a group of your own? Contact info@stc-chicago.com to learn how.

March Chapter Meeting: Recognition & Awards Banquet

Join us and keynote speaker Jack Molisani on March 19 for our Recognition & Awards Banquet, where chapter awards and competition awards are presented.

In addition to the awards presentation, we will have some very special door prizes!

Jack's Bio

Jack Molisani was a project officer in the Space Division of the UASF before stating ProSpring Technical Staffing, an employment agency specializing in engineers, project managers and medical/technical writers.

Jack has a degree in Computer Engineering from Turlane University in New Orleans, is a Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication, and a member of the Project Management Institute.

Jack also produces the LavaCon Conference on Digital Media and Content Strategy, a yearly conference founded in 2002 to help businesses manage technology projects.

When

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Program starts at 6:00 pm; dinner at 6:30 pm

Where

Jimmy's Charhouse

1180 W Devon Ave

Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

March AC Meeting

STC Chicago's Administrative Council meets once a month to discuss chapter business and to plan upcoming events. All AC meetings are open to the public. March's meeting takes place:

Saturday, March 14

9:00 am

Einstein Bagels

1727 Freedom Drive

Naperville, IL 60563

Joint Chapter Webinar - An Aggressive Approach to Concise Writing with Joe Welinske

Only one day left to register for our joint STC chapter webinar hosted by Joe Welinske tomorrow, March 3 with STC Chicago, STC Wisconsin and STC of S.E. Michigan!

About The Webinar

This session offers a number of examples and techniques for reducing the footprint of your prose while maintaining a quality message. The examples used are in the context of mobile UA but can be applied to any technical writing situation.

You Will Learn

How research shows the problems with overly complex text in small-screen and mobile environments.
How Simplified Technical English and Plain English can improve your writing.
How aggressive redesign of traditional writing styles can significantly reduce word count and improve readability.

Please visit our website for additional information.

About Joe

Joe Welinske specializes in helping your software development effort through crafted communication. The best user experience features quality words and images in the user interface. The UX of a robust product is also enhanced through comprehensive user assistance. This includes Help, wizards, FAQs, videos and much more. For over twenty-five years, Joe has been providing training, contracting, and consulting services for the software industry. Joe recently published the book, Developing User Assistance for Mobile Apps. He also teaches courses for Bellevue College, the University of California, and the University of Washington. Check out the Events page for upcoming classes and industry presentations.

User Assistance Boot Camp

Seattle - April 15-17

We're going to hit an aggressive agenda at WritersUA West with two separate sequences of UA-specific learning - for newbies and pros. "UA Boot Camp" features certificates in Basic Training and Grad School. Over thirty sessions covering all aspects of software user assistance. Registration is just $695. All of the conference details are here: http://west.writersua.com/

STC Webinars

STC is offering the following webinars this month:

Wednesday, March 4 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST

Putting Out Fires With Content Strategy

Presented by John Collins

Wednesday, March 11 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CST

If They Know It's Help, We've Failed

Presented by Ray Gallon

Wednesday, March 18 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST

Part 3 in API Series: Helping The Code Tell The Story: How To Present Effective Code Samples

Presented by Joe Malin

Wednesday, March 25 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST

Report From 20 Years In the Self-Employment Trenches

Presented by Thea Teich

Candidates Sought for 2015-2016 Offices

Are you ready for an exciting leadership opportunity? More and more employers want candidates with solid leadership skills and leading the STC Chicago Chapter offers an excellent opportunity to gain and hone those skills.

The nominating committee is now accepting nominations for the offices of Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and two members of the nominating committee.

The Vice President serves for one year, becoming president in 2016 and Immediate Past President the following year. The Secretary and Treasurer are elected for a one-year term. Members of the nominating committee serve a two-year term. All terms begin in July 2015.

The nominating committee will hold elections mid-March and announce the results in April.

If you or someone you know is interested in one of these positions, please contact the committee at nominating@stc-chicago.org.

STC Chicago Student Scholarships

STC Chicago is currently accepting applications for two scholarships worth a total of $1,500 to encourage local academic excellence, provide the profession with educated communicators, and promote greater awareness of and participation in STC.

1st Scholarship:

$1,000 for educational purposes
1 year paid STC Student Membership including the Chicago Chapter dues (a $100 value)

2nd Scholarship:

$500 for educational purposes
1 year paid STC Student Membership including the Chicago Chapter dues (a $100 value)

Visit our website to download an application. All applications are due March 15, 2015.

2015 Pacesetter Award Applications Due

Have you done something innovative with the chapter this year? Consider submitting a Pacesetter Award application to not only get recognized for your work, but also to help other chapters improve their processes.

Unlike STC's other Community Achievement awards, which recognize communities for consistent strength in various activities, the Pacesetter Award recognizes the successful implementation of a single, beneficial innovation that may be implemented by other STC communities.

To learn more or to apply, visit STC's Pacesetter Award webpage. (If you apply, consider notifying president@stc-chicago.com so we can keep track of our community's applications.)

STC Summit 2015 Registration Open

The 2015 Summit will be here before you know it! Mark your calendar for June 21-24 in Columbus, Ohio. Registration is now open!

More Networking Opportunities

The Summit now offers three networking receptions included in your registration. Don't miss out on the fun at the Opening Reception, Communities Reception, and new Honors Reception!

We've replaced the traditional banquet in favor of a livelier reception format, scheduled to start after the education sessions end on Tuesday. The

Honors Reception will feature hors d'oeuvres and appetizer stations and will celebrate this year's honorees, including Fellows and Associate Fellows. Join your STC colleagues in networking with and congratulating these individuals.

Also new this year is the opportunity for Speed Networking, taking place in the Expo Hall. Looking to branch out and make new connections? This event will be the ultimate networking opportunity at the Summit and put you in contact with industry movers and shakers.

New Education Tracks

The education tracks have been reworked based on direct feedback from Summit attendees and the latest industry trends. These tracks are designed to allow you to efficiently plan your educational opportunities at the Summit. With over 80 sessions and seven specialized tracks, you'll walk away with applicable knowledge for your particular job. Tracks include:

Art, Design, and Visual Communication
Leadership and Management
Tools and Technology
Training and Research
Writing and Communication
API Documentation
Consulting and Small Business Management

Check out the Summit website for more information.

Alliance Meetings

ATDChi (formerly CCASTD)
Wednesday, March 18 & 19

2-Day Thiagi Workshop: Really Rapid Instructional Design

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Thursday, March 19

THIAGI: Dinner with an Industry Icon

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Thursday, March 26

Onboarding, A Flight Plan for Taking Your Workforce to New Heights

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

CODIC

Saturday, March 14

SOAR Methodology and Apply an Appreciative Inquiry Approach to Personal Branding

8:30 am - 12:00 pm

ODN Chicago

Thursday, March 12

Influence Tactics

5:30 pm dinner, 6:30 - 8:30 pm program

Be sure to check out the Alliance website for additional details and other upcoming events across Chicago!

At-a-Glance Photo Contest

This month, people all over the globe will celebrate St. Patrick's Day. For the folks in Dublin, Ireland, St. Patrick's Festival is a 4-5 day celebration where the party never stops.

What year was the first St. Patrick's Festival in Dublin, Ireland?

Send your answer to pr@stc-chicago.com. The first person to respond with the correct answer wins a $20 giftcard to Amazon.com. Check our blog for news of a winner.

Contestants are eligible to win only one prize within any 12-month period. We notify the winner via email.

STC Chicago Social Networks

Society for Technical Communication

2014 STC Community of Distinction

2013 STC Community of Excellence

2012 STC Community of Distinction

2011 STC Community of the Year

www.stc-chicago.com