 Thursdays @ STC Chicago
Join fellow technical communicators for lunch at the following locations on Thursday, March 5. City Location Caffè Baci at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm 2 N LaSalle St building (entrance on Madison) Chicago, IL 60602 Noodles & Company at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm 900 Milwaukee Ave. Lincolnshire, IL 60069 Western Location DuPage Inn at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm 2410 Ogden Ave. Downers Grove, IL 60515 Northwestern Location Jason's Deli at 11:30 am - 1:00 pm 1530 McConnor Pkwy. (off Meacham, just south of 90) Schaumburg, IL 60173
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. |
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
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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
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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/
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STC Webinars
STC is offering the following webinars this month:
Wednesday, March 4 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST
Presented by John Collins
Wednesday, March 11 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CST
Presented by Ray Gallon
Wednesday, March 18 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CST
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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.
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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.
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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
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Alliance Meetings
CODIC
Saturday, March 14
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
ODN Chicago
Thursday, March 12
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!
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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
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