Hey everyone,
This will be my last post on this blog. After the conference, or maybe during the conference, Howard is going to take over. I'm leaving tomorrow to go to the conference in Philadelphia. I am really looking forward to it. Mike has arranged for our booth to be shipped and we will staff it. He has even volunteered his wife to staff it some of the time! Thank you, Mike, and to your wife. The chapter really appreciates it.
Speaking of Mike, on Monday, Mike will be installed as the Society 2nd Vice President. On Tuesday, I will be at the banquet with a number of our chapter members to cheer as Mike becomes an STC Fellow. This is really a time for celebration for our chapter.
On Sunday, Howard, Holly, Jen, I and others will be on hand for Leadership Day and to receive our chapter's award as a Chapter of Excellence! This is an honor and is a result of some very hard work by numerous chapter members.
I have put on my list to attend several of our members' sessions. I know Debbie Doyle presents on Tuesday at 1:30 PM. I'm looking forward to, "So, You Can Write. But Can You Think?" It does sound intriguing. I present with the Lone Writers' Progression on Wednesday. If there are any of you presenting, let me know. I would like to attend as many member presentations as I can this year.
Looking through the schedule of presentations, I have highlighted at least 3 in each time frame. I don't know how I can choose. The list I have doesn't have presenters listed, so maybe that will be a way I can trim my list. There are many presenters I love to hear.
Anyway, as my last official duty as your chapter president, I would like to thank everyone involved in the chapter. This has been a wonderful, if sometimes difficult, year for me. I owe it to all of you.
Thanks for everything,
Al
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Dates for STC Summit 2009 in Atlanta
I found out that the STC Summit in Atlanta in 2009 will be May 3 through 6, 2009. I think it is great that we are having the Summit in Atlanta. And it seems that it will be a recurring thing. As I understand it, the Summit will be on a rotating basis between several cities, which will include Atlanta. So every few years, Technical Communicators will be traveling back here to Atlanta!
Here is a link you should check out: http://stronglanguage.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/tell-about-the-south/. This link is from Steve Marshall. This link is about Atlanta and there is some interesting information in there. I will have to get some of these books.
Congratulations to Howard Speck, our new chapter president. Beginning in June, Howard will be posting to this blog, since he will take over as president June 1st.
It has been a long, wonderful, interesting year as chapter president. My last duty as chapter president will be attending the STC Summit in Philadelphia. (Although, technically, I will no longer be chapter president as of Leadership Day, June1.)
I will try to post more over the next few days.
Here is a link you should check out: http://stronglanguage.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/tell-about-the-south/. This link is from Steve Marshall. This link is about Atlanta and there is some interesting information in there. I will have to get some of these books.
Congratulations to Howard Speck, our new chapter president. Beginning in June, Howard will be posting to this blog, since he will take over as president June 1st.
It has been a long, wonderful, interesting year as chapter president. My last duty as chapter president will be attending the STC Summit in Philadelphia. (Although, technically, I will no longer be chapter president as of Leadership Day, June1.)
I will try to post more over the next few days.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
STC Atlanta Chapter Banquet
Wow! Has it really been that long since I last posted? I am really falling down on the job.
Anyway, this is important, so listen up: Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 PM, we are having our annual awards banquet at Maggiano's Italian Restaurant in the Perimeter area. You need to be there.
This banquet is where we honor the winners of our competitions and our volunteers. It is one of the last times I get to preside as your chapter president.
The food, in case you have never been to Maggiano's is excellent! (Much better than in year's past!) Even if you don't know anyone who is a competition winner, you need to be here! It is an excellent networking opportunity. There are many people present for this event that never show up at regular chapter meetings.
If you need more information and/or want to register for this event, go to: http://www.stcatlanta.org/banquet.htm.
If you have any questions about the event that this web link doesn't answer, please feel free to email me. If you can only go to one event this year, this is the event you need to go to. And you don't have to be a member to attend!
See you all there ...
Anyway, this is important, so listen up: Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 PM, we are having our annual awards banquet at Maggiano's Italian Restaurant in the Perimeter area. You need to be there.
This banquet is where we honor the winners of our competitions and our volunteers. It is one of the last times I get to preside as your chapter president.
The food, in case you have never been to Maggiano's is excellent! (Much better than in year's past!) Even if you don't know anyone who is a competition winner, you need to be here! It is an excellent networking opportunity. There are many people present for this event that never show up at regular chapter meetings.
If you need more information and/or want to register for this event, go to: http://www.stcatlanta.org/banquet.htm.
If you have any questions about the event that this web link doesn't answer, please feel free to email me. If you can only go to one event this year, this is the event you need to go to. And you don't have to be a member to attend!
See you all there ...
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Great Meeting
If you missed the meeting on January 15th, you missed a good one. Mark Wallace presented on "How to Run a Successful DITA Pilot User Assistance Project." We had very good attendance and it was an excellent presentation. Mark made his presentation based upon a successful pilot project at IBM ISS where he works. Thanks, Mark for that informative presentation.
Now, I would like to ask all of you a few questions. And this is especially for our STC Atlanta members but, even if you aren't members, I would like you to answer. Although I may be "preaching to the choir."
Do you view blogs? Do you use RSS to do so? Do you have a blog? How many RSS feeds do you subscribe to?
We are considering a blog format for our STC Chapter newsletter. We have had problems recruiting and keeping a newsletter editor. So this is an alternative. And it would also allow multiple inputs from different members and you can comment immediately on the articles. I think it will allow a more interactive format. And we will have an RSS subscription link so you will immediately know when a new entry has been made.
What do you think about this format?
Until next time ...
Now, I would like to ask all of you a few questions. And this is especially for our STC Atlanta members but, even if you aren't members, I would like you to answer. Although I may be "preaching to the choir."
Do you view blogs? Do you use RSS to do so? Do you have a blog? How many RSS feeds do you subscribe to?
We are considering a blog format for our STC Chapter newsletter. We have had problems recruiting and keeping a newsletter editor. So this is an alternative. And it would also allow multiple inputs from different members and you can comment immediately on the articles. I think it will allow a more interactive format. And we will have an RSS subscription link so you will immediately know when a new entry has been made.
What do you think about this format?
Until next time ...
Friday, December 28, 2007
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to everyone!
It has been an interesting year. When this year started, I had no idea I would not be at EarthLink anymore. I did not know how difficult it was to run an STC Chapter. I did not know how difficult it was to get someone to run the chapter newsletter. I didn't know how difficult it was dealing with difficult people as a chapter president.
Now on to the new year. Do you make New Year's resolutions? I do sometimes and sometimes I don't. I believe, if I am not going to keep them, then why make them? Comment on this blog and let me know.
Here are some of my resolutions for this year:
It has been an interesting year. When this year started, I had no idea I would not be at EarthLink anymore. I did not know how difficult it was to run an STC Chapter. I did not know how difficult it was to get someone to run the chapter newsletter. I didn't know how difficult it was dealing with difficult people as a chapter president.
Now on to the new year. Do you make New Year's resolutions? I do sometimes and sometimes I don't. I believe, if I am not going to keep them, then why make them? Comment on this blog and let me know.
Here are some of my resolutions for this year:
- Play more golf!
- Help make this year's Currents conference the best conference ever!
- Find someone to run CommLink! Someone who will consistently put out monthly issues.
- Show appreciation to the wonderful people that help run our chapter!
- Thank my wife for allowing me the time to attend STC events and for supporting me in my position as chapter president.
- Figure out the best way to provide assistance to Howard (and the other officers) as he takes over as chapter president in June.
I'm sure I will have more over the next few days as the New Year approaches. Until I see you next year, I hope you and yours will have a wonderful New Year and that all of your resolutions will be easy to keep!
Until next time ...
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Holiday Party was Great!
I hope you didn't miss the Holiday Party this past Tuesday night. If you did, you missed a great time and great food.
I want to thank Robert for putting this together, for finding the place, and the great door prizes. I want to thank Holly for the interesting and fun games we partook in. I want to thank Smoke Jack BBQ restaurant for the wonderful service and great food! And I want to thank everyone that came and brought a new toy! I don't have the exact number at this point, but I believe the Children's Restoration Network will be very happy!
I always enjoy seeing people again that I haven't seen in a while. And meeting spouses and children of those people I know through STC. I met Kathleen's husband for the first time (we talked golf - he's a high school golf coach!) and Debbie's daughter (what a sweety! Debbie, I know you must be proud!). Dirk and Michelle shared a table with me and my wife (Paulette). We also were a team for Jeopardy! We did fairly well, but need to brush up on Atlanta history.
My only regrets were that I didn't have more time to spend with each of you who attended. Thanks goes out to TechLinks for attending. I wish everyone could have attended. If you didn't, make plans to do so next year. It is one of those events that really make your holidays happier!
Until next time ...
I want to thank Robert for putting this together, for finding the place, and the great door prizes. I want to thank Holly for the interesting and fun games we partook in. I want to thank Smoke Jack BBQ restaurant for the wonderful service and great food! And I want to thank everyone that came and brought a new toy! I don't have the exact number at this point, but I believe the Children's Restoration Network will be very happy!
I always enjoy seeing people again that I haven't seen in a while. And meeting spouses and children of those people I know through STC. I met Kathleen's husband for the first time (we talked golf - he's a high school golf coach!) and Debbie's daughter (what a sweety! Debbie, I know you must be proud!). Dirk and Michelle shared a table with me and my wife (Paulette). We also were a team for Jeopardy! We did fairly well, but need to brush up on Atlanta history.
My only regrets were that I didn't have more time to spend with each of you who attended. Thanks goes out to TechLinks for attending. I wish everyone could have attended. If you didn't, make plans to do so next year. It is one of those events that really make your holidays happier!
Until next time ...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays to all of you and to your families,
I just wanted to take a moment of your time to wish you all Happy Holidays.
This time of the year makes me think of family and friends and fun! And, right now, I am thinking about our STC Atlanta family. I would like to personally invite all of you to the STC Atlanta Holiday Party. The party takes place next Tuesday, December 18, at Smoke Jack BBQ in Alpharetta which is located at 29 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Their phone number is 770-410-7611. And here is their web address: http://www.smokejackbbq.com/.
This is an entirely social/networking event (there will be no speaker), so come prepared to mix, mingle, and have a good time. All you have to do is provide a new unwrapped toy, and we'll provide a full sit-down dinner! How can you beat that?
If you can't get a toy in time, just bring $10. This social event is for members and friends of members who want to tag along and learn more about STC Atlanta and its members.
As our Community Services Manager, Julie Brock says:
“Bring a Gift and Make a Difference
Children's Restoration Network (CRN) is holding its 13th annual 12 Days of Caring campaign this December to collect new toys, gifts, and clothing for over 1,900 children living in shelters and group homes in 18 counties around metro Atlanta. You can read more about CRN and its mission at www.childrn.org. Last year, STC Atlanta chapter members donated over thirty gifts to contribute to CRN’s campaign. This year we’re hoping for a repeat performance. Bring a gift to the December 18 holiday party at Smoke Jack BBQ in Alpharetta and we’ll waive the $10 entry fee.
Please bring gifts unwrapped so that CRN can make sure each gift goes to the child or teenager who will appreciate it the most.
Items needed
New toys, gifts, games, books, new clothing, shoes, winter clothing, cosmetics, ethnic dolls, CDs, alarm clocks, watches, sports equipment and clothing, jewelry, scrapbooks, baby items.
CRN typically receives more than they need for younger kids and less than they need for older kids. They especially need clothes in sizes XL to XXXL and shoes in sizes 9 to 12.”
So, please, come and enjoy a fun evening of food, fun, and networking! And you will be able to help a needy child at the same time.
Please RSVP to me by Monday morning, December 17, so we can be prepared with enough food and fun for everyone.
Again, I hope all of you have the happiest of Holiday Seasons, and I hope to see you there.
I just wanted to take a moment of your time to wish you all Happy Holidays.
This time of the year makes me think of family and friends and fun! And, right now, I am thinking about our STC Atlanta family. I would like to personally invite all of you to the STC Atlanta Holiday Party. The party takes place next Tuesday, December 18, at Smoke Jack BBQ in Alpharetta which is located at 29 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Their phone number is 770-410-7611. And here is their web address: http://www.smokejackbbq.com/.
This is an entirely social/networking event (there will be no speaker), so come prepared to mix, mingle, and have a good time. All you have to do is provide a new unwrapped toy, and we'll provide a full sit-down dinner! How can you beat that?
If you can't get a toy in time, just bring $10. This social event is for members and friends of members who want to tag along and learn more about STC Atlanta and its members.
As our Community Services Manager, Julie Brock says:
“Bring a Gift and Make a Difference
Children's Restoration Network (CRN) is holding its 13th annual 12 Days of Caring campaign this December to collect new toys, gifts, and clothing for over 1,900 children living in shelters and group homes in 18 counties around metro Atlanta. You can read more about CRN and its mission at www.childrn.org. Last year, STC Atlanta chapter members donated over thirty gifts to contribute to CRN’s campaign. This year we’re hoping for a repeat performance. Bring a gift to the December 18 holiday party at Smoke Jack BBQ in Alpharetta and we’ll waive the $10 entry fee.
Please bring gifts unwrapped so that CRN can make sure each gift goes to the child or teenager who will appreciate it the most.
Items needed
New toys, gifts, games, books, new clothing, shoes, winter clothing, cosmetics, ethnic dolls, CDs, alarm clocks, watches, sports equipment and clothing, jewelry, scrapbooks, baby items.
CRN typically receives more than they need for younger kids and less than they need for older kids. They especially need clothes in sizes XL to XXXL and shoes in sizes 9 to 12.”
So, please, come and enjoy a fun evening of food, fun, and networking! And you will be able to help a needy child at the same time.
Please RSVP to me by Monday morning, December 17, so we can be prepared with enough food and fun for everyone.
Again, I hope all of you have the happiest of Holiday Seasons, and I hope to see you there.
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