The monthly Tech Comm Café met on August 12 at BG Urban Café in Metrotown, Burnaby.
Surprisingly on such a hot, humid night, we had an excellent turnout. One member brought her “traveling air conditioner” (a spray bottle attached to a battery-operated fan), which was very much appreciated by this writer! As someone put it, “tech writers have the best gadgets!”
Announcements:
- The STC is offering a discount membership rate of only $75 for new members who join before Sept. 14. Details at stc.org/.
- This month’s chapter collaboration meeting, Aug. 15, is an on-line session using Adobe Connect. Details on the STC CWC website, https://stcwestcoast.ca/.
- The chapter is always looking for volunteers. Come to the collaboration meeting or contact volunteer (at) stcwestcoast (dot) ca.
- Four job leads were shared.
Q&A session: Does the STC have a group medical plan for contract writers? Unfortunately, it has a plan for US members only. However, check entrepreneurial associations to see if they have any medical plans, or look into business groups in your area.
Tech talk: How to choose a smartphone? Everyone pulled theirs out and shared why they liked their particular brand, style, features, and voice/data plans offered by various service providers.
Informational interviews are starting to pick up. One member was looking for volunteers to speak about the tech writing certificate programs with a young engineer looking at transitioning to technical writing. Thanks to the two alumni from BCIT and SFU who volunteered their time.
A member thoroughly enjoyed a creative writing course recently and recommended that all technical writers learn to write fiction. This shifted the discussion to what people are reading these days, and then a lively debate on “real books” vs. e-readers. The majority still prefer the feel of a physical book, especially textbooks and dictionaries, which let you bend page corners, use a highlighter, and find interesting things accidentally while flipping through, and they are (or seem) faster than the Internet for looking things up.
Many thanks to Autumn Jonssen for moderating the meeting and keeping everyone on track with her smartphone timer app. Special thanks to Heather Sommerville for continuing organization of the TCC.
We’re looking for someone to moderate the next meeting and another to write an article about it. Interested? Contact volunteer (at) stcwestcoast (dot) ca.
Next Tech Comm Café: Wednesday, September 9, 2015 – NEW LOCATION
The TCC provides networking opportunities, job leads, answers to work-related dilemmas, and a burst of professional energy to keep you motivated. We discuss technical writing tools and techniques, career planning, portfolios, and anything else related to working as a technical communicator.
We welcome anyone who’s interested in technical communication — contractor, in-house, student, long-time tech writer, STC member, non-member, career-changer, or recruiter. We hope to see you at the next meeting!
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Time: 6:30–8:00 pm Pacific Time
Location: Allegro Café, Whole Foods Market, 510 West 8th Avenue at Cambie, Vancouver. The Allegro is the smaller coffee bar on the mezzanine level, with entrance on the Cambie Street side (not downstairs where we have previously met). Close to Broadway-City Hall Skytrain (Canada Line), Broadway buses; pay parking on the street or in the Whole Foods underground parkade, entrance on West 8th Ave.
Agenda
- Introductions. Take 60 seconds to introduce yourself, your background, current activities. A good chance to try out that new elevator speech.
- Announcements and job leads. If you know of an interesting event or a job opening, or you’re looking for work, share it with the group.
- Brainstorming Q&A. Ask about a work-related problem and discuss potential solutions.
- Speed networking. Spend a few minutes with a new contact, exchange business cards, and discuss your professional backgrounds and goals.
