June/Ju;y 2006

Volume 46, Number 6

Seems We Just Get Started...

by Ron Arner

I thought I'd be elated to finally be writing my last editorial for Technicalities. That didn't sound quite right; let me begin again...

Well, after three plus years at the helm, the time has finally come for me to relinquish my rule over our chapter's newsletter. I'll be turning it over to some new (and not so new) leadership. Dana Dutson, Donna Brannan, and Steve Wertzbaugher will be taking over the management of the newsletter with the next issue. I've been trying to get someone else to take over the role of editor for the last year or so, which is why I thought I'd be happy to finally be writing this, my last editorial.

Instead, the first thought that came to mind when I sat down to write was the old theme song from the Carol Burnett show. You know the one I mean: the one she used sing at the end of every show:

I'm so glad we've had this time together,
Just to have a laugh or sing a song.
Seems we just get started, and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say "so long."

A long time ago...

I remember when Martha Sippel asked me if I'd like to take over the role as Managing Editor of the newsletter. I was so flattered that STC leadership would trust me, a newcomer to the organization and technical communication, with such a tremendous task, that I couldn't say no. I soon found out that the newsletter was a lot more work than I thought it would be. (Lesson number one: stop and think about it before you volunteer for anything.)

Fortunately, I've been blessed with some great volunteers who never hesitated when asked for help with story ideas, article editing, article summaries, article writing, and general moral support. I couldn't have managed this newsletter without Jay Mead, Bridget Julian, Lynnette Reveling, Kristy Astry, and Deb Lockwood. (Lesson number two: STC RMC has some great community members.)

I hope you've enjoyed my tenure as editor as much as I have. There were times I thought for sure I'd made a horrible mistake and that someone would be sending me a letter with sharp criticism, but it never happened. I never heard anybody say "Hey, that issue was late," or "There were some serious errors in the article about..." (Lesson number three: STC RMC really is a nurturing professional development community.)

As I finish this last column, I'm almost wondering why I've been so increasingly eager to step aside as Managing Editor. Has it really been so time consuming? Maybe I'm just ready for a new challenge. Oh that's right, I forgot. Lesson number four: there are a lot more things I'd rather be doing on a Friday night than finishing up the next issue of Technicalities. I mean, I could be working on interactive Websites, surfing the Web to learn about the newest XML innovation, or reviewing some basic grammar and style lessons. Hmmm, you know, that's what working on Technicalities was letting me do all along.