October/November 2006

Volume 47, Number 2

Networking with your Colleagues: October Chapter Meeting Reviews

North Networking Meeting Well Received

by Ron Arner and Deb Lockwood

On Thursday night, 10/19, a group of technical communicators from STC RMC met at Peet’s Coffee & Tea near 92nd and Sheridan. This meeting, in conjunction with a similar networking meeting held at Darcy’s Pub and Bistro in the Denver Tech Center, constituted the chapter’s October meeting.

Lively conversation at October's networking meeting at Peet's Coffee and Tea

Those of us at Peet’s found it a great atmosphere for an informal business meeting. The coffee, tea, and cookies abounded while we discussed several topics including where we thought our industry and we were heading in the near future. Most participants thought that they would continue to work through the traditional retirement age of 65, but possibly change their focus to more creative types of writing, like white papers and magazine articles.

Other topics discussed were how to adapt our methods and deliverables due to continued changes in technology, and what we will need to do to effectively reach our audiences in the next few years.

Chatting at Peet's

A particularly intriguing topic arose as we discussed the future: group knowledge that may eventually replace the oracles or experts of previous years. That means that we would depend on the Wikipedias of the world as the collections of our common knowledge rather than depending on the expertise of one person. As was mentioned, we had a very interesting discussion!

The meeting format seemed to be well received by all attendees, and several people said they would like to continue to meet informally in the future.

Informal Setting Sets Stage for South Networking Meeting

by Frank Tagader

The inaugural free-of-charge STC RMC networking meeting provided a casual forum for those who attended the gathering at Darcy’s Pub and Bistro to share ideas, ask questions, and just relax and enjoy the time. While the attendance was limited to 11 people, the bar setting set the mood for small groups to form (generally three to four people) sharing ideas on subjects including what it takes to go independent, usability, job searching, pay levels, chapter meetings, and the future of the profession.

The get together took the place of a formal STC RMC meeting the evening of Thursday, Oct. 19. Many of those in attendance at the popular Denver Technological Center watering hole felt it was a nice change of pace and would welcome other meetings of this type in the future. While this session was geared towards attracting members from the southern suburbs and the southern portion of Denver, another gathering took place simultaneously in the northern part of the Metro area to serve those who wanted to get together in more of a neighborhood atmosphere to spur conversation and sharing.

Because of the noise level in the bar, the entire group was unable to interact with one another. A list of possible conversation topics was passed around, but was rarely referred to. Still, it provided a chance for people to converse. There was a mixture of individuals who regularly attend, one non-member, and a few members who either have not attended previously or have not attended in a few years.