Managersí SIG Manager Information

Describe the purpose of the SIG and your role in approx. 50 words.
The Manager's SIG is an opportunity for local Technical Publications managers to meet and 
discuss issues and new developments that affect their profession. While most STC events 
are geared for technicalcommunicators as
developers, the Managers' SIG provides a forum for management-specific topics, such 
implementing processes, leadership, and hiring & retaining staff.

How many hours of your time per month does your role require?
Including time to commute to meetings, approximately 6-8 hours.

Where do you typically meet?
At the Newport Bay restaurant in Tanasbourne (Hwy 26 & 185th).

Who do you contact at this location to make arrangements?
Whoever is taking reservations that day.

How far in advance do you call to arrange meeting facilities?
One day.

Do you provide refreshments for the meetings? If so, what?
No.

What is the meeting charge for STC members and non-members?
No charge.

When do you meet? (i.e., 3rd Tues. of each month; no July/August/December meetings)
The third Friday of each month at 11:45 a.m.

Who are the last 3 managers of this SIG? (Please list the years when they served.)
The previous manager was Bill Space. I don't know who came before that.

What suggestions or tips do you have for future managers of this SIG?
Suggest a list of topics for the year and ask the SIG members for feedback.  Preparing the 
list in advance makes the monthly arrangements go much easier.

Which meeting topics haven't drawn many people?
"Skills development and career paths for technical communicators" was sparsely attended. 
Also, "Process maturity in companies and information development" was a little below 
average in popularity.

Which meeting topics have been especially popular?
"Single-source publishing" and "Metrics for information development" have been the most 
popular to date.

Please list all the months/topics of this season's meetings.
1999-2000 Meeting Topics:
September--(prior to my term)
October--(prior to my term)
November--Single-source publishing
Decemberócanceled
January--Metrics for information development
February--Process maturity in companies and information development
March--Skills development and career path for technical communicators
April--Information development future directions (technologies & methodologies)
May--Assessing customer needs
June--Salaries, recruiting, hiring, retaining; the temperature of the local market
July--Organizing the technical communication staff effectively
August--Information access-making it easier for the customer
September--Testing documents for effectiveness and usability

Do you have any meeting ideas that you have in reserve, but didn't have time to implement?
I recently received an inquiry from a potential guest speaker on the topic of localization. I 
would also like to explore the possibility of an evening social event for local managers.

In the space below, please provide a sample or template of your standard meeting 
announcement, or attach a file.

Sample meeting notice:

This month's STC Managers' SIG meeting will begin at the new time,
11:45
A.M, this Friday at the Newport Bay restaurant. The discussion topic
is
"Metrics for Information Development," as described on our web page
(http://www.stcwvc.org/sigs/sigs_managers_next.shtml).

I have received a couple of RSVPs already; please let me know by 5:00
on
Wednesday if you plan to attend.

Thanks,
Erling


Erling Nielsen
Manager, Operations and
Information Development

GenRad, Inc.
10795 SW Cascade Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97223
Phone: (503) 624-1776 ext. 255
FAX: (503) 968-1666
http://www.genrad.com/


Thanks very much for your help!