President's Message

Building a Strong Community
By Kymm Nelsen

While the last year has been full of challenges for many of us, it has also offered a powerful gift- a stronger WVC community. Our members have reached out to each other to help ease the struggles these economic times have brought. Through shared adversity and a commitment to the common goal to withstand the economic crunch, we are transforming a negative into a positive.

This WVC community effort began last January, when we sponsored a workshop that focused on helping you retool for this "new economy". More than 50 people, WVC members and non-members alike, volunteered their time and energy to make this event happen. It was a tremendous success and many of the resources gathered from that workshop are still available online at http://www.stcwvc.org/januaryworkshop/ . If you're facing a career transition, I hope you'll take advantage of this valuable resource.

The spirit of community continues with a recent outpouring of volunteers who stepped forward to help with various tasks announced on the WVCANN list. Our Volunteer Coordinator, Darinda LaFlash, is matching those volunteers with opportunities as I write this. WVC and its individual members benefit from each contribution. We are grateful for each and every one of you.

The next few months bring program meeting topics selected to support you, whether you're looking for work or you're overworked in your current job.
· January: Stress Management for the Stressed Out, presented by Nancy Hopps, a relaxation expert who has been involved in research projects funded by the National Institute of Health, and the National Institute of Mental Health. You'll learn simple, effective ways to de-stress when it seems too much to overcome.

Other new happenings in the chapter include:
- Supporting the new student chapter, Rose City Chapter
- Launching a pilot SIG, the Senior Advisory Panel, to provide a clear voice for senior-level topics
- Teaming up with the Mid-Valley Chapter for a spring workshop

Whether through mentorship, active participation in the chapter or just lending a helping hand at a SIG or other event, our community is strong and continues to grow. Thank you to all who have chosen to give to the chapter and to your colleagues. Your efforts really do make a difference.

Warmly,
Kymm

Kymm Nelsen is owner of KymmComm, a web design, development, and training company that serves the community through education, website services and promotions. She is president of the Willamette Valley Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication. Kymm can be contacted through her website at www.kymmcomm.com.