A Bi-Monthly Newsletter
Volume 6, Issue 2, March 2003
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President's Message

When our editor asks for this President’s Message, I often find myself looking at a blank screen, wondering what it is I want to share with you. It’s that infamous Blank Page Syndrome faced by writers throughout time. The possible topics run from a pedantic discussion about where the economy stands to a newsy discussion about what’s coming in the next few months. Somehow, neither of those feels appropriate today. What feels appropriate to me is to talk about the incredible integrity, fortitude and generosity I’ve seen in our chapter since the economy took its little dip into scarcity.

Integrity. It means being true to yourself. It means finding the courage to define yourself in new ways when the old ways just don’t work anymore. When I hear a senior-level writer describe how he reevaluated his career direction and decided to complete a minor in marketing because he’s always loved writing persuasive copy – even when it means a large swing away from his managerial and economic aspirations – I witness integrity. Responding to challenges with self-evaluation and action is a mark of excellence and integrity. Integrity is realizing that you are more than your paycheck and that you can be true to your dreams, no matter what others might think. I have seen this standard written in the faces of our chapter over and over again as you redefine yourselves in response to change. It makes me proud to serve you.

Fortitude. The willingness to get up when you’ve been knocked down; enduring countless job interviews and the daily struggle to rise above the gloom and doom of economic naysayers. Over the last two years, I have witnessed fortitude I never knew existed in our chapter. When I see the faces of those of you who I know have been out of work for many months, faces that are still smiling, still focused on growing as professionals, I am filled with admiration. You are not quitters. You are determined to create the career you envision. You will ride this out and will emerge stronger than ever before.

Generosity. It is a true mark of character when one gives when most afraid of loss. Even in the midst of your own job loss, many of you have stepped forward to assist others with perfecting their resumes, preparing for their interviews and affirming their value in the technical communications field. Even beyond this one-on-one support, we’ve had more volunteers in the chapter this year than we have had for the last two years. You have responded to personal challenges by giving your spirit, your time and your energy. What greater measure of generosity can there be?

It must be obvious by now that I feel you are a great group of people. You continue to teach me about the value of our work in technical communication. Without the character you display, communications between organizations and their customers would be lessened and suspect. Your integrity shows in your work. Your fortitude builds confidence in those who seek excellence. Your generosity opens our profession to more opportunity in the future. The Willamette Valley Chapter greets the spring of 2003 with our best foot forward.

Respectfully yours,

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.