Localizing STC Part 2: A Work in Progress

By James V. Romano, STC Director

In the last issue of Indus we discussed ways to make STC a more “localized” experience for its members—that is, how STC can become both a global and a local professional organization. There are many ideas on how to make that happen, and I am happy to report progress on several of them.

Localized Dues

At the September 2005 meeting of the STC Board of Directors, a new dues structure was approved. For the first time in its history, STC will charge membership dues that are linked or scaled to the national economy of where the member resides.

There are three “tiers” of dues: Tier 1 (mature markets); Tier 2 (developing markets); and Tier 3 (emerging markets). India has been classified as an emerging market for STC dues purposes.

For STC-India members, the new rates for STC (renewing members), to take effect 1 January 2006 (but available as you sign up or renew as of now) will be:

• Classic membership: $80. 

• E-Membership: $75.

• Limited: $70.

• Student: $50.

• Retired: $50.

Please note that all new members in STC pay an additional enrollment fee of $15 when they join. Renewing members do not have to pay this fee again unless they let their membership lapse before they renew. Dues are payable on December 31st of each year and must be paid by February 28th so they won’t lapse.

All dues are in USD. There are more complete details and cost options (such as the cost of additional communities) that can be found on stc.org as you renew.

In effect, the cost of STC membership for India chapter members has been reduced by half. While some may perceive this as an inequity (since members in Bangalore will pay half of what members in Boston pay), I firmly see this as an investment in the future of global technical communication. It will be a testament to the success and fairness of localized dues when STC India and other emerging-market chapters grow to several times its current size, and we look forward to STC’s “investment” bearing fruit in the form of chapter growth and prosperity.

Localized Education

Before discussing our efforts in localized education, I would like to bring to your attention the fact that STC has a new Interim Executive Director, Mr. Rob Moran. Rob took the reins from Mr. Peter Herbst in time for the September Board Meeting, and he has hit the ground running with a long list of initiatives and ideas for making STC stronger and better. But first, a word of thanks to Peter Herbst for his many years of hard work on behalf of STC—we wish him well in his future endeavors.

The topic of localized educational offerings—Webinars, seminars, training programs, etc.—is closely tied to the way the STC Office manages its programs. There are technical issues, financial and budgetary implications, contractual obligations with partner-companies that run the programs, and other logistical and administrative factors that make it a bit of a challenge to, say, offer a Webinar at a local time for STC India members.

Still, I believe the Office, under Rob, is up to the challenge. It will take some time to work out the details, but localized educational offerings are somewhere on STC’s horizon and with it the bridging of a gap between what the Society offers members locally and the value they get from their local chapter. In effect, STC will be offering global educational programs locally.

Finally, a word about awareness. I have always found it ironic that the countries where communications are more expensive or spotty (phone service, media, Internet access, cost of books and magazines, etc.) often have a greater awareness of what’s happening in the world than those in developed countries who have an excess to easy, cheap information. Put another way, India probably knows much more about the US than the US knows about India! While I cannot change that broad socio-cultural fact, I can say that at least as far as STC is concerned, the Board is learning very quickly about the great work done by the India chapter and its members. There is a deeper awareness evolving that the Board represents a global STC, not just a US or Western STC. This year’s STC-India conference will be attended by an ex-President, Andrea Ames, who will be traveling with the support of our current President, Suzanna Laurent, and I believe that future conferences will also see strong involvement by Society leaders.

Perhaps the next step is for some entrepreneurial and committed STC India members to step up and volunteer for Society-level work, or to run for a Society-level office. If anyone would like more information on how to go about doing that, please do not hesitate to contact me.

James V. Romano is a senior member of STC and President and CEO of Prisma International. He is currently the Director-Sponsor of STC Region-6, which includes the India chapter.