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I've received plenty of inquires to justify the posting of
an FAQ summary. Here goes
WHAT IS SDP? *************************************************************
SDP is the Society for Documentation Professional, a small, local group
of documentation specialists that meets in Woburn (about 10 miles
West of Boston), about 7 to 8 times a year, and presents
programs of interest to technical communicators.
(Job Market, Editing, Multimedia,
Screen Design, etc.).
HOW BIG IS SPD? **********************************************************
SDP's membership is about 130, and approximately
30-70 members and non-members attend each presentation.
I'M A MEMBER OF STC, BUT NOT SDP. WHAT's THE DIFFERENCE? *****************
Approximately 67% of the SDP members also hold membership in STC.
(I am a senior member and a board member of each organization).
SDP tends to be VERY informal, and lots of fun. It's also a great
mechanism to GET JOBS. Unlike STC, SDP is small and local.
Some folks like SDP because it offers a very informal and
friendly atmosphere, and presents complimentary programs to
STC. I tell everyone I know that they should join both organization.
STC, because it's national, has an education focus, provides
informative journals, etc., and because there are lots and lots
of volunteer opportunites where you can grow as a professional,
and meet some neat folks.
SDP, in contrast, is small, but over the past 11 years, it has
offered some good presentations, that have helped professionals
and students further their careers, etc.
O.K., WHERE DO THEY MEET, and WHEN? ********************************
Baldwin's Restaurant, Woburn, MA.
Located across the circle from the Ramada Inn at the junction of
Route 38 (Main Street) and Route 128 (I-95), Exit 35.
(Shoot out of Boston up 93, and it's a hop-skip-jump from
the 93/128 intersection., Or run up 128 from the South, and
it's 5-10 minutes north of the Burlington Mall on 128).
WHAT DOES IT COST? ***********************************************
Budget Membership is $35/12-month period
Gold Membership is $99/12-month period
Meeting Fees
Gold Membership: all meetings are free
Budget membership: $10 per meeting that you attend
Non-members: $15
Students: $12
WHERE DO I GET MORE INFORMATION? ********************************
Well, what more do you need? Just show up for a meeting.
But if you want a brochure or something, call (508) 750-0450 and ask
for some SDP information (it's the office of our secretary who is
also a head-hunter [oops -- "placement specialist").
