TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Idunno. Maybe it's me. I'm a little slow to catch on sometimes.
But I've been following this STC thread and all I see are comments
like:
"I don't think the pubs are useful"
"I get more out of free pubs"
"I don't get my $-worth"
And most of these comments appear to be from writers who are
generally considered to be senior in our profession. And so
here I am, a senior writer -- okay, well *old* anyway! ;-) --
and I'll tell you what I get out of my STC membership.
I get to go to meetings and network with my peers.
I get to write articles for my chapter newsletter, my sig
newsletters, and Intercom.
I get to write papers and present them at conferences. I get
to *go* to the conferences because "presenting papers at
professional conferences" is one the career objectives on
which my job evaluation is based.
I get to share my 15+ years of experience with those who
follow behind me, so I get to influence the profession and the
way in which it grows.
I get to see what other writers are doing and to learn from them.
And, y'know... I feel as if I *get* plenty in return for my dues.
So, just maybe, if you don't feel as if you get quite enough, you
otta try to give back a little. When it comes to ROI, seems to me
you get a lot more R if you put in a little I once in a while.
But then again, sometimes I'm a little slow to catch on.
