Technical Communications Special Interest Group (SIG)

Happy New Year! I’m Julia Southwick, one of the SIG’s co-managers.

Here’s a quick introduction: 

I currently work at JHT - A Precise Systems Company as a Technical Writer and a graduate of UCF’s technical communication program class of 2019. As a neurodivergent technical communicator, I advocate for inclusive communication in my community and the profession. In my time with the former STC Florida chapter, I served as the chair of the communication committee, editor of the Memo to Members newsletter, co-chair of the 2021-2022 chapter mentoring program, chapter Vice President, and chapter President.

After STC declared bankruptcy, Jenn Buckly kindly offered the former STC Florida members a new home here at ATD Suncoast Chapter. She made a motion to create the Tech Comm SIG to the chapter board, and they voted in favor of Jenn’s motion. Thus, here we are! We’re putting events on the chapter calendar and would love for you to join us!

I’ve typed “tech comm” a bunch, but what is it? Technical Communication is the explanation of complex or specialized information about topics such as computer hardware and software, medical procedures and equipment, and environmental regulations in concise, easily understood language.

In July, some members of the SIG gathered to formally establish the SIG's mission, vision, values, and initiatives as outlined below.

Vision

To develop, empower, and enhance the practice of Technical Communication.

Mission

Creating and sustaining an empowering Technical Communication community.

Values

• Inclusivity: in our diversity lies our strength

• Community Caring: hospitable to our growing community

• Volunteerism: We are in touch with needs, which is why we volunteer

• Education: Each of us learns and grows throughout life

• Excellence: We value the achievement of our goals and initiatives

• Teamwork: cooperation within the team to reach your goals

SIG Initiatives

• Outreach to non-technical communications professionals who do tech comm

• Network with other groups

• Make and run an Instagram account

• Revive the Sunshine State Scriveners Discord channel

• Post on events and thank yous on LinkedIn

Leadership Qualities in Our Community

• Collaboration: Working together to achieve a common goal.

• Compassion: Feeling care and warmth for people and actively choosing to help; actively learning about different people, cultures, and perspectives.

• Courage: Strength that enables you to face difficulty and challenges without fear; bravery.

• Creativity: The use of imagination or original ideas to create meaningful change.

• Flexibility: Willingness to change or compromise; adjusting your thinking and behavior.

• Wisdom: Knowledge of what is true or right, and the insight to determine the best action to take.

The TechComm SIG will focus on building these leadership qualities in our Community:

• Working together collaboratively to achieve a common goal.

• Focusing on compassion, feeling care, and warmth for people and actively choosing to help; actively learning about different people, cultures, and perspectives.

• Strengthening courage that enables you to face difficulty and challenges without fear; bravery.

• The use of creative imagination or the development of original ideas to create meaningful change.

• Willingness and flexibility to change or compromise; adjusting your thinking and behavior.

• Developing knowledge of what is true or right, and the wisdom and insight to determine the best action to take.

Leadership Skills in Our Community

• Delegation: Trusting your teammates. Knowing your limits and putting your time where it counts most.

• Inspirational ability: Encouraging people to pursue a common goal; bringing out the best in them.

• Listening skills: Paying attention to what others are actually saying to understand.

• Long-term planning: Doing the right things pave the way for continued success for the team.

• Prioritization: Ability to prioritize team objectives and allocate resources accordingly.

• Problem-solving: Leading positive brainstorming sessions that define the problem once and focus on solutions.

• Team-building: The ability to engage new volunteers and make them feel like a part of the team.

• Time Management: Ensuring tasks are completed when they need to be.

The TechComm SIG will focus on building these leadership skills in our community by:

• Learning to delegate by trusting your teammates, knowing your limits, and putting your time where it counts most.

• Inspiring ability by encouraging people to pursue a common goal, and bringing out the best in them.

• Building listening skills by paying attention to what others are actually saying to understand.

• Learning to long-term plan by doing the right things pave the way for continued success for the team.

• Developing the ability to prioritize team objectives and allocate resources accordingly.

• Leading positive brainstorming sessions for problem-solving that define the problem once and focus on solutions.

• Engaging in team-building to engage new volunteers and make them feel like a part of the team.

• Practicing time management by ensuring tasks are completed when they need to be.

SIG Roles

SIG Manager

• Support operations of the SIG

• Attend board meetings & update the board on SIG events/support needs

• Plan hosts for program/networking each month

• • Rotation for hosting programs/networking

Program Planner

• Plan programs

• Add to ATD master spreadsheet

• Create calendar event

• Create event description & emails

Marketing

• Create promo graphics

• Post on LinkedIn

• Post on Discord(s)

Communications

• Write articles

• Post articles

• Help with event emails & communications as needed

Mentoring Coordinator(s)

• Pair mentors and mentees

• Support the mentor/mentee pairs

Student Liaison

• Helps plan joint events and cross-promote between students (UCF FTC, USF, etc.) and our Tech Comm SIG

• Supports the growth and recruitment of other programs, such as the tech comm mentoring program