Society for Technical Communication

DITA Production

Louise Tincher — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:26:05 +0000

Title: DITA Production
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
URL: Click here
Description: \”So I\’ve got a pile of DITA topics. Now what?\” This full-day workshop shows
you the different ways you can assemble topics for different audiences and
outputs. The focus is on hardcopy/PDF output and HTML output. The day begins
with a detailed hands-on look at ditamaps, the building blocks of your
publications. You\’ll learn how to assemble topics and set ditamap-level
attributes that enable you to customize the output. In addition, you\’ll
create ditaval files and use them to filter the output to include or exclude
certain content based on attribute values. Next, the workshop introduces you
to the FO Plug-in (for PDF generation) and covers some of the most common
customization issues. You\’ll then learn about some of the HTML formats, such
as XHTML, HTML Help, Web Help, JavaHelp and Eclipse Help. Finally, the
workshop takes you through the DITA Open Toolkit (OTK), explaining the major
parts and how each works, including stylesheets and build files.

Start Time: 8:30
Date: 2009-07-18
End Time: 17:00

DITA-In-a-Day: Authoring

Louise Tincher — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:24:06 +0000

Title: DITA-In-a-Day: Authoring
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
URL: Click here
Description: This full-day workshop begins with an overview of DITA-the intention behind
it and how it promotes a structured, single-source approach to authoring.
Next, you’ll learn about the concept, reference, task and topic information
types, including the purposes and components (elements) of each.
Instructional segments are followed by an opportunity for you to put the
principles you just learned to use, creating a set of DITA topics from
scratch. Then, you learn about DITA maps and, time permitting, create some
of your own, building different deliverables for different audiences. If
time does not permit, the instructor provides a demonstration of several
approaches to organizing a ditamap and the resulting output.
Start Time: 8:30
Date: 2009-07-15
End Time: 17:00

DITA Content Modeling

Louise Tincher — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:19:06 +0000

Title: DITA Content Modeling
Location: BloodCenter of Wisconsin, 638 North 18th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233
URL: Click here
Description: Following an overview of the principles of structured authoring (with a
focus on the DITA model), you’ll apply those principles to your own content.
Working with the instructor, you’ll physically deconstruct a current
publication (or part of one), breaking it down into individual,
self-contained, reusable topics. Next, you apply some basic DITA markup to
the topics to begin understanding the relationship between the elements and
your actual content. After markup, you’ll consider how you could create
multiple publications from various combinations of those topics and what
kind of changes you might need to make to the topics’ verbiage and
organization to maximize their reusability.
Start Time: 8:30
Date: 2009-07-11
End Time: 17:00

SWO-STC Strategic Planning Retreat

Judy — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:04:56 +0000

Title: SWO-STC Strategic Planning Retreat
Location: Springboro Library 125 Park Lane Springboro, OH 45066
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-06-27
End Time: 15:00

GCASTD: Innovation & Workplace Learning and Performance

Judy — Sun, 10 May 2009 10:04:34 +0000

Title: GCASTD: Innovation & Workplace Learning and Performance
Location: West Chester Conference Center 9248 Princeton Glendale Road West Chester, OH 45011
URL: Click here
Description: GCASTD proudly presents an all-day workshop on innovation, targeted to workplace learning and performance (WLP), led by Sandy Ping, President and CEO of Targeted Innovation Services, LLC.

Sandy, who is a certified Knowledge Engineer and a former Senior Engineer and inventor at Procter & Gamble, now leads innovation workshops around the world. You can find out more about Sandy on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/007/b88) or the web site for Targeted Innovation Services (http://www.targeted-innovation.com/)

Workshops of this caliber typically cost $500 or more. GCASTD is able to bring this to you for $99 for members and $139 for non-members (includes a one-year membership at $40, a 20 percent discount of our normal membership fee of $50.)

The GCASTD Innovation & Workplace Learning and Performance workshop will be a hands-on, participatory event with minimum lecture.

Innovation is about action. The goal for the day is to develop several actionable ideas for ASTD and workplace learning professionals, trainers, ODN professionals, consultants, coaches, anyone who can use innovation to drive results. You will learn an innovation process you can take back to your own organization.
Start Time: 8:00
Date: 2009-05-29
End Time: 17:00

Dayton LinkedIn Event Networking Breakfast

Judy — Sun, 10 May 2009 10:01:34 +0000

Title: Dayton LinkedIn Event Networking Breakfast
Location: Champps, Centerville, OH.
URL: Click here
Description: Linked Dayton, a group for professionals who are either located in or around the Dayton area, or who have a personal or professional connection to the area.
Start Time: 7:30
Date: 2009-05-19
End Time: 10:30

May Meeting

Judy — Sun, 10 May 2009 09:58:38 +0000

Title: May Meeting
Location: Indiana Wesleyan University Dayton Education and Conference Center
URL: Click here
Description: Those of us who attend the annual STC conference fairly regularly come back with renewed energy and enthusiasm, ready to move forward, take the plunge, or otherwise deal with our work in new, more efficient ways. What we learn at the conference often has immediate impact on how we do our jobs and how we run our independent businesses. Each of the speakers at our May meeting will present a synopsis of the 2009 conference session that he or she found most relevant and compelling. While we obviously cannot bring back all the value the conference holds, we can provide SWO members with insights and information that may prove invaluable.
Start Time: 17:30
Date: 2009-05-20

Volunteer Roles/Tasks/Benefits Matrix

Louise Tincher — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:21:39 +0000

	Individual Tasks	Monthly Hours (Est)	Benefits
President			Add to your résumé
	Admin Council meetings: Schedule, develop and distribute agenda and supporting materials, book meeting space, provide refreshments, and lead (quarterly)	2.0	Set direction for chapter, network with chapter leaders, develop leadership skills,
	Back up other chapter leaders as needed	8.0	Network with chapter leaders, ensure the future of the chapter mentoring leaders
	Respond to email from STC International, other STC chapters, members, prospective members, students, vendors, and other organizations	4.0	Ensure the future of the chapter by mentoring members and leaders, explore new activities for the chapter, forge valuable relationships, enhance professional credibility
	Develop special projects (meetings, events, campaigns, etc)	?	Explore new activities and directions for the chapter, develop leadership skills
	File community status reports with STC International (quarterly)	0.5	Help set direction for STC International by summarizing the chapter’s status and needs
	President Total Hours / Month	15+
Vice President			Add to your résumé
(becomes president the following year)	Attend Admin Council meetings (quarterly)	1.0	Set direction for chapter, network with chapter leaders, develop leadership skills
	Back up president at meetings and events	4.0	(same as above)
	Back up other chapter leaders as needed	4.0	Network with chapter leaders, ensure the future of the chapter by mentoring leaders
	Develop special projects (meetings, events, campaigns, etc)	?	Explore new activities and directions for the chapter
	Vice President Total Hours / Month	9+
Treasurer			Add to your résumé
	Admin Council meetings: Develop and present budget and financial status reports (quarterly)	1.0	Network with chapter leaders, develop leadership skills, advise chapter leaders, develop budgeting and reporting skills
	Receive funds and pay bills from chapter meetings and events	2.0	Network with chapter leaders, develop budgeting skills
	Pay recurring (e.g., Web hosting, Constant Contact) and one time (e.g., new banner) expenses	1.0	Network with chapter leaders, develop budgeting skills
	File chapter financial reports with STC International	1.0	Help set direction for STC International by summarizing the chapter’s status and needs, develop budgeting and reporting skills
	Manage chapter checking account and CDs	1.0	Develop budgeting skills
	Treasurer Total Hours / Month	6+
Secretary			Add to your résumé
	Attend Admin Council meetings, take meeting minutes, distribute to council, and update as requested (quarterly)	2.0	Network with chapter leaders
	Maintain, update, and distribute Admin Council contact list	0.5	Network with chapter leaders
	Secretary Total Hours / Month	2.5+
Program			Add to your résumé
	Admin Council meetings: Lead reports status of meeting program arrangements (quarterly)	1.0	Network with chapter leaders, set direction for chapter, develop leadership skills
	Recruit, train, and manage program team members	1.0	Develop management and leadership skills
	Arrange for and introduce speakers and/or activities	1.0	Network with speakers and chapter leaders, set direction for programs
	Write meeting notices for email and Web site	1.0	Network with speakers, polish your promotional writing
	Reserve meeting rooms and equipment	1.0	Learn meeting logistics
	Coordinate with Hospitality on reservations	1.0	Network with chapter members and guests
	Set up before and clean up after meetings	1.0	Network with chapter leaders
	Program Total Hours / Month	7+
Hospitality			Add to your résumé
	Admin Council meetings: Lead reports on meeting attendance (quarterly)	1.0	Network with chapter leaders, develop leadership skills
	Recruit, train, and manage hospitality team members	1.0	Develop management and leadership skills
	Order and pick up food and drinks	1.0	Learn meeting logistics
	Collect payment and write receipts at the door	1.0	Network with chapter members and guests
	Set up before and clean up after meetings	1.0	Network with chapter leaders
	Forward bills and payments to treasurer	1.0	Learn meeting logistics, network with chapter leaders
	Program Total Hours / Month	6+
Membership Manager			Add to your résumé
	Admin Council meetings: Manager reports on membership status (quarterly)	1.0	Network with chapter leaders, set direction for chapter, develop leadership skills
	Download membership roster monthly and email to Admin Council	1.0	Know who your chapter members are, know how your chapter is doing
	Send out welcome letters to new members and respond to their queries	1.0	Network with new members
	Send out prospect letters to guests, etc. and respond to their queries	1.0	Network with prospective members
	Send out membership renewal campaign notices and respond to queries	1.0	Network with current members
	Membership Manager Total Hours / Month	5+
Web Site / Webmaster			Add to your résumé
	Admin Council meetings: Webmaster reports Web site status (quarterly)	1.0	Network with chapter leaders, develop leadership skills
	Recruit, train, and manage Web site team members	1.0	Develop management and leadership skills
	Coordinate Web host and domain name payments with treasurer	0.5	Learn about Web site administration
	Post content	1.0 (average per post)	Learn Word Press, learn to edit for the Web
	Research and write content	1.0 (average per item)	Learn to write for the Web, network with content sources
	Webmaster Total Hours / Month	4.5+
Newsletter Editor			Add to your résumé
	Lead reports on newsletter status at Admin Council Meetings	1.0	Network with chapter leaders
	Recruit, train, and manage newsletter team members	1.0	Develop management and leadership skills
	Write stories based on interviews, programs, research, etc.	2.0 (average per story)	Polish your informational interviewing and writing, network, see your name in print
	Edit and post stories	1.0 (average per story)	Polish your online editing skills, see your name in print
	Take photos of chapter and STC events	1.0 (average per event)	Polish your photography skills, see your name in print
	Enter STC International Newsletter competition (optional)	?	Gain recognition from STC International
	Newsletter Editor Total Hours / Month	15+
Publicity			Add to your résumé
	Lead reports on publicity status at Admin Council Meetings	1.0	Network with chapter leaders
	Post chapter meeting notices, etc. to Constant Contact	2.0	Learn to use Constant Contact, develop effective direct mail
	Forward notices to LinkedIn Cincinnati, LinkedIn Dayton, ASTD, IABC, newspapers, etc.	1.0	Network with groups outside STC
	Post notices to calendar on chapter Web site	1.0	Learn to use Word Press
	Publicity Total Hours / Month	5+
Affiliate Society Council Representative			Add to your résumé
	Admin Council meetings: Report on ASC related events	1.0	Network with chapter leaders
	Attend ASC meetings and events	1.0	Learn about Dayton area science and technology organizations, network with members of other professional groups
	Plan and coordinate STC booth at Tech Fest	0.5 + one weekend in February	Network with chapter members, introduce K-12 students and teachers to technical communication
	Recruit and coordinate volunteers to staff STC booth at Tech Fest	1.0 + one weekend in February	Network with chapter members, develop leadership skills, introduce K-12 students and teachers to technical communication
	ASC Representative Total Hours / Month	3.5+
High School Writing Competition Coordinator			Add to your résumé
	Lead reports on competition status at Admin Council Meetings	1.0	Network with chapter leaders
	Develop guidelines for entries and materials to publicize competition	1.0	Learn how to coordinate a competition, introduce high school students and teachers to technical communication
	Work with publicity committee to publicize competition and winners	1.0	Network with chapter members, learn about publicizing events, establish contacts at local high schools
	Develop guidelines for judging and recruit judges	1.0	Network with chapter members, develop leadership skills
	HS Competition Coordinator Total Hours / Month	4+

ASTD 2009 International Conference and Exposition

Judy — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:41:08 +0000

Title: ASTD 2009 International Conference and Exposition
Location: Washington, DC
URL: Click here
Description: Held each spring, this premier event for workplace learning and performance professionals welcomes attendees from more than 70 countries. The conference features 200+ educational sessions from industry-leading experts, and a world-class EXPO filled with the latest products and services available from top suppliers.
Start Date: 2009-05-31
End Date: 2009-06-03

Intuitive Images: Creating and Evaluating Usable Graphics for International Audiences

Judy — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:35:00 +0000

Title: Intuitive Images: Creating and Evaluating Usable Graphics for International Audiences
Location: Joseph-Beth Booksellers Legacy Village 24519 Cedar Road Lyndhurst, OH 44124
URL: Click here
Description: In our end-user manuals, web pages, portable digital devices, and interface designs, our pictures always seem to play a subordinate role to our words. We find them too hard to illustrate; we encounter too many resolution and incompatibility issues, and we can never seem to make them attractive enough, meaningful enough, and usable enough.

In this workshop, we will get very graphic (ha ha) with these challenges. We will spend a fun-filled day sharing common problems, evaluating your existing design challenges, visualising different types of information, and working on some innovative hands-on exercises. In the end, the workshop\’s goal is to help both information developers and usability professionals evaluate and boost the visual appeal and usability of the information that they produce, and to empower them with simple tips and tricks to become visually and graphically savvy.
Start Time: 9:00
Date: 2009-05-16
End Time: 17:00