Posted in behalf of Martha Collins

It’s almost March and time to elect a new slate of chapter officers. Give some serious thought to volunteering for one of the officer positions or one of the many other positions that support the smooth operation of a chapter—it can enrich your professional life as well as your personal life.

There are many benefits from being actively involved in the Suncoast Chapters.

Leadership Skills

We all began our careers with few leadership skills. Many of the technical communication jobs do not provide an opportunity for the development of these skills, but technical communication managerial positions require them. STC can fill that void. I have seen many young leaders begin their term of office feeling very apprehensive. By the end of their term in office, they were well on the way to displaying good leadership skills.

Friendship

The work we do together as chapter leaders makes us a close-knit group. Talk with any STC member who has served in a leadership capacity, and without fail, each will tell you of the strong friendships they have acquired in the process. These friendships go beyond our professional lives—these friendships are a part of our personal lives.

Peer Network

As a result of actively participating in STC, you form a network of peers who can help you solve work-related issues. There is usually someone who has had the same issue you have encountered and is glad to tell you how he or she handled the problem.

Continuing Education

Everything you learn from working and talking with your peers and from participating in the chapter programs enhances your skills. Every new experience you have is an educational adventure.

Your professional life will suffer if you don’t give yourself the opportunity to experience professional growth in the form of developing leadership skills, friendships, and peer networks and to enhance your technical communication skills. Participating in chapter leadership affords you this opportunity.

If you are interested in helping your chapter this coming year, let Joan Baptist (jbaptist@tampabay.rr.com) or Martha Collins (mcollin8@tampabay.rr.com) know.