INTECOM and the STC

Since there already is a global association of technical writing bodies, INTECOM, I wished to clarify the role of the STC's overseas chapters. To this end, I asked a few pointed questions. This was the reply I received from Annette Reilly (Manager on the STC International Policy Committee and INTECOM Delegate).

STC is the world's largest professional association for technical communicators, with over 18,000 members in 29 countries. STC has chapters in 8 countries, though most of the members and chapters are in the US and Canada. Thus, STC is considered an international rather than a national society.

Other international technical communication societies active in North America include the IEEE-PCS,the ACM-SIGDOC, and a variety of more specialized groups (e.g., Council of Biology Editors, International Association of Business Communicators). STC maintains intersociety relations with numerous related societies to exchange information about events of interest to our members. Chapters occasionally hold joint meetings or consecutive conferences with related societies. Many STC members are also members of other professional societies. Thus STC's goal is to work cooperatively with other related groups to advance the profession.

STC chapters are started when a group of at least 15 members petition the board for approval. Chapter organization and activities (in any country) are the result of local initiative, rather than society-level directive. STC does not set strategic goals at the Society level of starting, or not allowing, chapters in any particular locality. In STC's view, individual technical communicators can decide for themselves whether active participation in STC, in another professional group, or in both or none would best serve their professional interests.

STC's International Policy Committee has prepared a question and answer sheet to guide people who are considering starting chapters, so that they can assess the feasibility of having a chapter in their area. (For example, an area where almost none of the technical communicators work in English would find it difficult to participate in STC.)

Currently there are about 40 STC members in the UK. I have no way of knowing how many of these are also ISTC or IEEE-PCS members. Occasionally an STC member in England inquires about starting an STC chapter there, but none has ever been formed. So I would say that the role of the STC in the UK is to provide publications and information about STC conferences, competitions, and research grants to our members.

INTECOM is an international association of technical communication societies, including STC, IEEE-PCS, ISTC, tekom, STIC, CRT, Dantecom, FTI, and NFTI. Membership is open to any national or international technical communication society, but not to individual members or chapters. The primary activity of INTECOM for individuals is the FORUM conference every 5 years (November 13-15, 1995, in Dortmund, Germany.) INTECOM also provides for an information exchange about activities and publications of member societies. I was just appointed STC's delegate to INTECOM last May, so I'm sure I'll learn more about INTECOM after its next board meeting in November. One possible activity is to develop an updated "Code of Good Practice " which technical communicators worldwide could support. INTECOM might also sponsor research, promote educational standards, collect information on employment conditions, or establish an internet site: these are all potential activities. Like any voluntary organization, the powers of INTECOM come from the committed activities of members.