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As many of you know, STC membership is based on a calendar year. We get our dues renewal notices late in the year and we have until February 28 of the following year to pay our dues. Membership in STC, just like that of most other professional organizations, is down. It's a natural occurrence based on today's economy. I recommend that you do everything you can to get every technical communicator you know to join STC. It's during these difficult times that having a strong network of professionals around you really pays off! In addition, STC has a few nifty perks that you might not know about.
Did you know that new members can get up to 15 months membership for the price of 12! Anyone who registers in October, November, or December of 2002 enjoys membership until January 2004! And new members joining on or after July 1 (but before October 1) pay full dues for the remainder of the year (ending December 31st), but they receive a 50% credit toward the following year's dues. Most of you who are reading this article are members, so this great deal won't apply to you. However, if you have a friend or colleague who's been thinking about joining the Society, now's the time to tell them to do it! They'll save money, and you'll get points for giving them the tip!
Another nifty thing STC has now is online membership renewal and registration. It's easy to do and saves you and the Society that 37-cent stamp! Of course, that 37 cents usually happens two or three times (reminders have to go out, you know), and two or three times the 20,000-plus members in the Society, and well, all of a sudden, we're talking big money! So, put a reminder into your planner or Outlook Calendar, and use www.stc.org when you do renew. It only takes a couple of minutes and you can do it without leaving your desk!
Another perk of renewing early is that you'll be among the first folks who get to vote in STC elections. It's important that your voice be heard on the Society's board of directors. If you vote, you can proudly say you helped the governance of the Society and you can bug your director sponsor without feeling guilty! (Not that we know if you've voted, but you will!) Each year, members can only vote if their membership is up to date. And don't forget that you can vote online, too!
OK, you have two things to do: First, tell all your tech writing buddies that this fall is the time to join so they can save some money. Second, as soon as you get your notice, go online to renew your own membership. That way, you'll be among the first wave of folks to vote for the new STC board members. Good luck!