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By Jackie Damrau, President
A new leadership year is once again here for the Lone Star Chapter. As the Chapter transitions from one leader to another, and as the Society itself transforms on a national level, we find that the inevitable change bears room for growth.
As I was spending a weekend recently looking over a pile of articles that I have collected from various magazines and e-zines, I came across "Lead Softly, but Carry a Big Baton" written by Jill Rosenfeld ["Lead Softly, but Carry a Big Baton." (2001, July). Fast Company (www.fastcompany.com/magazine/48/baton.html)]. (Now you know where some of my articles have come from for the last two years' worth of Technically Write issues.) In her article, she interviewed Roger Nierenberg, conductor of the Stamford, Connecticut, Symphony Orchestra, about his program, "The Music Paradigm." The Music Paradigm focuses on Nierenberg's leadership of the orchestra and his three leadership philosophies. The three leadership philosophies are ones that I want to adopt for my year as your chapter President.
The Society is re-engineering itself into a new organization that will see many changes in the year. Chapters and SIGs are being re-termed as "communities" that will live under one umbrella. Geographical changes may occur, yet for the most part, I don't see that affecting the Lone Star Chapter during the 2004-2005 membership year.
Nierenberg says, "A leader defines for the team what kind of moment they're in. Is this a moment of transition? Is this a dangerous moment?" My answers: Yes and maybe. Can I tell you where we are headed? Not right now.
My commitment to you is to provide you with the latest possible information about the Society transformation. Of course, for those with a vested interest, I welcome you to join in the strategic development of the Lone Star Community by offering your support and comments on what you see as the long-range goals of the Lone Star community. I've heard often that the senior members feel that the "Chapter" is not addressing their needs. Now is your time to speak up and tell me in person, in e-mail, by telephone, or by written communication either in Technically Write or postal mail how your Community can provide you with a professional development experience that will satisfy your needs.
The "orchestra" is in this case is you, our Community membership. Can I blame any of you? No. I can only ask for your support, your honesty, and your willingness to volunteer 5 minutes of your time to keep this community active and vibrant. For years we have been short of volunteers to help with efforts like the management of competitions, chapter achievement, community service, public relations, and Technically Write columnists/reporters. Many, many pleas have gone out, but few have answered.
I find it strange that as a career we have chosen writing, but few members write for our own publication. Do you write for other publications or journals? Consider reprinting your articles in our online monthly newsletter. Think of publishing articles in Technically Write as one more mechanism you can use in marketing yourself to prospective employers. Why? Because you can direct them to the www.stc-dfw.org website to learn more about our organization, but also to see your published works in an online format. Do you think that this might help sell the employer to pay for your professional dues and even help send you to the annual conference? You really won't know until you try.
So, I don't blame the "orchestra" for not getting involved. I "will" blame myself if we don't harmonize and play our instruments in a uniform pattern to meet the needs of the instruments themselves, which are the technical writers, web designers, instructional designers, graphic designers, project managers, and more.
Nierenberg feels strongly about teams performing as a cohesive unit by giving them permission to be their best. I, too, believe in giving you permission to be your best. If that means that you remain a part of the silent majority, then so be it. If it means that you get more involved with the Community by serving as a mentor, a newsletter reporter, or a volunteer in some capacity, then I say "Welcome! Great to have you as a part of our Community."
I do feel strongly about encouraging you to contact me to let me know your feelings about our community and what we can do to make it work for you. If that means you want to meet me for coffee (iced tea, in my case) after work at a nearby Starbucks, then I'll meet you any evening between 5:30 and 7:00PM. If you work near the Plano area, I'll even meet you for lunch.
You can contact me Monday through Friday by:
Please become part of the "orchestra." We need you!
Until next month!