Fox Tales: How Do You Say Thanks?

By Susie Lynn Fox, 2007-2008 LSC President

Looking back over the 2007-2008 program year, I’m amazed and awed at all the STC Lone Star Community (LSC) officers, committee managers, committee volunteers, and members, guests, and speakers who have made every aspect of this year possible. I can’t help but ask:

• How do you say thanks to LSC volunteers who take time out of their busy schedules and personal lives to pitch in and help elevate the technical communication profession to new heights through education, resources, and networking?
  
  
• How do you say thanks to LSC volunteers who work together as teams to plan, coordinate, and provide meetings, programs, workshops, competitions, community events, and written communication that make a difference in the professional lives of their peers?
  
  
• How do you say thanks to LSC volunteers who go above and beyond their individual LSC assignments to create an exceptional community that is rich in heritage, active in outreach, and innovative in providing resources that enhance members and develop leaders year after year?

LSC Works Together to Build Organization

When I first volunteered to help with LSC in April 2006, I was told that everyone pitches in and helps each other out. In theory and in practice, this teamwork approach is exactly the way LSC works. We’re all continually learning from each other and helping one another, too.

At a recent meeting, a long-time member told me that LSC community meetings are always well organized, appear to be a team effort, and reflect a professional organization. That’s the best compliment that any organization could hope for, so I want to share that good news with the volunteers who make LSC happen 24/7.

From my vantage point as president, I’d like to share a list of how some of the LSC stars aligned with each other in 2007-2008 to make LSC shine. And I’d like to say thanks, thanks, and more thanks for all their work this program year.

Programs/Workshops Inform, Educate, and Inspire

• Elisa Miller, First Vice President of Programs
• Heather Steele, Second Vice President and Registration Manager
• Rob Brown, Interim Registration Manager
• Jeanne Foster, Newcomer SIN SIG Manager
• Arroxane Ullman, Program Evaluation Analyst

Web Site Provides One-Stop Shopping for LSC Events

• Webmasters: Paul Holland, Alan Oak, Beth Bailey

Public Relations Notifies Community

• Mike Hiatt, PR Manager
• Volunteers: Jim Korth, Arroxane Ullman

Newsletter Broadcasts News

• Jackie Damrau, Managing Editor
• Volunteers: Jeanne Foster, Mary McWilliams Johnson, Paula Robertson, Monica Winkelman
• All the writers and columnists

IPIC Distribution List Sends Updates

• Dale Erickson, IPIC Editor

Resources Provide Benefits

• Jeanne Foster, Membership Manager
• Job Bank Manager Jan Shelton
• Kathryn Poe, Help Desk Manager
• Ann Balaban, Mentoring Manager
• Jo Byrd, Consulting SIG Manager
• Elisa Miller, Usability SIG Manager
• Mel Haughton, Superstar Coordinator
• Kathryn Poe, Community Service Manager

Scholarships Aid Students and Professionals

• Robert Carr Harris, Scholarships Manager

BEST Competition Teaches High School Students

• Volunteers: Kathlyn Auten, Ann Balaban, Georgina Cantoni, Jackie Damrau, Rhonda Harris, Mary McWilliams Johnson

LSC Competitions Set the Bar for Excellence

• Kathryn Poe, Competitions Manager
• Louellen S. Coker, Technical Publications Competitions Manager
• Diane Mazzarella, Online Communication Competitions Manager
• Volunteers: Ann Balaban, Beth Bailey, Kelly Burch, Rob Brown, Jo Byrd, Jackie Damrau, Dale Erickson, Kathryn Goff, Mel Haughton, Mike Hiatt, Darice Lang

Officers Form LSC Foundation

• Susie Lynn Fox, President
• Elisa Miller, First Vice President
• Heather Steele, Second Vice President
• Chris La Porte, Treasurer
• Mike Hiatt, Parliamentarian
• Kristin Kirkham, Current Secretary
• Kristy Nolan, Previous Secretary
• Mel Haughton, Immediate Past President

Past Presidents Share Leadership Knowledge

• Mel Haughton, Immediate Past President
• Past Presidents: Louellen S. Coker, Jackie Damrau, Kathryn Poe, Ann Balaban, Beth Bailey

Visionaries Look to the Future

• Mel Haughton, Volunteer Wrangler
• Mel Haughton, Current Nominations Manager
• Jim Chambless, Previous Nominations Manager

So how do you say thanks? I just did, but I’m sure I didn’t include everyone. There are too many stars in the LSC sky to count, but you get the idea, I hope.

Now it’s your turn to share your appreciation with all the folks that make LSC possible for its members. Say thanks and think about volunteering in the 2008–2009 program year!