We need
YOU!
The Lone Star Community is gearing up for the 2008-2009 Competitions and needs experienced technical communicators to judge entries. Judges play a critical role in the success of our competitions. Entrants are not only hoping for an award, but also for constructive feedback on how they can improve their entries.
Judging is also a great way to improve your own work, since you examine and evaluate best-in-class examples of technical communications from another STC community.
You're invited
to be a judge!
Become a Judge
To qualify as
a judge, you must meet at least one of the following
criteria:
-
Five
years experience as a technical communicator
-
Taught courses or given presentations in the field of technical
communication
-
Published
papers or articles in the field of technical communication
-
Have a certification or degree in technical communication or other applicable field. .
Judge Application Form
If you meet the
criteria, complete the
Judge's Application form and follow the instructions on
the form.
Judges Roles and Responsibilities
You must be available
to:
- Attend the mandatory judge’s training session on Saturday morning, November 1.
- Spend 5 to 10 hours evaluating entries between November 1 and December 6.
- Attend Consensus Judging Day on December 6.
Lead Judges
Lead judges should have some previous
judging experience. As lead judge you:
- Mentor
team judges
- Provide
direction in determining awards
- Receive
and review completed evaluations from your team judges
- Record
your team’s award recommendations
- Ensure
that all comments and entry materials are returned on Consensus
Judging Day
Team Judge Duties
A judging team includes two team judges and one lead judge. Each team member evaluates his or her entries between November 1 and December 6. Once the team completed the individual evaluations, they meet to compare evaluations and agree by consensus on an award for each entry. (Award levels are, from highest to lowest, Distinguished, Excellence, Merit, or no award.)
Teams also determine if any entries they rated as Distinguished or Excellence award winners should be nominated as Best of Show candidates. Teams can meet anytime before December 6 to complete their consensus judging, or they can meet at the facility provided on Consensus Judging Day, December 6.
Online Communication
Judges
You should have experience as a user or producer of online communication, such as online help systems, tutorials, demos, etc. You will need the use of a PC or Mac with Internet access.
Technical Art Judges
You should have experience as a user or producer of technical art communication.
Technical Publications
Judges
You should have experience as a user or producer of technical publications, such as user guides, training manuals, reports, white papers, journal articles, etc.
Best of Show Judges
You should have previous judging experience. Best of Show Judges review the Best of Show recommendations from each team and determine the Best of Show for each competition. This is done on Consensus Judging Day after all teams have turned in their evaluations.
Judging Schedule
The following
table shows the schedule for judging for this year's competition.
| Date |
Action/Meeting |
|
Saturday, November 1
Time: TBD
|
Judges Training Day
Presentation of guidelines and best practices for judging.
Entries distributed to each judge.
Location:TBD
Important: Attendance is mandatory. |
|
Prior
to December 6 |
Judges Complete Evaluations
Judges complete the evaluation for their assigned entries before December 6.
Complete an evaluation form online for each entry you judge. Bring your completed, printed evaluation forms with your entries to Consensus Judging Day.
|
|
Saturday, December 6
9:00 am until your team completes their entries
(Continental breakfast provided)
|
Consensus Judging Day
Judges discuss their evaluation of each entry with their team members to determine the final rating for each entry (Distinguished, Excellence, Merit, or no award).
Teams determine if any entries rated Distinguished or Excellence are Best of Show candidates. The Best of Show judges determine a Best of Show winner for Online, Technical Publications, and Technical Art.
Location:TBD |
| Thursday,
January 15, 2008 |
Awards
Banquet |
