In This Issue

Articles

• Where is Our Chapter Headed? Thoughts from outgoing chapter president, Debbie Shapiro
• Special Announcement From the Nominating Committee
  

Announcements

• Next AC Meeting: 25 February 2007 (new venue)
• Leah Guren Nominated for STC Director: Don't Forget to Vote!
• Early bird registration for STC May Conference in the US

Where is Our Chapter Headed?

Thoughts from Outgoing Chapter President Debbie Shapiro

This past year as chapter President has been a challenging and exciting one, with some exciting steps forward. We have a lot to be proud of.

• Our chapter and our members have become known to STC as people who can be relied upon to help make change a reality in our profession. Our members are highly respected, our points of view sought out --in short, we are influencers in the direction our professional society is going.
• Benefits to members have improved, with first-class events that have been well attended, a marked reduction in dues for Israeli members, and certificates to members that they can present to their place of work. (The certificates will be mailed out shortly.)
• A professional survey was conducted, and we will be posting the results shortly on our website.
• Plans for the 2007 Convention on June 4 are moving ahead. Plans include the introduction of first-class speakers from around the world.

We had a great team of volunteers this past year. We would like to thank Debbie Pulver for her help in maintaining our web pages. Special thanks go to Lisa Tsabari for lining up great events this past year. A big thanks goes to Zev Frutkoff, who is leading the volunteers for the 2007 convention.

However, our chapter still faces many challenges. People still do not fully grasp the importance of being a part of the professional organization. This is reflected by the relatively few members we have in comparison to the overall community. Yet it is only if we see ourselves as serious professionals that we can convince our employers that hiring a ?€?writer?€ represents employing a qualified professional, and not merely a native English-speaker!

Perhaps our greatest challenge is the need for volunteers. Volunteering is a lot of work, when everything falls on one or two people. But when a lot of people can work together as a team, a great deal can be accomplished.

In the following article, you will learn that we currently do not have anyone to run as President for the coming year. It is with mixed feelings that I find myself unable to continue in this position?€¦ as I face major changes in my life and will be relocating before the end of 2007. I will be out of the country for most of May, and so am unable to continue in this position.

We desperately need volunteers to help us meet your needs, and those of the community. Specifically, we need volunteers to help with the following important tasks:

• Publicity: Publicity is critical to the success of our convention, and for helping us have a greater impact on the community.
• Website updates: Someone to update our website on a regular basis, and help get all of the convention material up on the website.
• Technical website maintenance: A technical web person to help with technical issues.
• Venues: Someone to work with the Events Committee to help locate venues in other parts of the country, so that we can better meet member needs.
• Vice President: The position of Vice President requires someone willing to support the President, and fill in where needed. Ideally, this person should be willing to take on the position of President in the subsequent AC.
• President: The position of President requires someone who has the ability to lead and guide teams. The chapter President is our face to the local and international community. This position does require a time investment, but it is also rewarding personally and professionally.

As our chapter enters its 40th year, we face many challenges. Being involved in STC has been a highlight of my own professional career. I've learned much that has contributed to my personal professional development. That is the main perk volunteering. You learn, you grow, and at the end of the day, by helping others, you have helped yourself.

Where do we go from here? It really is up to you!

Debbie Shapiro
President, STC Israel

Special Announcement from the Nominating Committee

ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL AND ELECTIONS

The Nominating Committee, consisting of Paul Bernstein and Patricia Carmel, have spent several weeks attempting to assemble a slate of volunteers to serve on the STC Administrative Council (AC). We are happy to announce that two first-time volunteers to the chapter have offered to assume the roles of Secretary (Jeanne Wiegelmann) and Treasurer (Richard Levine).

Unfortunately, although several excellent people were approached, the nominating committee is unable to present a candidate for the positions of president or of vice president.

A General Meeting (required by law) for members to confirm the new AC candidates, and to discuss our options, will be announced shortly.

If you are interested in volunteering for these important positions, please contact the Nominating Committee. Please note that only paid up members of STC Israel can volunteer to serve on the AC.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

If you are an STC member, or even if you are not a member but you do subscribe to the STC list and attend STC events, we are appealing to you to volunteer some of your time to the chapter. Not everyone has the inclination, the time, or the skill to be a successful society president, but all of us have some quality that could be used to benefit chapter operations in the coming year.

We refer specifically to Zev Frutkof?€™s team that is currently working overtime on the conference to be held in June. The convention team is in great need of people to handle publicity as well as help plan hospitality for lecturers from overseas. In addition, the logistics committee needs volunteers, and must begin working on various details as soon as possible.

Other chapter activities include helping our webmaster Moshe Chertoff on the website, assisting Lisa Tsabari in coordinating events, supporting Jo Levitt in drumming up membership, and a myriad of other ways in which you can invigorate the chapter and contribute to its success.

If you are interested in supporting the Israeli chapter of the STC, please contact our vice president, Menahem Rosen.

The Nominating Committee
Paul Bernstein? & Patricia Carmel

Next AC Meeting: 25 February 2007

We welcome all members to attend the upcoming AC meeting. We value your active participation in helping us in the running of the chapter.

Time: 18:00 (6:00 pm)
Place: Carmeli's Bagels, Hertzlia Industrial Zone

Preliminary Agenda

June 4 Conference Status: Program, Setting fees, Sponsorship, Advertising, Getting Info to Diesenhaus for online registration, etc.

Cancellation of 40th Anniversary event

Logistics for posting survey results on the website

Need for volunteers, how to proceed

General meeting (set dates and agenda)

Leah Guren Nominated for STC Director: Don?€™t Forget to Vote

Long-time STC Israel member, Leah Guren, has been nominated as a candidate for a Director position on the 2007 STC elections. Leah is one of the few international (that is, non-North American) members ever nominated for a society-level position, and is a first for STC Israel.

Leah's nomination does not guarantee her a position! There are seven candidates for three Director positions. This is your chance to make your membership, and your vote, count.

For more information about Leah (and the competition), visit the STC website.

Early Bird Registration for STC May Conference Ends Soon

The Early Bird gets the worm, and in this case a discounted conference rate! Register by February 28 to take advantage of the low member price - $645 (USD).

Last week, the STC office mailed the preliminary program. Why wait to receive your copy in the mail? Visit the STC Conference pages today to check out the latest information about the conference, registration, and accommodations.

Register today and we'll see you in May!