President’s Corner

President’s Corner

Alex Garcia

By: Alex Garcia
President
Florida Chapter, STC

president@stc-orlando.org

Members and Friends of the Florida Chapter STC,

For the past two years, one of my main objectives as Chapter President has been to successfully host the 2018 STC Summit right here in Orlando. The Technical Communication world descends upon the Hyatt Regency Orlando May 20th – 23rd for informative sessions, workshops, and incredible networking opportunities. We, as a collective chapter, have spent thousands of hours preparing for this event, and it’s finally here! Some chapter members are presenting (more on that in a bit), others are volunteering at our Chapter expo information booth, or as venue hosts at our Diner Meet-Up and Pub Crawl. Whether you call Orlando home, or are traveling from afar, the STC Florida Chapter proudly welcomes you to our home.

In my January column, I announced that four Rising Stars within our chapter (Bethany Aguad, Crystal Brezina, Nick Ducharme, and I) had been accepted to present at the Summit twice—once at Leadership Day and once during the Summit technical sessions. Coached by a who’s-who of Chapter luminaries, four STC Fellows (W.C. Wiese, Karen Lane, Mike Murray, and Dan Voss), our team has put together some incredible presentations. I am truly humbled to have been a part of this effort, from proposal to presentation, the past seven months. Here are the details of our talks, won’t you join us?

Mentors and Rising Stars hard at work planning two outstanding Summit Presentations.

Clockwise from Left: Bethany Aguad, Mike Murray, Dan Voss, Crystal Brezina, Nick Ducharme, W.C. Wiese, Karen Lane, [Alex Garcia photographer).
Resources

Attendees to both the Leadership Day presentation and the Technical Session will be granted access to our Online Resources. These files, including Mike Murray’s Fast-Start Leadership Guide, delve deeper into the reasons the Florida Chapter earned Community of Distinction nine times over the past 15 years. These resources will be worth the price of your Summit admission!

Leadership Day

Forging the Future: Tips and Tools to (Re)Building Your STC Community (May 20th 10:00-11:00 AM Hyatt Celebration Breakout Room 5-6)

This presentation, geared toward STC Chapter Leaders, shows eight unique initiatives that have set the STC Florida Chapter apart for (at least) the past 15 years:

  1. Topic 1: Student Mentoring Programs
  2. Topic 2: College Scholarship Fund and Fundraising
  3. Topic 3: Leadership Development Program
  4. Topic 4: Active Membership Program
  5. Topic 5: Communication Forums
  6. Topic 6: Introducing the STC Florida Chapter
  7. Topic 7: Strategic Planning and Tactical Execution
  8. Topic 8: Community Achievement Awards

The talk begins with a 30 minute redux into the eight topics, before transitioning into a mini Summit-within-the Summit (two rotations with four open venues each). During these takeaway talks, attendees can delve deeper into two topics per table:

Presenter Topics
Bethany Aguad 1.      Student Mentoring Programs

2.      College Scholarship Funds and Fundraising

Nick Ducharme 1.      Leadership Development Program

2.      Chapter Communications

Alex Garcia 1.      Strategic Planning and Tactical Execution

2.      Florida Chapter Information

Crystal Brezina 1.      Active Membership Program

2.      Community Achievement Awards

Technical Session

Fueling Your Future: STC Experience Builds Professional Leadership Skills (May 21st 2:10-3:00 PM Hyatt Celebration Breakout Room 1-2)

Abstract from the 2018 STC Summit Proceedings:

Mentored by experienced professionals, Bethany Aguad, Crystal Brezina, Nick Ducharme, and Alex Garcia have taken on key roles within the STC Florida community. Our participation in the chapter’s flourishing student mentoring and leadership development programs has accelerated our professional growth as well. The collaboration of experienced leaders with newer practitioners fosters leadership skills as the newer practitioners advance their careers and prepare to take on management roles in their companies and professions as well as within STC.

The first 20 minutes of the 50-minute technical presentation is a panel discussion, where the four panelists will share how their involvement in STC helped them develop the skills needed to succeed in the workplace.  The last half of the session will be progression style, with two separate takeaway talks. Attendees will not be forced to choose between topics, they will be able to attend both venues!

Topic Speaker Time
Welcome and Introductions All 19 Minutes
Student Mentoring Bethany Aguad
Adco Crystal Brezina
Leadership Development Program (LDP) Nick Ducharme
Leadership Retreat Alex
Take-Away Talk Group 1: Student Mentoring and LDP Nick and Bethany 30 (two 10-15 minute rotations)
Take-Away Talk Group 2: Adco and Leadership Retreat Alex and Crystal
Closing Bethany

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