SLO STC Topic Sponsorships
Last updated January 4, 2004

What is a "sponsored topic"?

Sponsored topics are technical communication subjects in which the sponsors have a "burning interest." Topic sponsors provide, at a minimum, informative articles for our SLO STC Web site under the section “Overview of the Profession.” Articles can consist of text, graphics, animations, PowerPoint presentations, PDF files, and a variety of other media. For examples of sponsored topics, please see Table 1, below.

Who are the intended audiences?

Topic sponsorships help us share the responsibility for bringing learning and information to the chapter as well as the community. The intended audiences include businesses, fellow technical communicators, educators, students, strategic partners, and other community members.

What are the benefits of sponsoring a topic?

Sponsored topics create opportunities for:

• Explaining the many aspects of our profession to members of our community
• Building a "common language" on which to base future collaborative endeavors
• Showcasing skills by demonstrating the potential of today's tools and techniques
• Combining resources and talent, if desired, with others who have similar interests
• Professional learning and development; expanding your résumé of accomplishments!

Sponsored topics are also candidates for chapter events and can be the subject of talks, panels, workshops, learning sessions, informal discussions, and many other activities.

Who can sponsor a topic?

Anyone affiliated with the chapter can help sponsor a topic at any time; there is no limit to the number of topics or sponsors who can contribute to them. People can "adopt" new topics, as well as co-sponsor previously adopted topics, at any time.

Guidelines: The STC's 501(c)(3) nonprofit status prohibits us from endorsing any particular contributor over another; hence, each topic can be co-sponsored by multiple parties. We reserve the right to limit sponsored topics to subject matter that would be of interest to members of the technical communication profession. Contributed articles must be educational and informative rather than overt advertisements for commercial services. The national STC has determined, however, that a topic sponsor may include a discreet link from a contributed piece to a personal or professional Web site. The SLO STC Chapter board of directors will review submitted articles and may make suggestions to help ensure the best possible success of the material with our target audiences.

If you are interested in, or have questions about, sponsoring a topic, please contact us!

The lists in the tables below will be continuously updated to reflect new topics and sponsors.