Society for

Technical Communication

In 1953, two organizations concerned with improving the practice of technical

communication were founded on the East Coast: the Society of Technical

Writers, and the Association of Technical Writers and Editors. These

organizations merged in 1957 to form the Society of Technical Writers and

Editors.

In 1954, a similar organization, the Technical Publishing Society was founded

on the West Coast. In 1960, it merged with the Society of Technical Writers and

Editors to form the Society of Technical Writers and Publishers.

In 1971, the Society of Technical Writers and Publishers changed its name to

the Society for Technical Communication. Today, STC is the largest

professional society in the world dedicated to the advancement of the theory and

practice of technical communication.

Through information sharing and industry leadership, STC helps professionals

design effective communication for a technical world. Because technology

touches everyone, STC promotes public welfare by encouraging the

development of better-educated professionals whose jobs are to make

complicated information usable by many.

The organization’s growth has mirrored our growing dependence on technology.

Initially, STC was primarily made up of engineers who, among other activities,

wrote instructions and descriptions of how electrical and mechanical products

worked. A profound change took place as the pervasiveness of technology and

the need to understand it became an integral part of our everyday lives. With the

emergence of the Internet and online communication, our members now focus

on supporting all aspects of the rapidly evolving world of technology.

……

Berkeley

Berkeley Chapter History

The Berkeley Chapter started with 19 members in the summer of 1987 as an

offshoot of the East Bay chapter. The East Bay’s recently elected president, Dr.

C. J. Wallia, wanted to start a Berkeley chapter, which could better serve the

membership living west of the hills. The first officers were:

• Dr. C.J. Wallia, President

• Susan Harwell, Vice President and Newsletter Editor

• Robert Williams, Secretary

• Marla Wilson, Treasurer

On August 24, 1987, Berkeley received its “subsidiary chapter” status. The

chapter received terrific support from the other chapters in the Bay Area, which

at that time included East Bay, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley.

Each provided the new chapter with grant money to keep it afloat until the

chapter rebates arrived in August. By December 1987, it had grown to 42

members. Its first elections, held in April 1988, resulted in changes for two of

the offices: Ray Bruman, president; Amy Kuettner, Vice President, Programs.

By June of 1988, the chapter was out of the probationary period that all start-up