President's Message
April-May 2003

Greetings STC-Berkeley chapter members and friends! Been missing the Ragged Left? The RL needs writers. Get electronically published on the web and impress potential employers in addition to your Mom. Contact Jessica Livingston, newsletter editor and find out how easy and fun it can be to contribute to the Chapter.

If you weren't there you missed a fun party on March 12, 2003 at the Rose Garden Inn in Berkeley. We acknowledged and celebrated the volunteer service of chapter members serving as chapter officers and managers and Touchstone competition volunteers. A 2003 Distinguished Chapter Service Award from International STC was presented to chapter member Viki Maki for her tireless and continuing service to the chapter and the profession. Great food, excellent music by the David Alt Trio, and an entertaining reading by a Victorian phrenologist rounded out the evening.

Coming up on May 14, 2003 is a presentation on stress reduction by John Nietres, Alameda acupuncturist. Whether you are the overworked employed or the under worked unemployed, his stress reduction tips can help. Also in the coming meeting lineup is a visit from STC 2nd Vice President, Andrea Ames, tentatively scheduled for June 11. Andrea will be on hand to present another 2003 Distinguished Chapter Service Award to an undisclosed chapter member. Mark your calendars now. An election for the 2003-2004 chapter officers is being held this month. Look for candidate statements, a ballot, and voting instructions on the Berkeley-STC website. The new slate of officers will need to fill all the manager jobs on the Executive Committee so consider helping out this year with the chapter program.

As always we want to hear about what the Chapter can do to support you in your professional goals as a technical communicator. Email me with your ideas, suggestions, and especially any ways you might be willing to contribute your own talent and time. See you at the May 14, 2003 meeting!

Kathryn Munn