Programs Outline ► Mentoring Program ► Rising Stars Program Education Committee Manager Orlando Chapter 2007

SOCIETY FOR TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

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Table of Contents Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 Section 1: Mentoring Program .................................................................. 3 Background Information........................................................................................ 3 Criteria.................................................................................................................. 3 Co-Manager Duties................................................................................................ 3 Meetings................................................................................................................ 4 Forms.................................................................................................................... 4 Section 2: Rising Stars Program ............................................................... 7 Background Information........................................................................................ 7 Funding................................................................................................................. 7 Contribution Categories......................................................................................... 7

Appendixes Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix Appendix

A – Mentor/Mentee Applications ................................................ 9 B – Mentor/Mentee Agreement ................................................ 15 C – Contact Log ........................................................................ 17 D – Mentor/Mentee Pre- and Post-Assessment Forms ............. 19 E – Mentor/Mentee Program Evaluation Forms ........................ 23 F – Rising Stars Flier for Corporate Sponsors ........................... 27 G – Rising Stars Flier for Personal Sponsors ............................ 29

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Introduction The Orlando Chapter’s mentoring and Rising Stars programs closely associate with the Education Committee. ■ The mentoring program teams chapter members with technical writing students from the University of Central Florida (UCF). ■ The Rising Stars program provides funds for the Melissa Pellegrin Memorial Scholarship and the Central Florida High School Technical Writing

Competition. Consequently, these funds also supplement the chapter’s general operating budget. ■ The following sections of this manual provide an outline of these two programs. ○

Section 1: Mentoring Program

○

Section 2: Rising Stars Program

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Section 1: Mentoring Program Background Information ■ The mentoring program pairs STC members with technical writing students from UCF.

■ Mentors and mentees pair for the academic year, which consists of the fall and spring semesters. ■ Mentors and mentees can continue their pairing for an additional year, if they request.

Your Responsibilities You will help oversee the mentoring program and provide assistance, when necessary.

Criteria ■ Mentors should possess three years’ experience in the technical communication field and be a member of the Orlando Chapter. ■ Mentees should be UCF technical writing students in either the: ○

Senior year of the undergraduate program, or

○ Graduate program

■ A student who graduated from either the undergraduate or graduate program within six months of submitting a mentoring program application can participate as a mentee. ■ Mentees should be members of the Orlando Chapter and the Future Technical Communicators (FTC) club at UCF.

Co-Manager Duties A chapter member and his/her mentee co-manage the mentoring program. The mentee usually holds a leadership position in FTC; however, it is not a requirement. This lead mentor-mentee pair work together to achieve the following:

■ Recruit mentors and mentees from within the chapter, FTC, and the UCF technical writing program ■ Pair mentors and mentees for the academic year ■ Schedule group meetings of the mentors and mentees periodically throughout the year

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Section 1: Mentoring Program

■ Distribute and collect the mentor and mentee applications, mentor and mentor agreements, contact log, and evaluation forms

■ Provide program oversight by periodically requesting contact logs, analyzing evaluations, and transitioning the program to the incoming co-managers

Meetings ■

All the participating mentors and mentees usually meet as a group one to three times during the academic year.

■ Additional group mentor-mentee meetings can take place mid-year and at the conclusion of the academic year.

■ At the kickoff meeting, which takes place in the fall, all the mentors and mentees meet each other and get a chance to finalize their mentor/mentee agreements.

■ After the kickoff meeting, mentors and mentees are responsible for establishing their own meeting and communication schedules with each other.

Forms Mentors and mentors will complete the following forms, all of which are available on the chapter Web site (www.stc-orlando.org/education/ mentor/mentor.asp): ■ Mentor/mentee applications ○

○

Appendix A contains the mentor and mentee applications. The co-managers use the information from the applications to pair mentors and mentees who share similar interests.

■ Mentor-mentee agreement ○ Appendix B contains the mentor-mentee agreement. ○ The agreement provides an outline of the goals the mentor and mentee plan to achieve and ensure confidentiality. ■ Contact log ○

Appendix C contains the contact log.

○

The co-managers send out three emails to the mentormentee pairs in December, February, and April requesting they provide their contact logs.

Section 1: Mentoring Program

■ Evaluation forms ○

Appendix D contains the selfassessment forms that the mentor and mentee complete prior to commencing the mentoring program and again at the conclusion of the academic year.

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The mentors and mentees also complete a program evaluation form at the end of the year. See Appendix E for this form.

Tip: To learn more about the mentoring program, go to http://www.stcorlando.org/education/mentor/mentor.asp.

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Section 2: Rising Stars Program Background Information ■ Rising Stars is a fund-raising program that uses the funds raised from corporate and personal sponsors to supplement the chapter’s educational outreach initiatives.

■ You can find out more about Rising Stars at http://www.stcorlando.org/education/ risingstars.asp.

Your Responsibilities The Education Committee budget needs to take into account the monies raised through Rising Stars.

Funding ■ The chapter uses the money raised from Rising Stars to help fund the Melissa Pellegrin Scholarship and the Central Florida Technical Writing Competition.

■ Rising Stars funds also supplement the chapter’s general operating budget.

Contribution Categories ■ Corporate sponsor contribution categories consist of cash or services in the following designations:

■ Personal sponsor contribution categories consist of cash or services in the following designations:

○ Tech Angels - $500 or more

○ Tech Angels - $100 or more

○ Grand Patrons - $250

○ Grand Patrons - $50

○ Corporate Patrons - $100

○ Corporate Patrons - $25

Appendix F contains the corporate Rising Stars flier.

Appendix G contains the personal sponsor Rising Stars flier.

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Section 2: Rising Stars Program The contributions support the chapter’s educational outreach initiatives. However, sponsors can designate their contributions go directly into the Melissa Pellegrin Memorial Scholarship fund, the Central Florida High School Technical Writing Competition, or be allocated between the scholarship fund and the competition according to a specified percentage.

■

Each category level provides acknowledgements and incentives to the sponsor.

Appendix A - Mentor/Mentee Applications

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Mentor Application Year: Name: E-mail:

(Home)

Daytime Phone:

(Work)

Years with STC: Chapter Leadership Positions:

Employment/Education Employer: Position: Areas of Expertise: (check all that apply) Software documentation Hardware documentation Online Help Information technology Technical marketing Scientific writing Medical writing Tech writing/editing Other

Knowledge management Marketing Writing Management Editing Government Writing Web site design Electronic publishing Technical illustration

Graphic design Digital media Journalism Promotional writing Large company operations Start-up company operations Courseware

Interests, Hobbies, and Extracurricular Activities: Education: (answer all that apply) Graduate Degree (major) Undergraduate Degree

(major)

Other specialized training (area)

Communication Modes What percentage of your total mentoring/mentee communication do you see foresee occurring in each of these three media? (Total=100%) Face-to-face %

E-mail %

Telephone %

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication Revision Date: 09/26/06

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Appendix A: Applications Willing to meet: (check all that that apply) Weekdays

Weekday evenings

Weekends

Personality/ Style Profile To the right of the scale, for each parameter, type the number on the scale you feel best describes you. Personality Highly Introverted

Highly Extroverted Rating

1

2

3

4

5

Problem-Solving Style Highly Introverted

Highly Extroverted Rating

1

2

3

4

5

Preferred Teaching Mode Highly Introverted

Highly Extroverted Rating

1

2

3

4

5

Summary of Qualifications and Expectations 1. Please list contributions you could make to the mentoring program. 2. Please list benefits you would expect to derive from the mentoring program.

Agreement I have read the guidelines and procedures for the STC Orlando–UCF mentoring program and agree to the commitments as a mentor. *E-Signature *STC Member Number Date *To complete this application, simply type your name and include your STC member number (optional) in parentheses. Send to [email protected]

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication Revision Date: 09/26/06

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Appendix A: Applications

Mentee Application Year: Name: E-mail: Phone:

(Daytime)

Eligibility for Program: (check all that apply) Current STC student member or Willing to join STC as student member ($55/yr) Current FTC member or Willing to join FTC ($10/yr) Graduate student in tech communication program at UCF or Senior in undergraduate technical communication program at UCF or Recent graduate (< 1 yr) of technical communication program at UCF

Academic Profile Grad GPA (if applicable) in major

overall

Undergraduate GPA

overall

in major

Minor (if applicable) Co-curricular activities Areas of Expertise: (check all that apply) Software documentation Hardware documentation Online Help Information technology Technical marketing Scientific writing Medical writing Tech writing/editing Other

Knowledge management Marketing Writing Management Editing Government Writing Web site design Electronic publishing Technical illustration

Graphic design Digital media Journalism Promotional writing Large company operations Start-up company operations Courseware

Interests, Hobbies, and Extracurricular Activities:

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication Revision Date: 09/26/06

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Appendix A: Applications

Work Profile Currently employed

Part-time

Full-time

Hours per week Employer: Position: Previous Employment: (if applicable)

Personality/ Style Profile To the right of the scale, for each parameter, type the number on the scale you feel best describes you. Personality Highly Introverted

Highly Extroverted Rating

1

2

3

4

5

Problem-Solving Style Highly Introverted

Highly Extroverted Rating

1

2

3

4

5

Preferred Teaching Mode Highly Introverted

Highly Extroverted Rating

1

2

3

4

5

Communication Modes What percentage of your total mentoring/mentee communication do you see foresee occurring in each of these three media? (Total=100%) Face-to-face %

E-mail %

Telephone %

Willing to meet: (check all that that apply) Weekdays

Weekday evenings

Weekends

Summary of Qualifications and Expectations 1. Please list contributions you could make to the mentoring program. 2. Please list benefits you would expect to derive from the mentoring program.

Agreement I have read the guidelines and procedures for the STC Orlando–UCF mentoring program and agree to the commitments as a mentee. © 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication Revision Date: 09/26/06

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Appendix A: Applications *E-Signature: *STC Member Number: Date: *To complete this application, simply type your name and include your STC member number (optional) in parentheses. Send to [email protected]

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication Revision Date: 09/26/06

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Appendix B - Mentor/Mentee Agreement

Mentor/Mentee Agreement 2006-2007 Mentor Name: ____________________________________________________ Mentee Name: ____________________________________________________ Date:

________________________________________________________

Please answer the questions below at the initial meeting between mentor and mentee and complete the agreement at the bottom. After finalizing it, send a copy to your program coordinators: [email protected] and [email protected]. 1. What are your mutual objectives for your mentoring experience?

2. What skills or knowledge will the mentor pass on to the mentee? Be specific.

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

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Appendix B: Agreement 3. How do you plan to achieve your mutual objectives?

4. How often and in what form will you communicate?

5. How will you determine if you have achieved the desired objectives?

We agree that anything discussed in the meetings will remain confidential unless otherwise specified. We also agree that if any problems develop in this mentoring partnership we will seek the support of the program coordinators. Mentor E-Signature: _________________ (________ ) Date: ____________ Mentee E-Signature: _________________ (________ ) Date: ____________ © 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

Appendix C - Contact Log

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STC-UCF Mentoring Project Team Contact Record* 2006-2007 Name

Phone

Email

Mentor Mentee Mode= email, phone or face to face (F2F). If F2F, please indicate the venue. Date

Mode

Venue

Notes

*Please attach a copy of any STC related projects you have worked on together. *This log is a mutual responsibility of each mentor-mentee team. Either the mentor or the mentee can be responsible for maintaining it and sending it to the program coordinators when requested. One good approach is to bring the log to meetings and update it each time.

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

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Appendix D - Mentor/Mentee Pre- and Post-Assessment Forms

Mentor Self-Assessment Prior to Mentoring Program Year: Name: (Strictly confidential; for statistical purposes only)

Date: Rate your readiness to help a technical communication student search for and find a job in technical communication in the following specific areas, on a scale of 1 to 3, as follows: (1) Satisfactory; but with room for improvement (2) Very good; yet still a little room for improvement (3) Excellent; mastery achieved. Resume Interviewing skills Knowledge of job market Business contacts

Portfolio Networking skills Knowledge of salaries Confidence

How close to the cutting edge do you feel you are in the following specialized skills of the profession? Use a 1-5 scale, as follows: (1) little or no expertise; (2) marginal; (3) functional knowledge, but not cutting edge; (4) proficient, but not necessarily on the cutting edge of the latest research; (5) excellent—and definitely on the cutting edge. Please provide a rating for all items. Software documentation Hardware documentation Online Help Information technology Technical marketing Scientific writing Medical writing Tech writing/editing

Knowledge management Marketing writing Management Editing Government writing Web site design Electronic publishing Technical illustration

Graphic design Digital media Journalism Promotional writing Large company operations Start-up company operations Courseware

Other

Rate your knowledgeability and your readiness to coach a beginning technical communicator in the following areas. Use the same 1-3 scale as for the first item above. Understanding of the corporate work environment Grasp of the business value of technical communication Awareness of the role of ethics in technical communication Understanding of the nature and importance of group dynamics in the workplace Understanding of the importance of interpersonal relations in the workplace Knowledge of how to play “office politics” and live to see tomorrow Sense of how to anticipate trouble coming and stay out of it Appreciation of the importance of communication on the job

This assessment is to be completed before beginning the mentoring process. Send to [email protected]

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication Revision Date: 09/26/06

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Appendix D: Assessments

Mentee Self-Assessment Prior to Mentoring Program Year: Name: (Strictly confidential; for statistical purposes only)

Date: Rate your readiness to search for and find a job in technical communication in the following specific areas, on a scale of 1 to 5, as follows: (1) weak or non-existent; (2) marginal; (3) OK, but with significant room for improvement; (4) good, with some room for improvement; (5) excellent. Resume Interviewing skills Knowledge of job market Business contacts

Portfolio Networking skills Knowledge of salaries Confidence

Rate your level of knowledge in the following areas, based on your academic preparation and any other experience you may have. Use the same 1-5 scale as above. Software documentation Hardware documentation Online Help Information technology Technical marketing Scientific writing Medical writing Tech writing/editing

Knowledge management Marketing writing Management Editing Government writing Web site design Electronic publishing Technical illustration

Graphic design Digital media Journalism Promotional writing Large company operations Start-up company operations Courseware

Other

Rate your readiness to begin a professional career in technical communication from the following standpoints. Use the same 1-5 scale as above. Understanding of the corporate work environment Grasp of the business value of technical communication Awareness of the role of ethics in technical communication Understanding of the nature and importance of group dynamics in the workplace Understanding of the importance of interpersonal relations in the workplace Knowledge of how to play “office politics” and live to see tomorrow Sense of how to anticipate trouble coming and stay out of it Appreciation of the importance of communication on the job

This assessment is to be completed before beginning the mentoring process. Send to [email protected]

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication Revision Date: 09/26/06

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Appendix D: Assessments

MENTOR Self-Assessment Following Completion of Mentoring Program 2006-2007 Name: Date:

(Strictly confidential; for statistical purposes only)

_____________________

Rate your readiness to help a technical communication student search for and find a job in technical communication in the following specific areas, on a scale of 1 to 3, as follows: (1) Satisfactory; but with room for improvement (2) Very good; yet still a little room for improvement (3) Excellent; mastery achieved. Resume polishing _____ Interviewing skills _____ Knowledge of job market _____ Business contacts _____ Portfolio building _____ Networking skills _____ Knowledge of salaries _____ Confidence building _____

How close to the cutting edge do you feel you are in the following specialized skills of the profession? Use a 1-5 scale, as follows: (1) little or no expertise; (2) marginal; (3) functional knowledge, but not cutting edge; (4) proficient, but not necessarily on the cutting edge of the latest research; (5) excellent—and definitely on the cutting edge. Software documentation Hardware documentation Online Help Information technology Technical marketing Scientific writing Medical writing Technical writing/editing

Other

Knowledge management Marketing writing Management Editing Government writing Web site design Electronic publishing Technical illustration Graphic design

Digital media Journalism Promotional writing Large company operations Start-up company operations Courseware

Other

Rate your readiness to coach a beginning technical communicator in the following areas. Use the same 1-3 scale as for the first item above. Understanding of the corporate work environment Grasp of the business value of technical communication Awareness of the role of ethics in technical communication Understanding of the nature and importance of group dynamics in the workplace Understanding of the importance of interpersonal relations in the workplace Knowledge of how to play “office politics” and live to see tomorrow Sense of how to anticipate trouble coming and stay out of it Appreciation of the importance of communication on the job

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

This assessment is to be completed upon the conclusion of the mentoring process.

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

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Appendix D: Assessments

MENTEE Self-Assessment Following Completion of Mentoring Program 2006-2007 Name: Date:

(Strictly confidential; for statistical purposes only)

_____________________

Rate your readiness to search for and find a job in technical communication in the following specific areas, on a scale of 1 to 5, as follows: (1) weak or non-existent; (2) marginal; (3) OK, but with significant room for improvement; (4) good, with some room for improvement; (5) excellent. Resume _____ Interviewing skills _____ Knowledge of job market _____ Business contacts _____ Portfolio _____ Networking skills _____ Knowledge of salaries _____ Confidence _____

Rate your level of knowledge in the following areas, based on your academic preparation and any other experience you may have. Use the same 1-5 scale as above. Software documentation Hardware documentation Online Help Information technology Technical marketing Scientific writing Medical writing Tech writing/editing

Other

Knowledge management Marketing writing Management Editing Government writing Web site design Electronic publishing Technical illustration Graphic design

Digital media Journalism Promotional writing Large company operations Start-up company operations Courseware

Other

Rate your readiness to begin a professional career in technical communication from the following standpoints. Use the same 1-5 scale as above. Understanding of the corporate work environment Grasp of the business value of technical communication Awareness of the role of ethics in technical communication Understanding of the nature and importance of group dynamics in the workplace Understanding of the importance of interpersonal relations in the workplace Knowledge of how to play “office politics” and live to see tomorrow Sense of how to anticipate trouble coming and stay out of it Appreciation of the importance of communication on the job

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

This assessment is to be completed upon the conclusion of the mentoring process.

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

Appendix E - Mentor/Mentee Program Evaluation Forms

Program Evaluation (Mentor) 2006-2007 Name: Date: Mentee: Please answer the questions below and return it to the program coordinator ([email protected]). All responses will be held in strict confidence. If you need more space, attach another sheet, keyed to the item(s).

1. How satisfied, overall, were you with your experience in the mentoring program? Please rate on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest. ____ 2. How well do you feel you and your mentee met the objectives you set out to achieve? Rate on a scale of 1 to 10. ____ 3. What specific benefits do you feel you gained from the experience?

4. What was it about the program that you felt worked best? Why?

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

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Appendix E: Evaluations 5. Please list suggestions on how the program could be improved.

6. What do you feel was the greatest single challenge you faced in your mentoring relationship? How successful were you in overcoming it?

7. Other comments.

8. May we re-enroll you in the mentoring program for the 2006-2007 chapter year? ____ (You have the option of a second year with your 2006-2007 mentee if you both want to continue. If that is the case, please so indicate below.)

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

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Appendix E: Evaluations

Program Evaluation (Mentee) 2006-2007 Name: Date: Mentor: Please answer the questions below and return it to the program coordinator ([email protected].) All responses will be held in strict confidence. If you need more space, attach another sheet, keyed to the item(s).

1. How satisfied, overall, were you with your experience in the mentoring program? Please rate on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest. ____ 2. How well do you feel you and your mentor met the objectives you set out to achieve? Rate on a scale of 1 to 10. ____ 3. What specific benefits do you feel you gained from the experience?

4. What was it about the program that you felt worked best? Why?

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

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Appendix E: Evaluations 5. Please list suggestions on how the program could be improved.

6. What do you feel was the greatest single challenge you faced in your mentoring relationship? How successful were you in overcoming it?

7. Other comments.

8. Would you be willing to serve as a mentor after you gain a couple years’ experience in the field? ___

© 2004. Mentoring Project, Orlando Chapter, Society for Technical Communication

(Signature)

. . . Your Support!

Send to: STC Orlando Chapter Treasurer P.O. Box 540444 Orlando, FL 32854-0444

Authorizing Agent

E-mail

Phone

Contact

Business

___ Other ($_________) Ë All contributions are greatly appreciated

___ Corporate “Tech Angels” ($500) Ë All Patron benefits Ë A stunning display trophy Ë Two admissions to the high school awards and UCF scholarships presentation Ë A 1/4-page ad in two issues of the Orlando Chapter newsletter Ë A four-month “click-through” ad on the Orlando Chapter Web site

___ Corporate Grand Patrons ($250) Ë All Patron benefits Ë A handsome plaque Ë A 1/8-page ad in two issues of the Orlando Chapter newsletter Ë A two-month “click-through” ad on the Orlando Chapter Web site

___ Corporate Patrons ($100) Ë A framed certificate of appreciation Ë Recognition in the awards program for the high school contest and UCF scholarships presentation Ë Acknowledgment in the Orlando STC Chapter newsletter Ë Acknowledgment on the Orlando STC Chapter, FTC, and UCF English Department Web sites

Please check one of the following:

We Are Seeking . . .

. . . Adding Value to Information

Patriot Press is a proud Corporate “Grand Patron” of the STC.

Ëhttp://www.stc-orlando.org/education/risingstars.aspË

For online information on our Corporate and Personal Sponsorship programs, please visit our “Rising Stars” Web page at:

Ëhttp://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ftech/index.html/Ë

Ëhttp://www.english.ucf.edu/Ë

Ëhttp://www.stc.orgË

Ëhttp://www.stc-orlando.org/Ë

All donations to the Society for Technical Communication are tax deductible (IRS ID #31-0919557). For more information about the Society of Technical Communication, the University of Central Florida technical writing program, and the Future Technical Communicators club, please visit:

Thank you for supporting the Central Florida technical writing community.

Technical Communication . . .

Sponsoring Students Today to Work in the Technical Fields of Tomorrow

At the University of Central Florida and Central Florida High Schools

Rising Stars

Appendix F - Rising Stars Flier for Corporate Sponsors 27

Dan Voss, Manager Mike Murray, President Education Committee Orlando STC Chapter Orlando STC Chapter [email protected] [email protected]

If you have any questions about these initiatives, please contact one of the Orlando chapter officers listed below. Together, we can have a positive influence on the future of technical communications in Central Florida.

Both of these programs have been extraordinarily successful—indeed, national pacesetters. Until now, our chapter has provided most of the funding for the high school competition and scholarship fund. However, like most professional associations, STC has seen lean times over the past four years. For our educational outreach to continue to flourish, we are asking Central Florida businesses that have a stake in tomorrow’s technical communicators to team with us by becoming sponsors in our outreach efforts. The technical communicator you assist today may help develop the software that keeps your business on the crest of the e-commerce tidal wave tomorrow!

The Orlando Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), in conjunction with the University of Central Florida (UCF), wants to team with you in support of educational outreach initiatives in our community. For the past eight years, our chapter has nurtured future technical communicators via two major initiatives: (1) sponsoring an annual high school technical writing competition, and (2) presenting annual scholarships to outstanding students in the UCF undergraduate and graduate technical communication programs.

Dear Colleagues:

An Opportunity for Local Businesses

Ë

International Competition winners Andrew Lai (left) and Eric First of Winter Springs High School

Ë

For more information on the Central Florida High School Technical Writing Competition, visit http://www.stcorlando.org/education/highsch/highsch.asp.

Ë

Ë

Ë

Ë

concepts or clearly explaining challenging procedures. Papers from previous contests have ranged from “Feline Dental Care” to “The Role of Cell Cycle Regulators in the Development of Cancer.” Papers entered in the 2003 STC International Competition won four out of the five highest awards. The essays of second-place winner Eric First and third-place winner Andrew Lai were featured in the STC national magazine, intercom. Central Florida contestants also earned first, third, and fifth place in the 2001 STC International Competition. Since the contest’s inception in 1996, local students have earned well in excess of $5,000 in the STC Central Florida and International Competitions. High schools from all over Central Florida are participating in and being enriched by this contest.

Ë Students become experts on describing difficult

Students' writing skills are sharpened by the entry criteria, which require that the essays objectively support and develop a thesis. Although the requirements are rigorous, participants have had great success and earned numerous awards over the past several years:

Every year Orlando STC members visit local high schools to promote the competition, which is designed to expand students’ knowledge about technical communication and improve their writing. To compete, students submit an original, nonfiction paper on a scientific or technical topic of their choice.

. . . helps fund the Orlando STC Chapter annual Central Florida High School Technical Writing Competition.

Your Corporate Sponsorship . . .

Appendix F: Rising Stars/Corporate ËCindy HauptnerË For details on the Melissa Pellegrin Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit http://www.stc-orlando.org/ education/college/schlrs.asp.

The fund also helps the chapter defray the cost of student membership in the STC, allowing new generations of technical writers to network with and learn from professionals in their field.

ËBob StultzË

ËBonnie SpiveyË Cindy Hauptner and Bob Stultz were each awarded a $350 graduate scholarship for their contributions to the educational outreach programs. Bob and Cindy cocreated multimedia presentations expounding technical writing, which are used to supplement the high school visits.

In the 2003 competition, Bonnie Spivey won an undergraduate scholarship of $500 for excellence in technical communication and her diligent leadership in the Future Technical Communicators (FTC) club at UCF.

The Melissa Pellegrin Memorial Scholarship Fund was founded to honor and preserve the memory of a valued friend and professional colleague, Melissa Pellegrin. She was a 1994 graduate of UCF and a member of the Orlando STC Chapter. The fund provides scholarships and awards to selected outstanding undergraduate and graduate technical communication students at UCF.

. . . helps sustain the Melissa Pellegrin Memorial Scholarship Fund for Technical Communication students at UCF.

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Appendix G - Rising Stars Flier for Personal Sponsors

Support Our Rising Stars! Personal Sponsorship Program

Your Financial Support Helps Replenish the Pellegrin Memorial Scholarship Fund for top technical communication students at UCF Continue our highly successful annual high school technical writing competition Sustain the chapter’s overall operating budget, thereby supporting and extending its professional development initiatives for the general membership

Benefits of Personal Sponsorship Personal Patrons: $25 contribution A certificate of appreciation Acknowledgment in the Orlando STC Chapter newsletter Acknowledgment in the Orlando STC Chapter, FTC, and UCF English Department Web sites

Personal Grand Patrons: $50 contribution All Patron benefits Two admissions to a regular chapter meeting One Orlando Chapter pin

Personal “Tech Angels”: $100 contribution All Grand Patron benefits Two Orlando Chapter pins ------------------------------------- Detach Here and Send in With Your Contribution ------------------------------

Name: _______________________ E-Mail Address: _____________________________ Select One: ____ Personal Patron ($25) ____ Personal Grand Patron ($50)

____ Personal Tech Angel ($100) ____ Other (All Contributions are Appreciated!)

Allocation: You may specify % allocation if you wish: ____ 100% to Pellegrin Scholarship Fund ____ 100% to High School Outreach Program

Send to:

____ 50% to Pellegrin Fund, 50% to high school outreach ____ Other (please specify)

STC Orlando Chapter Treasurer PO Box 540444 Orlando, FL 32854

Please make your check payable to the STC Orlando Chapter. Your contribution is tax deductible, less the value of the benefits, which we can provide. The STC IRS # is 31-0919557.

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