Chapter FAQ
E-Mail FAQ
I am not getting Chapter e-mails? Why?
This could be happening for a number of reasons:
First, check to see if you correct e-mail address is contained in the STC
International membership directory. You can do this online by going to
the STC International Web site at
stc.org.
If your e-mail address is correct, and you are still not receiving
e-mails, please check/verify all of the following:
- If you are a home user or work from a laptop from remote locations,
make sure that your e-mail software is configured correctly.
- Are you using e-mail filtering to block unwanted messages? If "Yes,"
you may need to enable your e-mail or security software to "allow"
messages from the following e-mail addresses:
- members@stcnymetro.org
- notify@stcnymetro.org
- bflaherty28@optonline.net
- timpone@useredge.com
Note: This step also applies to Web-based e-mail services
(Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) that enable you to use filtering to block
unwanted e-mails or spam.
- If you receive e-mail at your workplace, you may need special
permission from your company to send and receive messages outside
your corporate domain. Speak to your E-Mail Administrator about this.
Your E-Mail Administrator can tweak the corporate firewalls and
security settings to "allow" the e-mail addresses indicated above.
I have received several Chapter e-mail messages with attachments
containing viruses. What is the Chapter doing about this?
First, as policy, the Chapter does not use file attachments in its
e-mail messages. These messages are fake and bogus and are
not originating from the Chapter. Any supplemental information about
an event is staged to the Chapter Web site with a hyperlink in the
body of the message. Chapter messages are routed via a secure
listserver, and only certain Chapter officers are allowed to send
messages via the Chapter listserv. The listserv security settings are
high, and our Internet service provider (ISP) uses the latest
firewall and Internet scanning technology to ensure that our e-mail
messages are as secure as possible.
That being said, there are steps you can take to protect your
PC from viruses and hacker attackers. For more information about
additional Internet security advice and tips, see the Chapter's
Internet Security page.
I am getting Chapter e-mail messages that contain hyperlinks
to viruses and pop-up ads? What is the Chapter doing about this?
Hackers and spammers have become more sophisticated in their attempts
to circumvent Internet security protocols. As users become more adept
at intercepting and eliminating damaging file attachments in their
e-mails, hackers and spammers have resorted to play dirty by using
hyperlinks within the body of their e-mail messages. Be wary of clicking
on a hyperlink unless you are sure that it is safe. How? The hyperlinks
contained within Chapter e-mail messages will either link to a directory
off the main root domain (example: stcnymetro.org/comp/ for the
Competitions Center), or link to a specific HTML file
(example: stcnymetro.org/admin/file.htm). Any other type of link
should be suspect and should not be clicked..
For more information about additional Internet security advice
and tips, see the Chapter's Internet Security page.
When I receive Chapter e-mail messages, I see e-mail header information,
but the body does not display. Why?
All Chapter e-mails are in HTML format. Most e-mail viewers are set to
display messages in plain text. To view HTML messages, set your viewer's
settings to display HTML (some have a "Rich Text" setting which you may
need to enable to view HTML formatted messages, since HTML is a form of
rich text according to these viewers). Since these options vary from
viewer-to-viewer, consult your viewer's online help or printed documentation
on how to set these options. (If you are using a Web-based e-mail service,
such as Yahoo or HotMail, consult that site's technical support center
for information on how to enable HTML/rich text viewing of e-mail
messages.)
Note: All Chapter e-mail notifications are cataloged on the
Chapter Web site and can be viewed via your Web browser. You can access
the archive listing of e-mail messages (listed in chronological order -
most recent first) at
stcnymetro.org/events/messages/msglist.htm. From the drop-down
list, select the e-mail message you want to view.
When I reply to a Chapter e-mail message, I get an auto-reponse
indicating that the message "bounced." Why?
Official notifications are sent through the Chapter listserv. Only certain
Chapter officers can submit an e-mail message through the listserv. Also,
the listserv is set to deny responses to be received and relayed. If your
e-mail address is not on the "approval" list to use the listserv, it is
automatically rejected. This is an anti-spam/anti-hacker security measure.
As per Chapter policy, the listserv exists only for one-way e-mail
notifications; it is not a discussion list, and replies are set to "bounce
back" to the sender. If you need to reply to a message, you can send it
to this address: webmaster@stcnymetro.org. The Webmaster will then route
the message to the responsible party or parties.
I tried to send a message through the Chapter listserv, but it was
rejected. Why?
As indicated above, only certain officers are allowed to submit messages
through the Chapter listserv. This listserv exists only for one-way e-mail
notification; it is not a discussion list. This is an anti-spam/anti-hacker
security measure. If you need to send a message through the listserv, please
contact the Chapter President to discuss the nature of the request. The
President can then route the request to the Webmaster who can then properly
format the message and submit it through the Chapter listserv.
Why doesn't the Chapter have its own discussion listserv?
The Chapter does have its own listserv through CoolList at
www.coollist.com. This list
serves as a mini "TECHWR-L" for the Chapter. The list's e-mail address
is stcnymetro@coollist.com. You can use this listserv to discuss
any STC-related issues. Before using it, please read the usage policy on
the Chapter E-Mail Listservs page.
Membership FAQ
Please note that the STC Transformation Initiative has defined new
membership classes effective 2005. Please consult the Society
Web site for more information about these new membership classes.
How do I submit a change of address?
Any changes to your membership information - name, address, phone
number, e-mail address - need to be made through the master Membership
Directory at STC International. Access the STC International Web site
at stc.org. The Chapter is notified of
any changes to the master database in a monthly report which is then
used to update the local membership extract (there is no real-time
synchronous interface/interconnect between the master STC database
and the individual chapter extracts at this time).
Note: Local chapters cannot change or process the following
membership information or requests: membership classification (Student,
Member, Senior Member, Fellow, etc.), transfers between chapters, new
applicants, or payments for new applicants or renewing members. These
changes need to be made through STC International
(stc.org).
My company usually pays for my STC membership, but I am no longer an STC member. Why?
The accounts payable department of a company usually pays the membership, and will get the membership renewal when STC mails it in October. During a sour economy, when many companies are forced to slash expenses and budgets, they may opt not to renew professional memberships for their employees. Employees and managers may have no option in this case. Sometimes, employees and managers are not notified that their professional membership will not be renewed for the next fiscal or calendar year. If your company normally pays for your membership, please check with your manager or accounts payable department to see if it received the membership renewal, and find out if the company will renew for you. If the company does not cover the cost of the renewal, you still have the option to pay the fee yourself.
How do I volunteer or get involved at the Chapter level?
We are always looking for volunteers and members to serve at the Chapter level. You can contact the Chapter Secretary to express your interest in volunteering. You can also access and sumbit the Member Interest Form. This questionnaire will give us an idea of where you are interested in participating and allow us to put you into contact with the right person. We are open to new ideas and new ways of doing things, and would value your involvement.
I am interested in running for Chapter Office. What do I need to do?
If you are interested in running for Chapter office, contact the Chapter Council (President,
Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary) to obtain information about the requirements
of running for an STC Chapter office. You can also consult the Chapter Handbook
on the STC International Web site.
Does the Chapter support and sponsor any student chapters?
We currently sponsor the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) student chapter. Check out that chapter's Web site at web.njit.edu/STC/. If you are a student, and are interested in joining or participating, contact the NJIT Student Chapter Advisor Carol Siri Johnson (cjohnson@njit.edu).
Meeting FAQ
Where and when are meetings held?
Chapter meeting locations vary based on the event. In general, we try to have two Chapter meetings per month: one in New York City and one in northern New Jersey. However, this is not always the case. Be sure to read your Chapter e-mail notifications (which may contain important meeting information). You can also check the Events Calendar page. Chapter-sponsored events will link to a separate Web page that contains more information, including travel directions.
Any driving directions available to get to meetings?
The Meeting Locations page contains driving directions to the most common locations where Chapter meetings are held. Unfortunately, there are times when meetings are held at other locations. You may need to consult the Web page for that specific event to obtain contact information for that location (such as a phone number or Web site where you can obtain driving directions).
Job/Career FAQ
How do I become a technical writer/editor or break into the technical communications field?
Start out with our Career Center (So You Wanna Be a Tech Writer? page). Our Career & Job Information page and our Education Center contain resources for educational programs and job sites, including recruiters.
Check our Events Calendar page, and attend our meetings to network and learn about happenings in this field.
Your Career Center does not seem to offer any jobs listing or database? Does the Chapter have and maintain one?
No. We used to, but found that it was redundant and competing with STC International's jobs database. We did not want to reinvent the wheel, and currently rely on the STC International's job database at stc.org.
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