It Takes a Village! by Barrie Byron, STC Philadelphia, Publicity Manager
I declare the 2013 Greater New York and Philadelphia Regional TechComm Competition a successful example of immense sweat equity, collaboration, creative use of technology, and teamwork. Anyone who knows NY Metro Immediate Past President and our 2013 competition manager Malu Schloss knows that you just can't say no to intriguing professional development activities. Back in August, Malu started the ball rolling with team development and planning calls. When I look back on the competition activities calendar, I see an exciting array of collaboration events that used technology and teamwork:
July 10: The seeds of
Collaboration between STC Philadelphia Metro and NY Metro were planted
with conference call (in-person attendees met in NYC)
July 27: Competition team call using GoToMeeting (I was talking through my iPad at the Trenton Airport)
Aug. 28: Judging team building meeting with Malu, Carolyn, and I. We used Google Hangout (not a total success, but we tried!)
Aug. and Sept:
NY Metro President and Google Docs wizard Nitza designs, refines,
tests, reworks, and maximizes the usability of our first-ever online
competition entry form.
Sept. 11: Practice for the TechComm Roadshow
Sept. 12: Malu, Carolyn, and I meet by phone to build team lists
Sept. 17:
Malu, Carolyn, and I meet by phone with members of the STC New England
Chapter. Now our regional competition involves judges and entries from a
third chapter!
Sept. 27: TechComm Roadshow an outstanding
success with 54 participants. This innovative collaborative event was
hosted live in three states (NY, NJ, and PA). Technology connected
virtual attendees from as far away as New England, Texas, and even a
presenter from India!
Oct. 3: Malu and team work on project
timeline. We used Google docs to share and collaborate on the project
planning aspect of the competition.
Oct. 19: Malu, Carolyn,
and I meet by phone to confirm final team list. A lot of work went into
pairing experienced judges with first time judges.
Oct. 20:
Entry packing event in Telford, PA, hosted by Karen at the Draeger Medical office. (Photos
tell the story) I meet Malu for the first time (my new best friend is
now a real life friend!). More than 8 volunteers showed up to sort and
pack entries so that each judge gets appropriate entries. Entry Manager Karen mans her laptop to keep us on track. Carolyn wrote each judge a
personal letter with their assigned entries and team members. A LOT of
work was accomplished in this single event. NY Metro volunteer Scott
rented a car and drove team members from NYC. Scott volunteered to
manage the shipping. He also retained the master entries. His rental car
was FULL to the brim with entries and team members.
Oct. 29:
Super Storm Sandy hit NJ and NY with hurricane-force winds submerging
judges cars and leaving judges and volunteers without power for up to
week.
Nov. 2 and 3: Carolyn hosts two online judge training
events. Carolyn wins the 2012 competition sweat equity and best results
award. Serving as judging manager for 23 judges was a big job.
Dec. 8: Onsite
consensus day in four virtual locations! (Photos tell the story) Three
teams and a few other PA and NJ area judges met at Vertex, Inc. in
Berwyn, PA. Vertex consistently supports STC with facility use, stellar
volunteers from their workforce, and event leaders. The newly remodeled
conference room had technology that allowed us to speak into integrated
table-top speakers. At the conclusion of team consensus, all onsite and
virtual judges collaboratively viewed entries to achieve consensus on
Best of Show awards. I think this is the first example of virtual
discussion, viewing, and Best of Show voting.
Dec. 9-Jan. 23:
Competition managers continue to use email, phones, and moral support
to encourage all judges to complete and submit their final entry
assessment forms. The geographical diversity allowed more judges to
serve, but also made a successful conclusion a difficult task.
Jan. 24:
Today, I sit in awe of the effort that went into this competition. And
we're not finished yet! I admire the entire team of chapter leaders,
competition managers, judge team leads, judges, and volunteer site hosts
for their stalwart participation and professional dedication.
It
takes a village! In the 2013 Greater New York and Philadelphia Regional
TechComm Competition case, it took two villages. Thank you everyone for
your time and your talent.