The Society for Technical Communication is an individual membership organization dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of technical communication. It is the largest organization of its type in the world. Its 25,000 members include technical writers and editors, content developers, documentation specialists, technical illustrators, instructional designers, academics, information architects, usability and human factors professionals, visual designers, Web designers and developers, and translators - anyone whose work makes technical information available to those who need it.

The STC Toronto Chapter was founded in 1959 (then the Society of Technical Writers) and is the largest chapter in Canada.

About this Newsletter:

Technical Communications Competition 2004
by Vivian Viitala

Have you or your company produced technical communications that you think are worthy of awards? Would you like your work to be recognized by your peers? Would you like your work reviewed and critiqued by industry professionals to find out what areas can be improved? These are a few reasons why you or your company might want to participate in this year’s STC 2004-2005 Technical Publications and Online Communications Competition.

Who is eligible?
Anyone is eligible to submit entries. You may enter your own work or the work of a colleague or subordinate. You do not have to be a member of the STC. Entries can be submitted to any STC chapter holding a competition.

What can be entered?
STC competitions recognize and encourage excellence in online communication and technical publications.Entries must:

• Contain sufficient technical, scientific, medical, or similar content to qualify as technical communication.
• Have been produced or substantially revised on or after September 1, 2002.
• Have been originally prepared and accepted for publication by a client, employer, or publisher.

Entry categories include:

• Online Communication Competition (with categories like help systems, demonstrations, and technical marketing)
• Technical Publications Competition (with categories like software guides, quick reference guides, and annual reports.)

How are the competitions structured?
When you submit your work, it will be entered in the regional competition, which is the first level of competition. A regional competition is held by two or more chapters, usually in the same STC region. This year, the Toronto and Southwestern Ontario chapters are teaming up to hold a regional competition for all of southern Ontario. As an added bonus to this year's competition, Toronto and Southwestern Ontario chapter submissions will be exchanged with the STC Twin Cities (Minnesota) chapter for judging. This is a great opportunity for your work to be reviewed by international peers!

The international online communication competition (IOCC), and the international technical publications competition (ITPC)-are the second and final level of competition. Regional entries that receive a Best of Show or Distinguished Technical Communication award are automatically submitted to the appropriate international competition.

What awards are given?
Entries are eligible to win one of these awards:

• Best of Show (one for the Online Competition and one for the Technical Publications Competition)
• Distinguished Technical Communication (DTC)
• Excellence
• Merit

Local/regional entries that are awarded a Best of Show or DTC award are automatically entered in the STC's international competitions.

Deadlines, Fees, and Where to Submit
All entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. October 6, 2004.Visit http://www.stc-soc.org/competitions.php for entry forms (including all categories of competition) and fee structure.

Mail entries to the following location:

STC Competition
c/o Vivian Viitala
Leitch Technology
25 Dyas Road
Toronto, ON
M3B 1V7

 Drop-off entries in the evening at the following location:

17 Eccleston Drive, Apt. 210
Toronto, ON
M4A 1K3
(major intersection: Eglinton/DVP)Call to prearrange: 416-757-5658

Entries will also be received at the STC Toronto Chapter General Meeting on September 14 and October 5, 2004.

Judges
Chapter competitions cannot happen without local judges to evaluate the entries. If you are interested in helping to judge this year’s entries, please go to our Web site to find information about the qualifications that you need, the judging process, and how you can sign up. We need your help to make the 2004-2005 competition a success!

A special note that Toronto and Southwestern Ontario judges will be reviewing submissions from the STC Twin Cities (Minnesota) chapter as part of this year's competition exchange. This is a great opportunity to see first-hand what our peers are producing across the border!

Questions or More Detail
For additional entry rules, category descriptions, and entry forms, please visit:
http://www.stc-soc.org/competitions.php.

If you have any questions about submitting an entry, being a judge, or volunteering some time to help with competition planning and facilitation, please contact one of these people:

Vivian Viitala
Competition Co-manager, Toronto Chapter
vivian.viitala@leitch.com

Mona Albano
Competition Co-manager, Toronto Chapter
rnelson2658@rogers.com

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