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About us

Our Members

We are an active 121 member chapter with about 60 percent women and 40 percent men. The majority of members have 9-to-5 jobs, but about 17 percent are independents.

We used to be larger, but like other groups of professionals, the recent recession (also known as the Dot-Com Bust) took its toll. Some left the technical communication profession; some stayed in the profession, but left STC.

Now, the chapter is growing again. Former members are rejoining STC, and new practitioners recognize the value of participating in a local chapter of an international organization.

We have members who work in high tech, health care, and government. We also have a growing number of student members, and some of us are full- or part-time teachers.

The Market

While the job market is considerably smaller than that of Silicon Valley, it still has numerous opportunities for technical communicators.

The market has improved as companies have settled their outsourcing/offshoring issues. Also, Sacramento has many companies that are big enough to need technical communicators, but too small to consider offshoring.

Our Community

Members live and work here because Sacramento has excellent climate and a special charm. It's a very small big city.

Sacramento has an excellent affordabaility index for housing (although this is changing), short commutes, and outstanding recreational resources, including the Sacramento and American Rivers, the Gold Country, Old Sacramento, and nearby hunting, fishing, and skiing areas. 

Meetings

We hold our meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. The focus is on jobs, networking, professional issues, and exciting speakers. From these activities we hope to improve our skills, understanding, and opportunities. 

Meetings are free to members, first-time visitors, and participants in our special Friends of Sacramento STC program.

Other Programs

The Sacramento chapter hosts an annual one day conference called "Writer in the Workplace." It is very popular, due to its local focus, excellent presenters, and affordable pricing.

The chapter has provided ongoing guidance to the California State University, Sacramento, Regional and Continuing Education, to assist them in delivering their Technical Information Development Certificate Program. Several chapter members teach courses in the program.

We share sponsorship of the Northern California Technical Publications Competition, and make contributions to the community at large.

Brief History

In November, 1985, Ellen Ashcraft and Lorna LaVerne mailed out the first STC Sacramento newsletter to all unaffiliated members who lived near Sacramento. Articles included decisions that needed to be made to develop the chapter and the fact that the new chapter would "...need to lay the groundwork for activities..." and entice people into taking advantage of all the opportunities that STC had to offer.

The first meeting was held on December 5, 1985, in a conference room at Hewlett-Packard Company in Roseville, California. Much of that first year was spent getting the chapter going, creating a logo, recruiting new members, and keeping members interested with various presentations at the meetings.

Over 20 years, the chapter has experimented vigorously in providing all kinds of services to members and to the community. This chapter was among the first to introduce free meetings, free job lines, online newsletters, and sophisticated career/resume counseling.

Chapter Honors

STC Sacramento has been honored with the following awards:

• Chapter Newsletter Award, 2006 (Excellence; Most Improved)
• Chapter Newsletter Award, 2005 (Merit)
• Chapter of Merit Award, 2004
• Chapter Achievement Award, 2002-2003 (Excellence)
• Chapter Achievement Award, 2001-2002 (Merit)
• Chapter Pacesetter Award, 1995

Sacramento is the home chapter for such distinguished members as Lance Gelein, past STC International President.

More Information

You can always find out more about the Sacramento Chapter by e-mailing anyone on the Administrative Council.