atw: Re: ASTCs etc

As the President of the ASTCV, Sue states:

"So, we have been working away in the background to move our
> organisations
> closer together. However, ASTC (Vic) members who want
> amalgamation should
> realise that membership fees and meeting costs are different
> between ASTC
> (Vic) and ASTC (NSW), and there would have to be a very
> strong push from
>  our membership for us to consider it."

Obviously then, despite what some have inferred, merging is not an option on
the table at the moment.

OK, consider this the first push Sue if that is what is needed.

Others, including any non-members who can see that having an Australian
national body would be a good thing, please join in. Remember Sue, current
non-members, sufficiently motivated could become members.

Also re: the VTR issue, I had hoped for a full list of reasons per Sonja's
earlier email. To just say "However, it is provided free, and has many
benefits that others have already pointed out." is still not very helpful.
We have always had adequate funds to cover rent so that should not be an
issue.

We are supposed to be a society of professionals, not beggars. So again, why
the move? Even you appear to agree that having it at VTR can be awkward at
times.

Regards,

Bruce Ashley






> -----Original Message-----
> From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Sue Woolley
> Sent: Friday, 28 November 2003 1:37 PM
> To: 'austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
> Subject: atw: ASTCs etc
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> As the ASTC (Vic) President, I have been listening in the
> background to
> everything that has been said over the last couple of days,
> but haven't yet
> had time to comment. There are a number of issues that have been put
> forward, so I'll try to deal with each of these.
>
> 1. Thank you Nancy Rose for saying exactly what I was
> thinking, but saying
> it much more eloquently than I ever could have!
>
> 2. Rates
>
> We had a committee meeting on Wednesday, and have decided to
> compile a list
> of guidelines for rates for technical writers, based both on
> experience and
> expertise. This list will go on the ASTC (Vic) web site for
> anyone to view.
> The information will apply to Melbourne and Vic, and we are
> happy for the
> ASTC (NSW) to use our results to compile something similar
> for themselves
> if they think it appropriate.
>
> 3. Between contract work.
>
> We intend to have a forum on our new web site (it is coming,
> slowly, due to
> pressures of 'real work'). This would be an ideal place for
> people to share
> their experiences in this area, and others of general
> interest. So, please
> get together your thoughts and share them in this way.
>
> 4. ASTCs and their usefulness
>
> As with any professional organisation, the ASTC benefits its
> members in
> many ways. For example, we have an interesting quarterly newsletter,
> regular free meetings with a range of guest speakers, a job referral
> service, professional development courses and discounts with
> bookshops and
> training organisations.
>
> In the end, whether or not to join an ASTC is a personal
> decision. I can
> only say that I have grown professionally since I joined the
> ASTC (Vic)
> about 5 years ago, and since I started regularly attending
> meetings, I have
> found the professional support and networking opportunities
> are invaluable.
>
> 5. ASTC (Vic) venue
>
> I agree that the venue at VTR Consulting could be better.
> However, it is
> provided free, and has many benefits that others have already
> pointed out.
> We also adjourn for coffee afterwards, so any networking can
> be done then.
> VTR DO NOT, and have never done anything but support us in
> our endeavours.
> We even had a rival recruitment consultant speak to our
> meeting a couple of
> months ago.
>
> 6. Amalgamation of ASTCs
>
> This has been an ongoing issue. I have been working closely
> with Janet
> Taylor of the ASTC (NSW) and Brett Lockwood from the Society
> of Indexers in
> Vic to bring our organisations closer together, to look for
> synergies to
> relieve the load on volunteers generally and to look for
> areas of mutual
> benefit. ASTC (Vic) have offered assistance to the people who
> want to set
> up a new Qld ASTC, and have suggested that they become
> distance members of
> our society.
>
> So, we have been working away in the background to move our
> organisations
> closer together. However, ASTC (Vic) members who want
> amalgamation should
> realise that membership fees and meeting costs are different
> between ASTC
> (Vic) and ASTC (NSW), and there would have to be a very
> strong push from
>  our membership for us to consider it.
>
> If you have any specific suggestions or comments on issues
> affecting the
> ASTC (Vic) or how we can better serve our members, please
> feel free to
> contact me personally on president@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Sue Woolley
> President, ASTC (Vic)
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