The ASTC(NSW) president, Janet Taylor, is on leave, returning on Dec 8th. She is not aware of the current discussion. I'm sure she will respond when she returns. -----Original Message----- From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of bja Sent: Monday, 1 December 2003 11:59 AM To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: atw: Re: was: Another "rates" query I hate putting my money where my mouth is because it costs too much to fill at times :). Actually, I don't mind Elizabeth but it has to be sponsored by the ASTCV/NSW or it will go nowhere. The committees need to have ownership of the task. I'm happy to contribute but they need to start the ball rolling. I recommend that ALL members contact their local president and ask them to start. Non-members could also send an expression of interest if so inclined. Go to: www.astcvic.org.au or www.astcnsw.org.au for committee details. Regards, Bruce Ashley > -----Original Message----- > From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Fullerton, > Elizabeth > Sent: Monday, 1 December 2003 9:25 AM > To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: atw: Re: was: Another "rates" query > > > Great idea, Bruce! > > How we start off with you making a more structured version of > the below, = > and then we can bash it around on the list a bit to see what > comes up. = > Perhaps after some thought some of the pros will become cons, > and vice = > versa. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: bja [mailto:bashley@xxxxxxxxxxx] > Sent: Monday, 1 December 2003 9:16 AM > To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: atw: Re: was: Another "rates" query > > > It's relevance that matters. We do not have the level of membership = > needed > because the societies are just not relevant to the majority > of technical > communicators in this country. > > Make the ASTCs relevant and the members will come and with > the members = > will > come the additional volunteers. > > We don't have to do everything at once. I know about the lack > of time = > and > volunteers (having also served on two ASTC committees) but to me, = > starting > the ball rolling is simple. > > 1. Put together a list of benefits ie central website, newsletter, = > courses, > liaison and education of agencies and potential employers, skill > recognition, certification, salary structure etc etc.. > > 2. Put together a proposal for a merged society ie the states > would meet > where they do now and the fees would be standardised (a split between > Melbourne and Sydney fees? > > 3. Put the proposal to all members. > > That shouldn't be too difficult for the committees to start with, = > surely. > > Then, once the members' views are known, the committees could either = > drop > the matter entirely (for a couple of years) or set up a new national > structure and constitution based on the current ones and then > hold joint > Special Annual General Meetings. > > Even if it takes twenty years through lack of time or volunteers, we = > would > still have a start and a new committee could pass the baton along. > > Please..... just start. > > Regards, > > Bruce Ashley > > ************************************************** ************************************************** To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject field. To unsubscribe, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject field. To search the austechwriter archives, go to www.freelists.org/archives/austechwriter To contact the list administrator, send a message to austechwriter-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ************************************************** ************************************************** To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject field. To unsubscribe, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject field. To search the austechwriter archives, go to www.freelists.org/archives/austechwriter To contact the list administrator, send a message to austechwriter-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **************************************************