Society for Technical Communication (Rochester Chapter) records
Scope and Contents
The Society for Technical Communication (Rochester Chapter) records consist of materials related to the organization and its programs. The collection includes correspondence, promotional materials, meeting and conference notes, speeches, governance documents, publications, and other related materials. The promotional materials are for a variety of events including meetings, conferences, parties, and special activities. These include items such as invitations, advertising fliers, and program schedules. The speeches are transcripts for lectures given at functions such as meetings and conferences. The governance documents in the collection include group bylaws, as well as ballots and rosters. There are also group publications such as public relations documents and copies of the organization's newsletter, Proof Sheet.
Dates
- Creation: 1957-2006
Creator
- Society for Technical Communication. Rochester Chapter (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to researchers.
Biographical / Historical
The Society of Technical Communication (STC) was formed as a professional organization for those in the field or in related disciplines. Technical writing was becoming an increasingly important skill in the wake of World War I with its use for new military and manufacturing technologies. According to the STC's website, technical communication is characterized as communication either about technical topics (e.g. computer software) or relayed through technological means such as the Internet. Technical communication can also include information on how to perform a specific task or function. Ultimately the goal of technical communication is to "make information more useable and accessible to those who need that information."
The STC began as two separate organizations: the Society of Technical Writers and the Association of Technical Writers and Editors. These two groups merged to form the Society of Technical Writers and Editors (STWE). After several other mergers and reorganization, the Society for Technical Communication was officially founded in 1960 (see below for a more detailed timeline of the organization).
The Rochester chapter of the organization was formed in 1958. The group provided educational opportunities for area professionals, educated the local community on the value of technical communication, and promoted the overall advancement of the profession. Additionally, the chapter hosted an annual conference, Spectrum, on emerging trends in the area of technical communication. As of 2011, Spectrum was the longest running conference of this kind in the region.
History of the Society for Technical Communication
- 1953
- Association of Technical Writers and Editors founded
- Society of Technical Writers founded
- 1954
- Technical Publishing Society founded
- 1957
- Society of Technical Writers and the Association of Technical Writers and Editors merge to form the Society of Technical Writers and Editors (STWE)
- 1958
- Rochester Chapter formed
- 1960
- Society of Technical Writers and Editors (STWE) and Technical Publishing Society merge to form Society of Technical Writers and Publishers
- 1971
- Society of Technical Writers and Publishers changes its name to the Society for Technical Communication (STC)
Extent
2 Linear Feet (6 document boxes)
Language
English
Overview
Records of the Rochester Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) founded in 1958. The collection includes correspondence, promotional materials, meeting and conference notes, speeches, governance documents, newsletters, and other documents related to the professional association.
Arrangement
Materials are contained in six boxes. For the most part, the collection is arranged by event or program. There is also a section of council minutes and governance documents, as well as newsletter proofs. When possible, the materials are arranged chronologically within each section.
Other Finding Aids
In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the RIT Archive Collections.
Society for Technical Communication (Rochester Chapter) records
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Anny Wiley. Accession number: 07:74
Processing Information
Finding aid created by Lara Nicosia in March 2011.
Subject
- Rochester Institute of Technology -- Societies and clubs (Organization)
- Rochester Institute of Technology -- Students (Organization)
- Title
- Society for Technical Communication (Rochester Chapter) records
- Status
- Published
- Subtitle
- RIT Archives
- Author
- Lara Nicosia
- Date
- 31 March 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the RIT Archives Repository
