Q: How will chapters operate if we no longer have funds to rely on in the future?
A: You are keeping 15 months of revenue, so we’re leaving you in better shape than the Society itself! But anyway, we are committed to ensuring that the chapters do have funds for the future:
- We plan to resume funding the chapters in 2011 using zero-based budgeting.
- We are working with individual chapters to ensure that they begin charging (or charging more) for their programs and services. Not only will this help them to recover some of the associated expenses and get closer to self-sustaining programs, but it also will reinforce the value of the programs from which local STC members and other technical communicators typically benefit the most.
- We are funding chapters that project a deficit through the end of 2010, to ensure their ability to deliver their planned programs and activities.
- We will fund chapters that experience unforeseen shortfalls throughout the next year, due to situations beyond their control (for example, having to replace a projector or laptop that crashes unexpectedly).
Steven Jong 