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Meet Bernard Aschwanden: Since 1992 he has worked as a trainer, courseware developer, writer, team lead, manager, and business owner. His extensive travel and work with 1000s of people across North America, Europe, and Asia gave him the chance to see the benefits STC membership brings to technical communicators. As a professional consultant, he implements technical writing solutions for teams and projects from startups to Fortune 500 corporations. This broad exposure to different cultures, policies, and processes has taught Bernard a great deal about technical communications and the people in this field.
Offerings for the overall STC community: Foresight and leadership. Before zero-based budgeting became par-for-the-course in STC communities, Bernard introduced this concept to his own community. He built a management team to keep Toronto STC strong and deliver membership value. His innovations granted Toronto a Community Pacesetter Award. Bernard is also a professional presenter, recognized as a top-rated speaker at events such as STC Summit, tekom, and more. For over 15 years he has represented STC communities in discussions regarding funding, in educational presentations, and in many roles as a senior STC member. It is a logical extension of his services that he be elected to represent your needs to the Board in a formal role as Director.
Offerings to STC community leaders: Bernard has helped community leaders by promoting long-term sustainability and strong communities with solid partnerships. He understands how stakeholders, plans, budgets, and unforeseen circumstances can impact a community and helps leaders formulate plans to manage each of these components. He provides educational events to communities to help raise funds, delivers workshops online, and travels to communities to meet leaders and learn about their local needs.
Services and support for STC members: He supports a strong pro-member agenda. Bernard delivers community workshops, establishes partnerships with vendors, and leads presentations (both online and in person). He is active online, providing both direct and indirect support for members. He is also a strong voice for the rights of student members. Bernard speaks passionately about the value of the STC and technical communications as a profession both within the STC and to organizations outside the STC.
Elect your STC Director: Bernard is a community level past-president, webmaster, newsletter editor, and competitions manager. He has been a member since 1997. Many people within the community have asked him to run for this position, and to bring his skills, ideas, and leadership to the international level. Bernard is eager to work with the STC for the betterment of the Society and its members regardless of community size, funding, or location.
Solid business credentials: Bernard is also a small business owner and responsible to both clients and staff. This means he sets realistic expectations and ensures his business is run in a fiscally responsible way. Growing a business, managing projects, and working with the STC board all require similar skill sets. Leadership means understanding what is realistic, what resources are needed, and where estimates change. Bernard’s business survived one of the toughest economic downturns in recent history, and continues to grow. In part, it is because he can adapt quickly to change, and is willing to ask for ideas from many sources to find solutions.
Next steps to consider: Talk to others in the STC about Bernard. Perform a Google search to learn more about him. Review his business website. Follow him on Twitter. The STC needs clear leadership to continue to rebuild the community; it needs people with a vision for the future and the ability to bring membership into a future where the STC is a strong organization. STC needs people who ask intelligent questions, talk to communities, or explain why requests cannot be met. It needs strong leaders who listen and can make the right decisions.
Conclusion: Bernard Aschwanden has almost 20 years in training and technical communications, resolving technical communication challenges, and providing fresh ideas and solutions. His vision is an STC community that is strong and well positioned to meet the growing needs of technical communicators. To that end, please add your support and help Bernard Aschwanden. Elect him as a Director of your STC.
Candidate Statement:
I want to be an STC Director to bring experience and leadership to a community I have been involved with since 1997. I have been the Toronto STC President, active in the STC community as a presenter, educator, and a leader, and feel the time is right to run for this position. Over the past 20 years in technical communications I have forged strong relationships with service providers, software developers, STC community leaders, and our membership at large. My abilities to find common goals and work with diverse teams to make them happen are something the STC needs.
Other Links:
http://www.publishingsmarter.com/community/stc-community
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardaschwanden
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