Comments for Toward Humanity http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity All about the humanity of communication Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:20:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Nine Engaging Ways to Open a Presentation by Rebecca http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2012/01/03/nine-engaging-ways-to-open-a-presentation/comment-page-1/#comment-3666 Rebecca Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:20:16 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=678#comment-3666 Excellent suggestions! Thank you, Rich! Excellent suggestions! Thank you, Rich!

]]> Comment on Open Your Presentation with Pizzazz — Tell a Story by Sharon Garrity http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2011/12/16/open-your-presentation-with-pizzazz-tell-a-story/comment-page-1/#comment-3620 Sharon Garrity Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:49:05 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=662#comment-3620 Good job, Rich. I get it! :) I've got the perfect opportunity to test the theory coming up soon. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks, Sharon Good job, Rich. I get it! :) I’ve got the perfect opportunity to test the theory coming up soon. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Thanks,
Sharon

]]> Comment on The Value of The Society for Technical Communication by Lori Meyer http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2009/12/08/the-value-of-the-society-for-technical-communication/comment-page-1/#comment-3615 Lori Meyer Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:53:45 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=335#comment-3615 Thank you for this great post, Rich. Even though it's now more than two years old, its message is as relevant as ever. Like many active members, I began my membership in the Rochester chapter as a "backgrounder" whose participation was limited to attending a meeting here and there and reading Society publications when they arrived in my mailbox. What a difference twenty-eight years makes! Today, I am a member of 16 communities, a volunteer in four of them, and a participant in two Society-level initiatives. My true appreciation for STC began during a casual conversation with a friend many years ago, after which we agreed that our discussion would make a great topic for our chapter conference, Spectrum. The experience of being a presenter helped me to get to know what a talented, energetic, and friendly community our chapter was. I accepted a volunteer role on our chapter council shortly afterwards, and have never looked back! When I lost my job, I was once again reminded of the blessing of a strong and supportive professional community -- a community that never failed to let me know that even though I was unemployed, I was no less a professional than I was when I still had a job. The opportunity to volunteer enabled me to continue feeling connected to the profession, build leadership skills, and form lasting friendships. Today, I live 3,000 miles away from Rochester, but I'm still with them as a virtual volunteer -- and still treasuring all of the benefits of being part of a professional community that believes in the value of our work and appreciates the contributions of its members. And I've been fortunate to enjoy those same benefits in several other communities in the U.S. and Canada. Like so many members, I have been challenged by the ravages of the economic downturn over the years -- and I can truly appreciate the increasing difficulty of justifying the cost of membership dues. I believe, though, that the expense is a worthwhile investment several times over. No matter what my career fortunes, my STC membership reminds me that I am a valuable part of a profession in which we can be proud. It is in that spirit that I will be saying "Yes" to my membership for the twenty-ninth year. Thank you for this great post, Rich. Even though it’s now more than two years old, its message is as relevant as ever. Like many active members, I began my membership in the Rochester chapter as a “backgrounder” whose participation was limited to attending a meeting here and there and reading Society publications when they arrived in my mailbox. What a difference twenty-eight years makes! Today, I am a member of 16 communities, a volunteer in four of them, and a participant in two Society-level initiatives.

My true appreciation for STC began during a casual conversation with a friend many years ago, after which we agreed that our discussion would make a great topic for our chapter conference, Spectrum. The experience of being a presenter helped me to get to know what a talented, energetic, and friendly community our chapter was. I accepted a volunteer role on our chapter council shortly afterwards, and have never looked back!

When I lost my job, I was once again reminded of the blessing of a strong and supportive professional community — a community that never failed to let me know that even though I was unemployed, I was no less a professional than I was when I still had a job. The opportunity to volunteer enabled me to continue feeling connected to the profession, build leadership skills, and form lasting friendships.

Today, I live 3,000 miles away from Rochester, but I’m still with them as a virtual volunteer — and still treasuring all of the benefits of being part of a professional community that believes in the value of our work and appreciates the contributions of its members. And I’ve been fortunate to enjoy those same benefits in several other communities in the U.S. and Canada.

Like so many members, I have been challenged by the ravages of the economic downturn over the years — and I can truly appreciate the increasing difficulty of justifying the cost of membership dues. I believe, though, that the expense is a worthwhile investment several times over. No matter what my career fortunes, my STC membership reminds me that I am a valuable part of a profession in which we can be proud. It is in that spirit that I will be saying “Yes” to my membership for the twenty-ninth year.

]]> Comment on Open Your Presentation with Pizzazz — Tell a Story by Robert Hershenow http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2011/12/16/open-your-presentation-with-pizzazz-tell-a-story/comment-page-1/#comment-3600 Robert Hershenow Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:46:43 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=662#comment-3600 Great advice, Rich and Scott. I've been serially rewriting my upcoming presentation and suddenly it's clear: I've already got the perfect opening! It's the story I've been trying to build up to. Thanks. Great advice, Rich and Scott. I’ve been serially rewriting my upcoming presentation and suddenly it’s clear: I’ve already got the perfect opening! It’s the story I’ve been trying to build up to. Thanks.

]]> Comment on Open Your Presentation with Pizzazz — Tell a Story by Scott Abel http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2011/12/16/open-your-presentation-with-pizzazz-tell-a-story/comment-page-1/#comment-3596 Scott Abel Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:19:12 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=662#comment-3596 Rich: I have been using the "Let me tell you a story..." line recently in all my presentations. It works very well as far as audience feedback forms indicate. I think we need more story telling in other areas -- not just presentations. Thanks for bringing this up. Rich:

I have been using the “Let me tell you a story…” line recently in all my presentations. It works very well as far as audience feedback forms indicate. I think we need more story telling in other areas — not just presentations. Thanks for bringing this up.

]]> Comment on Open Your Presentation with Pizzazz — Tell a Story by Brian Martin http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2011/12/16/open-your-presentation-with-pizzazz-tell-a-story/comment-page-1/#comment-3593 Brian Martin Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:17:52 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=662#comment-3593 Hi Rich, I was reminded of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" as I read about your little Chautauqua. Well spoken. Best, Brian Hi Rich,

I was reminded of “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” as I read about your little Chautauqua. Well spoken.

Best,

Brian

]]> Comment on Open Your Presentation with Pizzazz — Tell a Story by Gina Gotsill http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2011/12/16/open-your-presentation-with-pizzazz-tell-a-story/comment-page-1/#comment-3590 Gina Gotsill Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:43:01 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=662#comment-3590 I agree! Launch into a story and you'll have their attention from the beginning. I still remember the story you told about driving in Boston the one and only time I saw you present... I agree! Launch into a story and you’ll have their attention from the beginning. I still remember the story you told about driving in Boston the one and only time I saw you present…

]]> Comment on Yes, I See That by Stephanie http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2011/10/20/yes-i-see-that/comment-page-1/#comment-3271 Stephanie Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:52:36 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=631#comment-3271 Great story. I've been there, done that. You slowly peel the layers back to get to what really happened, that they don't want to tell you. Being teens, they are sure that this time the world will end if they 'fess up. You make an excellent point, though, about the power of story and visualization. Why do you think they call it "death by PowerPoint?" The military is apparently one of the worst offenders. Thanks for a great story, and a great point about conveying information. Great story. I’ve been there, done that. You slowly peel the layers back to get to what really happened, that they don’t want to tell you. Being teens, they are sure that this time the world will end if they ‘fess up.

You make an excellent point, though, about the power of story and visualization. Why do you think they call it “death by PowerPoint?” The military is apparently one of the worst offenders.

Thanks for a great story, and a great point about conveying information.

]]> Comment on How Does It Look? by Rebecca http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2011/09/22/how-does-it-look-3/comment-page-1/#comment-3269 Rebecca Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:44:00 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=613#comment-3269 Wow. Stunningly crafted and informative, too! Wow. Stunningly crafted and informative, too!

]]> Comment on Yes, I See That by Rebecca http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/2011/10/20/yes-i-see-that/comment-page-1/#comment-3268 Rebecca Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:38:36 +0000 http://www.solari.net/toward-humanity/?p=631#comment-3268 Concepts in our mind's eye are close to the brain as they appear! Brilliantly written. Concepts in our mind’s eye are close to the brain as they appear! Brilliantly written.

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