Call for Judges for the 2008-2009 STC Competitions
The Society for Technical Communication invites you to serve as a judge for the Northeast Ohio Chapter's 2008-2009 Competitions. This is your opportunity to contribute to the evolving definition of quality for technical communication. Share your expertise, see the best examples of our craft, and make new contacts in the field!
What Will I do As a Judge?
You will:
Participate in a training session for all judges
Receive entries and instructions
Review and evaluate the entries with your assigned team before the consensus meeting. Some options for corresponding with your team include:
E-mail
Conference call (or three-way calling)
Meeting with your team before consensus judging
Attend the consensus meeting to:
Wrap up any additional discussion regarding entries and evaluations needed
Turn in scoring materials
Evaluate and select Best of Show entries
NOTE: All evaluation forms and entry materials must be returned to the competition manager(s) at the consensus meeting.
Judging Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 23rd - Judges’ training and distribution of entries - Mavis Winkle’s in Independence from 6-8 p.m. Appetizers will be served, and meals are available for purchase.
Thursday, Nov. 6th - Consensus meeting – Rockwell Automation located at 1 Allen Bradley Drive in Mayfield Heights from 6-9 p.m. A deli tray will be served. For directions, e-mail Lori Neuman. Note: RSVP to Lori by November 4th.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Judge?
Please note that the arrangement for judging will be different than in years past – as the meeting dates this year occur on weekdays, there will not be an entire Saturday devoted to consensus judging. You will need to correspond with your team and gain consensus on comments and awards for most (if not all) entries before the consensus judging on Nov. 6th.
In addition, we request that you:
Be able to perform judging tasks as a member of a team
Have the time to complete the judging within the timeframe of the competition (two weeks)
Be able to attend both meetings on Oct. 23rd and Nov. 6
Note: Judges do not need to be members of STC.
Recommended Background/Experience (these are not requirements)
Degree in technical communication, graphic arts or design, or related field
Senior membership in STC
Five years in technical communication, graphic arts or design, or related field
Publishing background (two articles or one book)
Teaching experience in communication, graphic arts or design, or a related field (one year full-time or two years adjunct or part-time)
Winner of an STC or other communication or graphic arts or design competition award
What Types of Judges Are Needed?
Lead Judges
Lead judges evaluate entries as part of a team of two to three judges. The teams evaluate the entries in a specific category. As a judge, you and your teammates will evaluate entries, fill out a scoring sheet, and provide comments. Guidelines for how to judge the entries will be explained at the Judges training session on October 23rd, when the entries will be distributed to all judges.
Online Communication Judges
It is recommended that you have experience as a user or producer of online communication, and access to an Intel-based or Macintosh personal computer with Internet access to evaluate entries before the consensus meeting. If you have access to a laptop, we encourage you bring it with you to the consensus judging event.
Technical Publications Judges
You should have experience as a user or producer of technical publication communication.
Technical Art Judges
You should have experience as a user or producer of technical illustrations.
How Do I Become a Judge?
Complete the Judging Application form. Indicate whether you will enter the competition this year and if so, in what categories. Include your qualifications and preferences so we can determine the best category for you to judge.
Note: You may judge in one competition only.
Will I Be Compensated?
Judges will not be compensated or reimbursed for their travel or services to the judging of entries. Please ask the Competition Manager for any other details about reimbursement.
