Who would like to save this important SIG?

[kathry...@uc.edu]

Hello, all. It appears that the Workplace Writing SIG is now leaderless, as there has been no activity since last spring and our SIG does not seem to be on the program for 4Cs this year--for the first time in four or five years, when I led the effort create the SIG.

I have gotten to know quite a few of you and your skills/needs, and it's a great group! Is there one or more among you who'd be willing to step up and make this SIG active again? I know from experience that the members are willing to pitch in and participate if someone will lead. I also believe that this SIG will only grown in number and importance as more writing teachers cross/blend the boundaries between rhet/comp and workplace writing.

I do hope the SIG can continue and grow, and I will be glad to help as I am able.

Kathy Rentz (Retired)

[James Schirmer]

Hi Kathy, 

I'm interested in saving this SIG. I was one of the few who attended the 4Cs meeting in Chicago last year and that experience led to a panel session at ABC in Denver. I also share your belief in the potential for growth as I'm definitely one of those writing teachers engaged in crossing/blending the boundaries between rhet/comp and workplace writing. (This is just my fourth year teaching business communication!) 

Of course, I'd rather not do it alone, if only because travel funding is uncertain. Co-leading could better allow for consistent coverage and presence at 4Cs and ABC, too. 

Are others interested in getting to work on this? Could/should we schedule a Zoom meeting soon? 

James Schirmer

Associate Professor of English, University of Michigan - Flint 

[Rentz, Kathryn (rentzkc)]

That’s great, James! Who would like to help him out?! How about you, Jennifer Coon?! Seth Archer? Gina Genova? Mya Poe? Or any of you other wonderful people who’ve been participating!

 

The work would consist of  . . .

--Getting a SIG meeting on the 4Cs conference schedule each year (probably virtual is best), with the goal operate reliably enough to be designated a standing SIG at some point

--Planning SIG-sponsored panel presentations for 4Cs as well as ABC (the Association for Business Communication) conferences, to promote cross fertilization between rhet/comp and workplace writing

--Offering future half-day workshops like the one Gina Genova, Matt Baker, Matt Gilchrist, and I presented (virtually) at the 2021 4Cs conference (”From Teaching Composition to Teaching Workplace Writing: Making an Effective Transition”)

--Promoting the SIG and its activities in the ABC newsletter

--Pursuing anything else that can help workplace-writing teachers help each other and those who are new to this kind of teaching (e.g., we gathered a LOT of sample syllabi for that 2021 workshop and can keep that kind of sharing going)

 

It will be a good idea to determine up front who will oversee each of these duties (e.g., who will be the one to submit a proposal to be on the 4Cs program in 2025? Who will encourage members to propose presentations for 4Cs and ABC?). Poor communication amongst the leaders caused inefficient and wasted effort in the past, so being clear on what will be done by whom will ensure smoother operations and accountability. I can offer guidance to the new chair/s on all the duties (e.g., I have proposals we’ve written in the past to get the Cs to approve our SIG meeting as well as the slides for the workshop we did).

 

Let me know how I can help you get set up and active again!

 

Kathy

 

From: workplace-...@googlegroups.com <workplace-...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of James Schirmer
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2024 11:31 AM
To: Workplace Writing SIG <workplace-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Who would like to save this important SIG?

 

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