About the Twin Cities Community

Welcome to the Twin Cities Community of the Society for Technical Communication (STC)! Our community has a rich tradition of innovative service to its members. For over fifty years, we have provided valuable resources and educational opportunities. We invite you to consider the Twin Cities Community as your primary source of networking and professional relevancy.

Worldwide, STC is the largest professional organization dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of technical communication in all media. More than 15,000 members representing 53 countries are affiliated with 130 communities on four continents.

Community History and Facts

In 1953, two organizations dedicated to improving the practice of technical communication were founded on the East Coast: the Society of Technical Writers and the Association of Technical Writers and Editors. The Twin Cities Chapter was formed on June 1, 1956, as a part of the Association of Technical Writers and Editors.

In 1957, the two organizations merged into the Society of Technical Writers and Editors (STWE). Then, in 1960, STWE merged with a West Coast organization, the Technical Publishing Society, to form the Society of Technical Writers and Publishers. Finally, in 1971, the organization's name was changed to the Society for Technical Communication.

In 2005, the Twin Cities Chapter became the Twin Cities Community. The Society has been transforming to more closely reflect its changing membership models. No longer are we as focused on geography, with the broad availability of the web, but rather, on communities of interest.

The Twin Cities Community draws members from Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Michigan. The chapter is part of STC Region 6, which includes communities in:

• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Missouri
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Nebraska
• Kansas
• Wisconsin
• Illinois (Quad Cities only)
• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• India

The Twin Cities Community currently has 591 members.  Our mission is to serve STC members in the Dakotas, Western Wisconsin, Minnesota, and in the virtual world.  That's a large geographical area, so just where do all of our members reside?

• 82% of our members live or work in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area
• 9% live or work in outstate Minnesota
• 5 % live or work in western Wisconsin
• 2%  live or work in North Dakota and South Dakota
• 2% are virtual members who are located in California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Massacheusetts, Michigan,  Missouri, and  Virginia

• 23% of our members joined within the last 13 months
• 27% have been members for ten years or more
• The most senior member joined STC in 1975