STC and Community Service

by

Cindy Martin

STC Community Service Committee Manager

Do you ever think about participating in community service activities? If you’re like many people, you might like the idea of getting involved in community service but are afraid you don’t have the time. I know that’s what I thought before I became involved in community service activities around the Baltimore area in conjunction with my STC chapter.

The advantage of participating in community service programs as an STC chapter member is that you can serve two needs — one professional, one personal — at the same time. Here are some examples of community service programs around STC:

• In the Alaska chapter, STC members judge entries in an annual Science & Engineering fair and provide cash awards.
• In the Hoosier chapter, STC members volunteer to answer phones for the local PBS station’s pledge drive.
• In my chapter, Metro Baltimore, we assist Baltimore County Literacy Works with the layout and design of its quarterly newsletter, and we donate money to defray the cost of mailing the newsletter.

Participating in community service projects through your STC chapter not only provides personal fulfillment for doing a good deed, but can also generate positive publicity and recognition for your chapter. At last year’s annual conference in Minneapolis, our chapter received a Chapter Pacesetter Award for our efforts with Baltimore Country Literacy Works.

STC’s Community Service Committee can assist your chapter’s community service efforts, whether you already participate in community service activities or plan to become involved in the future. As one of the Society-level committees within Professional Development, the Community Service Committee has members from all around the Society. Our mission is to promote STC chapter participation in community service programs and increase awareness of STC’s commitment to improving the quality of life in the communities where STC members live and work. We’re here to answer your questions, provide you with ideas, and share our experience with you.

Keep an eye out for community service opportunities in your area, and consider getting involved. Call me with any questions or information you have. I look forward to hearing from you and welcome your interest.

Cindy P. Martin
81 Hanover Road
Reiterstown, Maryland 21136-1018
Phone: (410) 833-0868
Fax: (410) 833-0373
e-mail: cmartin@mri.jhu.edu

Originally published in the March 1995 issue of the Watermark.

Return to Best of the Watermark