November 2021
Kia ora koutou katoa!
Our November issue is all about people! And how we're helping each other to do great things in our industry.
Katie Haggath, our president, kicks it off by reminding us the AGM is this Sunday (7 November) and how we can be part of building a strong tech comm community. Shelly Davies answers our questions about using te reo Māori and embracing Māori culture in the workplace. You might remember we gathered these questions from you in our September questionnaire. We ask Lynda Harris to update us on what’s happening with the proposed international plain language standard and the Plain Language Bill in New Zealand. And Emily Cotlier and Manjari Kulkarni tell us how taking part in TechCommNZ’s mentoring programme gave them a bit more than what they expected!
From the President
Conference is off, but the AGM is ON. Very important business this year: changes to the TechCommNZ constitution. Vote online before or at the AGM on 7 November.
We’re eager as always for volunteers. If you want to contribute to TechCommNZ but don’t want to commit to being a board member (though we’d love to have you if you do!) then consider volunteering in other ways, like writing something for the newsletter or becoming a mentor!
And finally, huge congratulations to the winners of this year’s Plain English Awards!
Using te reo Māori and embracing Māori culture in the workplace - part one
In September, we asked for your questions about using te reo Māori and embracing Māori culture in the workplace. Our fantastic ambassador, Shelly Davies, answers your questions in this series of short videos. But this is only part one! You asked so many great questions that Shelly will return with more advice and encouragement in our next newsletter.
Plain Language Bill and an international plain language standard: progress update
Find out what's happening with the proposed international plain language standard from New Zealand’s Plain Language Federation representative, Lynda Harris. We also take a quick look at the Plain Language Bill, which was recently introduced to New Zealand Parliament.
A TechCommNZ mentoring success story
Did you know that TechCommNZ can link members with mentors? Here’s information about our mentoring scheme, and a success story from two of our members, Manjari Kulkarni and Emily Cotlier, about their mentoring experience.