Tricia Spayer: Questions & Answers
Tricia Spayer
Director Questions & Candidate Answers | Member Questions & Candidate Answers
Describe your governance or leadership philosophy, skills, and experience. Provide an example of a situation where you applied your philosophy to address a challenge, and the result.
I believe in gathering information and feedback from multiple people and sources, keeping an open mind, and encouraging others to contribute. I maintain a positive atmosphere where participants feel respected. I also believe in leading by example. In my positions in NEO STC, there was inestimable work involved, which I always completed as promised.
I am able to research and coordinate large projects and communicate the financial impact of the projects. At Pressco, the training department and I were working in silos, resulting in inefficient and disparate documentation. I researched single-sourcing solutions, gained support from several department managers, and sold my idea to our president. In my proposal, I provided return on investment (ROI) examples to support my ideas. We purchased a large software package, on which I currently train users. Pressco recognized the value of collaboration in our organization, and accepted my vision that this solution provided for future expansion.
A strong indicator of future success is past success. What positions have you held that involved the responsibilities of the office you are seeking, what specific responsibilities were assigned to that position, and what was the result of your efforts?
I served on the executive council for the Northeast Ohio STC chapter for six years, including the president position. Responsibilities of president included overseeing chapter activities, hosting kick-off committee meetings, and overseeing our financial status. This required patience, diplomacy, collaboration, and energy. During this time, I was also on the planning committee for a regional conference, where I was responsible for posters, graphics, and mailings. The results of this work during my year as president included winning the Chapter of Excellence award as well as the membership renewal contest from STC, and holding a highly successful and profitable regional conference.
I was also a member of a committee to enter the STC PR competition. Responsibilities included gathering information, correspondence, and compiling a timeline of activities. These efforts resulted in winning the Award of Distinction from STC International.
STC’s board members must think strategically about the Society’s future goals and objectives, while maintaining fiscal viability in a changing landscape. What experiences have prepared you for the strategic planning and fiscal oversight required of a board member?
Being on the executive board for NEO STC for six years, I saw ideas for our strategic plan get mentioned at board meetings, then tabled, some for several years. I know that ideas take time to grow, someone with the energy to work on those ideas, and the support of the administrative council. I know that ideas do not get implemented overnight—they must be planted and nurtured well to grow. From this, I learned patience and diligence, and to listen to our members.
Our chapter held a highly successful conference in 2007, where we increased our revenue from sponsors. In our planning meetings, we discussed many ideas, such as meals and giveaways that affected our budget. By spending wisely, by using my professional contacts for services (for example, we had a lot of printing done for free), and by thinking years ahead of better ways we could use the funds, we made a good profit. From this I learned to think ahead in terms of benefiting our members in the long run.
As an STC board member, there will be some demands on your time during normal business hours. Describe the corporate support or alternative resolution that you currently have in place to allow your full participation in STC board activities.
I have secured my employer, Pressco Technology Inc.’s, support of my running for director. I prepared a summary of estimated time and expenses I might incur over the next three years. They fully support my desire to run for this position and recognize the responsibilities and time commitments associated with being a director, provided I complete my work projects in a timely manner. I served on the executive board of the Northeast Ohio Chapter for the last six years, during which I had demands on my time during business hours. This has not been a problem.
Provide an example of a time when your integrity was tested and prevailed.
On one project, I used an external vendor for translation services, which I had done countless times previously. I received initial quotes for this project and submitted them to my supervisor. When the project came back incomplete, I dug into the source text and found that I was at fault by not tagging everything I should have. I took responsibility for this, made necessary corrections, sent the additional text for translation, and the project turned out successfully. I take ownership of my projects, and am the first to admit if I make a mistake.
What are your personal reasons for wanting to serve as Director?
As an active STC member for nine years, I have learned an amazing amount of knowledge about our profession. I have attended five STC international conferences, gathering the knowledge of our foremost STC leaders. I have felt their passion for STC and our profession. I want to give back to STC with my time, energy, and accumulated knowledge to see STC emerge stronger, better, and healthier, especially after the difficult times it has experienced recently.
My managers recognize that my involvement in STC has helped me to avoid the pitfalls of being in a department of one. I have learned to challenge old ways of thinking and find better ways of communicating. I see this opportunity as a means to increase my involvement in STC and learn even more. I also see this as a great opportunity to get involved beyond the local level. Our chapter has been highly successful for the last several years. I would like to share our energy and synergy at the international level to help STC continue forward.
Tricia Spayer
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