Activities of EFA's Boston (Massachusetts) chapter will be posted here. For additional information, contact Chuck Brandstater, chapter coordinator, at chap_boston AT the-efa DOT org. You must be an EFA member to join an EFA chapter. Chapter events are open to all members, guests of members, and freelancers interested in joining EFA.
Next Meeting
Shoring Up Previously Much-Used Skills
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 (6:15 p.m.)
Have you found that skills acquired in or soon after high school and not much used since are — or until recently were — just a little refreshing short of coming in very handy again? Spring having sprung, such will be the theme of the next meeting. We'll meet in the basement Community Room of the Robbins Library, 700 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA. Mark your calendars, and please write Boston chapter coordinator Chuck Brandstater at chap_boston AT the-efa DOT org if you plan on attending.
Previous Meetings
Novelty Near November
Monday, November 5, 2007
Discussion of marketing and work approaches was the focus of the Boston chapter's November meeting.
Soloist in Orchestra or Band?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
What sizes and types of clients was the subject of the Boston chapter's June meeting.
What April Showers Are Bearing Fruit?
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
The theme of this meeting was marketing. It was held jointly with the New England Chapter of the American Society of Indexers.
Spring to Spring
Monday, March 19, 2007
How to shift gears to mark the new season was the topic of discussion at this Boston chapter meeting.
Indexing with Heather Hedden
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Especially for us folks back east, the peripatetic Heather Hedden, president of the New England Chapter of the American Society of Indexers (NEASI), graciously agreed to repeat her recent talk on freelance indexing at the Massachusetts chapter.
"It was a ducky, storied night"
Monday, October 30, 2006
The meeting was held on Monday the 30th (and what better way to mark the imminence of All Ain'ts Eve?) at the usual time and address, in the basement Community Room.
How Global the Village?
Monday, September 25, 2006
How Global the Village? How distinctive are the payment mechanisms and prior client-acquisition mechanisms you use (perhaps corresponding in a tongue not your own, for example) in the case of international clients, and how do they work for you?"
Labor to live or vice versa: the perennial balancing act
Monday, August 28, 2006
'Twas a week before Labor Day, and all that was said ... ' but I'm getting somewhat ahead of myself here. Our next meeting, to be in a somewhat different space. Specifically, we were in the 4th-floor conference room. (Mightn't "well-fed" be a nice way to conclude that first verse?)
What Price Independence
Monday, July 31, 2006
Somewhat following and somewhat in the spirit of Independence Day, a meeting wherein we discussed "What Price Independence". (What is most of value about freelancing, at what cost, and do factors such as globalization work advantageously or otherwise: These are potential agenda items, in a manner of speaking.)
To take or not take tests: Is that a question?
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Naming That Price
Thursday, April 20, 2006
"Naming That Price" was the theme. The idea was to share thoughts on deciding what to propose to charge, what proposed payment levels to consider, and where to compromise.
Picking and Choosing (or Occasionally Compensating)
Thursday, March 23, 2006
We shared thoughts on how to assess whether a potential project is apt to be dreamy, just adequate, a learning experience at best, or disastrous, and on how to make the best of such less-than-desired situations as may arise.
The "Unslow" Season
Monday, November 21, 2005
The Tricky 'Treat' Issue: Garnering the Right Amount of Billable Work
Monday, October 31, 2005
(Boo.)
"Networking with 'Siblings' and 'Cousins'"
Thursday, September 29, 2005
"Networking with 'Siblings' and 'Cousins'"
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
"Rewards of Freelancing"
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
"Developing and Maintaining Healthy Client Relations, Phase 2"
Wednesday, June 28, 2005
"Developing and Maintaining Healthy Client Relations"
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
New Growth
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Freelancing through the holiday season
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
How does the holiday season figure in your freelancing business? Do you send clients and potential clients seasonal greetings or even useful little gifts? Do you assess your business situation afresh and make New Year's Resolutions about it? Do you make a point of taking some time off? No need to answer now, but do bring your thoughts to the meeting.
Leveraging memberships
Monday, November 8, 2004
Health Insurance
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
"Finding, getting found by, and working with international clients"
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Focus: Getting Paid ( and arranging for payment ahead of time)
Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Identifying niche markets
Thursday evening, December 4, 2003
Written contracts and less formal arrangements
Monday, November 3, 2003
Brainstorming on marketing tactics
Thursday evening, April 24, 2003
Fine tune your résumé
Thursday evening, January 30, 2003
Ready to dust off that New Year's Resolution about fine-tuning your résumé or brochure? Here's your chance! (Along the way, you get to help colleagues to act on their own NYR.)
Meeting Report
July 26, 2001
The July 26, 2001 meeting of EFA Boston, attended by 18 people (including several repeaters), resulted in a basic plan for meeting dates and topics through April 2002. These plans are TENTATIVE; the structure and format is a work in progress. Details for meetings will follow as we get closer to each date.
Jana and Molly Set the Tone for July 26 and Future Meetings
Chuck asked if anyone wanted to suggest a topic for the next meeting. We (Molly and Jana) think it would be great for us to put our heads together to brainstorm about what EFA Boston and these meetings could be. We know that we need a chance to meet, mingle, trade stories and inside info, and grab some stimulation from other editorial pros.
We also know that without some thoughtful planning by the entire group, the potential for these meetings may not be realized. We'd like to propose this next meeting be an all-out ideas session about how to make this group happen. Come and noodle with us about questions such as —
- What do you want out of this group?
- What would make you absolutely come to the meetings?
- Should meetings be held on a standard date (such as the first Tuesday of every month, for example), to help with a sense of continuity?
- Should we hold meetings in different places once in awhile? At the MFA? By the Charles? On the Common? At the Boston Public Library? Should we have a games night once in awhile?
- Should we be serious once in awhile and rope in a guest speaker?
- Should we set up a resource-sharing network, for people interested in sharing office or other resources?
- If the group is large enough, should we think about creating smaller groups (interest groups?) in order to get to know each other better?
With so much collective intelligence in one room, we're bound to find myriad ways to make EFA Boston meetings the professional support (with some fun thrown in) that will make them a "must" on our calendars.
If anyone knows of a place where we can meet (someplace with tables for games nights and chairs for topic nights), please contact Molly.
Thanks, everyone.
Meeting report submitted by Patricia Schmieg and Chuck Brandstater, with gracious assistance from others!
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