Towards a more international union: experience of establishing professional organizations for technical communicators in Europe and the Middle East

The article explores the challenges of establishing a chapter of a US based professional organization for technical communicators in an area outside of the United States. These challenges include: (1) registration of the profession; (2) registration of the organization; (3) delayed mail; (4) increased membership costs; (5) dollar-focused finances; (6) English-oriented activities; (7) limited support systems for technical communicators; (8) competition from other societies; and (9) US-centrism.