WSRID BLOG

Thank you for a great year!

Stephanie Mathis President — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:53:05 GMT

The WSRID Board wishes you all a happy, safe, warm, and restful end of the year. It has been such a delight working together this year- whether out in our communities, at various events, workshops, lectures, and neighborhoods- we love to meet you!

We are wrapping up our year and preparing for our New Board leaders to carry to torch into 2025 and beyond!

Thank you for all the ways you work to support each other and us.

-2024 WSRID - BOARD

ODHH Workgroup Update- First meeting 10.16.2024

Stephanie Mathis President — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 01:02:02 GMT

Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

RESCHEDULED from October 14th to October 16th.

REGISTRATION LINK

We are rescheduling the Workgroup Kickoff Meeting that was on October 14^th from 3:30 to 5:30 pm due to the day being Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This is the day to acknowledge and honor Native Americans.

Out of respect, the meeting will now be taking place on October 16^th from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Please register here.

If you have any questions or concerns with the registration process, please contact Morgan Jericho at morgan.jericho@dshs.wa.gov.

Thank you!
Morgan

Morgan Jericho, MA
(he/they)
Management Analyst
Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH)
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA)
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)

Previous message:

UPDATE FROM ODHH about the Interpreter Shortage Workgroup Efforts

VIDEO LINK

Hello Community Partners,

My name is Earnest Covington, III, and I am the Director of the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration of the Department of Social and Health Services. We want to update you on the status of the HB 2221 workgroup project, the Interpreter Shortage Resolution Taskforce.

The taskforce is expected to provide a legislative report to the Governor’s Office in June 2025. This report will detail the systemic barriers experienced by Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities and will provide a comprehensive analysis of sign language interpreter services in public, private, and community settings in Washington State.

DSHS and our community partners have been conducting intensive interviews to fill the program coordinator position leading this taskforce. We thank you for your participation in the interview process. Unfortunately, DSHS is currently unable to hire for the role.

The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has appointed Morgan Jericho, Management Analyst 4, to lead and facilitate the taskforce meetings, monitor program activities, and support the data collection process. Morgan, who has worked with the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 2023, supports multiple initiatives, including healthcare access, case management services, and legislative advocacy. You may have seen him working with community partners and leaders in the Washington State Association of the Deaf and the DeafBlind community, supporting the WSAD 2024 conference, ODHH expo, and other community events. His ongoing advocacy with medical interpreting issues will be incorporated into the taskforce.

The Program Coordinator position has been reposted. The person in this role will support Morgan in this initiative. Please see the job posting here.

Morgan will collaborate with you, and community members and leaders throughout Washington state, to support the Interpreter Shortage Resolution Taskforce. He will lead this project through completion in collaboration with taskforce members, the contracted research firm, and with legislative support to develop a report of systemic challenges and proposed solutions.

The first public taskforce session is scheduled from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, on Zoom. Please join us. Registration is required. LINK HERE.

Call for Board Nominations

Stephanie Mathis President — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:50:08 GMT

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The following board positions are open for nominations for the upcoming terms starting January 1, 2025:

President [two year term]: must be a certified member
Secretary [two year term]: can be a certified or associate member
Treasurer [one year remaining of two year term]: can be a certified or associate member
Director [two year term]: can be a certified or an associate member
Director [one year remaining of two year term]: can be a certified or an associate member
Student Director [one year term]: must be in their final year of an ITP and have been a member of WSRID for at least 60 days prior

If you would like to nominate someone (even yourself!) for any of the above positions, please submit their name via the simple Nominations Form.

If the nominee is eligible, we will ask them if they accept the nomination. After accepting, we will request a photo, short bio, and a statement regarding their desire to serve on the board.

Nominations are due by September 19. But there's no need to wait! Help us build a strong future for WSRID.

Call for Nominations! (October 2024 Board Elections)

Stephanie Mathis President — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 18:14:51 GMT

Call for Nominations for October Elections

It's now time to submit nominations for the 2025-2026 board!! WSRID will host our Annual Meeting on Saturday October 26, 10a - 12p. Elections and any motions will be conducted by online ballot during October.

Please send nominations for board, and for membership awards, as well as any proposed motions, to wsridnominations@gmail.com by September 1, 2024.

The following positions are open for nominations for the January 2025 - December 2026 Board Term. Details on the election can be found here October 2024 Election Information

President [two year term]: must be a certified member
Secretary [two year term]: can be a certified or associate member
Treasurer [vacancy - one year term (2025)]: can be a certified or associate member
Three Directors [two year term]: can be a certified or associate member
One Director [vacancy - one year term (2025)]: can be a certified or associate member
Student Director [one year term (2025)]: must be in final year of an ITP and have been a member of WSRID for at least 60 days

Nominations are also open for two awards. Awardees are selected by the board. Details on the awards can be found on our website at https://wsrid.com/Award

Judie Husted Member of the Year
Theresa B Smith Distinguished Service Award

WSRID supports community efforts and HB2221

Stephanie Mathis President — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:22:00 GMT

Greetings WSRID members,

In January, the Board members of WSRID agreed to sign a Joint letter of support for HB2221. The goals of HB2221 directly align with WSRID's Mission, and we are currently considering how our organization will continue to support this work moving forward. Here is a copy of the letter:

JOIN LETTER OF SUPPORT:

Community Coalition for WA Interpreters

Jan 5, 2024

Washington State Legislature

Attn: Representatives and Senators

Olympia, WA

Subject: Joint Letter of Support for Community Efforts to Address the Statewide Interpreter Shortage

Dear Washington State Legislature,

We, the undersigned organizations, collectively express our unwavering support for the community-led initiatives aimed at addressing the critical statewide shortage of American Sign Language and ProTactile Interpreters in Washington State.

As representatives of diverse organizations committed to promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and equitable opportunities for individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing, we recognize the urgency of addressing the challenges faced by our community members in accessing essential services, education, employment, and cultural experiences.

The proposed one-time statewide study, designed to identify the pressing needs for more sign language interpreters, aligns seamlessly with our shared mission and values. This comprehensive study will play a pivotal role in understanding the current landscape, identifying areas of high demand, and formulating strategies to enhance interpreter services throughout the state.

The impact of the interpreter shortage on our community is profound, affecting every aspect of life. From educational settings to healthcare, legal contexts, workplace interactions, and cultural events, the absence of adequate interpretation services creates barriers that hinder full participation in society.

We commend the dedication and foresight of the community advocates driving this initiative and recognize the importance of collaboration between multiple organizations, legislators, and other stakeholders to address this pressing issue. Our joint commitment to this cause reflects our shared belief that the proposed study will pave the way for informed decision-making and positive change.

We, the undersigned organizations, stand firmly in support of these collective efforts and believe that collaboration is essential to create a more inclusive and accessible environment for all residents of Washington State. By working together, we can foster a community where language barriers no longer impede the pursuit of education, healthcare, employment, and cultural engagement.

Thank you for your commitment to this cause, and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact that our joint efforts will bring to our community.

Sincerely,

API CHAYA, Seattle, WA

Deaf Spotlight, Seattle, WA

DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC) Seattle, WA

Hands and Voices, Seattle, WA

Hearing Loss Association of America-Washington State Association (HLAA-WA), WA

Hearing, Speech and Deaf Center (HSDC), Seattle/Bellingham/Tacoma, WA

Manos de Washington, WA

Puget Sound Association for the Deaf (PSAD), Seattle, WA

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., Seattle, WA

Washington State Association of the Deaf (WSAD), WA

Washington State DeafBlind Citizens (WSDBC), Seattle, WA

Washington State Registry of the Interpreters for the Deaf (WSRID), Seattle, WA

More to come…

Community Announcement: BIPOC interpreters meeting

Stephanie Mathis President — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 14:04:40 GMT

Sharing, from the community:

Our first BIPOC sign language interpreter meeting is coming soon. Please join us if you are a BIPOC sign language interpreter in the PNW. We will be discussing issues within our industry and ways to change them.

When: Saturday, December 2, 2023

Time: 10AM PST - 12PM PST

Where: Zoom

Topic: BIPOC Interpreter Meeting

Time: Dec 2, 2023 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

More information available from Good Signs Interpreting.

WSRID Annual Membership Meeting November 4th

Stephanie Mathis President — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 17:34:53 GMT

Hello members! We hope you are enjoying the transition of seasons and are getting excited for the Annual Membership Meeting happening on Saturday November 4^th!

This year’s meeting will be hybrid, held on site at Central Washington University, and virtually via Zoom. Registration is now live on our website, so please let us know how you plan to attend. The annual membership meeting is a great opportunity for all members to learn more about the organization, to provide feedback and share ideas about the future work, and to meet and reconnect with other members! We will send out more info soon regarding the agenda and elections. Register today!

Our meeting will be taking place in conjunction with the WSAD conference. WSAD has graciously invited us to share this space. We will all have lunch together at noon before the meetings begin.

We are also honored to be one of the WSAD conference sponsors and encourage our members to attend, learn, and reconnect. More info about the conference and registration can be found on WSAD's website.

We are also seeking volunteers to help us with the annual meeting. Please let us know if you can help!

-WSRID Board of Directors.

Community Announcement: Spokane area workshops

Stephanie Mathis President — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 18:25:43 GMT

Hello Interpreters,

A2Z Interpreting in Spokane, WA is partnering with The Insightful Interpreter and ODHH to offer two FREE workshops in Spokane in October 2023.

Workshop and registration info can be found in attachments below:

FINAL 10-14-23 workshop flyer Deaf and Hearing Interpreting Teams_ The Relationship and the Work.pdf

FINAL 10-28-23 workshop flyer Deaf and Hearing Interpreting Teams Communication and Accountability.pdf

WA State Courts Interpreter Program: Introduction to Court Interpreting

Stephanie Mathis President — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 22:19:54 GMT

Webinar Registration

The Washington States Court Interpreter Program is holding an Introduction Court Interpreting information session. At this session, you will learn:

Why court interpreter are so important to the justice system.
What it's like to be a court interpreter.
The process to become a credentialed court interpreter.
The knowledge, skills and abilities of court interpreter.

During the webinar there will be a discussion on court interpreting and you will be able ask credentialed interpreters questions. This webinar is for both spoken language and sign language interpreters.

When
Wednesday, June 21 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Platform
Zoom

American Sign Language interpretation and captioning will be provided.

For accommodation requests, please contact James Wells at James.Wells@courts.wa.gov.

Registration Link: Introduction to Court Interpreting: Speaking the Language of Justice (alchemer.com)

Annual Membership Meeting-2023 (SAVE THE DATE)

Stephanie Mathis President — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:15:13 GMT

Annual Membership Meeting

Please SAVE THE DATE for our Annual Membership Meeting which will be held on Saturday, November 4th at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA.

Board Vacancy/Election

The Board is now seeking nominations for members to join the WSRID Board of Directors to fill a vacant position and also for the upcoming election.

Who would you like to have representing you in your state interpreting organization?
Who do you know who has some time and energy to give towards engaging the membership and community, and shaping the organization as we move forward?

Representation from Eastern Washington is highly desired!

VACANCIES

Our board currently has eight (8) members, and our Bylaws state the number of board members will be "at least nine (9), but not more than twelve (12)". There is one vacancy for a term ending December 31, 2023. As directed by the Bylaws, this position will be elected by the current Board from nominations received from members.

ELECTIONS

We will again be holding our election online this fall. This is an early call for nominations! The positions that will expire at the end of 2023 are: Vice President, Treasurer, Deaf/DeafBlind Community Representative, three Director positions, and one Student Director position.

SUBMIT NOMINATIONS (<---click here)

Committee Reports June 2023

Stephanie Mathis President — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:38:43 GMT

Committee Reports

The board has reviewed our committees and focused committee work to meet our goals and needs. Current Committees are as follows: Budget/Finance, CMP, Communications, Conference 2025, Community Outreach, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Governance, Membership, Professional Development, Scholarship.

All of our committee work needs some level of member involvement. Whether you have a few hours for a one-time project, or a few hours a month for something bigger; Whether you like working with others or getting things done on your own time; Whether you’re visionary or detail driven; Whether you love working with numbers or people… Whatever your interests or inclinations - we have a place for you to plug in! Curious? Please reach out!

Below are a few current announcements. More info from all committees will be coming in the next month or so. Recent committee reports.

Community Outreach Committee

Interpreter Social, June 28th, 6-9 pm at Optimism Brewery, Seattle.

Spring Scholarship

Thank you to all who applied for the Spring Performance Exam Scholarship. We have contacted applicants and are excited for the opportunity to support our colleagues on their journey to certification.

We will begin accepting applications for the Fall Scholarship in August. Please visit the WSRID Scholarship page for more information.

Certification Maintenance Program Sponsorship

WSRID was recently approved as an RID CMP Sponsor. Big thank you to Ashley Cavallaro who will be functioning as our administrator. We are working on developing our systems and plans, and will be ready to share more information with our members soon. If you’re interested in being involved with this work, please email Ashley Cavallaro, CMP Administrator.

Governance Committee

Seeking members interested in discussing Sociocracy as a governance model for WSRID - as recommended in Ritchie Bryant’s 2020 DEI Recommendations Report. Looking to find at least one long time member and at least one member familiar with Sociocracy. If interested, please email WSRID Secretary, Claudia Kienholz.

Announcements and Updates: Board and Financials June 2023

Stephanie Mathis President — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:24:13 GMT

Greetings WSRID members,

The following info is from our recent June 2023 E-Blast which should have landed in your inbox on 6/8/2023.

2023 Board Meeting Minutes

The Board has gathered four times this year. Linked here are notes and meeting minutes from these sessions:

January Board Retreat - Retreat Notes
January Retreat Follow-up Meeting - Jan Meeting Minutes
February - 1st Quarterly Meeting - February Board Minutes
May - 2nd Quarterly Meeting - May Board Minutes
Upcoming Board Meeting: Wednesday, August 9th, 2023 at 6:30pm on Zoom

Board Goals

Redesign WSRID’s infrastructure documents to be clear, relevant, easy to follow, and reflective of the needs of our current and potential members.
Improve communication and transparency to members and community stakeholders regarding WSRID’s essential functions and happenings, as well as the board’s focus on a DEI action plan.
Prioritize partnerships and collaborations with organizations and individuals within our communities.
Invest in programs and projects that help enhance the value of WSRID membership.

Financial Report Summary

The document linked below includes our FY24 Budget, our FY23 Budgeted and Actual financials through March (and projected through the end of our fiscal year - June 30) and brief notes for each line item. Quarterly Profit & Loss Statements are also available by request. Overall - our finances are in good shape. Our income and expenses were both reduced. We had budgeted for multiple workshops, but these were not possible without an active PDC committee.

Happy Interpreter Appreciation Day!

Stephanie Mathis President — Wed, 04 May 2022 16:54:08 GMT

To all of the fabulous interpreters in our community,

Happy Interpreter Appreciation Day! We are thankful for your dedication to your work and the communities you serve.

Have a wonderful day,

WSRID Board <3

UNH Research Survey: Legal Interpreting

Anna Mansell Karagiannis — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:33:15 GMT

Hello WSRID Members!

I am conducting a research project about Legal Interpreting as part of my senior year at UNH-Manchester, New Hampshire.

Whether you love or hate legal work, please take a little time ASAP to fill out the survey (link below). By doing so you will help Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens get access to justice (by deepening understanding of resistance to the specialty and contributing to making legal training more approachable).

Thanks in advance!

~ Polly Lorien

p.s. The survey will expire Nov. 22

https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Hy4xzFbDESioYu

Legal Interpreting Survey

Polly Lorien's senior Research Project: Collecting data on in-court legal interpreting.

unh.az1.qualtrics.com

Call for Nominations & Motions

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 19:54:56 GMT

Annual Meeting

WSRID’s 2021 Annual Meeting will be held online Saturday, October 23, 2021, 10:00am–12:00pm.

As announced in February, based on feedback from members and a discussion with WSAD, we will not be hosting a conference this year but we are planning to host a joint conference with WSAD in 2023. We are still eager to connect with you during our online Annual Meeting on Saturday, October 23rd this year!

For WSRID to be effective, the board and members must work together. The responsibility of the board is to coordinate the activities of WSRID to ensure that what we do supports our purpose and mission, while fulfilling legal and contractual obligations. The responsibility of members is to be engaged with the profession, with the communities we serve, and with your professional organization in ways that are meaningful.

The Nominations/Elections/Referenda Committee is asking you to stop and think. Look back. Look ahead. Look around. Ask yourself four questions:

Who would you like to encourage to join the Board of WSRID? Board members are responsible for oversight and working with members to strengthen WSRID, the profession of interpreting, and the varied Deaf and DeafBlind communities in Washington State and around the country.
- CLICK HERE for more information about open board positions, requirements, and how to submit a nomination for the board.
Who do you think deserves recognition for their contributions, character, and commitment to WSRID and the interpreting profession?
- CLICK HERE for more information about awards, requirements, and how to nominate an awardee.
What can WSRID do to better serve the interpreting profession, Deaf and DeafBlind communities, and WSRID itself as an organization?
- CLICK HERE for more information on requirements and how to make a motion.
Do you have a few hours per month to check nominations for eligibility, review motions, support the election process? Work with us to strengthen democracy, representation, and engagement in WSRID!
- CLICK HERE for more information regarding the Nominations/Elections/Referenda Committee or email the Nominations Committee.

All nominations and motions for this year must be submitted by Monday, September 6, 2021 to the Nominations Committee.

We’re eager to work with you ~ Together we can thrive!

Board Nominations

This year, elections will be held electronically.

There will be seven WSRID positions open for the upcoming 2 year term (January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2023). Positions, roles and responsibilities are listed below.

To nominate a colleague for a position on the Board, please email the name to the Nominations Committee by Monday, September 6, 2021

Open Positions:

Vice President (2 years)
Treasurer (2 years)
Three director positions (2 years)
Deaf/DeafBlind Community Representative (2 years)
Student Director (1 year)

The Vice President must be a Certified member of WSRID in good standing for at least the past two consecutive years. The Student Director requirements are listed below. All other candidates must be voting members of WSRID (Certified or Associate) in good standing for at least the past two consecutive years.

Board Roles & Responsibilities:

All Directors:

WSRID Board Directors: [2-year term]

Assume the legal and ethical responsibility for the actions and activities of the organization.
Set the goals for the organization and the Board.
Review and approve policies, operations, programs and committee work.
Approve the budget and monitor finances.
Maintain good community and public relations
Serve as liaisons to WSRID committee(s) - maintaining contact with committee
coordinators, reporting to the board on committee issues, and forwarding committee meeting minutes to the Board Secretary.
Prepare for, attend and participate in Board meetings.
Share duties/roles of facilitating board meetings with other Board members.

Officers:

WSRID Vice President: [2-year term]

Assumes all responsibilities and duties of a Board Director
In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice-President shall perform all duties of the President and have all the powers of the President.
The Vice-President may have other powers and duties set by the Board.

WSRID Treasurer: [2-year term]

Assumes all responsibilities and duties of a Board Director.
Supervises the receipt and safekeeping of all funds of the corporation and deposits that may be designated by the Board.
Prepares and monitors the Annual Budget (July - June).
Provides financial reports to the Board monthly, quarterly and annually.

WSRID Deaf/DB Community Representative: [2-year term]

Assumes all responsibilities and duties of a Board Director
Represents the needs of diverse Deaf and DeafBlind communities.
Consultant to the board to ensure WSRID operations and policy decisions are inclusive of the values of diverse Deaf and DeafBlind communities.
At the discretion of the President, the Deaf or DeafBlind Community Representative may act as a liaison between WSRID and Deaf and DeafBlind organizations.

WSRID Student Director: [1-year term]

Assumes all responsibilities and duties of a Board Director
Serves as liaison to Interpreter Training Program Students, maintaining contact and sending out annual (spring) solicitation announcements and requests for instructor recommendations for following year’s student director position.

Qualifications for Student Director:

Must have been a member of WSRID for at least 60 days.
Must have a recommendation from an ITP instructor.
Must be in the final year of interpreter training
Must be able to participate in board meetings using sign language.

Awards

The Judie Husted Member of the Year Award is presented to a WSRID member who reflects the character traits and commitment to our organization as displayed by the award's namesake. Those traits include dedication, mentoring, service, and involvement to better our organization and support colleagues.

The Theresa B. Smith Distinguished Service Award is an award WSRID gives to express its deep appreciation for dedication, inspiration, and vision, as well as many other contributions to the organization and the profession. Named after Theresa B. Smith, CSC, PhD has served WSRID as an active member since WSRID’s founding in 1968, serving as board member, mentor, and conscience of the organization.

Please submit name and reasons why you support this person receiving this award to the Nominations Committee.

Learn more about these awards and past recipients.

Motions

Do you have a proposal, or an idea for a proposal, for how WSRID can improve?

We want to know! All motions brought to membership for vote will need:

Motion - what you are asking for WSRID to do; brief, but with as much detail as possible.
Rationale - why is this important? How does it support WSRID mission and purpose?
Impact - what will happen if this motion is passed? What changes? Will there be any financial impact - expenses to be paid or income generated?

The Nominations/Elections/Referenda Committee can help you prepare and format your motion if needed. Please send motions, questions, ideas to the Nominations Committee.

Nominations/Elections/Referenda Committee

The N/E/R Committee is responsible for doing the work that involves members in the democratic process to ensure that WSRID represents and serves the best interests of our members, our communities, and our profession.

What does that mean? Between now and the end of 2021, the committee will:

Seek nominations from members and serve as resource for information
Review nominees’ qualifications for board positions, request candidate statements, and communicate with candidates before the election
Review referenda proposals, along with Bylaws Committee, and coordinate with members making proposal to prepare for Annual Meeting
Oversee the election and voting processes
Communicate committee’s needs and activities with board liaison
Prepare report to submit to the Board after Annual Meeting

Do you want to see WSRID thrive for years to come? Are you able to commit a few hours per month (give or take) during the next 6 months? Do you miss the opportunity to work with colleagues, doing something that will have a lasting impact? Do you have questions? Email Nominations Committee.

WSRID Board Letters

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 19:43:02 GMT

INTRO LETTER

Hello WSRID Members,

I am WSRID Board member Claudia Kienholz (CK). In June, the RID board members announced their resignations one after the other. We, your WSRID board members were rocked by this. It’s taken us some time to over the past month to gather our thoughts and prepare our message to you all about this situation and our ongoing commitment to our work. We have prepared two letters, both of which can be found online at WSRID.com.

The first letter below is an open letter to the board of RID, and the second is a letter to you, our WSRID and community members. The letters are available to read or to watch in ASL. The videos aren’t short, but we felt it important to convey our message fully and clearly. You’ll notice a round robin between some of the board members. We tried to keep it brief, but that felt superficial and audist. So instead, we give you our heart.

We hope you’ll read and/or watch if you have the time. We also hope that you will work with us and join us in reaffirming our commitments to the future of WSRID.

AN OPEN LETTER TO RID BOARD

July 15, 2021

To the current RID Board, we send our heartfelt gratitude, our sincerest apologies, and our commitment to do better.

We know that serving in these roles is not easy. We know that doing this work requires sacrifice, courage, and perseverance. So first, let us say thank you. Thank you for your willingness to take on such hard work. Thank you for representing the people in our profession and in our communities, many of whom have been marginalized by society and our field for far too long. Thank you for leading fearlessly and showing us what we are all capable of. Thank you for donating countless hours, often giving up paid assignments or time with your loved ones, to do this work. Thank you for being vulnerable, for having hard conversations, and for being willing to unpack bias and call out oppression.

To those of you who have endured personal attacks, bullying and harassment, and who have been the targets of ugly racist agendas, we recognize that as a member driven organization, we have failed you. We did not do enough to support you in your time on the board, and we did not do enough to interrupt these attacks when they began. Although we know this comes too late, we want you to know that we have always been rooting for you. You gave us hope and you inspired us in our work as affiliate chapter members.

We commend you for the work you have done, and although we are devastated to see you go, we support your decision to resign. We hope that you will be able to prioritize your health and safety moving forward.

Our affiliate chapter will continue our anti-racism, anti-audism, and anti-ableism work, and it is our sincere hope that all of the members of RID will work harder to embrace diversity and recognize the talents and positive transformations that come with it. WSRID will continue pushing to raise the bar and to hold ourselves accountable. We are on a path of change and although we may continue to slip or falter, we won’t stop.

Sincerely,
Washington State RID Board of Directors
Anna Mansell Karagiannis
Kristin Deverin
Paula Bazinet
Elizabeth Bass
Mark Hoshi
Claudia Kienholz
Gabby Hopkinson
Caroline Allen
Rhesa Durgin
Michelle Miles

LETTER TO THE MEMBERSHIP & STAKEHOLDERS

WSRID Members:

As you are all by now aware, last month marked the resignation of the entire RID Board of Directors. One by one, these announcements came after months of personal attacks, racist comments, public harassment, bullying, and more. August 31st will mark the end of their terms.

Although we know this sentiment may be too late, we wish to express our deep gratitude to the individuals willing to volunteer their time and energy to take on the work of representing us at the national level, and while it pains us to see them go, we fully support their decisions to resign.

This group brought with them diverse backgrounds, talents, and experiences. They gave us hope for our profession. They inspired us in our work as affiliate chapter leaders, yet as an organization of 14,000 people, we collectively failed to support them in their roles as volunteer leaders of our parent organization. To say we weren’t paying attention is merely a reflection of our own privileges. To those who stood up, who called out what was happening, we thank you, and to those who didn’t, we hope this serves as a wake up call. Sadly, it comes at a great cost.

As a profession, as individuals, and as an organization, we have so much work to do. We will not be beholden to a racist, audist, ableist past. We do not and will not tolerate the perpetual -isms that infect our field and our society, and we will hold each other accountable when we fail. WE are all called to action to ensure that our profession and our communities thrive in a more just world. This call to action is not new, and it is not just necessary today. It is necessary everyday.

Last spring, the Board members of WSRID made a commitment to you. Today, we ask you to join us in reaffirming our commitments to all current and future members of WSRID and to the diverse communities we serve as sign language interpreters. WSRID will continue to prioritize anti-racism, anti-audism, and anti-ableism goals through our actions as individuals and in the functions of this organization. We ask each of you to consider how you can help impact change, and how we can work together to ensure that this profession is not beholden to its history of oppressive behaviors.

Our April 2020 Pledge:

We are committed to action that will promote and ensure equity of all diverse people, and we know this is not possible until we can ensure racism has no presence in our organization. We strive to work in partnership with organizations and individuals who share these same priorities, and we welcome the participation of all members in this process.

Our 2021 Pledge:

We commit to being agents of change, to hold ourselves accountable for our failures and shortsightedness, and to constantly work to create a world without white supremacy, racism, audism, and other systems of oppression. We strive to work in partnership with organizations and individuals who share these same priorities. We ask for the participation of our members in this work.

Below are a few of the ways we have begun our work. We don’t pretend to be perfect, but we know this work has to start somewhere.

If you would like to learn more about our efforts, have feedback, or want to get involved, please email any one of us through the Board Contact Us page.

In 2020, the board members of WSRID committed to the following actions:

Hire a consultant to audit our organization’s structure, operations and with the goal of identifying opportunities for WSRID to improve and ensure we are functioning as an anti-racist organization, and to bring these recommendations to the membership in the form of policy change and or bylaw referendum.
- Hired Ritchie Bryant to assess WSRID and make recommendations for improvements
- Reported to members in February 2021
- Established the DEI Audit Committee, along with several board-led work groups based on Ritchie’s report. (2021)
- Will be taking actions on recommendations throughout 2021 and beyond
Provide training/workshops for interpreters and community members in our state focused on dismantling white supremacy in the field of interpreting.
- WSRID Board leadership training with Ritchie Bryant 2020
- Understanding the Uniqueness of Black ASL, with Ritchie Bryant (April, 2021)
- Social and Racial Justice Series with Dr. Lissa D. Ramirez-Stapleton (May & June 2021)
- Cultural Diversity: Discussed through the Lens of Black Females (Sept 2021)
Implement policies to ensure ongoing assessments and training for Board members and committee coordinators, including but not limited to mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training.
- Adopted proposals related to the number of DEI focused workshops WSRID will host each year (2021).
- Made changes to existing scholarship offers with an emphasis on equitable criteria and to cover the full cost of exams (2021).
- Approved annual budget to include DEI and leadership training for incoming Board and Committee members (2021).
- Will review all governing documents in detail Fall 2021-Spring 2022

We ask for your involvement, input, criticism, and support as we continue in this work.

Sincerely,
Anna Mansell Karagiannis, WSRID President
And your 2021 WSRID Board of Directors

Open Letter to RID Board

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 14:29:21 GMT

An Open Letter
July 6, 2021

(View this message in ASL)

To the current RID Board, we send our heartfelt gratitude, our sincerest apologies, and our commitment to do better.

WSRID E–Blast May 2021

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Mon, 17 May 2021 14:48:23 GMT

May 2021

WSRID E–Blast

Anna Mansell Karagiannis, WSRID President, a white woman with dark hair pulled up into a bun, wearing a blue shirt and black coat signs to the camera.

Hello WSRID,

Welcome to this month’s E–Blast. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get an email out last month, but we have been busy planning and hosting several workshops, starting up monthly social meetings via zoom, planning the budget for next year, developing a new scholarship program for WSRID members, and more!

It’s been a busy couple of months, so let’s get caught up!

Anna Mansell Karagiannis
WSRID President 2021-2022

Email Anna

From the Board

Scholarship News

April’s board meeting brought with it some exciting changes related to our student membership dues for 2021 and our future scholarship offerings!

1. The board approved a motion to waive the student membership dues for the remainder of the calendar year 2021, and retroactively reimburse the students who have already joined.

Rationale: Student involvement in WSRID has dwindled dramatically over the past several years, contributing to the position of student director remaining vacant for several terms. We hope that by waiving these fees this year, we can encourage more students to be involved with our organization. This decision will have a very small financial impact on the organization.

2. The board accepted a motion to revise our current scholarship program. Rather than offering 9 scholarships a year for smaller increments, WSRID will offer a minimum of 4 scholarships per year to cover the total cost of performance exams for qualified applicants. The current scholarship offerings are still temporarily available, and we will be sharing more info about the new scholarships this summer via email and on our website.

Rationale: For many years the WSRID scholarships have been underutilized. In an effort to eliminate the barrier of cost for a few candidates, we have decided to raise the scholarship amount to cover the entire exam. When funds are available to do so, the Board may decide to award more than 4 scholarships in one year.

Upcoming Board Meetings

June 9th:

Thank you to the members who have joined us for our recent board meetings! We are enjoying meeting new people, and appreciate your participation. For those interested, our next board meeting will be on June 9th, 6pm-8:30pm. If you’d like to attend, click here to register.

July–No Meeting:

After a very long “winter,” the WSRID board members are planning to enjoy a much anticipated summer break. We are taking a little time off to recharge our batteries, practice self-care, enjoy the weather and time outside with our families and loved ones, and prepare for fall work. Join us in August for our board meeting on 8/11/21.

WSRID Quarterly Report:

The WSRID Quarterly (Q3) Financial Report should be ready for members to view by the end of this month. It can be found by logging into the WSRID website and clicking on the "Member's Only" tab. From there, members can find past annual membership meeting minutes (which include financial reports), board meeting minutes (these are still being formatted for the web and are being upload as they become ready), and any other special reports members may be interested in.

WSRID Committees

Collaborating with peers to get things done that you care about is WAY more fun and interesting than you might think when you read “committee work." So much of our work as interpreters is isolating (much more so in the past year, but even pre-pandemic). Working with others toward a shared aim is a perfect antidote!

Sometimes a board can get caught up in doing the work it sees that needs to be done. While the intention is good, WSRID can be a much healthier and more effective organization when the thoughts, insights, experiences, and perspectives of many more people are included. That means... YOU! There are plenty of great opportunities to go around. This experience is too good not to share!

Some of the work we know we can offer:

Conference (2023) - Looking ahead to gathering in person in 2023
Nominations, Election and Referenda - Inspiring members to engage in our Democracy
Budget - Where does the money come from and where does it go? How do we prioritize?
Communications - Sharing information with members in meaningful and accessible ways
Membership - WSRID’s responsibilities to our members? Members' responsibilities to our communities?
Professional Development Committee West (PDC-W) - All the things we want to learn and all the ways we can learn them

Is there something else you want to make happen?

Look for more details in a separate email by the end of the month, or reach out now!

Contact info for committees is located on the committee page or email us below.

“Teamwork Makes Dreamwork” (AMK)

“We may not have it all together, but together we have it all" (CK)

Email Us!

Upcoming Events

Virtual Happy Hour
Education Interpreters Meet-Up
Wednesday, May 26th
6:30–7:30pm via Zoom

We will continue to host virtual social meet ups the last Wednesday of most months. The past two gatherings have been a great success! Thank you to those who attended! It has been fun to reconnect with old friends and meet new people all via video chat on Zoom.

Our next meet up will be on Wednesday, May 26th: “Educational Interpreter meet-up.”

Please check our website periodically for more info.

Info & Registration

Social & Racial Justice Series, Part 2
Saturday, June 5th
Via Zoom
Presented by: Dr. Lissa Ramirez Stapleton

We are thrilled to be hosting Dr. Lissa Ramirez Stapleton for a two part social and racial justice series. The first part of this series was on Saturday, May 15th: “What’s really Going On? Social Justice Basics and Interpreting.” In case you missed it, you can still sign up for the second part on Saturday, June 5th: “Anti-Blackness in Interpreting: How it is Embodied and What it Means for Racial Justice.”

Info & Registration

Save the Date!
WSRID Annual Membership Meeting
Saturday, October 23rd
10am–Noon via Zoom

Information regarding elections, motions, and more coming in June! If you or someone you know has a great workshop to bring to WSRID, please let us know! We are now accepting workshop proposals for 2022! Proposals and questions can be sent to the WSRID president.

Community Announcements

The Seattle Public Schools are working to compile a resource list of agencies, schools, community colleges, and colleges that offer ASL for credit or noncredit. This list will be shared with staff and families. If you know of a program that should be added to the list, please contact Ann Curry.

Region V (RV) Announcements

As an affiliate chapter member of Region V, you may be eligible for free or discounted registration at events being offered by other Region V affiliate chapters. Due to the constraints of COVID-19, many AC’s have moved to hosting trainings online, which make them more accessible for out-of-state interpreters than ever before.

Idaho RID Workshops:

June 17th: “Where in the World is That?” (Mini Workshop Series)

Utah RID Workshops (LINK):

Aug 6th and 7th: “A.R.T. Is Never Ending” Mini Conference
September 10th-12th, 2021. First official silent weekend. Early bird pricing starts May 8th.

To check out our AC websites and learn more, visit RID Region V's webpage.

RID Announcements

Nominations Announcement Video:

“The 2021-2024 Executive Board of Directors elections will open on Monday, May 3, 2021. All eligible voting members will receive an email from RID@simplyvoting.com, containing their elector ID and password to access their ballot. The elections period is open for two weeks from Monday, May 3 – Monday, May 17 at 11:59 p.m. EST.”

2021 RID National Conference:

RID's National Conference, "Re-Orienting," will be held on Zoom, addressing audism and systemic oppression within the ASL interpreting field.

Registration will begin in early May 2021.

RID Biennial Membership Business Meeting:

The business meeting will be held on Saturday, July 10th and Sunday, July 11th during the national conference. There is still time to submit a motion that does not impact the bylaws. More info here.

That’s a wrap for this month! If you have announcements or news to share next month please email us!

Email Us!

WSRID E–Blast March 2021

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 16:33:36 GMT

March 2021

WSRID E–Blast

Dear WSRID,

We hope you are all enjoying the brighter days, blossoming trees, and blooming flowers that remind us spring is here. It feels good to say "Goodbye" to what felt like a very, very long winter, and "Hello" to a new season of change and growth.

Below you will find monthly committee reports, events, announcements and info sharing. Enjoy and stay well!

Board Meetings

Next Board Meeting:

Wednesday April 14th, 6:00pm-8:30pm
Register online to join us.

Agenda Topics: Upcoming workshops, DEI Committees progress/reports, FY 2022 Budget, Scholarship Revision, “Community Corner,” Policies & Procedure Review.

February Board Meeting Highlights: Thank you to the four members who joined us in February!

During the meeting we discussed revising our scholarships, reviewed proposals regarding annual workshop offerings, and enjoyed Paul Glaser sharing some of his highlights from serving as the Vice President of RID for the past two years.

Committee Reports

DEI Audit Committee:

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Audit Committee is a new effort to gather together folks who value accountability, transparency and positive change in the interpreting community. The goal of this committee is to ensure that WSRID is effective and accountable to the communities that we serve. In order to accomplish that, the committee will first need to establish methods for tracking WSRID goals and actions relating to diversity, equity and inclusion, evaluating the effectiveness of those actions, as well as establishing a simple process for the community to bring its DEI concerns and feedback about WSRID as an organization to the attention of the board and its members. WSRID is committed to an annual share out with all WSRID stakeholders of the input we've received, the actions the board has taken, and the work that remains to be done.

The DEI Audit Committee is seeking a diverse body of individuals who are interested in helping WSRID with this work. Each of us has experience, skills and knowledge to share; if you are interested in joining this effort or would like to learn more about this opportunity, please respond to the short survey.

Survey

DEI Audit Committee:

Kelly Brunson
Schawn Hardesty
Salwa Rosen

Board Representatives:

Anna Mansell Karagiannis
Rhesa Durgin
Claudia Kienholz

Legislative Committee:

WSRID and WSAD are seeking interested individuals to work on an Interpreter Licensure Bill. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts please contact Whitney Hill [Legislative Committee Coordinator] or Anna Mansell Karagiannis.

Upcoming Events

Virtual Social Hour
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
6:30–7:30 via Zoom
Hosted by: Kristin Deverin

“It’s been a YEAR! Interpreting in the Time of COVID”

We would love to connect! Join us for a virtual “happy hour” to catch up, check in, and hopefully share a laugh or two.

— — — — — — — — — —

Think Me Nuthing? Understanding the Uniqueness of the Black Deaf Community
Saturday, April 24, 2021
9am–Noon via Zoom
Hosted by: Ritchie Bryant

Workshop: Join us on Saturday for Ritchie Bryant’s workshop: “Think Me Nuthing?: Understanding the Uniqueness of the Black Deaf Community”

For more information about this event and to register, please click below.

Workshop Info & Registration

Community Announcements

Deaf Spotlight Presents:

Short Play Festival 2021. Friday April 9th-Sunday April 11th, 2021. Featuring six new stories by Deaf playwrights from all over the United States. Tickets now available here. For more info visit Deaf Spotlight.

Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning:

Sharing CIEP’s quarterly newsletter here. If you are interested in receiving this newsletter in the future, please email Jim House at DSHS.

Region V Announcements

Check out these upcoming events and workshops hosted by our region five affiliate chapter neighbors:

SaVRID:

Where Should We Begin and Where Are We Going? A BIPOC panel discussion with members of the DHHDBDD LGBTQIA Community.
April 17, 11:00am-1:00pm

Event Link

NorCRID:

Interpreting During a Pandemic & Coping Skills
April 17th, 9:00am-11:00am

Event Link

Idaho RID:

Free Mini Workshops being offered from Idaho RID.

To check out our AC websites and learn more, visit RID Region V's webpage.

RID Announcements

RID Board nominations are open until April 1st:

Submit a Nomination

RID Annual Business Meetings will occur this summer: July 10th-11th during the national conference.

Dates for Motions:

Motions that impact the Bylaws must be received by April 5th.
Motions that do not impact the Bylaws must be received by May 5th.
Motions received after May 5th are considered “from the floor”.
Motions will be received and reviewed by the bylaws committee.

Submit your Motions

Thanks for tuning in!
If you have announcements or content to share next month!

Contact us!

New! DEI Audit Committee and Involvement survey

Anna Mansell Karagiannis — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 17:49:57 GMT

View this message in ASL

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Audit Committee is a new effort to gather together folks who value accountability, transparency and positive change in the interpreting community.

The goal of this committee is to ensure that WSRID is effective and accountable to the communities that we serve. In order to accomplish that, the committee will first need to establish methods for tracking WSRID goals and actions relating to diversity, equity and inclusion, evaluating the effectiveness of those actions, as well as establishing a simple process for the community to bring its DEI concerns and feedback about WSRID as an organization to the attention of the board and its members. WSRID is committed to an annual share out with all WSRID stakeholders of the input we've received, the actions the board has taken, and the work that remains to be done.

DEI Audit Committee:

Kelly Brunson, Schawn Hardesty, Salwa Rosen

Board representatives:

Anna Mansell Karagiannis, Rhesa Durgin, Claudia Kienholz

WSRID E–Blast February 2021

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 15:05:12 GMT

February 2021

WSRID E–Blast

Transcript available under YouTube video description

Next Board Meeting

Wednesday March 10th, 6:00pm-8:30pm

Will discuss the recent town hall meeting, scholarships, FY22 budget considerations, action items, and review our policies and procedures manual. We also welcome our “community corner” guest, Paul Glaser, who will be representing RID.

If you are interested in these topics, or would like to address the board regarding another topic, please join us by registering online.

Link to our last meeting minutes – REPORTS *[Must be a member to access]

Committee Reports

Bylaws Committee:

Bylaws Update for Members - ASL Video

During the Annual Meeting at the 2019 Conference, the bylaws committee shared our decision to prepare revised bylaws to present to the members, rather than recommend small amendments at every meeting. Several sections have conflicting language, some wording is unclear, and some is just out of date. We decided that we needed to look comprehensively at the whole document and work with membership to create a new set of bylaws that would better meet our needs. Our plan was to survey members about specific content areas, then draft revised bylaws to bring to the members for approval at the 2021 annual meeting.

Well... things change. Last fall, the board made a commitment to evaluate the organization and identify opportunities to better serve and support our diverse community. The foundational work on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that we do over the next year or two will shape the organization and the bylaws that guide it. The bylaws committee will incorporate these changes into revised bylaws, which we expect will be ready for membership vote in 2022. We still want member input. We still plan to survey members in the future. And if you have any input or ideas now, if you want to review the bylaws and make recommendations, or if you want to be involved in drafting new bylaws - we'd love to know! Please contact the committee.

Thank you and we're looking forward to working with you!

Legislative Committee:

(From Whitney Hill) The Legislative Committee held a Town Hall event on January 30. Thank you to WSRID Board for suggesting the idea and setting up tech and advertising. It was a big success. We probably had 15-20 participants there. The topics were: overall explanation of legislative process, petition for rule-making process, and contract advocacy, followed by an update on current bills that may impact Deaf community, and ending with discussion on potential for interpreter licensure bill. We will be hosting another meeting this summer. Stay tuned for more details.

If you are interested in joining a committee or supporting a specific goal or project, let us know. Current committee list/information can be found on the website.

Please note: the website has not been updated to include the DEI action plan committees, but that information will be posted and available soon.

DEI Town Hall

On Saturday Feb 20th, the board hosted an informational meeting to share recommendations from Ritchie Bryant, of For Community, By Us, and our plans to incorporate those recommendations as we move forward, continuing to examine our organization through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens. Our goal is to make long lasting changes to ensure that WSRID better represents and serves our diverse communities.

A big thank you to all who attended and who support this work. We extend further gratitude to the individuals who demonstrated courage by sharing their experiences with the group, despite the pain and discomfort it may have caused them to do so.

Throughout the meeting, and for the past several days following, the board has received tremendously valuable feedback from the participants. It is clear that we have work to do and we are excited to have more people involved to help move this forward. We are excited for the changes ahead.

If you were not able to attend the meeting, but want to know more, please reach out. We will continue to share information as we move along on this journey.

DEI Town Hall PPt

WSRID DEI Report & Recommendations (Ritchie Bryant, 2020) *[Must be a member to access]

Upcoming Events
Virtual Social Hour:
March 31st 6:30-7:30pm PST

“It’s been a YEAR — Interpreting in the time of COVID”

To say that our experiences related to work have changed dramatically over the past year would be an understatement. Although interpreters often work in isolated settings, in typical circumstances most of us still see each other in some capacity at job sites, in workshops, or at community events and gatherings. We would love to connect! Join us for a virtual “happy hour” to catch up, check in, and hopefully share a laugh or two. Bring your own bevvy.

Upcoming workshops and event information can be found online: wsrid.com.

Conference Announcement

After gathering feedback from members and discussing with WSAD, we have decided to postpone the 2021 conference. Due to the uncertain circumstances and restrictions related to COVID-19, we have accepted that there is no way to move forward with planning an in-person conference this year. Although we are disappointed, we look forward to hosting another joint conference in 2023 with WSAD.

If you are interested in getting involved with planning for 2023, please let us know ASAP.

Despite having to cancel the conference this year, we will still have our annual membership meeting in October. Please save the date for: Saturday, October 23, 2021. More info coming soon.

For more information about our activities and projects, please check us out online and on Facebook. If you have ideas or content to contribute to this monthly email, please get in touch!

Community Announcement

The DeafBlind Service Center (DBSC) is seeking qualified individuals who are interested in becoming SSPs and will be hosting a virtual info session on Thursday, March 11th, 2021. From 4:00-4:30pm via Zoom. Please email Jessica Phillips to sign up and get the meeting link.

Region V (RV) Announcements

CEU Opportunities:

Idaho RID offering free mini–workshops
Utah RID announces mini–conference: “A.R.T (Adaptability, Resiliency, and Transformation) is never ending” happening Aug 6th and 7th. Pricing available soon.

RID News

Board Meetings: RID values member engagement, and supports the importance to hold space during each meeting for member questions and concerns. Your participation is encouraged!

Board meetings take place on the third Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be the extended board meeting starting on Thursday, March 18th through Sunday, March 21st. Check your emails from RID for more info about how to register and get the agenda for this meeting.

RID's Video Interpreter Member Section (VIMS) is back!

Matt Salerno: VIMS Chair - ASL version

The new council is excited to announce our first virtual member section general meeting on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 1PM PST/4PM EST. Please join us to share and discuss goals for 2021!

Pre-registration information available here.

That’s a wrap for this month!
Have something to share or want to give feedback?
Contact us!

Continuing Research—BIPOC Interpreters

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 16:22:03 GMT

Christine Nakahara, Taiwo Olopade, and Audrey Ramirez-Loudenback are conducting a research survey under Western Oregon University. They will be focusing on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are sign language interpreters. Their goal is to gather data to document the experiences of BIPOC interpreters in our field.

At the end of their study, they hope to disseminate the information to our field and provide a foundation for future research. If you identify as a BIPOC interpreter, they hope that you will consider participating by filling out their survey.

If there are other BIPOC interpreters who you know would be interested, please feel free to share the links below.

Thank you for your time and support.

Sincerely,
Christine, Taiwo, and Audrey

WSRID E–Blast January 2021

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 23:30:49 GMT

January 2021

NEW! WSRID E–BLAST

My name is Anna Mansell Karagiannis, and I am honored to introduce myself as the new president of WSRID. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in this role, and I’m even more excited to meet and connect with all of you while doing so. January has passed in what feels like the blink of an eye, and so much has happened. I miss you, yes you, and you- and you too! I hope that as we welcome the new year, each of you are safe, warm, and able to connect with loved ones in a way that serves you.

Each of us has been touched by the events of 2020 in different and profound ways. As individuals and as communities, we have faced unimaginable challenges, dealt with more loss and grief than we knew we were capable of, and celebrated moments big and small in ways we never thought we would. As we enter into the new year, many of us do so with hope for what will come, while also recognizing the uncertainties that remain. Despite the difficulties we have endured and the questions still unanswered, I find myself still determined to be not only a realist, but also an optimist. Part of my optimism comes from my belief that our organization holds great potential to better serve the current and future members and stakeholders of our communities. I hope you will join me and the Board in making that a reality.

With the goal of sharing more information and helping us all feel a little more connected, I will be sending out monthly announcement emails. The content may vary, but you can expect information regarding needs for help on special projects and committees, updates on board meeting discussions and decisions, quarterly financial statements, event announcements, community news, and more. If you’d like to contribute content or if there are things you want to know more about or have questions regarding, please email me and let me know.

For this month's edition of “What’s up WSRID,” please continue scrolling. You can also use the navigation tabs on the side of this document to jump to specific topics. Happy reading!

Stay safe, healthy, and if at all possible, find a way to practice at least a little self care today. You deserve it.

With gratitude,
Anna Mansell Karagiannis
WSRID President 2021-2022

Board Appointments

Welcome to the Team!

As we begin our work in 2021, we welcome one new board member, Claudia Kienholz, into her role as Director for 2021-2022, and congratulate Kristin Deverin on accepting the appointment of Vice President for 2021.

Gratitudes

I would also like to give a big thank you to Caroline Allen for her service as WSRID President from 2019-2020, and to Paul Glaser for serving as our former Immediate Past President. Caroline and Paul have both served for many years and in various positions on the board, and dedicated countless hours, energy and heart to the organization. Caroline will continue to serve on the board as our Immediate Past President for 2021-2022, and Paul continues to serve our profession nationally as the Vice President of RID.

To find updated contact information for our full board of directors, please view the WSRID Board page.

Board Meetings

Board meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of every month from 6:00pm–8:30pm, online via zoom (unless otherwise posted).

In addition to the discussion of regular business, we will have time set aside for a monthly policy review, quarterly financial summary, and 30 minutes per month dedicated to a “Community Corner” session. We envision this to be an opportunity for a guest from another organization or agency to share news and information about their work, or for members to share announcements and news. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please let us know.

2021 Board Retreat & Annual Goals

The WSRID Board met for our annual retreat January 8th–10th, virtually, via zoom. It was the first time in a long time that our plans were not impacted by the weather. Over the course of three days together we reviewed policy, revised the budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year, and spent countless hours brainstorming how to help WSRID grow into an organization that better serves the needs of our diverse communities. As a result of our discussions, we have identified four key goals for 2021:

Goal #1: Redesign WSRID’s infrastructure documents to be clear, relevant, easy to follow, and reflective of the needs of our current and potential members.

Goal #2: Improve communication and transparency to members and community stakeholders regarding WSRID’s essential functions and happenings as well as the board’s focus on a DEI action plan.

Goal #3: Prioritize partnerships and collaborations with organizations and individuals within our communities.

Goal #4: Invest in programs and projects that help enhance the value of WSRID membership.

We have committed to prioritizing the recommendations brought to us by our consultant, Ritchie Bryant, last fall, which are focused on making WSRID a more inclusive organization. We will be gathering feedback and sharing more information about the report, as well as our plans and ideas at the virtual Town Hall meeting on February 20th. More info about this event is available on the website.

Upcoming Events

We are kicking 2021 off with two information sessions.

Legislative Committee Town Hall

Saturday, January 30, 2021
10:00am–11:00am via Zoom
Hosted by: Whitney Hill

This event is designed to inform members of the legislative process and to examine any upcoming bills set to be heard in the 2021 legislative session.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Proposal Review and Town Hall Meeting

Saturday, February 20, 2021
10:00am–12:00pm via Zoom
Hosted by the WSRID Board

The purpose of this meeting is to share details of the report received from Ritchie Bryant in October 2020 with the membership, to offer suggestions for how to accomplish this work, and gather feedback and input from interested members. We anticipate this will be the first of several meetings to address how WSRID can grow to become a more inclusive organization – better serving the diverse people in our communities.

WSRID EVENT PAGE

Financial Report

The board is committed to sending out regular quarterly financial reports to the membership. If you have questions or want to learn more about the organization's financials, please contact our treasurer, Paula Bazinet.

Financial Report (Q1-Q2)

Thank you to everyone who has renewed their membership for 2021! If you have not done so yet, please hop online and log in to update your account.

If you are unable to renew your membership at this time because of hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact the membership coordinator. We have not received any information from people regarding this being an issue, but if it is, we want to know.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

We know a lot of you are still wondering how or if you can get the COVID-19 vaccine. On December 17th, RID co-signed a letter to the CDC urging that medical interpreters be considered amongst those in phase 1 to receive the vaccines. WSRID contacted the community representative for the WA State Coronavirus Response to echo that sentiment as well. The rollout thus far has been heavily state driven, with hospitals managing the bulk of the scheduling. It seems that WA is shifting gears a bit with the opening of the Phase Finder website. Needless to say, there has been information coming from many different sources, and it changes daily. Here’s what we know:

Contact the agencies you contract with – any agency with a medical contract should have a direct link to the hospitals and be able to guide you on how to get the vaccine, or share info regarding when it will be available for you.

Washington State Phase Finder is up and running. We have seen several agencies inform their contractors that if you interpret in a medical setting or a setting that puts you at high risk for contracting or spreading the virus, you qualify in the 1a group for receiving the vaccine. Things are changing daily, so check this link for more info and to register: Phase Finder

Contact your primary care physician to ask them if the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you and if they can refer you to a hospital to get one. Many clinics have been sending messages related to the vaccines to patients via “My Chart” or other electronic messaging systems – this might be a good option if you are not having any luck with the agencies or Phase Finder.

Keep doing what we have been doing. Please continue to follow the state guidelines regarding wearing masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and staying home when you are sick.

If you have more information regarding how interpreters across the state can get the COVID-19 vaccine, please let us know and we can share that through email and online.

Region V (RV) Announcements

RID Region Five consists of the following states:

Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Our current RV representative is our very own, Krystal Sanders (WA State resident, CDI).

To check out our AC websites and learn more, visit RID Region V's webpage.

Free Mini workshops being offered from Idaho RID.

Hawaii RID mourns the loss of beloved interpreter, Patty Sakal, to COVID-19.

Uncle Dale's Rules "You Should Probably Know ... ACA"

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 12:54:42 GMT

The ACA has a requirement that hospitals must give primary consideration to the accommodation requested by the person who is Deaf. This blog and the attached vlog are informational but not meant to be legal advice or replace discussing your situation with a licensed attorney in your area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z744mvUBiX8&feature=youtu.be

A Call to Action flyer from CCHI

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 12:48:47 GMT

From the Certification Commission for Health Care Interpreters (CCHI)

In courts and through regulatory action, the administration is vigorously working to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). On May 24, 2019, the administration released a proposed regulation that would undermine or eliminate key protections of the ACA’s nondiscrimination provision, Section 1557, from individuals who have experienced discrimination in health care programs and settings. This Q&A by National Health Law Program attorneys Wayne Turner and Candace Gibson walks through the administration’s proposed changes to Section 1557 regulations, and what you can do to help stop the rollback of these important legal protections. The final section profiles individuals who have benefited from Section 1557 after experiencing discrimination in health care programs or settings.

Learn More: https://app.greenrope.com/v.pl?678eaff2362e44b9cde9d610b5be6f61ece659a154c8c5bc

Funding for Court Interpreter Services

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 20:03:12 GMT

Help improve access to court interpreter services for our growing diverse population and to provide training for a new wave of judges and court system personnel. Please contact your legislators to support increased funding for court interpreters. DEADLINE: FEB. 28TH

Here are two letters we received that address this legislation:

The first is from Bob Lichtenberg, Staff, Washington State Supreme Court Interpreter Commission. Please read and act quickly to contact your legislator and encourage them to support this funding request (it does not have a bill number, so please call it the "Interpreter Funding Request").

Dear Members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community of Washington State:

This message is being sent on behalf of the Interpreter Funding Taskforce, a workgroup that was created by the Board of Judicial Administration, the Supreme Court Interpreter Commission and the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Board, the Commission and the Office of the Courts have sought for the past 6 years to have the Legislature add several million dollars more in funding to courts that pay for ASL interpreters as well as foreign language interpreters. This is a big push involving many stakeholders and your help is very much needed.

This is important to many members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community that depend on certified ASL interpreters to provide high-quality interpretation of court hearings in which they are involved. When courts cannot afford to have certified ASL interpreters, they try to use local interpreters who do not have court interpreting experience or proper training. The Court Interpreter Reimbursement program will provide 50% of the cost of an ODHH-certified ASL interpreter's services. This funding will increase the number of courts that are able to get this money. Right now, only 41 out of 250+ courts in WA state are able to get this money.

In several counties in WA state, ASL ranks as one of the top 7 languages in demand for interpreter services and often courts have to hire interpreters from west of the mountains to come to a court in Eastern WA, which is a very costly expense for rural courts. This will help support the ability of these smaller courts to have high quality interpreter services.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Bob Lichtenberg
WA Supreme Court Interpreter Commission, Staff

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Greetings Valued Partner in Justice,

We need your support in contacting your local legislators to support increased funding for court interpreters. If you have already contacted your local legislators, please send a follow up email urging their support for the following request from the Board for Judicial Administration. Please also share this request for support with local stakeholders that would be willing to reach out to legislators.

The judiciary is requesting $2.1 million dollars this biennium to increase funding for the state Court Interpreter Reimbursement Program. This program currently only funds 20% of courts across the state. Timely access to credentialed interpreters is vital to ensuring that Washington Courts can meet the needs of individuals with limited English proficiency and those who are hard of hearing or deaf. We want to make sure that all courts have access to effective interpreter services, especially those in rural counties.

Please contact your local legislators from the attached list by February 25 to ask them to support increased funding for court interpreters. We know you have many demands on your time and resources. Attached is a fact sheet and sample message that can be adapted with your organization's or your personal information.

Click the link below to access the Legislative Communication Toolkit for more background information.

We greatly appreciate your help. Please contact Jeanne Englert at jeanne.englert@courts.wa.gov if you have questions about this legislative funding request.

Sincerely,

Jeanne M. Englert, MPA, MSW
Manager, Board for Judicial Administration
Administrative Office of the Courts / 360-705-5207
Jeanne.Englert@courts.wa.gov

Legislative Communication Toolkit

Supporting Publications:

WSRID President's Letter

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 06:33:33 GMT

February 20, 2019

Greetings everyone! In my first official letter to the membership since being elected WSRID president and as the recipient of the 2018 Judy Husted Member of the Year award, I wish to extend a humble “thank you” to you all.

Many things have been happening since the beginning of the new year. I am forever grateful for the support that our Immediate Past President Paul Glaser has given, and continues to give, to WSRID. Thank You, Paul, for your dedication to the field of Sign Language Interpreting. You never cease to amaze me!

WSRID has the mission to educate, to support, and promote the RID certification of interpreters and to inform the general public about the interpreting profession.

Reflecting on the WSRID mission statement, I am pleased to announce that WSRID is making several changes on how we share information with the membership & the public. One of the biggest changes is the WSRID website. This has been a major project and is still being revamped by our Director Elizabeth Bass. Let's say “thank you” to Elizabeth for all her work. I invite you to check it out at wsrid.com. Revisit the website often to see how it evolves!

Other changes within the organization involve multiple board vacancies. After the Annual Membership meeting on November 3, 2018, the Vice President position went unfilled. The new board had it's first face to face meeting in Seattle on December 1, 2018, where we unanimously voted Anna Mansell to become our new WSRID Vice President. Prior to joining the board as a director in October of 2016, Anna coordinated the Professional Development Committee-West (2014-2018) and contributed as a member of the Bylaws Committee (2016-2018). When she was appointed as VP, Anna had one year remaining on her term as a director. This meant that we as a board needed to appoint an eligible member to fill her vacated director position. Let's all share a warm welcome to newly appointed Director, Kristin Deverin! Kristin took ASL classes at Olympic College (OC) and Seattle Central Community College (SCCC). She graduated from SCCC’s ITP and did an internship at the VRS Interpreting Institute in Salt Lake City. She has been working in the community for about 6 years. Her experiences include serving as the WSRID scholarship coordinator and as a WSRID director for 2 months. Due to family needs, she relocated to San Diego. Once in San Diego, Kristin joined SDCRID (the San Diego County RID) as the bylaws committee rep and was the co-chair for the Young Professionals Interpreting Network (YPIN) committee.

CONGRATULATIONS to Anna & Kristin!

Very recently Director Angie O’Bleness had to resign from her re-elected position. We thank you, Angie, for your contributions to the organization and wish you well as you continue to contribute to the field of Sign Language Interpreting in other capacities.

Currently, there are two 2-year Director positions & 1 Student Director position vacant. In the event of these vacancies, the WSRID bylaws directs us on what to do.

Section 9. Vacancies

D. To Fill a Vacancy: any vacancy occurring on the Board and any Board membership to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of Board members shall be filled as follows:

(1) Candidate(s) shall be nominated as per Article IV, Section 7.

(2) If the unexpired portion of the term is not more than one (1) year, the candidate(s) shall be elected by a majority vote of the remaining Board members.

(3) If the unexpired portion of the term is more than one (1) year, a special election shall be held within six (6) months of the vacancy occurring. The candidate(s) shall be elected by a majority vote of those eligible and voting from among the general membership.

Watch for an announcement to be shared soon when we open the floor "online" for nominations. This will be WSRID's first attempt to hold an election electronically. This is a change voted by the membership back in 2015 at the annual business meeting in Lynnwood, WA. Instructions on how to vote will be provided after the nominations close.

While we are on the topic of nominations. It is a privilege for me to share what some of you may have already seen online. Our very own Immediate Past President Paul Glaser is vying for the position of RID Vice President!! Please proudly join me in supporting Paul as he takes his journey in leadership to the National level. You can view the 2019 RID BoD Slate Intro at wsrid.com. While you check out the You Tube video, do also view the new look our website has and remember it is still being worked on to best fulfill the WSRID mission.

Sincerely & Professionally,

Caroline Allen, NIC Advanced

President, Washington State Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

WSRID Website

WSRID Facebook

HB 1623 2019-2020

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 10:56:39 GMT

HB 1623 2019-2020 = Concerning sign language interpreting in public schools.
Link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1623&Initiative=false&Year=2019

You can click on the links to read more about the bill and make a comment to your legislators and representatives. To read about the bill, click on "Original Bill" and a legal document will explain about the bill.

HB 1604 2019-2020

Elizabeth Bass Webmaster — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 10:55:17 GMT

HB 1604 2019-2020 = Changing the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness to the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth.
Link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1604&Initiative=false&Year=2019

You can click on the links to read more about the bill and make a comment to your legislators and representatives. To read about the bill, click on "Original Bill" and a legal document will explain about the bill.

WSRID BLOG

Thank you for a great year!

ODHH Workgroup Update- First meeting 10.16.2024

Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Call for Board Nominations

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Call for Nominations! (October 2024 Board Elections)

WSRID supports community efforts and HB2221

Community Announcement: BIPOC interpreters meeting

WSRID Annual Membership Meeting November 4th

Community Announcement: Spokane area workshops

WA State Courts Interpreter Program: Introduction to Court Interpreting

Webinar Registration

Annual Membership Meeting-2023 (SAVE THE DATE)

Annual Membership Meeting

Board Vacancy/Election

VACANCIES

ELECTIONS

Committee Reports June 2023

Committee Reports

Announcements and Updates: Board and Financials June 2023

Greetings WSRID members,

Board Goals

Financial Report Summary

Happy Interpreter Appreciation Day!

UNH Research Survey: Legal Interpreting

Call for Nominations & Motions

Annual Meeting

Board Nominations

Open Positions:

Board Roles & Responsibilities:

All Directors:

Officers:

Awards

Motions

Nominations/Elections/Referenda Committee

WSRID Board Letters

INTRO LETTER

AN OPEN LETTER TO RID BOARD

LETTER TO THE MEMBERSHIP & STAKEHOLDERS

Open Letter to RID Board

WSRID E–Blast May 2021

WSRID E–Blast

From the Board

Scholarship News

Upcoming Board Meetings

WSRID Committees

Upcoming Events

Community Announcements

Region V (RV) Announcements

RID Announcements

WSRID E–Blast March 2021

WSRID E–Blast

Board Meetings

Next Board Meeting:

Committee Reports

DEI Audit Committee:

Legislative Committee:

Upcoming Events

Community Announcements

Deaf Spotlight Presents:

Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning:

Region V Announcements

SaVRID:

NorCRID:

Idaho RID:

RID Announcements

New! DEI Audit Committee and Involvement survey

WSRID E–Blast February 2021

WSRID E–Blast

Next Board Meeting

Wednesday March 10th, 6:00pm-8:30pm

Committee Reports

Bylaws Committee:

Legislative Committee:

DEI Town Hall

Upcoming EventsVirtual Social Hour: March 31st 6:30-7:30pm PST

Conference Announcement

Community Announcement

Region V (RV) Announcements

Upcoming Events
Virtual Social Hour:
March 31st 6:30-7:30pm PST

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Proposal Review and Town Hall Meeting