Artwork by Star Grieser
From the CEO Star Grieser, CDI, CEO FROM THE CEO Star Grieser CDI
I’ve been in this new role as RID’s CEO for almost six weeks now, and not unlike stepping into swift moving water, it has been quite a ride thus far. I came into the position in the wake of our RID Board of Directors going strong in a flurry of preparation for the 2021 RID National Conference despite having just announced their resignations en masse, effective August 31, 2021. My second week on the job, I was completely engaged in watching the truly awesome and awe-inspiring presenters address the many issues and -isms within the interpreting profession, our communities and our organizations. Belinda McCleese, Isidore Niyongabo, MJ Bienvenu, among the many great speakers, prompted us to look inwards to begin the hard work of dismantling systemic -isms which include identifying our parts, healing individually as well as a whole, to better ourselves as professionals and practitioners, and collectively as a profession and a community. While our conference was inspirational, and beautifully set the tone for my new role, this isn’t new to me as I’ve
shifted from my work with CASLI into my work with RID. I am truly humbled and honored for the opportunity to take the helm at headquarters, lead our RID staff and work collaboratively with both our current and new Board of Directors with the intention of carrying out our mission and realizing the vision of RID. I am fully aware that this is no easy task. But then again, for anyone navigating choppy waters the options are to: sink, swim, possibly to float, or - the most inspiring and rewarding of all - to surf. I’m really incredibly fortunate, as I know and love these waters well. I’m not new to interpreting. Having been a consumer of interpreting services my whole life and regularly advocating within the Deaf community, I am also keenly aware of the needs of our Deaf consumers. I am very familiar with leadership and advocacy work, as I have served in so many organi-
I am fully aware that this [work] is no easy task. But then again, for anyone navigating choppy waters the options are to: sink, swim, possibly to float, or - the most inspiring and rewarding of all - to surf. www.rid.org
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