7 minute read
From the CEO
Star Grieser, CDI, 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-
FROM THE CEO
Artwork by Star Grieser
zations, on many boards, and within administrative leadership roles, in so many capacities for 15 plus years.
I am conversant with the interpreting profession. My first paid interpreting assignment was about two decades ago and in the years since I have learned and grown so much both personally and professionally. I am definitely not new to RID: I first joined RID in 2004 and have since attended state, regional and national conferences and have been a certified member since 2016. I’ve worked in RID headquarters, as CASLI’s Director of Testing, for three and half years and now a month and a half here at the helm of the organization.
What I've witnessed over all these years is the passion and commitment of my colleagues and fellow RID members for their profession and their work with the Deaf community. I am inspired by Board members and volunteers who lend their personal time, energy, and expertise towards the advancement of the interpreting profession. I’ve been in awe of our current board (the most diverse Board in RID’s history), but also the most engaging and transparent for our
members. Under the current Board’s leadership, monthly Board meetings have regularly drawn seventy-five to one hundred or more members. It is clear from all the work they have done for our members, publicly and with volunteers interpersonally, and behind the scenes with headquarters, how much they love RID and our communities. This shift that we’ve seen in the culture of the board and their engagement with membership and the organization must continue I am incredibly fortunate to continue working with such a talented team of headquarters staff within RID and with CASLI: they are truly an amazing group of people with the experience and expertise to operationally steer RID and the interpreting profession to our collective “why,” our raison d’etre.
Almost four years ago I came into my work with CASLI just short of fully appreciating the work and the implications and
far-reaching impacts of carrying out a national certification testing system, developing new exams in accordance with industry best practices, and the needs of both our consumers and of this profession. Similarly, in this new role, I am more and more fully appreciating the work ahead of me and the implications and far-reaching impacts of all the moving parts involved in leading a national professional certification organization.
In CASLI, my first few months were spent just learning and reading and absorbing everything I could regarding testing, certification, psychometrics, assessment (RID and interpreting assessments), and the history of those assessments. I spent the time analyzing the systems in place to gain better vantage points in order to strengthen the national testing system and create and maintain fair, valid, reliable, and consistent exams.
Within RID, I will be doing the same things. I will be reading, listening, learning and absorbing everything I can with the aim of looking more closely at the programs and initiatives within RID. I will be developing strategies with the Board, our COO and headquarters staff, and with stakeholders to strengthen our programs within the certification triad – Certification, Certificate Maintenance, and the Ethical Practice System. I will be working with the Board in our continued support of CASLI and the testing system to ensure the exams used for RID’s certification program remain strong.
Artwork by Star Grieser
and perceptions about our work and the interpreting profession. We must spotlight best practices for using interpreters within the media including strategies for expanding the pool of, and promoting the visibility of, our Deaf and BIPOC interpreters.
Within RID, I will also be developing and implementing a formal plan for recruiting individuals from underrepresented and marginalized communities for Headquarters staff positions, members of the Board, councils, committees, task forces, and work groups.
Of course, the priority will be to implement strategies for strengthening the financial stability and sustainability of this organization. This includes developing ideas, strategies, and plans for fundraising and grant writing for ongoing stability of this organization for the long term.
I know I have my work cut out for me as your CEO in leading this organization towards achieving our vision and mission
for the advancement of the interpreting profession and for those who we serve, our Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. I’m looking forward to this inspiring and rewarding ride with all of you. Thank you for this opportunity.
Star & Little Star
RID already does some great work in engaging, supporting, and developing resources for our Affiliate Chapter leaders. We will conduct additional needs assessments, working closely with our Members Services department and our Affiliate Chapter Liaison in developing more tools and resources for their This shift that we've seen in the culture of the board and leadership effectiveness The CEO’s job is to their engagement with membership and the organizasupport RID’s volunteer leadership and peo- tion must continue this track. Their legacy in leadership ple in volunteer work and governance must live on.roles. Everyone committed to the important work of carrying out the vision and mission of RID needs our support. I will be developing strategies for improving communication and efficiency in their work, and their roles to help them be more successful in the work they contribute towards the advancement of the profession. RID needs comprehensive communications and public relations for public awareness about our organization and the profession. This effort will include communications strategies for our engagement with membership, and with the public; whether that is at the individual level and offering professional development, or at the community and local levels. We are charged with providing resources for advocacy and information and enhancing interpreter services and communications access. I will be building relationships with sister organizations and stakeholders and strategizing how we can work together to enhance the profession for the benefit of the communities we serve. We will work towards heightening public opinion - Star
Artwork by Star Grieser
