Region V Report Mish Ktejik, Region V Representative FROM THE BOARD YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/9KEXMWEV2Iw Mish Ktejik MA, NIC, SC:L Region V Representative
Hello everyone!
My last report in the Spring VIEWs article largely focused on what was happening on a regional and national level, specifically discussing the cancellation of the Region V Workshop Series and RID’s new Emergency Access page. For this report, my last Region V Representative report, I will focus on the Affiliate Chapters in Region V. So much of the movement and changes that enhance our profession come from local initiatives led by chapter volunteers. Each and every volunteer is important. We honor your work and appreciate all the individuals that come together to collectively serve our communities. My home chapter, OregonRID has adapted to the current virtual lifestyle exceptionally well. Through ORID, local ITP students have organized "Happy Hour" interpreter panels via zoom to maintain robust networking opportunities in the absence of monthly face-to-face gatherings. Virtual workshops focusing on BIPOC perspectives and a town hall to discuss potential changes for the national level of RID are currently being developed to keep members educated and engaged.
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VIEWS Volume 36 • Issue 3
AKRID is focusing on the growth of our chapter through member collaboration and involvement, while building a stronger foundation based on integrity and respect. Depending more on technology over the past several months has allowed AKRID to tap into our creative side on how to benefit our profession statewide. Hosting meetings and professional development remotely gives members in rural areas a way to stay connected, grow professionally and collaborate with other members. Their next professional development workshops will focus on Alaska Native cultural studies and Emergency Response interpreting. To support their local ITOC community, SDCRID hosted a space for members to come together and discuss current issues. Out of that meeting, SDCRID facilitated a local fund to pay Black interpreters for the work they have been doing with the Black Lives Matter protests. The fund has raised over $2500 which is remarkable given the impact that COVID-19 has had on the amount of interpreting work available here. SCRID has been actively advocating for the provision and consistent visibility of information as well as the need for qualified Deaf Interpreters to increase the effective reach of the broadcasts by interpreted news briefings, drafting and submitting letters to interpreters, agencies, and government, news and health officials. A statewide task force on Deaf Interpreters and Disaster Response Interpreting has been born from a collective effort
