Region I Report

https://youtu.be/QxMWE3Y5tqA Region I Report:

Jason Farr, Region I Representative

Jason Farr, NIC Region I Representative

The first RID virtual conference, hosted by Region I, was a success with just under 700 attendees from across the country. A total of 5.4 CEUs were made available, but the best part of the conference was having the opportunity to see colleagues - both new and familiar faces. The region conferences are completely volunteer-run, and while there are hundreds of people who were involved in the planning over the past two years, I especially want to thank our co-chairs, Chris Kelley, and Rosa Norberg. Regardless of the challenges the pandemic brought to the planning, Chris’ and Rosa’s commitment and dedication to providing opportunities for interpreters is recognized. We hoped to join together this year to host what would have been New York City’s first RID conference. Although we were not able to host the conference in Brooklyn, the New York City (NYC) Metro RID Affiliate Chapter (AC) and Board under President Erika Murray continued the conference virtually. St Francis de Sales School for the Deaf in Brooklyn was chosen as this year’s “RID Cares’’ recipient due to the chapter’s leadership. And of course no conference could be complete without the hard work of the program committee, chaired by New Jersey (NJRID) past president Audrey Rosenberg.

There are hundreds more who have been involved, but I want to also extend a special thank you to this year’s conference logo artist, JiSeon Lee, and RID headquarters staff, including Carol Turner, Ashley Holladay, and Ryan Butts, as well as the entire Region I Presidents Council, who without their vision and support

we would not be here today. Although we have just wrapped up this year’s

conference, we want to look ahead and begin planning for 2022. If you would like to be involved with the 2022 RID Region I Conference reach out to your local or state Affiliate Chapter. For a map of all Region I ACs, visit the Region I webpage at rid.org/region-i-northeast.

Massachusetts Hi, I’m Shana Gibbs. I am the new President for MassRID, RID Affiliate Chapter in Massachusetts. It is an exciting time to be going through transformation. MassRID is also undergoing a transformation.

We will be shifting away from the traditional hierarchy model of organizational operations to the Sociocractic model (ie. shared and overalapping responsibilities to prevent burden and burnout). We also have a new Secretary, Anna Nolan, and a new Treasurer, Julia Barnes. We will be transitioning from the “Executive Board” to “Core Team.” That Core Team will then expand with meta-circles.

I look forward to this new chapter for our Affiliate Chapter. Thank you!

New York City Metro New York City Metro RID accomplished the following activities in their region. Sponsored three members to attend the Region I conference: Felice Shays, Jose Gomez & Anita Lochan. • Donated $200 to St Francis de Sales School for the Deaf for “RID Cares.” • Donated $100 to New York City Black

Deaf Advocates for a Drag Fundraiser, hosted by The ASL Extension. • Partnered with LaGuardia Community College’s (LAGCC) ASL English Interpretation

Program (AEIP) to enable students to earn

Interpreting hours by voicing at our virtual board meetings. The Professional Development Committee (PDC) hosted ‘Power Privilege and Oppression’ with Rian Gayle on Aug 16 with a max of 30 registrations and full attendance. The Mentorship Committee partnered with the Rochester, New York Student Interpreting Association, led by Genesee Valley Region RID President Chris Kelley, to host combined Student Professional Interpreting Network virtual events. These virtual events host both Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Interpreter Training Program students and LAGCC AEIP students.”

Rhode Island Rhode Island (RIRID) has been busy. Co-president Rosa Norberg served as co-chair of the Region I virtual conference, held in October.

During her time as president, Haley Baccaire, along with RIRID members Lauren Bucklin and Gabriel Boynton, continued to support a mentorship program. The program, “Each One Teach One,” continues to be active and interpreters are being mentored and supported on their journey to certification.