Region III

REPORT

One thing that has been on my mind is the upcoming Region III Conference on June 16-19. The reason it’s been on my mind is because of the effects of COVID on the interpreting profession. The past few years have been devoid of networking and the freedom to talk with one another rather than being trapped behind video feeds. Don’t get me wrong; I have thoroughly enjoyed the augmentation of technology to create workable solutions that have kept our work and our organizations humming along despite the profound effects of the pandemic. Even if there are advantages to both virtual and in-person work, there has been a deep sense of yearning to connect with others in the field. The networking aspect has been challenging and has left me wanting something that hasn’t entirely been comparably replicated in a virtual existence.

The upcoming Region III Conference will take on a hybrid format, which will go a long way toward accommodating participants who are unable to attend in person. Conversely, those who crave in-person interactions and atmosphere have the choice to attend.

At many conferences many workshops are offered simultaneously, and attendees have to choose which ones to attend, often having to sacrifice one for the other. This is on top of the registration fees. At first glance, one might balk at paying $400 to attend a conference, but upon closer look, there are 5.8 CEUs that may be offered.

Conference participants have until June 30, 2022, to complete this, and if their cycle begins or ends during that duration, they have the option to complete either the current cycle or the new cycle. The flexibility to watch the workshops during the conference or for up to a year afterward gives attendees flexibility. Even students can elect to receive the results of their performance exam and earn credit for the CEUs by completing them after they have passed, as long as they have ample time before the workshops close. I will attend the conference in person, and I look forward to seeing many of you there.

I have received a few updates from affiliate chapter presidents.

Ohio Chapter of RID has been putting all its energy into planning and coordinating the upcoming Region III Conference.

Wisconsin RID is currently planning for its 2022 conference, its first since 2020. Additionally, the board is working on supplementing and assessing current scholarship programs for improvement and supplementation and expanding membership.

Shawn Vriezen, CDI, QMHI Region III Representative

Shawn Vriezen lives in Minnesota. A graduate of St. Paul College, He is a graduate of St. Paul College.

conference and scholarships, and observing current bills moving through the legislature.

Illinois RID has established a Master Mentor Program in collaboration with Chicago Hearing Society, a referral agency. So far, they have their first cohort of 12 interpreters going through a 16-week training program with TIEM Center. IRID is also planning its annual membership meeting and opportunities for professional development, and filling the remaining two Member-at-Large positions on the IRID board.

Indiana RID had its board retreat in January. They hired a consultant, Sean Posofsky, to “build a rock star board” webinar series and identify areas of improvement, and development of initiatives, and reevaluation of the website, among others. The board has also been working on a one-year-long mentoring program and expanding and reconnecting with its membership.