Region I

REPORT

Spring is an interesting time here in New England, weather-wise. One day we have snow; the next day, it’s 80 degrees. Sometimes it all happens on the same day. Spring, for me, is the renewal of the plants—the time to clean and think about what is important for the rest of the year.

Sadly, the beginning of this year brought two significant losses in our community.

Former RID board member Lewis Merkin passed away in March. One of the first mainstream-recognized Deaf interpreters,

Georgette “Gigi” or “Geo” Francis Doran, who became renowned when she appeared on national TV during an emergency “...we can press conference, still come passed away in April. I know together to have our community will find discussions and ways to enjoy the workshops keep their memories with colleagues in a alive.

safe and affordable location.”

ChristIna Stevens, NIC, lives in Connecticut. She is a graduate of DePaul University and Columbia College.

Region 1 will host a virtual regional conference this August. After two years of virtual work, we recognize that many of you are ready to get back to face-to-face communication. We chose this format because we could not predict what August would look like with the pandemic. We want to provide attendees with a safe way to earn CEUs. With this in mind, we are asking each affiliate chapter (AC) to set up a watch party. This way, we can still come together to have discussions and enjoy the workshops with colleagues in a safe and affordable location. Check with your local affiliate chapter to see where your party will be. Information and registration will be at this website: https:// ridregioni.org

I encourage you to get back in touch with your affiliate chapter, as this is the time to renew your membership. Before you know it, it will be the summer of 2023, and the national conference will be happening. To be eligible for voting, you must be a member of an affiliate chapter. Region I has some great leadership currently in place that are

Christina Stevens, NIC Region I Representative

revamping their bylaws to reflect their changing membership. New mentorship programs for our emerging professionals are being established, hosting events that are safe and enjoyable, and much more. If you aren’t sure how to reach your local chapter, let me know, and I will get you connected!

This issue’s focus is on ethics, a topic I find our profession re-examining daily. Ethics can be a sticky and confusing topic, but we need to discuss this topic. As an educational interpreter, I think about ethics often, especially with my students’ future successes in mind. What decisions am I making that will impact their lives now and in the future? How has my upbringing influenced my ethics and how I approach my work in a public school setting? I know these discussions will continue for years to come.

What conversations are you looking forward to having? What ethics-related topics are you discussing with your colleagues?