PRESIDENT’S REPORT

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

REFLECTING ON A JOURNEY: LESSONS AND GROWTH AT THE HELM

ASL Version: https://youtu.be/Ek6SMvikrwI?si=9vW-MH1C44VdZjnt

Ritchie Bryant, CDI, CLIP-R | Outgoing RID President

As I reflect on the past three years of my presidency at Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the journey we have undertaken as a community. When I first stepped into this role, our organization was navigating uncharted waters, facing challenges that could have easily shaken our foundation. Yet, it was through our collective resilience and unwavering commitment that we were able not only to overcome these challenges but also to emerge stronger than ever.

When I assumed the presidency, RID was in a precarious position following the en masse resignation of the board. This abrupt and unexpected change left many feeling uncertain about the future of our organization. My immediate focus was on stabilizing the ship and ensuring that RID could continue to fulfill its mission. Through the hard work and dedication of many, we were able to induct a new, fully formed board of directors, bringing stability and renewed energy to our organization. This was not an easy task, but it was a necessary one, achieved through the collaborative spirit that defines our community.

As we look ahead to the 2025 national conference, themed “Now What? En Avant! Onward!””—I am excited about the direction in which our organization is headed. We are poised to become an even more professional and effective organization, ready to address the changing needs of our field. The groundwork we have laid over the past three years has prepared us for this moment, and I am confident that RID is ready to embrace the future with determination and purpose.

However, as we move forward, we must be willing to think creatively and embrace innovative solutions that challenge traditional views of how RID should function. CEO Star Grieser and I have consistently recognized that RID serves

as a guiding light, not only for sign language interpreters but also for non-signing interpreting associations worldwide. Our vast membership and resources position us to significantly influence and support interpreting associations across the spectrum, whether they focus on spoken or signed languages. A colleague from a spoken language association recently shared with Grieser that RID is, in fact, the largest interpreting association globally—a fact that might seem surprising, but it’s undeniably true.

Yet, we’ve often been limited by narrow interpretations of what it means to be a “member-driven organization.” Without confronting these issues head-on and engaging in necessary, sometimes uncomfortable conversations, RID risks remaining stuck, unable to achieve the larger goals our members rightfully expect from us. To move forward, we need to think bigger—not get bogged down by minor details or split hairs over issues that don’t contribute to RID’s mission and vision. As members, we must challenge ourselves to see the big picture of how our interpreting profession can be elevated through professional participation in our organization and through amplifying best practices, ethical integrity, competence, and accountability to our employers, colleagues, and consumers.

As my tenure as President comes to a close, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served this incredible community. Together, we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and laid the foundation for a brighter future. I have no doubt that RID will continue to thrive, guided by the principles of professionalism, respect, and community that have brought us this far. Thank you for your trust, your support, and your unwavering commitment to our shared mission. Together, we will continue to move “En Avant!” toward a future filled with promise and possibility.