CEO’S REPORT

CEO’S REPORT

ASL Version: https://youtu.be/CP5VeiblySA?si=DkloTXckfn2i3o34

Star Grieser, MA, CDI, ICE-CCP | RID CEO

As summer wanes, and the oppressive heat of summer gives way to a season of cooler mornings and crisp air carrying the promise of autumn, while a new academic year signals new beginnings, and most importantly, a new incoming executive committee of the RID Board of Directors for the 2024-2027 term. They were sworn in at the virtual open board meeting on September 4th and will have their first extended board retreat in October, where opportunities for becoming acquainted, establishing a collective vision and work culture, and - most importantly - refining our strategic priorities for the next three years.

First, recognition for our previous and outgoing board members of this past 2021-2024 executive board term is in order: Phyllis “Dora” Rifkin was elected as our first Deaf Member at Large and started her term, alongside Traci Ison, elected Member at Large in the August 2021 special election. Dora and Traci were committed to recruiting for, reviving and promoting RIDs member sections, an enduring influence that will continue for terms to come. Brenda Dencer was also elected in the August 2021 special elections as RID’s secretary. She has served on RID board’s in the past and has supported RID for decades and continues to be an active proponent of the ASL interpreting profession. Jason Hurdich, also elected in August of 2021 as Region II Representative and later as Secretary of the board, was steadfast in his support of my role as CEO, and unwavering in his commitment to board service while assisting RID as an organization make progress towards healing and recovery.

Last, but certainly not least, I am profoundly thankful to outgoing Board President Ritchie Bryant for his unwavering support, exceptional leadership, and invaluable mentorship at a time when I was coming in as a new CEO to lead this organization as it moved from a state of disruption to a calmer one of restoration and renewal. His steadfast guidance and partnership have been instrumental in my success in navigating the complexities at the helm of RID. Ritchie’s commitment to excellence and his ability to lead with both strength and compassion have made a significant and lasting impact.I am deeply appreciative of his contributions and the positive influence he continues to have on me personally. As he concludes his term, I wish him all the success with his future endeavors in his next chapter. Ritchie will be greatly missed by all of us on the board and at Headquarters.

I’m also very grateful for those who are serving a second executive term in 2024 to 2027. Dr. Jesus Remigio, our new incoming President of the Board is a kind and compassionate man: two traits that make for an exemplary leader. I look forward to working alongside him in communication and implementing the vision for a more expansive and dynamic RID that serves our members, our profession, and the public by promoting and advocating for qualified and effective interpreters in all spaces where intersectional diverse Deaf lives are impacted. Kate O’Regan, our charismatic and keen treasurer will be continuing her charge of bringing lasting financial vitality to RID. Deaf Member at Large, Glenna Cooper, appointed in July of 2022, whose ideas, enthusiasm and dedication clearly stem from a genuine care for the organization, the membership, our consumers, and the community. These three will serve alongside our region representatives who are entering year two of their 2023 to 2026 Region Representatives Board term: Christina Stevens (Region I), Antwan Campbell (Region II), Jessica Eubank (Region IV), and Rachel Kleist (Region V). We also owe a debt of gratitude to region representatives from last term - 2021 to 2023 - for their willingness to step up and join us leading this organization. Thank you Shawn Vriezen (Region III), Justin “Bucky” Buckhold (Region IV), and Jeremy “Q” Quiroga (Region V).

Now, in September of 2024, we welcome three new members of the board: our new Vice President Shonna Magee has passion for excellence, integrity, and accountability within the organization and within the ASL interpreting community. New Secretary, Andrea Smith, whose worldly and institutional knowledge of the interpreting profession, of RID’s history and culture, and of governance and certification is uncanny and entirely remarkable. Our new Member at Large, Mona Mehrpour’s infectious enthusiasm, boundless curiosity, and acute sense of purpose in work is absolutely inspiring. I look forward to seeing what we will all achieve together!

This fall, our focus turns to orientation for our new board members and calibrating them for our continued work in major projects such as planning for our 2025 Conference which will take place from July 31 to August 4, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our conference theme “Now what? En Avant: Forward!” - also Minneapolis’ city motto - signals that we are embarking on a new trajectory for RID that is both forward-moving and upward, guiding our organization into a new era characterized by enhanced leadership, professionalism, accountability, inclusion, value, relevance, and excellence. This path benefits not only our RID members but also extends to all stakeholders, practitioners, and service providers within the American Sign Language Interpreting Profession. This theme serves to also represent the work we seek to accomplish in the coming years. Projects like our ASL Interpreting Industry Census and Summit will launch this October, the release of new “white papers” or more commonly known as RID’s Standard Practice Papers, which will be rebranded as our Professional Practice Papers will start being released this fall, and we will continue our ongoing work towards transformation of the organization to align with certification industry best practices. We have already started more initiatives to enhance our member engagement, community outreach and consumer education reflecting our dedication to advancing the field and serving our diverse community. I am personally very excited about this upcoming new season. It will be a busy period, but - I am confident - a highly productive one in which we achieve a great deal.