NEWS and the NEWSLETTER
E-Mail Newsletter - We're going to start delivering the newsletter by e-mail starting in March 2009. You will need to "opt-out" to the e-mail version - meaning you have to call us or send us your e-mail to ask that you receive it by traditional mail rather than e-mail. The first e-mail edition will be March 2009. Contact Linda Strand at vortexarts@comcast.net. The earth and the Region 7 treasury thank you.
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Web Site Update - If you wish to post anything on the web site, contact Linda Strand at 303.745.2026 or vortexarts@comcast.net.
Region 7 Newsletter - The regions newsletter is published quarterly. The deadlines for copy are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. Copy is due to Linda Strand at vortexarts@comcast.net. If you have questions you can call him at 303.617.9146
Region 7 – Business Meeting
Hartford, Connecticut
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Linda Strand, Region 7 Director called the meeting to order. Twelve Region 7 members attended. All in attendance introduced themselves and their affiliations.
Linda reviewed the information she had received at the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) Meeting, the RLC/SLC (Section Leadership Council) joint meeting and at the NAI Board meeting held on Monday and Tuesday.
The primary discussion at the RLC meeting was updating the policy manual and general discussion of issues facing the regions. Membership, attendance at workshops and ability to engage volunteers for the various regional committees were the primary topics of discussion. The primary discussion at the joint RLC/SLC meeting was the dramatic loss of members form the sections. The SLC will be asking the NAI Board, staff and RLC to participate in an overall look at the section structure and what they are offering their members. The Board spent the majority of their time on budget issues. Also discussed were additional reports and information needed by the auditors to satisfy increased scrutiny of non-profits by the IRS. A new scholarship reporting process, signature of ethics affidavits and general transparency in regional operations are required in the coming year.
The NAI staff has recently completed a survey of members. Membership has declined over the last year following a relatively high number following the Portland NIW. It also appears the membership of NAI is aging, fewer young interpreters are joining. The Board discussed ideas for attracting new members and for understanding the general decline in membership. The membership decline and member services will be a topic of concern for the NAI Board for the next year.
In general Region 7 is in good shape with 482 members and an account balance of $20,573.20. The regional scorecard showed two areas of concern: 1) Lack of a regional workshop in 2009; and 2) an out of date strategic plan.
There is an active workshop committee that will be working on a regional workshop in 2010. This could be held in conjunction with an NAI Tourism Conference to be held in Fort Collins in August, 2010. Anyone interested in working with that group should add their names to the roster passed around at the meeting.
Linda Strand will be leading the strategic planning effort and will use a survey tool provided by the electronic newsletter company that hosts Mooselips and input at the workshop. The meeting participants were asked:
1) What does Region 7 mean to you?
2) What do you want from Region 7?
3) What is the best way for Region 7 to communicate with you?
4) What are you willing to give Region 7?
Responses included:
• The conferences and workshops energize me.
• I want to know what others are doing – could we post good projects/programs on the website?
• I’m looking for affordable training?
• I can work on projects where we don’t have to be in the same place – don’t have to travel.
• I’m looking for a sense of community. I would like more descriptive information about who our members are.
• I would like workshops with a more intimate feeling, more of a “camp” feeling.
• We need to expand our reach to more diverse audiences.
• I would like more experiential sessions – relate to more real experiences.
• Could we sponsor cross-mentoring, i.e a school room teacher and an interpreter would cross train.
• Convey to students that NAI has added value to their credentials.
The majority of people preferred e-mail as the method of communication, with Facebook second, and electronic newsletter and phone calls also mentioned.
Linda reminded everyone that if they were not receiving the electronic newsletter they needed to go to their membership profile on the NAI website and update it with their e-mail address.
The meeting was adjourned. Minutes submitted by Linda Strand.
(Web page contributions and questions should be directed to LJeanStrand@comcast.net.)
