Dear Members,
[one_half] Your trust and confidence supported us through 2015. This was not an easy year for ATIF, but it was a very effective year – our sixth this past November.The 2015 Interim Board was tasked with (1) aligning ATIF with its goals, (2) holding elections, (3) increasing membership involvement, (4) delivering the Professional Directory, and (5) making the Hospitality Desk at the ATA Conference a success. We are proud to say that we delivered on all those points.
There were other goals we set up for ourselves that proved to be more difficult to achieve. We were not very successful in the events front, for example, and we learned that policies regarding cancellations (by presenters, attendees and organizers) have to be developed and enforced.
Regarding item (1), we reconfirmed our alliance with Kilgray, MemoQ translation software developer; accepted the National Center for Interpretation’s alliance proposal; CapicúaFM also proposed an alliance which has been active since August 2015 and shall continue through the end of the year; we have also renewed dialogue with Miami Dade College. All other partnerships and alliances remained unaltered.
Items (2), (3) and (4) demanded our attentions jointly. Daniela Guanipa took it upon herself to work on the Directory with the Webmaster (4), Sylvia Korwek together with Edith Oliva kept the social meetings active in Broward County, while Carmen Sáenz held the front in Miami-Dade (3). Those three initiatives culminated in ATIF being able to hold elections this year (2) and a Membership Meeting with members present and actively participating. A third social group got together in Brevard County, and colleagues in Tampa are asking how to go about it. These social gatherings help members get to know each other, create camaraderie and friendships, which strengthen our Association. They are a reflection of our members’ commitment and interest.
There was still one element that needed addressing: Visibility. The new website and social media connections assisted us on that front. ATIF has a very active Facebook page, its Twitter account is less than six months old but our feed has a large following, and our blog is very active.
In November we had the chance to host ATA and its members in our beautiful city. It was an amazing experience and one ATA is not likely to forget soon. [/one_half][one_half_last]The members of the Interim Board won’t easily forget it either. Miami Dade College T&I Program students, new members and veterans helped us deliver above ATA’s expectations. We are extremely grateful to everyone’s allegiance and dedication.
ATIF is a professional association and non-profit organization. Those two designations put great pressure on both its members and its leadership. As a professional association ATIF must keep its membership abreast of what is happening in our industry and may affect them. The Board needs to be attuned to the membership and listen carefully to its wishes and needs, selecting which ones to heed and when.
We can’t forget that a non-profit organization is a business and as such it must generate enough income to survive and thrive. The Interim Board was very frugal, creating very little new expenses to ATIF. We also have organized the budget in a way that ensures some financial stability for the entity in the future.
The Interim Board delivers the office back to our members and its new leadership with the following legacy:
Membership: 131 Members (as of 12/18/2015)
Treasury: bank account balance as of 12/21/2015 (includes last PayPal payments received as of 12/20)
- Reserves: $8,816.23
- Pro Development: $11,956.60
- Operational Expenses: $11,956.60 [to be adjusted based on actual needs]
ATA Chapter status: Active
Alliances:
- Kilgray: MemoQ CAT tool 30% discount
- National Center for Interpretation: 10% discount
- De la Mora Interpreter Training: 15% discount
- Congress Network: 10% discount
- CapicúaFM: mutual promotion of events
- International Medical Interpreters Association: mutual promotion of events
Let’s welcome the 2016 Board to guide ATIF into its future under the leadership of Andrés Messulam, President: Vice President, Gerardo Velasquez; Treasurer, Javier Aparisi; Secretary, Muriel Germeil; Directors: Jose Eidelman, Emmy Prieto, and Edith Oliva.
The 2015 Interim Board
[/one_half_last]
Leave a Reply