ATA News and Activities

Proposed Bylaw Changes
Active and Corresponding Membership Residency Requirement
The proposed bylaws change was submitted in accordance with ATA bylaws, Article XIV, b. Please note that the bylaw changes are denoted by crossing through text to be deleted. In order to be enacted, all bylaws amendments and changes need to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the voting members.

Whereas the American Translators Association strives to actively serve and engage the translation community in the United States.

Whereas the purpose of the “active” membership category is to offer such membership category to any person who is professionally engaged in translating, interpreting, or closely related work, who has passed a certification examination administered by the Association or has achieved demonstrable professional status as determined by peer evaluation, and who, in a generic sense, forms a part of the society of the United States.

Whereas the distinction between the Active and Corresponding membership categories is understood to have been originally intended and has been actually applied based on a practical, generic, broad interpretation of the concept of residency.

Therefore, Article III, Section 2.a. and 2.b. of the Bylaws of the American Translators Association shall hereafter read as follows:

Section 2 - Eligibility

a. Active:

1) Any person who (a) is professionally engaged in translating, interpreting, or closely related work, (b) is a citizen or [permanent] resident of the United States, and (c) has passed a certification examination administered by the Association or has achieved demonstrable professional status as determined by peer evaluation, is eligible for active membership.

2) Members having active status at the time provision a.1) went into effect will retain their status as long as their membership is not terminated and they continue to remain a citizen or [permanent] resident of the United States.

3) Active membership is in the name of the individual only and confers no corporate or institutional membership on the individual's company, employer, or institution.

b. Corresponding: Any person who meets all qualifications for active membership except U.S. citizenship or [permanent] residence is eligible for corresponding membership.