Credentialed Interpreter Debuted: While ATA does not test interpreters, we have looked for ways to recognize their hard-earned credentials in ATA’s Directory of Translators and Interpreters (www.atanet.org/onlinedirectories). To accomplish this goal, ATA recently debuted credentialed interpreter designations in the directory for three prominent areas: court, health care, and conference. Credentialed interpreters who want to take advantage of this spotlighted feature need to request an update to their directory listing and provide proof of their credential. Not all credentials are recognized. The Interpretation Policy Advisory Committee, led by Chair and ATA Director Melinda Gonzalez Hibner, reviewed dozens of credentialing programs offered to interpreters. The committee then established the criteria for a credential to be listed. (More on this program can be found at www.atanet.org/certification/interpreter_credential.php.) With this feature in place, clients can search the directory for interpreters by their credentials and credentialing organizations.
Reminder for ATA57 conference attendees: Please complete your overall conference evaluations via the Conference App.
Update Your Directory Profile: More than 73% of members who have profiles in ATA’s Directory of Translators and Interpreters have gotten jobs. One job could easily cover your ATA membership dues. To maximize this members-only benefit, you need to create a profile of your professional services in the directory and keep it updated. Add or change your areas of specialization as appropriate. Try changing key words in the “Additional Information” area of your profile. If you work in a dialect or language not listed in the general search, you definitely want to feature it in the “Additional Information” field. Ditto if you want to list more specific areas of specialization than the ones provided.
ATA Professional Liability Program: ATA has one of the oldest professional liability insurance programs specifically for translators, interpreters, and language services companies. The ATA program has a new broker: Alliant Insurance Services. The program underwriter, Lloyds of London, has not changed. We look forward to working with Alliant to offer competitive rates, excellent service, and better coverage for ATA members.
Overall Conference Evaluations: For those who attended ATA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco, please be sure to complete your overall conference evaluations. The evaluation can be accessed via the Conference App. Your feedback really makes a difference. The conference planning team—ATA president, president-elect, Meetings Manager Teresa Kelly, and I—review the compiled results and read all the comments. We then shape future conferences based on this feedback.
Membership Renewal: It’s time to renew your ATA membership. Watch your mailbox and e-mail for more information. Thank you for being a member in 2016 and for renewing for 2017.