Committees

Committee Descriptions

Advisory:  Ensures all concerns, questions, and perspectives of MRID members are heard and shared with the MRID Board of Directors and to establish an ongoing connection with representatives from various communities in order to maintain and develop stronger relationships within the MRID community. The committee will meet electronically via video conferencing four times each calendar year under the direction of the Membership Director. The Membership Director may communicate with committee members outside of the meeting dates if there are any time-sensitive questions/concerns that need to be discussed. (Members@MRID.org)

Bylaws: Oversees any legal changes to the organizational structure of MRID.    (President@MRID.org)

The Bylaws Committee is responsible to:

Conference:  Designs, organizes, and hosts MRID's conferences and Camp ASL during the year.

• The Fall Conference Committee focuses on the annual Fall Conference in October. This event is a series of workshops and seminars for professional development of interpreters throughout Minnesota. The Fall Conference also serves as a platform for special recognition of members who contribute to the field. In addition, the annual Business Meeting conducted by MRID Board of Directors is held in conjunction with the MRID Fall Conference. The conference location changes annually with every-other-year being held in the Twin Cities Metro Area and then rotating the remaining years between Central Minnesota, Northern Minnesota, and Southern Minnesota.
• The Spring Conference Committee focuses on the annual Spring Conference. It is a venue for MN interpreters to reconnect with others in the field and take advantage of professional opportunities. CEU's may be offered for this conference.
  
• The Camp ASL Committee focuses on Camp ASL; a three-day silent immersion weekend event held in Central Minnesota every spring that promotes the enhancement of ASL skills. Camp ASL also provides opportunities for all participants to interact with each other during structured and free activities. CEU's may be earned for this event.
  

Educational Interpreters:  Provides support and professional development opportunities specifically for interpreters that work in the educational setting. The Educational Interpreters Committee is responsible to:

• Develop an informational page on the MRID website regarding K-12 and post-Secondary educational interpreter certification requirements for Minnesota Interpreters.
  
• Develop and monitor an online community for educational interpreters to dialogue regarding issues that arise in educational interpreting.
  

Freelance:  Promotes among its members regular and active participation, state representation, support and nurturing for personal and professional growth; and a vehicle for new members of the Freelance Community to be welcomed into the field.    (President@MRID.org)

The Freelance Committee is responsible to:

Fundraising:  Ensures the successful endeavors of MRID and promotes MRID as a professional organization.  The Fundraising Committee is committed to maintaining a stable financial base for the professional interpreting organization through merchandise sales, special fundraisers, etc.    (President@MRID.org)

The Fundraising Committee is responsible to:

Membership:  Registers and maintains valid memberships to MRID.   (Membership@MRID.org)

Other responsibilities include:

Membership Co-Chairs

Nicole Thornberg

Carly Fischbeck

Nominations:  Convenes once a year (a few months prior to the annual Fall Conference) to seek out candidates who would be willing and capable to serve on the MRID Board of Directors.    (President@MRID.org)

The Nominations Committee:

Professional Development:  As an approved RID Certification Maintenance Program Sponsor, the Professional Development Committee (PDC) is responsible for offering, endorsing, and ensuring the quality of educational activities offered for CEUs.   (PDC@MRID.org)

The PDC is responsible to:

Public Policy:  Engages MRID members in active participation in relevant legislative and public policy initiatives.    (President@MRID.org)

The Public Policy Committee is responsible to:

Publications:  Responsible for the MRID’s quarterly newsletter, The Update. The Publications Committee creates a newsletter publication that includes current and upcoming community and MRID events, member spotlights, MRID Board updates, Committee updates, community written articles, and more, through an online software such as Microsoft Publisher, Apple Pages, or Canva. The Update is an MRID member benefit and will be distributed to all current members.

Scholarship:  Responsible for advertising, soliciting, and screening scholarship applications. The committee then chooses recipients for each award to be presented at the Fall Conference Awards Banquet. After recipients are chosen, the committee works with the President and the Finance Director to ensure payments are made.   (Scholarships@MRID.org)

Website:  Responsible for the updating and maintaining of MRID’s website (www.mrid.org).  The Webmaster/Website Committee is responsible for the design of the site, and weekly/monthly maintenance.    (Webmaster@MRID.org)

Some duties include: