Angela Sasso addresses Critical Link International Members and Friends
As we head into our 8th International Conference I feel inspired and energized by all the good work that has been done over the last 3 years since our last conference in Toronto. At the time, Critical Link International was still a “new” organization having just reincorporated with an international mandate in 2010. At CLI7 we voted in a new Board comprised of members from across the globe and subsequently eased into our new identity by focusing on some key organizational areas in need of updating. We rebranded, completely revamped our website, build a much stronger social media presence and shifted our focus to our organizational structure.
Our successes have been many, some behind the scenes – such as the redrafting of our Bylaws, establishing more streamlined processes for CLI branded conferences, and engaging a social media agency – Toque Agency – to coordinate our blogs, tweets and more – and some more out front – such as becoming a key member of the Red T coalition and establishing our Global KnowledgeLinkIC Database (KLIC). KLIC is an easy contribution and access point for the Interpreting in the Community sector of the profession. Our Research and Development team has done an excellent job on this initiative. Upcoming information and an official launch at CLI8 will give you all of the how’s, what’s and why’s soon. Thank you to Michal Schuster, Lluis Baixauli Olmos and Karin Reinhold, the CLI R&D team for their dedication to this project.
As we move into a new 3-year mandate, with returning and new Board members, I am positive that CLI will continue to grow and contribute. As a Board of 12 members, we have all had influence collectively and more importantly, as individuals that get inspired at CLI Board meetings and then affect change locally.
We are in the process of issuing a call for Nominations for the 2016 – 2019 CLI Board of Directors. I hope that you will consider nominating either yourself or a colleague that has the energy and passion to move this field forward in partnership with other like-minded individuals. I am passionate about Community Interpreting and I know that many, if not all, of our friends and members feel the same. Let’s work together in our continued promotion and advocacy of Community Interpreting and Community Interpreters.
This is the first in a series of newsletters and bulletins that will provide updates on CLI projects, initiatives, and news, before the conference. I would also like to extend an invitation to our members to contribute to the CLI LINK. If you are presenting at the conference and would like to highlight your work, presentation, etc., please let us know by contributing a 150 – 300 word essay/blog post.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to these past and present CLI Board members that have contributed enormously to our successes in these last 3 years. I am fortunate to have had such talented scholars, practitioners, policy makers and service providers as collaborators with which to work:
- Michal Schuster, Lluis Baixauli Olmos, Christopher Stone Pascal Rillof, Naoko Ono, Jiri Adler, Karin Reinhold, Monica Ruiz
And a special thank you to the CLI Executive Team for their dedication:
- Elizabeth Abraham, Kiran Malli, Maria Aguilar-Solano, Bonnie Heath
If you have not already done so, REGISTER for CLI8. Early Bird has been extended to May 15th – so don’t miss the deadline. See you all in Scotland on June 29th, 2016.
Thank you,
Angela Sasso
President
Critical Link International