Want to know what exciting news and events happened this year? Below are key highlights of 2010.

Professional development: We had amazing guest speakers leading workshops or membership meetings including Eta Trabing on court interpreting, Xosé Castro focusing on English-Spanish translation conundrums, Adriana Bardin-Prestwood on project management and for medical translation, our very own Esther Diaz and Michael Blumenthal.

New Director of Communications:  Over the summer, the board voted unanimously for Marco Hanson as the new Director of Communications. In the few months on the board, Marco created a Facebook page for AATIA and drafted a Wikipedia entry! Stay tune for the final publishing of the page.

The pro-bono project: This year, as a commitment to serve our local community, AATIA donated 100 pages of Spanish translations to local nonprofit organizations. Two recipients were chosen, Austin Habitat for Humanity and Computers for Learning.  Volunteers enlisted to carry out these projects were lead by students of Esther’s translation courses.

Office status: We are currently subleasing our office from the City of Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office for another year at the same rate. We need to provide translations for EGRSO and 10 counseling sessions for local businesses or individuals, maintain a wireless access network for all guests and display informational materials of AATIA’s services at the main entrance.

Proclamation of Translation Week: Austin’s Mayor Lee Leffingwell did us the honor of reading a proclamation recognizing AATIA’s 25th Anniversary and International Translation Day. You can view photos of the recognition on our website. Video of the presentation is available at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/channel6/default.htm.

AATIA 25th Anniversary Party: The biggest affair for 2010 was AATIA’s 25th Anniversary party. Members celebrated at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on October 2nd with food, great music and dancing. Thank you all for 25 years of support!

LitSIG event: Start the New Year 2011 with the celebration of the publishing of One Hundred Bottles. Join us on Saturday, January 8th at 7:00pm at the Mexican American Cultural Center for a literary conversation with Achy Obejas, the accalaimed translator of Cuban writer Ena Lucia Portela’s novel, Cien botellas en una pared.

If you like to view a complete record of this year’s board meetings, contact Marcela Ramos, Secretary, at marcela_rolvera@msn.com.