Interpreters are the facilitators for effective commuication between speakers of different languages. Developing great listening and memory skills is a must for accurate interpretations. Come join the next AATIA Interpreters Special Interest Group for some fun ways to improve these skills.

When: Saturday April 11, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Where:ICA building on 201 East Second Street.

Free parking is available at the Convention Center parking garage, which is on the west side of the building that houses our offices. Enter from Brazos Street, inform the attendant that you are attending an AATIA event at ICA, and sign a garage parking record sheet. There is no charge.

See you there!

Our membership meeting will be this Saturday, March 28, from 1 to 4 p.m., and it will be a special event since we’re celebrating our first anniversary at our downtown premises in the ICA building on East Second Street.

The program will include presentations by Marian Schwartz, who will explain how she set up her blog, and Laszlo Eosze, who will report on WiFi connection and member profiles. There will be step-by-step instructions on how to set up an RSS feed – which delivers content from the AATIA blog directly to a member’s email inbox so that members are connected to, and informed by, the Association. (All it takes is an active RSS feed.)

Members with laptops are encouraged to bring them, so that their RSS feed can be activated.

The program will end on a high note, with effervescent refreshments and lively networking as we celebrate our first year at our downtown office and meeting space.

Join us on Saturday, March 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. at 201 E. Second Street

For directions click on Map in the far right column

Free parking is available at the Convention Center parking garage, which is on the west side of the building that houses our offices. Enter from Brazos Street, inform the attendant that you are attending an AATIA event, and sign a garage parking record sheet. There is no charge.

The Austin History Center is remodeling and cannot accommodate our member meeting this Saturday. A meeting at our HQ is not a viable option either, due to SXSW-generated gridlock downtown. So, the regular March meeting has been rescheduled to March 28, 1 – 4 pm, at the International Center of Austin, 201 East 2nd St. (map).

The program will cover websites, blogs, and other computer issues essential to any working translator/interpreter. More details will be circulated closer to the date.

AATIA’s Spanish Special Interest Group will meet Thursday evening, February 12, 6-8 p.m. at the International Center of Austin (201 E. 2nd Street, between Brazos and San Jacinto).

SpanSIG is a gathering of Spanish translators and is open to anyone interested in the fascinating and rich world of the Spanish language.

Contact.

Vancouver, British Columbia, will host an international conference May 6–8, 2009, that is designed to help interpreters understand the impact of globalization and how they can strengthen their organizations in order to meet their service goals.

Dynamic keynote speakers, exciting multi-disciplinary panels, and interactive breakout sessions will explore international best practices, innovations, and
improved services for our new global community.

The conference will offer an opportunity to learn from industry leaders, network with colleagues, and share perspectives on the changing face of community interpreting. Full details.

AATIA’s November 8 meeting will introduce the newly elected 2009 Board of Directors. Come meet the leadership and  suggest program ideas, and workshop topics, and other activities for the coming year.

The networking break will feature special refreshments from one of Austin’s best bakeries, Sweetish Hill. After the break outgoing Professional Development director Maurine McLean will discuss American Sign Language.

Join us at the Austin History Center, 9th and Guadalupe, at 1 pm this Saturday, November 8, and bring along a language-loving friend.

AATIA’s November meeting will offer valuable training and information for interpreters. For maximum results, bring a hand-held recording device to tape yourself as Cristina Helmerichs and Steve Mines lead us in simultaneous exercises from English to your other language. Cristina and Steve will share tips and answer questions, drawing on their years of experience interpreting in court and conference settings.

The second meeting segment will feature Renee Blakeslee of VOLT Workforce Solutions, one of the few companies offering work to interpreters that offers health insurance to its contractors. The newly elected Board of Directors will talk about their plans and solicit ideas for future AATIA events. Refreshments and networking will round out the session.

Visitors are welcome to the meeting, which will be held at the Austin History Center, 9th and Guadalupe, on November 8, 2008, 1 – 4 p.m.

Join your colleagues for Licensed Court Interpreter Updates on October 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Austin History Center. Find out the latest on examination and continuing education regulations from Sofia Leon, a member of the Licensed Court Interpreters Advisory Board.