Esther Diaz

As co-founder of AATIA, it has been very gratifying to see how the organization has grown and prospered in the nearly 25 years since its formation. The recent establishment of a physical headquarters shows that AATIA is here to stay. As any organization, it needs ongoing care and maintenance. My goals for the coming year are:

· To find ways to serve the needs of senior language professionals in a variety of languages and specialties

· To mentor new leaders for AATIA by recruiting members who are willing to help each of the Directors to accomplish their tasks and potentially be ready to step into their shoes

· To continue to improve our website and online directory

· To finish revising the Manual of AATIA Policies and Procedures (MAPP) to provide up-to-date instructions for Board members and upcoming leaders

I ask for your support to accomplish these goals.

J. Henry Phillips

To choose between two candidates, the differences are what count. I offer a full-time certified professional translator and interpreter with a 4-year university language degree; a self-employed entrepreneur 22 years a member of AATIA who values professional freedom and voluntary consent. See my credentials at portugueseinterpeter.com. This is not a schoolteachers’ association. Schoolteachers, bureaucrats, politicians and lobbyists favor policies which benefit their own professions just as I favor mine. Lobbyists want you enrolled at their diploma mills—rather than accredited universities. "Grandfathered interpreter" licensees seek testing requirements to eliminate competitors just as corporate agencies want laws that hobble small companies. As president I advertised the association so that all members had increased opportunities for employment based on the following ethical precept: "Exemplify in your work a courageous regard for the whole membership, and not just some powerful and influential faction thereof with which you come in close personal contact."

Secretary

Marcela Ramos

I have been a member since 2007 and throughout this time, I’ve learned and grown as a young professional in this field. I am grateful for what the organization has given me and now I believe I’m ready to give back; therefore, I am honored to be included in this year’s ballot for secretary. This is an opportunity for me to demonstrate my commitment to the organization and I’m ready for this role if given the opportunity. I hope I can count on your vote.

Director of Communication

Juan Tornoe

It is an honor to be a new member of the Austin Area Translators & Interpreters Association. Austin has been home for me and my family for a bit more than 7 years now. It is not enough to formally become part of our community by, among other things, joining this association, but I strongly believe that not only I should be an active member of the Austin community, but it is more than time to begin giving back after all that it has given to us through the years. Yes, I am a newbie to this industry, but I can contribute to it utilizing the skills that I’ve developed through the years: I can put my experience in marketing, advertising blogging and social media to work promoting our organization, its members and the services they provide. I hope to have the privilege to be of your service.

Director of Finance

Rose Tempfer

I am honored to have been nominated for Finance Director and thankful for the opportunity to be more involved in AATIA. I look forward to actively participating and contributing to the overall well-being and ongoing development of benefits for my fellow Interpreters and Translators. A native Texan, I lived 30 years in Queretaro, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, Mexico. I studied Spanish at the Instituto Tecnológico in Monterrey, Mexico, where I ultimately founded Communicación Bilingue Language Center. Thus began a 20-year career as ESL and SSL Instructor, Coach, Translator and Simultaneous Interpreter. Clients include: Price Waterhouse, Grupo Alpha, Hylsa, Quasar, Crown Plaza and Sheraton Ambassador Hotels, American Chamber of Commerce, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, IRS Tax Services, and CASA social services. I’ve been a member of AATIA and NAJIT since 2006. I joined TAJIT in 2009. I’m currently preparing for court interpreter certification. As Past Chair of the Board for Wimberley Chamber of Commerce and current Ladies Auxiliary President to the Wimberley Veterans of Foreign Wars, I learned first hand how to plan as a team for the benefit of a larger group. Although not an accountant, I am knowledgeable of the standards of general accounting procedures. If elected, I promise to keep AATIA accounts current and fulfill all duties assigned.

Director of Membership

Joseph Brettell

I am an active member of AATIA currently working primarily with the English and Spanish languages in judicial interpretation. Firstly I would like all members to know that I take all of my responsibilities and commitments very seriously and that if elected I will sincerely do my very best to serve as Director of Membership. After speaking with the former Director, Mrs. Gisela Greenlee, I have become aware that all documents and records associated with membership are in good order and quite well organized. One way in which I feel that I will be able to make significant progress is by increasing our membership. My plan is to put together a presentation outlining the benefits of membership in AATIA and to go around to various businesses, organizations, institutions, etc. who contract interpreters and translators and present to them the case for becoming a member. As we all know the benefits of membership are many and varied and with more active members, our organization will only grow stronger. My hope is to live up to the legacy that Mrs. Greenlee, the former Director of Membership, left behind and my commitment is to maintain well ordered all matters of membership in the organization, and to significantly increase membership. Thank you very much, and I look forward to serving AATIA in the coming years.

Director of Professional Development

Carolina Modesto

Professional Development represents an ongoing cycle of educational activities upon which we may build in order to achieve desired personal and professional goals. As translators and interpreters we all bring a rich and diverse pool of knowledge to the table that can be utilized creatively in the realm of translations and interpretation. With a background in psychology, various years of experience as a translator, and as a long-time AATIA member, I would feel honored to contribute to the achievement of your goals. With your vote, I look forward to continue organizing meaningful and enthusiastic events that have a focus on technology and are conducive to making us more competitive and productive translators/interpreters during these rapidly changing times.

Members who do not receive the enabling email should contact Elections Online to request the ID and password.

Results will be anounced here and at the May 9 member meeting.

This year for the first time the election was conducted online via ElectionsOnline.us.

*Elected.

Italics indicate write-ins.

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.

Members eligible to vote (Active members) should receive an email on Wednesday, September 10, from Elections Online with an assigned one-time  username and password allowing access to the online ballot, along with the link to the ballot. The ballot will accommodate write-in votes.

To be counted, ballots must be received by September 30, 2008.

Results of the election will be announced at the general membership meeting on November 8, 2008 and here on the AATIA blog. The term of office runs from January through December 2009.

Grimes expressed thanks to all the candidates for their willingness to run for office. She also thanked fellow Nominating Committee members Marco Hansen and Carolina Modesto for their participation.

The candidates’ statements and photos are presented below.

For President

Michael Blumenthal

I have been a member of the Austin Area Translators and Interpreters Association (AATIA) for over 20 years. I have served as Director of Finance, Director of Membership, Director of Professional Development, interim President, Co-Coordinator of the Spanish Special Interest Group, and I am now completing my second year as elected President.

This has been a watershed year. Accomplishments include establishing the AATIA blog, inaugurating an office and meeting space at 201 East 2nd Street as part of the International Center of Austin, completing workshops with Xosé Castro (Spanish / English Comparative Grammar), Ted Wozniak (Business Development), and Paul Makinen (WordFast CAT software), joining Greenlights non-profit organization, and refining operating procedures for the Nominating Committee. A committee is currently developing procedures for electronic voting for this year’s election.

Goals for 2009 include continuing to develop the blog, creatively utilizing our office/meeting space, offering multiple professional development opportunities, promoting and supporting special interest groups, inviting more participation from members, and having fun. The success of the AATIA depends on all of us working together, honoring our profession, and enjoying what we do.

For Secretary

Julie Nordskog

I have been a member of AATIA since 2006 and served in the past year as Secretary. While continuing to work part-time in translation and research, I have recently accepted the position of Program Coordinator of the Brazil Center at the University of Texas. I have been honored and grateful to be a member of the AATIA community. This has been a year of great advances for the association. I hope to continue to serve with diligence and enthusiasm in the capacity of Secretary in 2009 and would appreciate your vote.

For Director of Finance

Jonathan Cole

I have been an AATIA member since 2002 and served one year on the board as Director of Communications. The members of the association have consistently provided me with information and encouragement. This support helped me become an English to Spanish translator, first at the Texas Education Agency and, currently, at the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

When the treasurer position was vacated this year I wanted to contribute to the success of AATIA and the board agreed to appoint me as interim treasurer. Handling the association’s finances is a new endeavor and a learning experience for me and I am enjoying the challenge. If elected for the coming year, I will look forward to providing positive ideas for the association and an accurate accounting of the board’s finances.

For Director of Membership

Gisela Greenlee

As many of you probably know, I have served previously as the Director of Membership, for a period of 3 years.

We have been going through a series of exciting changes over the past year and I would be very happy to be a member of the board again. My goal and promise to the membership is that I will strive to handle all matters pertaining to membership in a timely and professional manner and to be available to new and existing members for any questions they may have regarding their membership with AATIA. I will also work on finding ways to increase our membership by contacting prospective members and former members and inviting them to join/rejoin our organization. I look forward to the election process and hope to serve on the board again in 2009.

For Director of Communications

Tony Beckwith

As the incumbent Director of Communications, I have mainly been concerned with the launch of the Association’s blog, at www.aatia.net. The creation and maintenance of the blog has provided us with a way to transition to a more dynamic presence in an electronic world. I believe this is an important step, just as important as it was to create our own website ten years ago. The next step was to gradually phase out the print version of our newsletter, and rely on electronic media to communicate with our members and provide them with all the news and information they used to receive via The Letter. There is still much work to be done in this area, and I would appreciate your vote so that I might serve one more term. Many thanks.

For Director of Professional Development

Patricia Bown

I have been involved with the translation industry for 13 years, all of it at McElroy Translation Company. I have served as Translator Coordinator, Translation Manager, Vendor Manager, and now Director of the Project Management Office. I work closely with sales, operations, IT, and various industry organizations. The McElroy staff is currently immersed in implementing some seriously new technology, workflows and processes to respond to changes in the market that once seemed impossible!

Speaking of change, I am an enthusiastic proponent of embracing change. I believe that learning and awareness enables one to manage and take advantage of change, and that’s the main of many reasons why I am interested in serving as Director of Professional Development.

I would consider it an honor to serve AATIA in this capacity. My goals would be two: (1) To build on the reputation AATIA already has for providing excellent educational opportunities; and (2) to broaden the array of topics covered, hoping to appeal to even more of the local population of translators and interpreters.

Carlota Grimes will chair the Nominating Committee, which also includes Marco Hansen and Carolina Modesto. If you are interested in volunteering to serve on the Board next year or would like to nominate someone else, please contact a member of the  Nominating Committee by August 2, 2008.

Members interested in volunteering for the role of Director of Finance are asked to contact Secretary Julie Nordskog.