Part 1. The Board of Directors’ last two years of work[*]
It is obvious that the New York Circle of Translators lacks a raison d’être if it does not serve translators and interpreters. When I began as president-elect two years ago, I expressed my intention to make the association more relevant to members. Membership was dwindling and the previous board was struggling to keep the Circle alive, so whatever the organization was supposed to do, it was clear it had to start doing it better. Yet, in hindsight, I realize that this ambition poses inherent problems. What is really relevant to members? What do we need? What do we want? What can this organization actually accomplish?
When I took office, I prioritized organizing more captivating and educational meetings, in the thinking that this would entice and benefit members. The Board did not take long to deliver on this policy. Our April 2012 meeting featuring Sandra Bryan, the New York State Court interpreter coordinator, filled the room at the American Standards Institute with over fifty attendees and had standing room only. Last year, then Program Director Louise Jennewine sustained this effort by organizing several talks with broad appeal, such as Laurie Treuhaft’s presentation on translating at the U.N., Ellen Sowchek’s presentation on famous interpreters, and a panel on legal translation featuring three distinguished practitioners: Jean Campbell, Ph.D., Eileen B. Hennessy, and Igor Vesler.
Yet a thorny and essential issue remains unaddressed: it seems obvious that higher remuneration is a goal of every practicing linguist. But does this mean a bigger cut for translators at the expense of agencies or the end client? Some of our association’s members are these very agencies. Could all of our members actually agree on a plan of action to boost remuneration? Would such a platform put us under attack by some in the industry or unite us in confronting a problem that the whole industry faces?
Further, as a local chapter of the American Translators Association, we are restricted by ATA policy in any discussion about rates since it could be construed as an antitrust violation.
Although I sought to organize events that would empower members with a better understanding of the market at the macro level, such an overview of the market is difficult to attain. Affecting the functioning of the market is even more elusive. The Board discussed ways we could foster member interest in the Circle and grow membership as well as motivate our colleagues to participate actively as volunteers or Board members, yet this does not address members’ needs directly.
Louise suggested and then conducted a member survey in order to be better able to respond to what members wanted. This study gave us valuable data, such as the fact that our members work in Spanish, French, and English more than any other languages by far and that the three leading reasons for their membership in the NYCT are to keep up with trends in their fields, to network, and to grow their businesses.
But even with the survey completed, the structure of the market continues to be the proverbial elephant in the room. Employment of translators and interpreters is expected to grow dramatically by 2020, but starting and surviving in the industry are more challenging than ever.
As this year’s partially new Board tackles our organizational challenges with fresh courage, and Louise Jennewine transitions into her role as administrator, thereby reinforcing our organizational structure, she, the Board, and the membership must clearly envision our larger goals.
So why not start with the most fundamental question of all: do translators and interpreters in Metro New York need a local professional association? I think that, intuitively, we all know that we need the support of our colleagues united in this organization, but can we articulate what purpose exactly this serves? What can the New York Circle of Translators do for us and what can it do better?
[*] This article is the first in a series of two on the New York Circle’s identity and larger goals. The next article will discuss the year ahead and beyond.
Leonard Morin 