Minutes of the Law Division Annual Meeting (Virtual)
American Translators Association
October 7, 2024
Present:
Administrators
- Elizabeth Herron-Sweet
- Monique Longton
Leadership Council
- Dmitry Beschetny
- Katja Gugelmeier
- Caroline Kim
- Arnold Winter
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. ET by Elizabeth Herron-Sweet. She welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.
2. Approve minutes of last year’s meeting
Those present were informed that the division’s 2023 annual meeting minutes have been posted on the division’s website, and they will be considered formally approved if no comments are submitted by October 31.
3. 2024 Membership Survey Results
Some highlights of the 2024 Law Division membership survey were presented. Participants were informed that full results would be up shortly on the Law Division blog.
4. Law Division Overview for 2024
Leadership Council members reported on how the Law Division has served its members in 2024.
Monique Longton reported that we hosted virtual networking events quarterly using varied formats, which had good participation and feedback.
Monique Longton reported on the Law Division participation at the 2023 Annual Conference, notably by hosting our Distinguished Speaker and Professional Forum.
Dmitry Beschetny reported that the Podcast Committee was formed and held its first meetings in 2024.
Elizabeth Herron-Sweet reported that the Advocacy for Professional Certification in Court Translations Committee joined forces with the ATA Board Advocacy Committee.
Elizabeth Herron-Sweet and Katja Gugelmeier reported we co-hosted an ATA webinar this year that was well attended and had very positive feedback, and demonstrated how to submit a webinar request. They also said that the Law Division is looking into hosting our own webinars rather than going through the ATA webinar program.
Katja Gugelmeier reported that she is working on plans to revamp our website and asked for volunteers familiar with WordPress to assist.
Dmitry Beschetny went over our social media channels and rules.
5. Announcements for 2024 Annual Conference
Elizabeth noted that there is a blog post on our website listing all the legal T&I sessions and asked members to volunteer to write a review of a legal T&I session for the division’s blog. She also encouraged members to attend our lunch networking event during the conference and meet us at the Division & SIGS welcome event.
6. Call for LawD Nominating Committee
Elizabeth announced that we need to form a nominating committee for the division’s 2025 elections. Those interested in volunteering for this essential position should email divisionLawD@atanet.org.
7. New Business for 2025
Elizabeth asked for new volunteers to join the Leadership Council.
Regarding ATA66, division members were encouraged to: (1) help organize our offsite networking event at next year’s conference (if a Boston local), (2) suggest potential Distinguished Speakers, and (3) submit the proposal form online.
Elizabeth announced plans in progress to co-host a training event with the New York Circle of Translators that will be a CLE for lawyers about working with interpreters in court.
The possibility of creating virtual working groups to discuss marketing to legal clients was brought up.
Members were encouraged to join virtual networking events, write articles for our blog, post on or social media and suggest webinar speakers.
8. Questions from Members and Closing Remarks
Members discussed matters of AI in legal translating/interpreting, gender neutrality as a challenge in translating, and the possibility of hosting webinars as a division.
Elizabeth thanked all for attending the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Submitted by
Elizabeth Herron-Sweet, Division Administrator
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