The Church Interpreter Amid Community Interpreters (3 hours) Are there conflicts? What are some of the sources of those conflicts? How valid are those problems. What are the problems of "church interpreters" that are/seem unique? This is an exploration of such and some possible responses to the matter.

I Mean What I Say but did I Say What I Mean? Framing and Cohesion in ASL (3 hours) Often, students of ASL learn vocabulary and phrasal structures for ASL but don't get to study higher levels of grammar are aspects that occur on the sentential and discourse level. These aspects create cohesion between ideas which in turn creates internal cohesion throughout the discourse. This workshop will focus on ASL grammar and introduce these aspects through examples as well as provide opportunities to develop them. Activities will involve listening to English chunks and identifying main and secondary ideas.

From Language Model to Ally: The Role of the Educational Interpreter (3 hours) Depending on the grade level where the interpreter is working, the interpreter is called upon to serve many roles: language model, mentor, academic advisor, cultural mediator, language advocate, teacher's assistant, ally, and sometimes even interpreter. This workshop examines the roles of the sign language interpreter in the classroom. Come and share in this fun and interactive discussion of student's needs, interpreter roles, school expectations and parents' wants.

Are you deaf? Do you like the interpreting process? Interested in becoming a Certified Deaf Interpreter? What things should a Deaf interpreter do to ensure high quality interpreting services? What kind of interpreting assignment is the Deaf interpreter qualified to perform? Who selects the interpreting team and what criteria are used? How can the team work together effectively? What study materials should the Deaf person study in preparation of testing for CDI certification? This track offers an in-depth exploration and practical experience in the application of these questions.

Possible Dreams (Banquet Keynote) This inspirational keynote will include goal setting and motivational strategies, information on how to develop a new habit, and research discussing the efficacy of both setting and writing down one's goals.

Teaming: Talking About What You Want and How To Get It (6 hours) This interactive workshop focuses on the art of working in teams. It will provide an opportunity for participants to develop/articulate their "wish list" for ideal teams. Participants will externalize requests/requirements and gain insight into needs of colleagues. Ample opportunity will be provided to practice and further refine requests.

Triage to OR: The Medical Interpreting Experience (3hours) If you have limited experience with Emergency Rooms and Hospitals, then interpreting these medical experiences can be frustrating. "Triage to OR: The Medical Interpreting Experience" is designed for interpreters who have little or no experience with Emergency Rooms, Operating Rooms and/or Diagnostic Hospital/Clinic appointments.

Independent Study Options: Finding the Pie in the Sky Learning Experience! (3 hours) Wanting to learn something that maybe there is not a workshop being offered close-by? Desiring to study on-line, in small groups, with a colleague and obtain CEUs? This workshop is geared to assist you in doing all of the above…and more! Participants will learn the components of an Independent Study Activity Plan and what makes IS a successful and enjoyable learning experience. Opportunities to explore ideas and how to write a plan will be provided.

Issues that Plague the Educational Interpreting Arena (3 hours) In-service continuing education targeting interpreters working within the public school systems. The intent is to identify issues and concerns that interpreters face within the educational setting and apply best practices to each situation identified. This session will be a total of six hours using a mixture of lecture, hands on activities in large and small groups and modeling examples.

Signs for the 21st Century (6 hours) The main objective of this 6-hour (one-day) workshop will be to hare sign vocabulary used to discuss current U.S. and world affairs. The workshop facilitator will provide guidance and feedback regarding the appropriate signs used for discussing the numerous issues facing today's society. Topics may include: U.S. and world governments, military operations, medical and technological advances.

Interpreting for Neuropsychological Evaluations (3 hours) This presentation provides an overview of neuropsychological assessment and procedures used with deaf patients. This presentation explains the rationale for understanding the impact of neurological presentations on deaf patients' communication and behavior during neuropsychological evaluation. Ethics in testing, preparation, and examples will also be given.

Passing It On: Strategies for Effective Mentoring, (6 hours) The need for qualified mentors is growing fast. In this workshop mentors and those who would like to become mentors, both Deaf and hearing, will learn effective strategies to enhance their mentoring abilities. These strategies will focus on the necessary skills and tools needed to provide effective mentoring to interpreters of all levels.

Swimming North In a South Flowing River: How To Keep Perspective When Nothing Is Going Right. (20-30 min -President's Reception) Using anecdotes, story telling, and real-life examples the presenter will attempt to energize, motivate and encourage interpreters of all skill levels to renew their dedication to their profession. Sometimes it seems that nothing goes right. You try and try and can't seem to get anywhere. Your get up and go, has got up and went. This short presentation will give you smiles, laughs and a few things to think about.

Mental Health Interpreting: You Can't Live With It - You Can't Live Without It (6 hours) Mental health interpreting is a specialty that is not for everyone. On the other hand, any interpreter who has been working in community interpreting for any length of time has been exposed to situations that are "mental health" in nature. This workshop is based on more than 15 years of clinical and administrative experience in mental health and gives participants insight to the challenges they will face and give them better understanding of the skills they will need. Participants will discuss types of mental health services delivery and will gain an understanding of how various settings and professionals work in different situations. Most importantly, this workshop will examine how interpreters fit into those situations. Specific examples and strategies will be given and a chance to "practice" situations will offered. Finally, participants will discuss vicarious trauma and its effects on their professional and person lives.

Just Say No: Using Discretion in Accepting Jobs (3 hours - presented twice) This three-hour workshop is designed for anyone who has ever accepted an interpreting job then later regretted the decision. In a supportive environment novices and experienced interpreters will work together to explore some of the factors that go into making wise and reasoned choices around accepting interpreting assignments. Much of the time will be spent in small groups "experiencing," via role play, the typical pressures interpreters face when asked to accept certain assignments. Additionally, time permitting, participants will have an opportunity to discuss similar experiences they have faced on actual jobs. A pre-conference orientation mailing of articles and exercises will provide a starting place for our discussion. Additionally those attending will receive a packet of materials designed to help in guiding future decisions as well as some ideas around building supportive peer mentoring networks.

Legal Mumbo Jumbo: What You Need to Know (3 hours) This Presentation will examine the American legal and judicial systems and provide a working knowledge to interpreters so as to better function within those systems. Presentation will include: an explanation of the different types of courts within the federal and state systems; the difference between civil and criminal court systems; the many kind of legal settings that occur outside the court systems; the protocol for interpreting within each of these legal/judicial settings; the interplay of an intepreter's code of ethics with the legal/judicial rules of conduct; and the complex legal jargon used in various types of cases. Understanding these components of the legal and judicial systems will ensure that interpreters are better able to facilitate communications between the Deaf community and the legal/judicial systems.

YES! Interpreters have legal rights too! (3 hours) Interpreters are constantly educated on the legal rights of deaf and hard of hearing persons, but are deprived of any education on their own legal rights and responsibilities. This workshop will provide substantive information on areas that are commonly misunderstood within the interpreting community as well as the deaf community. The legal perspective on confidentiality and other parts of the interpreter's code of ethics are explored to better understand the difference between ethics and law. Interpreters also learn principles of contract law to better protect themselves in their freelance work. A basic discussion of federal and state laws is provided to ensure that interpreters understand when entities must provide interpreting services at no cost to deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Sore Thumb Theory of Interpreting(3 hours) It is time to wake up and smell the coffee! Tired of saying one thing but really doing and believing another? No more hiding behind the Code of Ethics and not thinking! Its time to bring some common sense back to the field of interpreting! Come laugh at what we continually do that really holds us back from being effective interpreters. This session will put to rest some of the parts of our interpreting history that hold us down and move us forward into an era of common sense. This is not "theory" - it is a pragmatic approach to 'What to do when______ happens.' Let's realize that interpreters are a sore thumb in the whole interpreting process. Guaranteed to make you laugh, learn, and think.

The NAD RID Code of Ethics (3 hours) This session will examine the newly revised Code of Ethics for Interpreters. Focus will be put on the process used to arrive at this document, the next steps in this process, and impact of the code on practioners.

Can You See Me Now? (3 hours) This session will help participants learn more about interpreting for people who are deafblind and sharpen your skills in this area! We will discuss etiologies of vision loss and their impact on the interpreting method used. Co-presenters who are deafblind will share their experiences and demonstrate interpreting methods.

Anatomy v. Vulgarity (3 hours) This workshop will create a framework for interpreters to better understand the difference between anatomical terms and derogatroy language. Interpreters will be exposed to vocabulary that will be found in health related settings. A comparison to spoken language in a derogatry nature vs. a medically related setting will be demonstrated. The educational objectives for this workshop are:

1. Exposure to anatomical/health related signs.
2. Exposure to stong language or derogatory language.
3. Expsoure to a sign model for puberty and menstration.
4. A better understanding of the nature of signs as compared to spoken English homonyms when interpreted into sign language.

SEE II Interpreting (3 hours) This workshop will focus on the partnership between ASL and English via SEE in an educational classroom. Participants will be exposed to the basic rules of SEE to create a better understanding of the system and it's expected consistancy. Additionally particpants will be exposed to modifications in SEE that can add to the clarity of the message and message being presented. Participants will view video taped models and have hands on practice through interaction with their peers. The educational objectives for this workshop are :

1. Better understanding of the rules that governer SEE, creation of signs, and standardized usage.
2. Better knowledge of the relationship between ASL and SEE.
3. Exposure to the criteria which governs interpreter assessment
4. Exposure to interaction with peers with SEE materials.

Video relay services enable people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate effectively with the hearing world thought the use of interpreters. This discussion will provide an opportunity for participants to learn more about video interpreting, how is has affected the interpreting profession and people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Representatives from Communications Services for the Deaf, Sorenson Video Relay Services, the Public Utility Commission of Texas and possibly the FCC will be in attendance to answer questions.