Sarah Granger
Chair |
Ann McAllister
Rep |
Emma Sanders
Rep |
|---|---|---|
|
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Hello, if you are on or near the south coast, from mid Dorset to West Sussex, up to Surrey and Berkshire please contact us and find out when our next local meetings are listed. We meet informally, and welcome visitors who wish to find out more about ASLI. We sometimes have meals out and at other times will have speakers presenting new ideas or explaining, in depth, how a service works.
Author; Sarah Granger
email address; midsouthcoast@asli.org.uk
Date of Report; written 14 May 2008
Current Membership of our group
Mid South Coast; total of 29.
15 Full Members
5 Associate Members
1 Student
6 Supporters
2 Corporate Supporters
Summary of recent events
9 of our regional group attended the ASLI AGM and Conference.
2 May we meet up the North of the Region when 14 members of our region attended our planned meeting. Apologies from three others were received. This was a very successful meeting; the members expressed a wish to create their own statement concerning the ASLI e-group discussions, both before and after the AGM. This Statement they wished to include in this quarterly statement. Please read below.
Mid South Coast ASLI meeting – 2nd May 2008
During our ASLI meeting the recent postings on the members e-group was discussed. Postings pre-conference, relating to membership categories, and postings post-conference, logo, NEC responses, etc were discussed.
The strength of feeling from those members at our regional meeting were so different from the majority of postings on the members e-group, it was felt we wanted to put something in writing. Words such as ‘disillusioned’ were used to describe feelings. This was not aimed at the NEC but at responses made by some fellow Interpreters.
Posting on the ASLI members’ e-group can be daunting. Many of us don’t want to express our views for fear of a verbal “attack”. We understand that people are able to put down their views, whatever they may be, but we want people to respect those views, rather than shouting them down. Just because we don’t all share the same view, doesn’t mean we should be made to feel we are wrong. Healthy discussion is what is important.
There has been lots of discussion in relation to the NEC and their responses or perceived lack of response to questions put forward to them independently or via the e-group. If members have a query, problem or complaint they can use the ASLI organisational structure and go to their regional representatives and their regional Chair to feed views back to the NEC. At times it may not be possible or reasonable to expect the voluntary NEC to respond by return. This is why we have a structure and other media like KYIT. It is important to remember that we are a membership led organisation and as the NEC come up with ways to respond let us not forget it is within our regions where we can find our support.
It is the Interpreters we work with, the Interpreters we meet at our regional meetings, the Interpreters we phone up to off-load, to cry, to rant, to say what a wonderful day we had. This is where we get our support, and most of these Interpreters are ASLI members. Most members do not hear about the NEC and then decide to become ASLI members. As trainees, people meet colleagues and they happen to be an ASLI member. A lot of the work that has/is done by the NEC is then carried out by regional groups. There is a huge amount of work that goes on in the mid-south coast and other similar regions and it is important this is not forgotten whilst we debate why we were not consulted over a logo.
In all the postings, there have been positive and negative comments, however, many remarks, views; comments are related to where ASLI is going and how it is being run. Let us not forget how supported we can feel when we get involved in our regional groups. It is here where people can make a change.
Written collaboratively by members of Mid South Coast Region
The regional meeting also covered the planned usage of our regional budget; it was agreed that we would contribute some money to a pilot workshop on the subject of Reflective Writing for Practitioners lead by Gillie Bolton. We would also step up an evidence collection day for those people needing video evidence for their portfolios. During the coming months we would cover two aspects of voice over training. One to cover how to support each other during voice-over assignments, and how to repair/feed a co-worker. The other aspect to be voice-over training.
We welcomed some new faces to our meeting, and presented Monica Cammiade for recently qualifying as an interpreter. Two of our regional members have recently become TI.
The regional leaflet has been updated and now includes Wiltshire along with Dorset and Hampshire. We agreed to self fund the printing of a batch of professionally printed leaflets to distribute to the Deaf community and some statutory agencies.
18 April saw the official opening of an Independent living Unit for three people who are Profoundly deaf, sign Language users with additional needs. The support staff at the unit, are mostly Deaf sign language users. This unit is in the New Forest and other units are being planned.
Hampshire Deaf Association has a new CEO starting her new job. Some of you may know Liz Jones, Interpreter, Trainer, Assessor, etc.
Summary of recent significant contacts.
Following the meeting with a local Interpreting Service, the hourly rate has increased as of the 1st May 08.
Following our Information Evening in Bournemouth Deaf Club, the feedback was very positive. One report of parents of a Deaf pupil who uses BSL finding the information evening so useful that they have since decided to request an interpreter for two dates over the next couple of months. I quote ‘He may well not make much use of an interpreter but think he should have every opportunity to experience using one!’.
Meetings planned in the next three months.
21 June 08 Pimms O’Clock on the beach in Bournemouth.
12 September 08
17/18 October 08 Professional Development Training Event – Police Interpreting.
? November – Reflective Writing Pilot.
Dates for the ASLI Calendar
2 May 08
21 June 08 Pimms on the Beach
12 September
17/18 October Police Training
February 2008
Region : Mid South Coast
13 Full Members
5 Associate Members
1 Student
6 Affiliates
2 Corporate Affiliates
Our contact email address
Contact us at midsouthcoast@asli.org.uk
Summary of recent events
17 December. CPD Training. Liz Mercer and Victoria Gibson continued with the
second CPD training day.
25 January 08. Eastleigh Police Station. We had the first meeting of 2008 at Eastleigh
Police Station (9 in attendance). We had arranged this through our colleague SGT
Barham one of our five PLOD officers. We covered many issues, and had a tour of the
cells and custody room. This was mainly aimed at those people who are at the
beginning of their training, reminding them not to accept work in this domain yet. Very
good evening which needs another evening to cover more points.
Summary of recent significant contacts, networking and meetings.
18 January 08. Fareham Deaf Club. The chair of our region was asked (with five
minutes notice) to give a presentation at Fareham Deaf Club. Supported by two
colleagues, we explained the three levels of BSL/English Interpreters and the use of ID
cards. Many members of the Deaf Community did not know of their rights to an
Interpreter, did not know about the ID cards and have asked for the regional leaflet.
Many questions were asked privately after the presentation.
1 February 08. Liz Mercer and myself attended a meeting with the CEO of a local
interpreting agency to table several issues raised by local interpreters. We had a useful
and informative meeting which will hopefully lead to some changes in the local working
procedures.
Meetings/Events planned in the next three months.
28 February 08. Bournemouth Deaf Club. As many as possible of the regions
Interpreters will be attending an Information Night at Bournemouth Deaf Club. There will
be presentations by Maggie Woolley, Simon Hesselberg and Regional Chair of ASLI.
The regional leaflet will be available. Local councillors and hopefully representatives
from PALS and some statutory agencies will be there along with members of the Deaf
Community.
7 March 08.’ What does the future hold for you? How can we support you?’. Plus‘Interpreter Equipment’ Regional Chairs home Address.
5/6April 08 National AGM
14 April 08 CPD training day - Tribunals
2 May 08 Meeting
21 June 08 Pimms on the Beach
12 September Meeting
November 2007
12/13/14 October. The region had a special weekend planned in October. Margo Currie lead a full days training in a local hotel. The training covered Professionalism and Coping Strategies. We have had a great response with 27 colleagues attending this training event.
As hoped, we all had a great day and those of us who have not attended any training for sometime have asked for more training events. Two of the attendees enjoyed the day so much they have enquired about joining ASLI.
Margo was kind enough to present flowers to three members of our region who have recently qualified as MRSLIs. It was also a very good opportunity for many of us to catch up with old friends and to network.
Summary of recent significant contacts, networking, meetings:
Friday 14 Sept 07: Invited to the local interpreting agency Interpreter/communicator social. Good evening had, networking with local LSPs. Promoted the Margo training day. Had extra attendee and new member from this event.
Tuesday 13 Nov 07: Emma and Sarah to attend. Will circulate the amended Sussex Interpreter leaflet to reflect Dorset and Hampshire info.
Meetings planned in the next 3 months:
17 December. Two members of ASLI Liz Mercer and Victoria Gibson have set up two days, one was in September, and one in December for CPD training. Several members of Mid South Coast and neighbouring regions are planning to attend.
25 January 08 Open Meeting.
7 March 08 Local voting for Chair and Reps.
September 2007
We have had a few quiet weeks due to the Summer break but news below of our beach party and what we have planned for the coming months.
23 June. Pimms O’Clock on the beach at Durley Chine Nr Bournemouth. Despite the appalling weather, many of us met. 2 o’clock arrived, the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was good to see so many members of this region and our guests. Dorset Interpreters were well represented and we met with an agency that is now a corporate affiliate. One guest enjoyed our gathering so much, she has asked when the next one is planned. This person has since set up a ‘Dorset Professionals Meeting’ something she did many years ago in the London area.
17 September. Two members of ASLI Liz Mercer and Victoria Gibson have set up two days, one in September, and one in December for CPD training. Several members of Mid South Coast and neighbouring regions are planning to attend.
12/13/14 October. The region has a special weekend planned in October. Margo Currie is joining us for our Friday night social meeting, followed by a full days training in a local hotel. The training is to cover Professionalism and Coping Strategies. We have had a great response with booking for this training day and at this time we have 28 people booked. It is hoped that those of us who have not attended any training for sometime will have a great day and attempt to attend more training events. The last day of the weekend will be an opportunity for interpreters to have one to one or small group discussions with Margo. If you wish to join us for any part of the weekend please contact the chair of Mid South Coast.
Regional Qualifiers. Three members of our region have just qualified MRSLI/MASLI (one of them our newest rep Emma Sanders) and three others have just become JTIs. Congratulations go to all of them.
ASLI Promotion. Hampshire County Council is to open its new call centre soon. The call centre will eventually handle all incoming contact from the public and from professionals. The ASLI web site information is now embedded in the contact information for Sign Language Interpreters.
We continue to promote ASLI and its web site to local government, Wiltshire and Dorset have also been repeatedly given the web site address.
Wiltshire continues to be a ‘black hole’ with no qualified interpreters to cover work locally, interpreters travel in from Bath, Hampshire or Birmingham. Part of the training weekend, which includes people from Wiltshire, is to promote training and to encourage people to pursue a career in Sign Language Interpreting.
Hampshire Constabulary (PLOD Police Link Officers for Deaf People) is undergoing a review process. As local chair I was asked to either meet with reviewing staff or respond to a list of questions. I responded to the questions and offered to meet to clarify any points. PLOD is extremely well received by the Deaf Community in Hampshire and it is used aS a model for other Police Constabularies.
Attendance at meetings representing ASLI
Nature of meeting |
Date of meeting |
Contributions/Outcomes |
Contacted New CEO of H.D.A. Introduced myself local link for ASLI |
Have also sent link to ASLI fees and Salaries report. |
|
Invited to the local interpreting agency Interpreter/communicator social. |
Friday 14 Sept 07 |
Comments to follow. |
Chair and one Rep invited to inaugural meeting of Professionals involved within the Deaf Community – Dorset. |
Tuesday 13 Nov 07 |
Emma and Sarah to attend. |
Chair : Sarah Granger
Qualified through the NVQ route, I work mostly in the Social Services, Education, Employment and Medical domains. Just completed the ASLI Mentoring training and will soon be available to mentor ASLI members.
Live in the Fareham area with my husband and three children, two of which are away at university.
Rep : Ann McAllister
I have been a member of ASLI for many years and have seen many changes. I am delighted to be part of the NEC. I have been observing for the last year and look forward to being more actively involved in the coming year.
Rep: Emma Sanders
May 07
Nothing to report except to say we had a successful meeting last night at Ann’s home. 14 of the region socialised and discussed dilemmas. Very good discussions and plenty to think about.
Please note below the dates for future Mid South Coast Regional meetings above. All are welcome to join us for any of our meetings, just let us know you are coming by sending an email to the team.
23 June 07. Pimms O’clock on the beach at Durley Chine Nr Bournemouth
NOTE DATE CHANGE – REGIONAL MEMBERS REQUEST)
Time and pub name on request.
12 Oct 07. ‘Cart and Horses’ Kingsworthy nr Winchester
13 Oct 07. Margo Currie (tbc) Nuffield Theatre, Southampton. Days full training,
Professional Awareness – Commitment to the profession and new members. Interpersonal skills, Flexibility, Attitude, Power, Rapport, Knowledge of target audience, Knowledge of client group family values etc etc List is long.
Coping strategies -Working in difficult situations/ Working with difficult people.
£10 to attend. Please contact reps and chair for information.
25 Jan 08. Open meeting, Venue to be confirmed.
7 March 08. Local voting for Chair and Reps Cart and Horses Kingsworthy.
AGM5/6April 08 National AGM Venue TBC