NOTIS conducted a survey between November 16 and December 15, 2015, to assess member satisfaction and how to improve services to members. The survey was circulated to all NOTIS members (numbering 387 in December 2015), interpreters on the registries of state courts in the region, and members of the Interpreters United union; as well as publicized on NOTIS’s Facebook page. NOTIS was thrilled to receive responses from 211 translators and interpreters, 135 of whom were NOTIS members. Because NOTIS is almost wholly volunteer-run, we were also pleased to see that 75.4% of member respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their NOTIS membership. Many thanks to all who responded.

Survey respondents were especially interested in the following from NOTIS:

• More continuing education, on a broader range of topics, in more geographic areas
• Better marketing of NOTIS’s online directory of translators and interpreters, and of NOTIS and its members generally, to the region’s business community
• Improved communication with members
• More advocacy for translators and interpreters

We hear you! Based on your input, NOTIS’s 2016 priorities include expanded continuing education, improved marketing of our members’ services, and improved communication with members. Specific 2016 plans include:

• Webinars! NOTIS will offer at least two webinars, accessible to translators and interpreters anywhere with internet access, in 2016.
• Expanded in-person continuing education programming, in a wider range of locations
• Improvement of our website and online directory, and marketing of the directory
• Introduction of the Northwest Linguist blog, with posts at least monthly
• Improving our systems to simplify membership renewal and event registration
• Appointment of a new advocacy chair, with academic and research experience in community interpreting

Do any of these projects interest you? Would you like to pitch in with planning webinars, classes or social events? Marketing NOTIS to the Northwest business community? Sharing your thoughts on translation, interpretation, or language access for our blog? Advocating for translators and interpreters?

Please contact us at info@notisnet.org! Our work depends on volunteers like you, and working together benefits our profession, the community, and our members’ bottom line.

We have many new Board members who diligently work to serve our profession in general, and our local translator and interpreter members specifically.

Check them out on this page, and if you have questions ask them.

You want to get involved? We have many committees where you can engage and help to make our member community still stronger, and even more fun. Check out the committees page.

The Northwest Translators & Interpreters Society (NOTIS) advocacy mission is to improve business conditions in the language interpretation and translation service industry by participating in the following activities pursuant to what is permissible under IRS 501(c)(6):

• Present and promote information, trade statistics, and group opinions to government agencies and private sector businesses.
• Promote the common business interests of NOTIS members.
• Influence legislation and regulations germane to the quality, provision, and procurement of language interpretation and translation services.

You can read about all NOTIS Advocacy Efforts on our new page Advocacy.

If you have any questions or like to get involved please contact us.