A Year-by-Year Summary
1988
The first AGM
The first ASLI Annual General Meeting took place on the 16 July 1988 at the Magic Circle, Gower Street in London.
Chair: |
Peter LLEWELLYN-JONES |
Secretary: |
Linda RICHARDS |
Treasurer/Membership Secretary: |
Caroline TAYLOR |
Executive Member: |
Roger BEESON |
Executive Member: |
Jean GREAVES |
Executive Member: |
Alan HAYTHORNTHWAITE |
Executive Member: |
Marie HALL |
The issues that were priorities for ASLI at this time were:
Communication Support Workers
The importance to include trained communicators within ASLI
Affiliation
ASLI discussing affiliation to the Institute of Translators and Interpreters (ITI); the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP) and the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI)
Interpreter Training
Recognition by ASLI of current interpreter training programmes
ASLI can chose to recognise various training if it so decided. It was suggested that as a national professional organisation it is essential for ASLI to make a clear statement about what training qualification is approved as appropriate for membership.
European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (EFSLI)
Should ASLI attend the conference in view of the costs to travel?
Interpreting Fees
The variation across the country and concern of Stage 1 and Stage 2 charging higher fees
Deaf Community and Deaf People
Terry Riley said it was especially important for deaf people and deaf organisations not to appoint or use unqualified interpreters.
Clive Mason addressed conference and gave a humorous but sincere personal viewpoint about the use of interpreters and development of interpreter services.
1989
Our Logo
The AGM takes place in Leeds Centre for Deaf People on 8 March 1989
No nominations for Chair and Secretary
Membership £20.00 Full Member £10.00 Student and £5.00 subscriber
ASLI Logo – members are to choose from 4 options
1990
AGM takes place in Warrington Centre for Deaf People on 21 Feb 1990
ASLI Constitution in the making
ASLI Newsletter in the making
Chair: |
Roger BEESON |
Secretary: |
Judith CLEGG |
Treasurer/Membership Secretary: |
Caroline TAYLOR |
Voting of the Committee went into disarray with 3 outright ‘winners’ and 3 people tying for the same number of votes for the 4th place followed by 2 nominees withdrawing. It was decided to re-run the entire nomination and election process again.
Roger, Judith and Caroline kept ASLI ‘ticking over during the past year (1989) when we have been without a properly-constituted Executive Committee’.
In the minutes of the National Executive meeting 21 Nov 1990, there are 2 new Executive Members:
Executive Member: |
Edith NORMAN |
Executive Member: |
Liz JONES |
1991
1991 seems to have been quite a difficult year for the Association for a number of reasons. The ASLI AGM was due to take place in Birmingham on 16 March 1991.
However information from minutes of Executive meetings show that ASLI had set up a number of working parties that looked at:
- Code of Practice
- Fundraising
- Fees and Working Conditions
1992
The ASLI AGM took place at the Birmingham Institute for the Deaf on 7 March 1992
Chair: |
Byron CAMPBELL |
Secretary: |
Mary CONNELL |
Treasurer/Membership Secretary: |
Kyra POLLITT |
Executive Member: |
Sean NICHOLSON |
Executive Member: |
Gloria OGBORN |
Executive Member: |
Rosanna PRESTON |
Executive Member: |
|
Co-optee: |
Antony BORNE |
Co-optee and NEWSLI Editor |
Roger BEESON |
The chair stated that the commitment of a core group of people made the difference between the make or break of ASLI.
ASLI’s aims and objectives discussed in depth at a post AGM meeting entitled ‘Representation or Regulation’. The wishes of those present had been reported in NEWSLI and incorporated in the new draft constitution.
1993
The ASLI AGM took place at the Birmingham Institute for the Deaf on 20 March 1993
Membership 101 (33 Full 44 Student 24 Subscriber)
Welcome
The outgoing Chair Byron Campbell welcomed everyone and introduced the incoming Chair, Gloria Ogborn. He also made an announcement about the lack of audited accounts. The membership agreed that it would be in order for the meeting to go ahead on the understanding that there would be an Extraordinary General Meeting for the approval of those accounts on 18 September 1993.
ASLI/BDA
ASLI/BDA Initiative to clarify terms and conditions of work for interpreters in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
An overwhelming majority supported the proposal that ‘ASLI organise a day to discuss legal interpreting and that the proposed CPS Guidelines be issued prior to the meeting.’
ASLI Constitution in draft form
ASLI discusses whether or not to attend the first EFSLI AGM in Brussels
ASLI discusses the possibility of an Interpreter Conference
Invitations to ASLI to be represent the profession increases
New Executive Committee
National Chair: |
Gloria OGBORN |
National Secretary: |
Mary CONNELL |
National Treasurer: |
Byron CAMPBELL |
Executive Member: |
Antony BORNE |
Executive Member: |
Sheila CALEY |
Executive Member: |
Anji GREGG (student) |
Executive Member: |
Sean NICHOLSON |
Conference agrees to “provide crèche facilities, where possible, at all General meetings and conferences, training and other Association events, when requested to do so.”
1994
The ASLI AGM takes place at Henry Fry Centre in Coventry on 5 March
The new Chair Gloria Ogborn extended a warm welcome to all members to the first AGM since the new constitution had come into force. She introduced all the Executive Committee members and also welcomed Beverly Gosling from the GMB; a special guest invited by the committee for the afternoon discussions on Union Affiliation.
National Chair: |
Gloria OGBORN |
National Secretary: |
Vacant |
National Treasurer: |
karen HARRINGTON |
Executive Member: |
Miranda ELLIS |
Executive Member: |
Sheila CALEY |
Executive Member: |
Anji GREGG |
Executive Member: |
Sean NICHOLSON |
Executive Member: |
Byron CAMPBELL |
Executive Member: |
Trudy FIELD |
Executive Member: |
Catherine WHITE |
Executive Member: |
Mohammad ISLAM |
Executive Member: |
Hannah MANASSE |
Membership Fees increase
Full £60.00 Student £40.00 Supporter (members) £25.00 and NEWSLI subscribers £15.00
1995
The ASLI AGM takes place at the Welcome Public House, Ladywood on 4 March 1995
Membership falling and committee members still feeling over worked and under appreciated. No help had been forthcoming. Why are people not joining? Several people had retired from the committee an there has been no nominations. These problems need to be addressed and currently there have been three local meetings and more will be organised for the near future.
National Chair: |
No Nomination Byron CAMPBELL (Care Taker) |
National Secretary: |
No Nomination Trudy FIELD (Care Taker) |
National Treasurer: |
No Nominations |
Executive Member: |
No Nominations |
Byron and Trudy are temporarily standing in until things are sorted out or the committee folds.
1996
The ASLI AGM takes place at the University College Student Union Building, Gordon Street, London, on 23 March 1996
The new Executive Committee
Executive Member: |
Byron CAMPBELL |
Executive Member: |
Trudy FIELD |
Executive Member: |
Helen SHIRLEY |
Executive Member: |
Pat O'REILLY |
Executive Member: |
Jemina NAPIER |
Executive Member: |
Andy CARMICHAEL |
A new constitution was agreed in principle
A motion was passed requiring the National Executive to establish and develop a closer working relationship with CACDP
Another motion was passed requiring the National Executive to take proactive steps to establish good working relationships with appropriate national organisations of Deaf people
Membership fees lowered as an incentive to get people to re/join
1997
ASLI North West host AGM/Conference in Preston on 1-2 March 1997.
Membership has flourished totalling 134 (36 Full 63 Associate 35 Affiliate)
National Chair |
Byron CAMPBELL |
National Vice Chair |
Andy CARMICHAEL |
National Secretary |
Trudy FIELD |
Membership Secretary/Treasurer |
Helen SHIRLEY |
Membership has grown considerably and much of the interest and enthusiasm is due to the new structure and the fact that interpreters across the country now have a local group they can feel a part of and a much easier and efficient way to receive information on issues relating to their profession.
The North West, Midlands, Hampshire and Dorset and Northern Ireland regions are still being set up whereas the other five groups are well established and provide a supportive network for their members.
A motion to adopt the new constitution was carried
In 1997 the role of Membership Secretary and Treasurer is split
1998
National Chair |
Byron CAMPBELL |
National Vice Chair |
Trudy FIELD |
National Secretary |
Jim DUNNE |
National Membership Secretary |
Helen SHIRLEY |
National Treasurer |
ASLI Bristol South West host AGM/Conference “Working Together” in Bristol at the Aztec Hotel 28 February – 1 March 1998. The AGM took place on 28 February 1998.
At this AGM it is reported that ASLI has 9 formal regions and almost 230 members however there are concerns about the financial situation, which is described as ‘shaky’.
1999
National Chair |
Pat O'REILLY |
National Vice Chair |
Trudy FIELD |
National Secretary |
Jim DUNNE |
National Membership Secretary |
Helen SHIRLEY |
National Treasurer |
ASLI North West host AGM/Conference in Manchester 17-18 April 1999 “Professionalism Is Your Responsibility”.
ASLI members agree to pursue it’s own Licensing Policy and Career Structure
2000
FIRST FASLI RECIPIENTS
The ASLI AGM took place at the Britannia Hotel in Birmingham on 11 March 2000.
National Chair |
Pat O'REILLY |
National Vice Chair |
Richard WEAVER |
National Secretary |
Jim DUNNE |
National Membership Secretary |
Vicki CARRABIN |
National Treasurer |
Helen SHIRLEY |
ASLI establishes an award the Fellow of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (FASLI) for those longstanding members who have made a significant to the work of the Association. The first recipients are (1) Byron Campbell (2) Gloria Ogborn and (3) Trudy Field.
It was at this AGM that the (all DRAFT) ASLI Equal Opportunities Policy; ASLI Guide to Terms and Conditions of Business; ASLI Code of Professional Conduct; ASLI Complaints and Appeal Procedure; the ASLI Disciplinary Procedure; the ASLI Interpreters Oath; FASLI, Professional Indemnity Insurance; Interpreters in Education Policy were all ratified by members.
2001
The ASLI AGM takes place at the Birmingham Institute for the Deaf in Birmingham on 28 July 2001.
Pat O’Reilly officially announced her resignation as National Chair. The National Executive at their meeting on 14 July 2001 had accepted Zane Hema’s nomination for National Chair.
Helen Shirley is awarded FASLI
National Chair |
Zane HEMA |
National Vice Chair |
Nigel CLEAVER |
National Secretary |
Vacant |
National Membership Secretary |
Tracey PYCROFT |
National Treasurer |
John RYAN |
2002
ASLI APDP
ASLI North East Region hosts AGM/Conference at the Trinity and All Saints College in Leeds. The AGM takes place on 6 April 2002.
National Chair |
Zane HEMA |
National Vice Chair |
Nigel CLEAVER |
National Secretary |
Julie WATKINS |
National Membership Secretary |
Tracey PYCROFT |
National Treasurer |
John RYAN |
ASLI Professional Development Programme (APDP) gets underway
ASLI begins talks with the (interim) Independent Registration Panel.
2003
FIRST CONFERENCE IN WALES
ASLI South Wales Region hosts AGM/Conference ‘Interpreting in the Extreme’ at Jury’s Hotel in Cardiff 5-6 April 2003 in Wales. The AGM takes place on 5 April 2003.
National Chair |
Zane HEMA |
National Vice Chair |
Nigel CLEAVER |
National Secretary |
Julie WATKINS |
National Membership Secretary |
Kate WELLMAN |
National Treasurer |
John RYAN |
At the AGM a motion is passed that sees the National Membership Secretary become a National Officer.
The ASLI Continuing Professional Development Programme proposal and the ASLI Mentoring and Mentor Training Programme proposal are both remitted.
FASLI is awarded to Peter Llewellyn-Jones and Pat O’Reilly
ASLI hosts the 11th EFSLI AGM and Conference in Brighton
2004
ASLI MENTORING & ASLI CPD PROGRAMMES LAUNCHED
ASLI North West Region hosts AGM/Conference ‘Working Together’ 2-4 April 2004 at the Thistle Hotel, Manchester. The AGM takes place on the 3 April 2004.
Motions are passed that see (1) Clearer Standing Orders (2) the indefinite suspension of the Licensing Policy and Career Structure (3) Membership aligned (4) the adoption of a Honorarium and Expenses Policy
FASLI is awarded to Pauline Ridgeway
National Chair |
Zane HEMA |
National Vice Chair |
Nigel CLEAVER |
National Secretary |
Liz MERCER |
National Membership Secretary |
Kate WELLMAN |
National Treasurer |
John RYAN |
2005
MEMBERSHIP/AFFILIATION REACHES 460
ASLI London South East Region hosts AGM/Conference ‘Interpreting Under the Spotlight’ in London 14-15 May 2005 at the Tower Thistle Hotel.
The inaugural Ben Steiner Award is awarded to Liz Scott Gibson.
National Chair |
Zane HEMA |
National Vice Chair |
Nigel CLEAVER |
National Secretary |
Liz MERCER |
National Membership Secretary |
Kate WELLMAN |
National Treasurer |
John RYAN |
2006
ASLI CONTRACTS ITI TO DO ADMINSTRATIVE WORK
ASLI North East and Midlands Regions jointly host AGM/Conference ‘Contemplating Interpreting’ in Durham 1 – 2 April 2006.
Membership/Affiliations hits the 500 mark
National Chair |
Jackie GRIFFITHS |
National Vice Chair |
Christopher STONE |
National Secretary |
Liz MERCER |
National Membership Secretary |
Kate PANAGAMUWA |
National Treasurer |
Mark SCHOFIELD |
2007
National Chair |
Christopher STONE |
National Vice Chair |
Karen NEWBY |
National Secretary |
David WOLFENDEN |
National Membership Secretary |
Mike BALLINGER |
National Treasurer |
Mark SCHOFIELD |
ASLI IS 20 YEARS OLD