The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
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DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 The Linguist 31 INSTITUTE MATTERS Christine Adamson MCIL "You're quiet for a bunch of linguists!" quipped the photographer: the group photo ordeal was a rare, quieter moment of Members' Day. The comment had us in stitches and the photo was deftly taken: it will surely reflect the happy mood of a thoroughly enjoyable day. Arriving at the event, attendees had an opportunity to catch up with friends and acquaintances, and to establish new contacts. A show of hands revealed that while many were Londoners, a good proportion had travelled from towns and cities the length and breadth of the UK, and even from abroad. There were longstanding members – one of 67 years – and new members, some just beginning their studies. The seminar offering left us spoilt for choice. I chose to hear Richard Littlewood speak about how the FCO Language Services has evolved. He alluded to the challenges of providing quality service at short notice to Royalty, No 10, officials and a host of other clients. After coffee and more networking, I chose the 'Be a Professional, Act Professionally' seminar, delivered by Inbox Translation. Alina's adept presentation and amusing anecdotes about what it's like to be on the receiving end of applications, and how she sorts the wheat from the chaff, gave much food for thought to anyone applying for work. Lunch was delicious and the 'Institute Matters' presentation proved what a vibrant, proactive and forward-looking professional body we belong to. In his Threlford Lecture, Andy Kirkpatrick reminded us that Brits don't own the English language: in Asia it has become a lingua franca – sometimes, sadly, to the disadvantage of local languages. Great venue, great welcome, great opportunities, great food. Many thanks to Team CIOL! The meeting of Council on 18 July received the usual reports on the finances of the Chartered Institute (CIOL) and Educational Trust (IoLET), together with a report on the latest situation concerning the investment of the proceeds from the sale of Saxon House. Council also approved the amended Strategic Plan 2015-18, which had emerged from the strategic planning meeting of 19 May. It was confirmed that online voting would be available for the 2016 elections to Council, although postal voting would also continue. Council considered details of the number of members and Chartered Linguists. The meeting heard that proposals for a new membership pathway would be discussed by the Finance and Executive Committee and then brought to Council in September. The Chair reported on the work of Professional Interpreters for Justice (PI4J), which was followed by a discussion about the Institute's possible involvement in the quality assurance aspect of the new Ministry for Justice (MoJ) contract. Council approved a revised Code of Professional Conduct, with thanks to Janet Fraser FCIL and Tony Bell FCIL, in particular, for their considerable amount of work. Council would be considering proposals for a new equality and diversity policy later in the year. The Council meeting of 19 September discussed the membership pathway proposal and agreed that it should be taken forward. In addition to the usual discussion of the CIOL and IoLET management accounts, Council considered and approved the budget for 2015/16 and was presented with draft budgets for 2016/17 and 2017/18 as part of a three-year process. The meeting considered streamlining the process of elections to Council, including electronic voting. It was noted that a move to online voting would mean that the distribution of nomination and ballot papers could be uncoupled from The Linguist's distribution deadlines, allowing a considerably shorter timetable. The Chair reported on the latest developments on the MoJ contract and on interpreting in the health sector. Council agreed a proposal for the establishment of a China Association. There was a report on a meeting of Division Chairs and Treasurers at which new accounting arrangements had been agreed and other matters had been discussed. Such meetings were to be held on a regular basis in future. The meeting received a progress report on actions arising from the recommendations of the Governance Review and noted that many of the recommendations had already been implemented, while others were still works in progress. Council thanked Deborah Butler for the excellent new Annual Review and for the speed with which it had been prepared, so that it would be available at Members' Day and the Language Show. COUNCIL NEWS Keith Moffitt, Chair of CIOL Council, reports on the summer and autumn meetings IMAGES: © CHRIS CHRISTODOULOU