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Committees

If you would like to join a committee, contact president@mrid.org.

Click on the committee title for more information:



Committee Descriptions

Advisory:  Ensures all concerns, questions, and perspectives of MRID members are heard and shared with the MRID Board of Directors and to establish an ongoing connection with representatives from various communities in order to maintain and develop stronger relationships within the MRID community. The committee will meet electronically via video conferencing four times each calendar year under the direction of the Membership Director. The Membership Director may communicate with committee members outside of the meeting dates if there are any time-sensitive questions/concerns that need to be discussed. (Members@MRID.org)


Bylaws: Oversees any legal changes to the organizational structure of MRID.    (President@MRID.org)

The Bylaws Committee is responsible to:

  • Maintain and update the MRID Bylaws.
  • Prepare proposed amendments for President and Board to review prior to the Annual Business Meeting.
  • Prepare rationales for suggested amendment changes for the membership.
  • Respond to questions that arise from the Board and Membership regarding the MRID Bylaws the Policies and Procedures.


Conference:  Designs, organizes, and hosts MRID's conferences and Camp ASL during the year.

  • The Fall Conference Committee focuses on the annual Fall Conference in October. This event is a series of workshops and seminars for professional development of interpreters throughout Minnesota. The Fall Conference also serves as a platform for special recognition of members who contribute to the field. In addition, the annual Business Meeting conducted by MRID Board of Directors is held in conjunction with the MRID Fall Conference. The conference location changes annually with every-other-year being held in the Twin Cities Metro Area and then rotating the remaining years between Central Minnesota, Northern Minnesota, and Southern Minnesota.
  • The Spring Conference Committee focuses on the annual Spring Conference. It is a venue for MN interpreters to reconnect with others in the field and take advantage of professional opportunities. CEU's may be offered for this conference.
  • The Camp ASL Committee focuses on Camp ASL; a three-day silent immersion weekend event held in Central Minnesota every spring that promotes the enhancement of ASL skills. Camp ASL also provides opportunities for all participants to interact with each other during structured and free activities. CEU's may be earned for this event.


Educational Interpreters:  Provides support and professional development opportunities specifically for interpreters that work in the educational setting. The Educational Interpreters Committee is responsible to:

  • Develop an informational page on the MRID website regarding K-12 and post-Secondary educational interpreter certification requirements for Minnesota Interpreters.
  • Develop and monitor an online community for educational interpreters to dialogue regarding issues that arise in educational interpreting.


Freelance:  Promotes among its members regular and active participation, state representation, support and nurturing for personal and professional growth; and a vehicle for new members of the Freelance Community to be welcomed into the field.    (President@MRID.org)

The Freelance Committee is responsible to:

  • Plan meetings regarding logistics
  • Schedule presenters and accessibility needs
  • Take minutes and disseminate to community members
  • Organize two yearly events: Holiday Party and Graduation Party


Fundraising:  Ensures the successful endeavors of MRID and promotes MRID as a professional organization.  The Fundraising Committee is committed to maintaining a stable financial base for the professional interpreting organization through merchandise sales, special fundraisers, etc.    (President@MRID.org)

The Fundraising Committee is responsible to:

  • Research and propose fundraising opportunities
  • Prepare a budget and proposal and submit to Board of Directors
  • Coordinate and staff the fundraising opportunities
  • Prepare reports of activity for Board of Directors and membership


Membership:  Registers and maintains valid memberships to MRID.   (Membership@MRID.org)

Other responsibilities include:

  • keeping an up to date roster of current members and provide the roster to RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf).
  • recognizing members for milestones during the Annual Fall Conference.
  • serving as Registration Chairs for MRID sponsored events.
  • confirming academic enrollment for student members.
  • assisting members in logging into their profiles, renewing their memberships, and answering questions related to membership with MRID.
  • preparing online voting needs for the Annual Business meeting by creating a list of voting members in good standing (dual RID and MRID memberships).

Membership Co-Chairs

Nicole Thornberg



Carly Fischbeck


Nominations:  Convenes once a year (a few months prior to the annual Fall Conference) to seek out candidates who would be willing and capable to serve on the MRID Board of Directors.    (President@MRID.org)

The Nominations Committee:

  • Works with the President to post announcements for upcoming vacant board positions.
  • Fields questions from potential candidates about board position duties, responsibilities, and eligibility requirements.
  • Solicits biographies from potential candidates that will be published for voting members to vote online during the summer, or to review before the annual business meeting in the fall.


    Professional Development:  As an approved RID Certification Maintenance Program Sponsor, the Professional Development Committee (PDC) is responsible for offering, endorsing, and ensuring the quality of educational activities offered for CEUs.   (PDC@MRID.org)

    The PDC is responsible to:

    • Respond in a timely manner to inquiries from members, interpreters and organizations requesting sponsorship of CEUs.
    • Determine what can be approved for Professional Studies and what can be approved for General Studies per RID guidelines.
    • Process all categories of CEU’s for individual MRID members, non-members and requesting organizations.
    • Coordinate and process CEU’s for all of the MRID workshops and conferences.
    • Maintain required paperwork and prepare for audits as requested by RID.


    Public Policy:  Engages MRID members in active participation in relevant legislative and public policy initiatives.    (President@MRID.org)

    The Public Policy Committee is responsible to:

    • Legislation and public policies that protect the communication interests of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals.
    • Promote the use of qualified interpreters
    • Advance the profession of American Sign language interpreting in Minnesota.


    Publications:  Responsible for the MRID’s quarterly newsletter, The Update. The Publications Committee creates a newsletter publication that includes current and upcoming community and MRID events, member spotlights, MRID Board updates, Committee updates, community written articles, and more, through an online software such as Microsoft Publisher, Apple Pages, or Canva. The Update is an MRID member benefit and will be distributed to all current members.


    Scholarship:  Responsible for advertising, soliciting, and screening scholarship applications. The committee then chooses recipients for each award to be presented at the Fall Conference Awards Banquet. After recipients are chosen, the committee works with the President and the Finance Director to ensure payments are made.   (Scholarships@MRID.org)


    Website:  Responsible for the updating and maintaining of MRID’s website (www.mrid.org).  The Webmaster/Website Committee is responsible for the design of the site, and weekly/monthly maintenance.    (Webmaster@MRID.org)

    Some duties include:

    • Ensure up-to-date information is listed for board meetings, board members, MRID events and conferences, community events, current vlogs, committee updates, etc.
    • Upload MRID Board Meeting Minutes, Update newsletter, and any general updates.
    • Set-up and manage registration for all MRID events. Submit registration reports to the event planning committees.
    • Provide membership support for profile assistance and password resets.


    Committee hours fluctuate depending on the need. 


    Committee members must be in good standing with MRID and RID. 


    For further details about committee responsibilities please refer to the Policy and Procedure Manual (under construction).


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