Interpreting

Just one great partnership with the right person can have an incredible impact on your business success.   ~Janine Ogg & Joe Foster

SECURING AN INTERPRETER TEAM

When scheduling interpreters for your upcoming conference through YourVolution you can rest easy knowing your event will be covered by highly skilled professionals who care about and are cognizant of the individuals impacted by the work provided.

As you begin to work with us to procure interpreters we will have you complete and submit an interpreting services evaluation form. Once your request is submitted we will begin to formulate your team of expert interpreters.

CONSIDERATIONS

Booking Timeline In order to ensure you have the most qualified interpreters for your event we need to have plenty of advance notice. Given demand, highly qualified interpreters’ schedules fill up fast and we want to ensure availability is there for you. While we recommend securing interpreters as early as possible, we request at least 45 days notice when placing a request for coverage. We are typically not able to accept requests less than 14 days in advance of your event, as we want to ensure you are served with interpreters of the highest caliber.

Team Size Typically a team of two interpreters is required to provide coverage for each Deaf participant. The task of interpretation is mentally and physically fatiguing, requiring this team to provide the appropriate support for each other and the messages being conveyed. If your event has multiple Deaf consumers and will not include breakout sessions - ie all participants will be in the same room at all times - fewer interpreters are likely to be required. We will discuss the specifics of your team, as well as potential unique language needs and their impact on the size of your interpreter team on an individual basis.

Mentoring At YourVolution we approach our work with a community focus. Recognizing a great need for growth in the number of professionals who truly care about and develop their work and skills, part of our approach entails nurturing newer interpreters as they develop into the highly qualified interpreter needed to appropriately work in the field. We value the Deaf community, our work, and our name in the community, so you can rest easy knowing these budding practitioners are always carefully screened prior to approving their participation on-site.

Mid-Event Coordination We recognize that conference participants often change schedules once they are on site, so coordination doesn't end until the event concludes. YourVolution will work with the on-site coordinator to ensure that reasonable ADA accommodations are being provided, even with last minute changes.

STANDARD PAYMENT POLICIES

Fees Taking into account the duration and complexity of the conference as well as number of Deaf attendees, we will proactively work with you on managing costs for interpretation. By the way, did you know that accountants can advise you on how to favorably handle legally required ADA accommodations, including ASL interpretation, on your organization's taxes?

Cancellations Advance notice is required to cancel scheduled services without being billed.

Payment  Upon scheduling services an invoice will be emailed to you. Payment may be made via ACH/Bank transfer or check. Fifty percent (50%) of the invoice is due prior to start of the event. The remaining 50% is due within seven (7) days of event completion.

Timely Payment Discount A three percent (3%) discount will be given with payment in full prior to start of the event.

FEEDBACK

At YourVolution we value the input of those we work with. Following assignments you will be requested to complete a brief survey of your experience scheduling interpreting services with us. Please consider completing the form to help us raise the bar in our services and elevate the experience of all involved. We thank you in advance!

Kolik jazyků znáš, tolikrát jsi člověkem.
Interpretation: The more languages you know, the more you are human.
Transliteration: As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being.
~Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Czech

Qualifications  At YourVolution we recognize the power dynamics at play in the coming together of privileged and non-privileged identities, our role as interpreters to ensure appropriate access for Deaf peoples in a hearing-privileged world, and our role as humans to nurture space for all to act in a free and self-determined manner. We bring our all to this work and expect interpreters we work with to do the same. Coming from a community approach we consult respected gate-keepers in determining who we contract with. Interpreters working with YourVolution must possess the skill, professionalism, consciousness and heart to do this work in an effective manner that acknowledges value in diversity and meaningful inclusion.

Fees & Cancellation Policies  We recognize that in working with the best, we need to make sure we are compensating the best. YourVolution requires three business days advance notice of cancellation by event requestors and as a matter of form does not invoice for cancelled time without paying that through to the contractors assigned.

Payment Policies Payment will be made within thirty-five days of the conclusion of an event, however every attempt will be made to provide payment, in full, upon the last day of the event. We work with the requester to ensure prompt payment, so any schedule adjustments that occur on site must be communicated to YourVolution the same day in which they occurred. Independent contractors are encouraged to submit invoices on the final day of the event in order to process compensation quickly and accurately.

Documents Required  Interpreters wishing to contract with YourVolution must submit a letter of interest and intent to work in partnership as an independent contractor, provide a current w9, certification verification, resume or CV, and a current headshot. We may follow up with a request for additional information such as referrences and work samples.

Mentoring Policy  At YourVolution we approach our work with a community focus. Recognizing a great need for growth in the number of professionals who truly care about and develop their work and skills, part of our approach entails nurturing newer interpreters as they develop into the highly qualified interpreter needed to appropriately work in the field. At times you may have the opportunity to be assisted by promising apprentices.

And, if you are mentoring an interpreter and wish to allow them to shadow you during an assignment please reach out to us to discuss the options.

On-Site Changes in Schedule We recognize that conference participants often change schedules once they are on site. In the event additional sessions are requested on-site for coverage during the event, please notify both your on-site point of contact as well as YourVolution for approval. We will work with you to ensure that not only is the Deaf person being appropriately served, but that you are also being respectfully compensated.

Standards  It is expected that all interpreters adhere to professional behaviors, attitudes, and ethics at all times surrounding and during assigned events.

Feedback  At YourVolution we value the input of those we work with. Following assignments you will be requested to complete a brief survey of your experience working with us and on the assignment. Feedback like this helps us raise the bar in our services and elevate the experience of all involved- Deaf participants, hearing participants, event coordinators, and YOU!

Whoever teaches learns in the act of teaching, and whoever learns teaches in the act of learning.   ~Paolo Friere

Qualifications  At YourVolution we recognize the power dynamics at play in the coming together of privileged and non-privileged identities. We have an obligation, as interpreters, to ensure appropriate access for Deaf consumers in a hearing-privileged world. And as humans we believe it is everyone's responsibility to nurture space for all to conduct their lives in a free and self-determined manner. We bring our all to this work and expect interpreters we work with to do the same. Coming from a community approach we consult respected gate-keepers in determining who we contract with, and who we mentor. Interpreters working with YourVolution must possess the skill, professionalism, consciousness and heart to do this work in an effective manner that acknowledges value in diversity and meaningful inclusion. Protégés working with YourVolution must have a solid understanding of power and privilege and a determination to improve their language, processing, and people skills.

​Interpreters wishing to contract with YourVolution must submit a brief letter of interest and intent to work in partnership as a protégé and potential independent contractor, provide certification verification (if any held), and provide a detailed resume and/or CV. If you appear to be a potential fit we will follow up with a request for additional information such as referrals, work samples, and a current headshot.

Professionalism  It is expected that protégés adhere to professional behaviors at all times surrounding and during assigned events. This includes, among others, standards of timeliness, dress, attitudes, and respect for the relationship between YourVolution and consumers served. Please consciously note and follow the professionalism displayed by the interpreting team on site.

The Work  When assigned to work with a scheduled interpreter on assignment, the protégé will remain in the role of observer at all times unless otherwise agreed upon. Should a protégé have the skills and qualifications to participate in the interpreting process, opportunities allowing such will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please note that these types of decisions are made primarily via consensus by first and foremost the Deaf participant, as well as YourVolution, the scheduled interpreter, and the requestor.