Our Governance

The Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (ARID) operates as a member-driven professional organization with a structured governance system designed to promote the interpreting profession and support the Deaf community in Arkansas.

Mission and Affiliation

ARID is an affiliate chapter of the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID). Its primary objective is to initiate and execute policies that advance the profession of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English transliteration.

The Board of Directors

The management of ARID is vested in a seven-member Board of Directors, which includes:

• President

• Vice President

• Secretary

• Treasurer

• Three Members-at-Large

Directors serve two-year terms and are elected during the Biennial Conference. To ensure fresh leadership, individuals are limited to two consecutive terms in any single elected position.

Membership and Voting Power

Governance is a collaborative effort between the Board and the membership. While the Board manages day-to-day affairs, the General Membership holds the ultimate authority:

• Voting Members: Must be members in good standing with both RID and ARID.

• Checks and Balances: Decisions made by the Board can be overruled by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the membership during a general meeting with a quorum.

Committees

ARID utilizes various committees to carry out its strategic goals and distribute the workload among its members. These include:

• Standing Committees: Such as Bylaws, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Professional Development, and Membership Development.

• Ad Hoc Committees: Created for specific, time-bound tasks like the Biennial Planning Committee.