Legislation coming froms founding documents, volunteer leaders, and membership
motions.

![](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Governance.jpg)

Governance[Jenelle Bloom](https://rid.org/author/jbloom/ "Posts by Jenelle
Bloom")2025-01-09T17:58:50+00:00

### Governance is essential to the functioning of RID. Our Articles of
Incorporation, Bylaws, Board Meeting Agendas and Motions, and other guiding
documents are available for our members to review.

### Board and Business Meetings.

#### Containing the essentials for Board and Business meetings.

__

#### Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes

####  2025 Board Meeting Schedule

**2025 RID Board Meeting Dates**

  * March 5, 2025: 8-10 pm ET (Zoom) - [Register Here!](https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/OAM51Lk5SD2j4R3UTPxcXw)
  * June 4, 2025: 8-10 pm ET (Zoom)
  * September 3, 2025: 8-10 pm ET (Zoom)
  * December 3, 2025: 8-10 pm ET (Zoom)

#### Board Meeting Minutes

**2023 - **Board of Directors' Meeting Minutes: [Click to view
folder](https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3DKvZMflFLdMEVuaHJyY3NDNUU&usp=sharing)

**2007-2022** - Board of Directors' Meeting Minutes: [Click to view
folder](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0B3DKvZMflFLdMEVuaHJyY3NDNUU?resourcekey=0-HQt1UqW_ExAkotfeXyRRYg)

#### Board Meeting Agendas and Public Committee Reports

####

[Board Meeting Agendas and Public Committee
Reports](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1E3f5cFGk4Ve4vr-
hqBPts4u4P1ttMwuH)

_**Monthly online meetings –** Quarterly meeting 7 -9 pm EDT / 4 – 6 pm PDT_

2023 RID Board Meeting Dates

  * April 12-16, 2023 FTF in Baltimore, Maryland

    * Open meeting: April 14, 9a-12p FTF/ZOOM
  * July 24-26, 2023 at the 2023 RID National Conference in Baltimore, Maryland

  * October 4-8, 2023 FTF – Location TBD

#### Business Meetings

**Business Meeting Minutes**

  * [Click to view folder](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B3DKvZMflFLdUUtFb0pmcW5EVVE)

**Business Meeting Agenda**

  * [Click here to view agenda](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1oY8Hs5f8lTlbJBNRnZOKu6kaWtNBxMgb)

### Guiding Documents.

#### Containing the most fundamental principles and rules.

__

#### Guiding Documents

The organization bylaws contain the most fundamental principles and rules
regarding the nature of RID, such as how directors are elected, how meetings
of directors are conducted, and so on. These bylaws are amended according to
member motions and referred to in every act of legislation for RID. RID also
seeks partnerships with organizations that share common goals through
memorandums of understanding. RID is committed to compliance with the
antitrust laws of this country, which laws prohibit anti-competitive behavior,
regulate unfair business practices, and encourage competition in the
marketplace.

#### Bylaws

The RID Bylaws govern the internal management of the association, as well as
the board of directors, members and staff. The bylaws contain the most
fundamental principles and rules regarding the nature of RID, such as how
directors are elected, how meetings of directors are conducted, and so on.

You can either download the Bylaws as a whole document or views the separate
sections linked below. This document is in PDF file format.

[Bylaws Complete Document – Edited April 2020](https://rid.org/wp-
content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf)

ARTICLE NUMBER | ARTICLE TITLE  
---|---  
Article I | [Name](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=2)  
Article II | [Objective](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=2)  
Article III | [Membership](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=2)  
Article IV | [Directors](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=4)  
Article V | [Committees](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=8)  
Article VI | [Meetings of Members](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=9)  
Article VII | [Regional Organization](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=9)  
Article VIII | [Affiliate Chapters](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=9)  
Article IX | [Referendum](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=9)  
Article X | [Inspection Rights and Corporate Seal](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=10)  
Article XI | [Fiscal Year of the Corporation](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=10)  
Article XII | [Fees, Dues, and Assessments](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=10)  
Article XIII | [Amendment of Bylaws](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=10)  
Article XIV | [Non-Discrimination Policy](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=11)  
Article XV | [Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, Dues, and Assessments](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=11)  
Article XVI | [Dissolution of the Corporation](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=11)  
Article XVII | [Parliamentary Authority](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf#page=11)  
  
Related Links:

  * [Bylaws – previous version](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bylaws-revised-October-2019.pdf)
  * [View the RID Articles of Incorporation](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3DKvZMflFLdUlNsWnQxNUxrRDg/view?usp=sharing)

#### Policies and Procedures Manual

The purpose of the Policies and Procedures Manual (PPM) is to contain the
policies set by the Board of Directors of RID. The PPM establishes procedures
for the key elements and operations of the national association, including its
headquarters, affiliates, committees, and member sections. The policies and
procedures contained in this manual are general guidelines for the
association. Exceptions to the policies and procedures noted herein are
permitted with board approval, except for the provisions of the Bylaws which
cannot be waived or altered except as noted in the Bylaws.

The policies defined here are the basic principles and associated guidelines,
formulated and enforced by the governing body of the organization. The
policies define  _what_ the association does.

The procedures explain  _how_ the association  _implements_ policy. Procedures
are the sequence of activity required to carry out a policy statement or move
the association toward one of its stated goals. Procedures are also the rules
and regulations that entities within the association abide by when conducting
their business. They are a consistent guide to follow through any decision-
making process.

You may view the updated [2021 RID Policies and Procedures Manual
here](https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A8c5174ca-73fa-43ec-a477-a753ec8f8f3a&viewer%21megaVerb=group-
discover).

Related links:

  * [RID Bylaws](https://rid.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaws-revised-April-2020.pdf)
  * [Click here to see the RID Articles of Incorporation.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3DKvZMflFLdUlNsWnQxNUxrRDg/view?usp=sharing)

#### Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)

RID constantly seeks partnerships with organizations that share common goals.
Through teamwork and collaboration, we can achieve more of our strategic
goals.

RID currently has Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with these
organizations:

  * The National Association of the Deaf (NAD): Updated July 2013 (link coming soon), [Original 2009](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3DKvZMflFLdMURHQm50TzZXb0U/view?usp=sharing)
  * Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT) : [October 2014](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3DKvZMflFLdQVdZczlKTHFoWWc/view?usp=sharing)
  * Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE): [July 2011](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3DKvZMflFLdd2dSTUtqMDZQMTA/view?usp=sharing)
  * Mano-a-Mano: [July 2011](https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3DKvZMflFLddTMzenEzLUtIakk/view?usp=sharing)

#### Antitrust Policy

RID is committed to compliance with the antitrust laws of this country, which
laws prohibitanti-competitive behavior, regulate unfair business practices,
and encourage competition in the marketplace.

Neither RID, nor any of its affiliate chapters, member sections, councils,
committees, or task forces shall be used for the purpose of bringing about or
attempting to bring about any understanding or agreement, written or oral,
formal or informal, express or implied, between or among competitors that may
restrain competition or harm consumers . In connection with membership or
participation in RID, there shall be no discussion, communication, or
agreement between or among members who are actual or potential competitors
regarding their prices, fees, wages, salaries, profit margins, contract terms,
business strategy, business negotiations, or any limitations on the timing,
cost, or volume of their services. This includes any RID-related listserv,
online discussion groups, sponsored RID social media, RID publications, or
other RID sanctioned event, program, or activity.

**Please seeRID's Antitrust FAQs below for further information.**

#### Annual Reports

RID Publishes an Annual Report for its members, outlining our achievements for
the year as well as an annual financial report. Please click below to see the
most recent annual reports, or feel free to browse through our Annual Report
Archive!

**Most Recent:[FY 2022 Annual
Report](https://www.canva.com/design/DAF0EKkqrq4/GytXIYQNtjvqfB6NeAysug/edit?utm_content=DAF0EKkqrq4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton)**

**You may find RID Annual Reports
here:<https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Nto4CPUuq_cdyo_182nBPYqxt_lT1ClR?usp=share_link>**

## Antitrust Policy FAQs

####  Why do we need an antitrust policy?

While you may prefer to leave antitrust law up to the lawyers to discuss, it’s
important for members of a professional association to know what kind of
conduct puts the association at risk. This policy is designed to protect RID
and our members, committees, task forces, work groups, member sections  
and state affiliate chapters from legal exposure.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), enforcement of antitrust laws
aims to “prevent unfair business practices that are likely to reduce
competition and lead to higher prices, reduced quality or levels of service,
or less innovation. Anticompetitive practices include activities like price  
fixing, group boycotts, and exclusionary exclusive dealing contracts or trade
association rules ….”, Professional associations are expected to provide
guidance to their members about antitrust law to ensure that any discussions,
projects, or work done within the scope of RID is not in violation of  
antitrust laws.

#### How is a professional association different from a union?

The key difference between a professional association and a union is that a
professional association works to promote the industry/profession as a whole,
while a union works to promote the interests of the workers it represents in-
collective bargaining. This may seem like a difference without a distinction,
but it’s important when looking at what activities a professional association
can and cannot engage in. While unions actively advocate for their members’
personal financial interests and specific terms and conditions of employment,
professional associations work to improve public perception of an industry or
professional, e.g., through the establishment of standards and informing
government decisions. Also, as discussed below, unions have the protection of
the “labor exemption” to the antitrust laws.

#### Why can’t the committees, task forces, work groups, member sections
and state affiliate chapters engage in collective bargaining on behalf of
members?

Price fixing is illegal under antitrust law. Economic competitors cannot come
together and agree on a price they will charge for their goods or services.
For example, gasoline stations are prohibited from getting together and
deciding how much to charge for a gallon of gas. Interpreters in independent
practice in a particular market area are viewed as economic competitors. Thus,
they cannot agree, through RID committees, task forces, work groups, member
sections, or state affiliate chapters, on a price that they will charge for
their services.

It is important to note that individual interpreters are always free to set
their own rates or decide what rates they will or will not accept. Individual
interpreters are also free to access and consider the published rates of other
interpreters in setting their own rates. It is only when they act in concert
with competing interpreters that antitrust law comes into play.

Unions have the protection of the “labor law exemption” to antitrust laws and,
therefore union members, who would otherwise be viewed as competitors, may
engage in concerted activities through their bargaining unit without raising
concerns about antitrust violations. RID and groups acting within its
organizational structure are not unions and do not have the benefit of such an
exemption.

#### Why can’t the association or its affiliates form a union to
collectively bargain for members?

It does not fall within the mission of RID or its affiliates to form or to
facilitate the formation of a union to collectively bargain with employers on
behalf of employees who are RID members with respect to their terms and
conditions of employment. Interpreters who are members of RID may, obviously,
choose to participate in their individual capacities as employees in a
collective bargaining process with their employers through a union. As
previously noted, there is an exception in antitrust laws that allows a group
of employees, through their union, to collectively bargain with their
employer. Also, it is worth noting in this context that many RID members are
interpreters who are independent/freelance contractors who do not have an
employee-employer relationship with the entities that contract with them.

#### There is a new interpreter contract in my state. Can the state
affiliate chapter warn that interpreters won’t accept work at the proposed
rates?

A decision by or on behalf of a group of economic competitors (like the
interpreter members of a state affiliate chapter) to explicitly or implicitly
threaten to boycott any proposed or existing contract in order to influence
the rates set forth in that contract raises very serious antitrust concerns.
While there is no clear definition of what constitutes an implicit boycott
threat, all members and RID affiliates must be very careful in making
statements that might be construed as a veiled boycott threat.

Although it may seem obvious that below-market rates will decrease the pool of
interpreters willing to work under a given contract, stating such on behalf of
a RID-associated group may still be construed as an implicit boycott threat.
If there are interpreters who are willing to accept the proposed contractual
rates and/or those stated rates appear to benefit the consumers / providers of
interpreting services, the risks of antitrust exposure are even greater.

While the impact of proposed contractual rates on the available pool of
interpreter and the Deaf community’s access to services is a logical argument
against rates that are perceived by some to be sub-market, statements made by
or on behalf of competing interpreters regarding appropriate rates need to be
carefully crafted, need to focus upon the consumer’s perspective and not the
financial interests of the interpreters, and warrant careful review, including
the advice of counsel prior to dissemination.

#### What can the committees, task forces, work groups, member sections
and state affiliate chapters do?

There are several things that RID, through its member sections, councils,
committees, and task forces, and that state affiliate chapters, can do that
may relate to rates/fees and other conditions of employment / engagement.
These things must still be done with extreme care and consideration and the
antitrust risks associated with them should be assessed prior to
implementation.

a. You can petition the government.

There is an exception to antitrust laws that allows associations and its
affiliates to petition government entities, such as state agencies and
commissions and legislators, and raise issues that would otherwise trigger
antitrust concerns. The goal of representing RID members before such entities
is to improve the information upon which governmental decisions are made.

b. You can collect and share historical price data.

The FTC, a federal agency that enforces antitrust laws, created a safe harbor
for collecting and disseminating historical rate/fee information. (A safe
harbor is a provision that specifies that certain conduct will be deemed not
to violate a given law, in this case antitrust law.) So, if an affiliate
chapter, member section, council, committee, or taskforce follows the safe
harbor guidelines, it can collect data on rates and fees in the market area
and disseminate it to members. Here are some key factors to consider before
collecting and disseminating this kind of information:

  *     * Rate/fee information must be at least 3 months old.
    * The information must be collected confidentially. Interpreters cannot learn what rates/fees other interpreters are charging. To ensure that raw data isn’t shared among competitors, it would be prudent to work with an outside entity to conduct the survey.
    * When the results are disseminated, there should be no information included that would enable members to ascertain the identity of those charging a specific rate or fee. This is particularly true for listing information by geographic area when there is only one interpreter working in that area.

c. You can communicate your members’ concerns to the appropriate entity.

Affiliate chapters, member sections, councils, committees, and taskforces can
communicate members’ concerns to a hiring entity, if extreme caution is
exercised. The concerns cannot be communicated in a way that could be
construed as an express or implied threat to collectively boycott a particular
contract or hiring entity. Any message should be prefaced by an explanation
that every member acts independently in the market and that you are not
attempting to influence rates or negotiate rates on behalf of your members
Show that you understand antitrust law, say “We are not negotiating rates on
behalf of our members.”

#### Who can I contact for more information and guidance?

Each affiliate chapter is responsible for retaining and consulting with local
legal council for guidance related to antitrust law. A resource that can
assist affiliates in locating local counsel is your state Center for Nonprofit
Advancement. Please contact [info@rid.org](mailto:info@rid.org) if you need
assistance locating your local center.

#### What does RID suggest as text for Google/Facebook Groups to post on
their homepage?

Do not post queries or information, and refrain from any discussion that may
provide the basis for an inference that the members agreed to take action
relating to prices, production, allocation of markets, or any other matter
having a market effect. Examples of topics which should not be discussed
include current or future billing rates, fees, or other items which would be
construed as “price”, fair profit, billing rate, or wage level, current
billing or fee procedures, imposition of credit terms. Do not post regarding
refusing to deal with anyone because of his/her pricing or fees.

#### Are there any additional resources for this topic?

U.S Department of Justice – Antitrust Division  
<http://www.justice.gov/atr/>

Federal Trade Commission  
<http://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/anticompetitive-practices>

Antitrust Guidelines for Collaborations Among Competitors  
<http://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/public_events/joint-venture-
hearings-antitrust-guidelines-collaboration-among-
competitors/ftcdojguidelines-2.pdf>

__
