Technical Strategies to Ensure Full Participation in Multi-Lingual Meetings

Presented by the Mel King Institute

Ever been to a meeting where the non-English speakers are unable to actively participate because they are separated from the group, listening to an interpreter, and unable to read powerpoint and handout materials? This workshop will cover a variety of techniques and approaches to meetings and long-term involvement that move people out of the corner and into the inner circle of the meeting.

During this training, the group will engage in exercises and role plays to compare and constrast effective versus ineffective meetings in terms of participant engagement across different languages. Participants will also be given the chance to discuss challenges with the trainers who have over 10 years of experience in working to overcome language barriers.

Instructors:

• Karen Narefsky is a community organizer at Somerville Community Corporation, where she works on campaigns for affordable housing, good jobs, and community benefits in local development. She is also a member of the Boston Interpreters Collective and has worked with the collective to train interpreters in multilingual justice practices. She speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Haitian Creole.
• Juliana Tedesco is an interpreter with MassTranslations who works with nonprofit community groups including Somerville Community Corporation. Juliana is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.

More information and registration