CFI

It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that I will be leaving my position as the BACI-CFI organizer at the end of this month. The occasion of my departure is a happy one: I'm getting married, moving to San Diego and going back to graduate school to continue on a research project that I've been working on for many years. Just the same, BACI is very close to my heart, as I know it is for many of you.

It's an exciting time for interpreters in California. How many times have we said, 'Interpreters should be the ones making decisions about our profession!' And now, after so much effort by all of you, we are poised in the state legislature to realize this dream.

What I cherish about my experience with BACI is how we've learned that if we put aside our individual, minor differences and join together for the greater good, we are not only powerful, but we also expand our world of caring to include those with whom we work side-by-side. BACI started with just 20 people, and now we count more than 240 members. Just the same, we've been able to keep alive that same camaraderie: in the walkouts that brought us our raises, when we joined our union, in our ongoing struggles for dignity and respect at the courts, and in reaching out when our fellow BACIstas have under-gone hardships.

I've also learned just how far that tenacious BACI spirit can take us! Time and time again, we have succeeded against all odds. We do have super-smart, feisty leaders. But it's the solidarity and activism of interpreters at large that have carried us, and will carry us, farthest and longest.

I have the great pleasure of informing you that Daniel Navarro, membership director since 2001 and current BACI Board member, will be taking over my responsibilities as BACI-CFI organizer (in addition to CFI organizers in southern California). Daniel will be working closely with Paz Perry and Mary Lou Aranguren, the two lead members of the legislative team, and I hope you will give him your support. Although relatively new to the profession, Daniel brings many impressive skills to the organizing position and I'm confident that BACI and CFI will be well served.