We must have something to contribute, so that we are looked upon as the experts and trendsetters in our profession. Council should work with all members of the Association who are willing to give some of their time, their knowledge and their energy, be they members of a committee or not. We should not let ourselves be shut out of these developments or sidelined by them. Members in many regions should mobilize their governments to support the idea of an international convention. To provide a scientific basis for the health arguments that underpin our working conditions, AIIC must pursue independent research on workload and other elements that impact on an interpreter's performance and health.
Research is another activity that enhances our image as a professional association.
The AIIC website should eventually become the preferred interface for members and public who seek information about AIIC, about themselves or other members, about conference technologies, tips, etc. This entails not only using modern technology, but also requires that members seek to encourage interpreters to join the Association, to brief them on what membership means and explain why the strength and unity of our profession benefits all interpreters. We should organise more seminars on how to sell our services, on what our clients expect from interpretation, on how to negotiate with clients, on explaining the value of intercultural and multilingual communication at conferences, on using the Internet, etc. The time has come to review our present structures . There has been too much stress in the past on representation of interests and geographical numbers without sufficient care about the outcome.