UNIVERSITAS Austria:
From Typewriter to Facebook and Beyond
Eva Holzmair-Ronge
January 11, 2011
Brief Introduction
● Founded in 1954
UNIVERSITAS Österreichischischer Übersetzer- und
Dolmetscherverband
● UNIVERSITAS → unitas/unity + university
● Since 2008: UNIVERSITAS Austria, Berufsverband für
Dolmetschen und Übersetzen, Interpreters‘ and Translators‘
Association
● Currently roughly 630 members (more than 85% women) in
Austria and abroad
Representation of Professional Interests
• Public bodies and authorities
• Quality assurance (directories)
• Support and assistance
• Cooperation with related associations at home and abroad
The Board
President: Eva Holzmair-Ronge
Free-lance conference interpreter and translatorn
(German/English/French)
Tasks:
●
represents the association
●
keeps contact with other associations
worldwide
●
presides over Board meetings
●
chairs PR & Strategy Task Force
Vice-President: Andrea Bernardini (translator,
court interpreter, German/Italian)
The Board
Secretary General: Margit Hengsberger
Free-lance translator (German/English)
Tasks:
● Handles day-to-day business
● administers website
● FIT matters
Deputy Secretary General: Dagmar Jenner
Working pro bono…
… is a tough job!
Membership Categories
 Associate membership (EUR 120 per year)
For translators and interpreters actively practicing the profession
 Qualified membership (EUR 120 per year)
Translators and interpreters listed in the official membership
directory after peer assessment and two years (minimum) of
associate status
 Student membership (EUR 20 per year)
 Beginners (=beginning to practice the profession)
EUR 90 per year (maximum 3 years)
 Honorary members
 Subscribers to newsletter
Impulsreferat Kommunaldolmetschen,5.3.2010 - Inge Pinzker
Special Programmes for Student Members
● comprehensive information, brochures, regular workshops
● Board representative: Andrea Lövenberger
● cooperation between association and university institutes
(ZTW, ITAT, INTRAWI)
● cooperation with university-based student representatives
StRV (joint response to dumping ads, special site at ZTW‘s
electronic StRV Forum)
● networking events
Special Programmes for Student Members:
Mentoring (Stage) Programme
Student members (or young associate members) are
assisted by an experienced translator and/or interpreter
during transition from university to work who
● provides insights into the world of translating and
interpreting or related professions
● encourages young colleagues to embark on their careers
● helps them to build their own networks
Coordinator: Alexandra Jantscher-Karlhuber:
jantscher.alexandra@aon.at
Services for All Members: Mini Websites
www.universitas.org/vorname.nachname
Services for All Members:
Continued Professional Development
• workshops and seminars
• lectures and presentations
• language-related and for all languages
• recent events: Déjà Vu workshop, seminar on
medical terminology
• your suggestions are welcome!
Public Relations Activities
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Articles in the press
Articles in professional journals
Publication of own quarterly newsletter
Official membership directories
Lectures and presentations
Networking
Impulsreferat Kommunaldolmetschen,5.3.2010 - Inge Pinzker
Client-Focused PR
Joint stand of UNIVERSITAS Austria and AIIC
Austria at access 2010
Ads in Newspapers and Magazines
Membership Directories
Directory of interpreters and translators accessible
to the public
 Online query function on website
 Printed booklet distributed to members and
customers
Online database of all members accessible to
members only
Impulsreferat Kommunaldolmetschen,5.3.2010 - Inge Pinzker
Communication inside the Association
This is how we keep in touch:
● Yahoo newsgroup
● newsletter
● continuing education events
● general meeting (first Friday in March)
● annual St. Jerome event (patron saint of translators,
late September)
… and of course our website!
Website: www.universitas.org
Here you will find a a plethora of information and
resources ranging from taxes to social insurance,
from pricing to guidance notes for beginners, etc.
Relaunch: March 2011
All Associations at a Glance:
www.translationsplattform.at
Our Newsletter Then and Now
Social Media: Facebook Group
“Film Stars”: Members of UNIVERSITAS Austria
Documentary on conference interpreting:
Die Falten des Königs
For trailer go to:
http://www.diefaltendeskoenigs.com/ger/Clips/Clip2
Where to Find Us
Secretariat at Vienna‘s ZTW
Opening hours:
Monday 14:00 to 18:30
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8:30 to 12:30
E-Mail: info@universitas.org
Any Questions or Suggestions?
Simply write an e-mail to:
info@universitas.org - secretariat
holzmair@cso.at