The ATA Chronicle - March/April 2021 - 13

a call for applications will

The size of each group

be issued each January. The

is relatively small, usually

following should answer

around six people. When

most of your questions

you think of a 60-minute

about how the program

meeting, a group of six

is structured and what's

or seven gives everybody

involved. If this all sounds

enough time to speak for

interesting, start making

five to 10 minutes. Keeping

plans to join us for next

groups small is important

year's program!

because participation from
each member is essential.

What Are
Mastermind Groups?
The term " Mastermind "
may suggest a connection
to the concept of a master

All members are expected
to come fully prepared and
engage with each other in
meaningful conversation.

experienced person shares

Why Is ATA Introducing
Mastermind Groups?

their knowledge as an

There is plenty of information

instructor. Mastermind

and training available for

groups, however, are the

those starting out in our

exact opposite.

profession, but materials for

class, in which a highly

Instead of people

advanced specialization and

learning from one expert,

experience can be scarce. For

the groups are self-guided

example, we may be using

and choose their own

the standard functions of our

activities. Mastermind

software tools but have never

groups follow a peer-

taken the time to explore

based mentoring approach

highly specific features. ATA

offering a combination of

often receives feedback from

brainstorming, education,

members with many years

peer accountability, and

of experience as translators

support. Members challenge

or interpreters who say

each other to set strong

they find it harder to locate

goals and, more importantly,

learning content relevant to

work to accomplish them

their concerns.

by holding each other

The idea of Mastermind

accountable. As a result,

groups originated from

the groups benefit from

the process of matching

the synergy of energy,

mentors and mentees.

motivation, commitment,

Although the Mentoring

and everyone's willingness to

Committee matches 30

learn and grow together.

mentor/mentee pairs of

This means that

members every year through

professional peers-people at

ATA's Mentoring Program1,

approximately the same level

we saw an unmet need for

of professional experience-

in-depth discussions of

get together regularly to

more advanced topics. The

learn more about a specific

Mentoring Committee wants

topic jointly. The meetings

to bring together people

follow a defined script,

who are at the same level of

which helps ensure equal

professional experience so

speaking opportunities for all

they can meet virtually for

participants.

structured discussions.

www.ata-chronicle.online

The Mastermind Program
is only open to ATA members
and designed for more
experienced translators/
interpreters who want to
grow their translation or
interpreting businesses,
develop another area
of expertise, plan for
retirement, or discuss other
specific topics. We will
initially offer three to four
discussion topics a year, but
are open to suggestions for
special issues ATA members
want to discuss. The groups

*	 Retirement planning

will run from February to
July. ATA will not be directly
involved in the scheduling
or running of the groups.
We will expect the groups
to follow shared guidelines
so that everyone has equal
learning opportunities.
At least two years of
professional experience are
required to participate. The
concept is not an ideal fit for
beginners who are learning
about the industry and their
careers. ATA offers other
initiates that newcomers
will find more beneficial,
including the Mentoring
Program, webinars, and the
Savvy Newcomer blog.2

months, the time to let the

How Will the
Groups Run?
Groups will be assembled
according to their interests.
For example, members may
want to talk about:
*	 Moving up to a new
pricing tier
*	 Developing a new
specialization
*	 Adding a new service to
your portfolio
*	 Moving from agencies to
direct clients
*	 Starting or developing a
translation company

*	 Translation and the digital
transformation
*	 Contracts and nondisclosure agreements
The program will run
as a pilot with a limited
number of groups in 2021.
The list of discussion topics
is open and will be updated
every year based on the
feedback we receive. If you're
interested in a specific topic
or are willing to facilitate a
Mastermind group for six
Mentoring Committee know
is in January.
The Mentoring Committee
will put people with the
same interests in contact
and provide instructions for
the next steps. As mentioned
earlier, to facilitate
discussion, the groups will
not be larger than six or
seven people. The Mentoring
Committee will provide
training for people who
are interested in serving as
group facilitators.
Groups will decide
independently where and
how to meet. Venues can
include Zoom, Google Meet,
or similar applications.
Someone in the group
will keep an attendance
record for the purpose of
continuing education points
(CEPS). Group facilitators
and participants are eligible
for CEPs and can earn up to
10 points (one CEP per two
hours of volunteering).
The monthly meetings
will include aspects typically
not found in a class or
presentation: giving each
other feedback, sharing what
you learned, or pursuing
specific questions. No one
in the group, including the
facilitator, has to be an

American Translators Association

13
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The ATA Chronicle - March/April 2021

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