Membership

Join the global community for community interpreting

We are a mission driven, non-profit organization propelled by members.

Together we raise the quality of community interpreting, improve our practice, and defend the right of every person to be understood.

Become part of the world’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to advancing community interpreting.

Access and share research and insights

Connect across sectors and countries

Impact standards, policy, and education

Strengthen your practice and the field

Membership categories

Four ways to join. Every membership carries the same core benefits. The difference is who you are joining as.

Every membership includes

The same core benefits, whichever category you join under.

Full access to the Knowledge archive, including member-only research and downloads
Member rates at CLI international conferences
One vote at the CLI general meeting

Community Conversations, the members’ discussion forum
Publish your research, opinion pieces and events on criticallink.org
A global professional network across more than 40 countries

Joining as yourself

Membership is held in your name and moves with you between jobs.

Individual

Interpreters, academics, educators, policy developers, and anyone who wants to support the field.

Also includes

Stand for election to the CLI Board of Directors

$75 CDN a year

Student

Anyone enrolled in an interpreting or translation program. Other programs are considered by the Board.

$50 CDN a year

Joining as an organization

Membership is held by the organization rather than a named person.
The category you fall into depends on what your organization does, not on what you get.

Both organization categories also include

Access for your whole organization, not one named person
Discounted conference places for two representatives

Publish your organization’s news on criticallink.org
A voice in international discussions on standards and practice

Organizational

Associations, peak bodies, member organizations and certifying bodies that represent community interpreting.

$175 CDN a year

Institutional

Universities, schools, libraries, research groups, government departments, community services, not-for-profits, NGOs and language service providers.

$250 CDN a year

Fees are in Canadian dollars. CLI is incorporated in Canada and you can pay from any country.
A fifth category, Lifetime Honourary Membership, is granted by the Board to individuals who have given outstanding service to Critical Link.

Our members are

Interpreters

Connect with peers who understand the weight and responsibility of your work.

Get access to resources, standards, and professional development to strengthen your practice.

Researchers

Discover funding opportunities, share research, survey community, and build cross-border collaboration.

CLI membership gives you direct access to resources and professionals around the world.

Professional associations

Amplify your voice globally. Share your members’ work, contribute to international discussions, and strengthen your association’s credibility through a long-established global network.

Educators & language schools

Align your curriculum with international standards and current practice. Give your students a global community from day one.

Language service providers

Access professional development for your interpreters, and contribute insights for the benefit of the sector while boosting your brand.

Policy developers & institutions

Access evidence, benchmarks, and standards frameworks to inform language access policy, and connect with practitioners who know what works.

Government & community services

Good language access starts with good policy. Connect with global expertise and evidence-based standards, so you can build services that reach everyone.

Students

Learning opportunities and exposure to a diverse range of industry perspectives as you prepare to enter the workforce.

“I’ve been to 7 CLI conferences and have made amazing friends, built inspiring networks, and gained valuable insights from around the world.”

– Anonymous Member, Interpreter, Australia