The meeting was supported by two trainee interpreters and an electronic notetaker, who all very kindly gave up their time voluntarily.

The first speaker was Judith Collins, Teaching Fellow & BSL Coordinator, Durham University Language Centre, who gave a thought-provoking presentation about her view of CSWs from a Deaf perspective, and the future of CSWs. She expressed concern about the over-modification of students' work by CSWs, even suggesting that some students had achieved qualifications without the appropriate innate skills. She also suggested that CSWs should have a teaching qualification, and BSL NVQ level 4. These views generated many questions from the floor, from both Deaf and hearing people. All were interested in what she had to say and many recognised that this may be something we need to discuss for the future. A transcript of this keynote speech is on the ACSW eNewsletter.

After a short coffee break, we moved onto the main purpose of the day – the first ever Annual General Meeting for the Association of Communication Support Workers. Until this point, ACSW was not formally in existence, with only an interim committee since the first meeting back in October. They had been working hard to set up the association through all the formal legal channels, for example: registering the association with Companies House.

Up to and including the date of the AGM, there were not yet any fully paid-up members of ACSW, so the first order of the meeting was to propose an extra-ordinary motion that would allow the people present full voting rights for the purposes of that meeting only. This was essential so that certain proposals could be brought and voted on.

Each member of the interim committee then presented a short PowerPoint presentation about their particular role in the association, explained what they had been doing to prepare for the ACSW current position, what they had achieved, and where they would like to go in the future.

The following motions were then brought for the meeting to ratify:

1) Interim Committee
2) Regional representatives
3) Constitution and Standing orders
4) Membership policies and structure
5) E Group policy
6) Declaration of Professional Commitment
7) Logo policy

There was some healthy discussion during the course of this process, after which all the proposals were approved, some unanimously. The meeting was brought to a close with a plea for people to let the Committee know their views, so that the duly ratified policies, structures and constitution etc. can begin the process of discussion and amendment.

The second keynote speaker then gave her presentation. This was Nicki Harris, Head of Post 16 Physical & Sensory Support Service, Surrey. After giving brief thanks and approval of the first keynote speaker, Nicki spoke about the Sensory Team in Surrey, the role of a CSW, the skills of a CSW, the qualities of a CSW, and about how we can raise the profile of CSWs. She took the bull by the horns and dipped into the CSW–Interpreter debate, and spoke about funding. She rounded off with a call for networking with all interested groups, and a challenge for all CSWs to remember that the Deaf students deserve the best. Nicki's presentation was very well received with questions from the floor and a warm round of applause.

The afternoon was brought to a close with flowers for the speakers, general thank you’s to all who were involved in making the meeting a success and a prize was given to the person who had travelled the furthest … no surprises that it went to the lady from Edinburgh!

Delegates then moved to a local more relaxing environment for informal networking.

The meeting was a resounding success, and the Association is now officially up and running.