The National Research Association for Sign Language Interpretation is a nationwide organization that researches sign language, sign language interpretation, and issues of deaf people, and works for the improvement of the welfare for deaf people and the improvement of the social position of sign language interpreters. The affiliated chapters 47 nationwide administrative divisions in all act and study with deaf groups for the welfare improvement of the region.
Moreover, publishing the organization magazine 'Research Journal on the Problems of Sign Interpretation', the books, it tries to enlighten issues of deaf people. The membership is composed of people who learn sign language and who work as the sign language interpreters.
Board of representatives
The Board of representatives is held in Tokyo for three days in May every year. (About 130 representatives in 2003) The number of representatives from each affiliated chapter is decided by the number of its membership. If the number of members is under 50, the chapter has one representative, two representatives for 51-150members, three representatives for 151-300members, four representatives for 301-500members and five representatives for over 501 members. Article 22 of the Statutes says, "The Board of representatives is the supreme position in the National Research Association for Sign Language Interpretation and make decisions on the following articles. (1) Reports for the year and statement of accounts. (2) The annual plan and annual budget. (3) Revising the Statutes. (4) Any important things relevant to our project."
The representatives from all over Japan gather and exchange their opinions enthusiastically every year.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is composes of 22 people, a 20 member management committee and 2 auditors, about 30members if the secretariat is included.
Article22 Section2 states, "The steering committee executes the resolutions of the Board of representatives and makes decisions regarding the following:
(1) articles that should be referred to the representation committee. (2) articles that don't require the decision of the Board of representatives. (3) the appointment of new departments in the committee. (4) the Steering committee can hold a conference when necessary to put into action decision the Board of representatives and the Steering committee."
The Steering committee is held five times a year (in May, August, October, December and February) At every meeting nearly all the representatives are present and discuss enthusiastically until time is up, exchanging opinions to establish the policy and the direction that is suitable to the situation.
Managerial Conference
The managerial chairman, the managerial sub-chairman, the secretary-general and the head of the Editorial Department gather and a Managerial Conference is held twice a year. (in November and May.)
Standing Committee
The Standing Committee is composed the managerial chairman, the managerial sub-chairman, a secretary-general, the head of the Editorial Department, the bureau business director, the financial director, the Director-General of the Research and Planning Department, and the director of the organization and the meeting is held three times a year, to check and confirm the current situation.
Audit
An Audit is carried out twice a year. One is an interim audit and the other is done at the end of fiscal year.
Treasury Committee
The meeting is held as needed to discuss the future financial situation and the treatment of the staff, etc.
Branch Representative Conference
The Branch Representative Conference is held in Kyoto in September every year to summarize the activities at the middle of the fiscal year and to discuss the movement in the future.