1. What is Ethnic Bridge? Ethnic Bridge links together groups of people divided by culture, ethnicity or language. Wherever culture, ethnicity or language separate, we enable people to cross over to the other side with access and understanding.

2. What services do you offer? Ethnic Bridge has identified two primary divides: language and information. Where language separates, we offer over-the-phone interpretation (OPI). If information is the challenge, we conduct seminars and workshops on various topics, including cultural competency, cross-cultural communication, ethnic exposure/marketing, diversity, assimilation, immigrant relations and inclusion.

3. What do the services cost? The only cost for over-the-phone interpretation (OPI) is the per-minute rate. This rate is based on volume and how good you are at negotiating! Costs for speaking engagements vary and are fully customizable.

4. Seriously, no other fees for over-the-phone interpretation (OPI)? Nope, nada, nothing, zippo, zilch! No set up fees, no monthly maintenance or service fees, no hidden fees, no sneaky fees, no monthly minimums, and we even round up to the nearest second. (Most other companies round up to the nearest minute, costing you substantially more money.) We have a deep commitment to transparent pricing. There is no fine print.

5. Are there any costs to set up an over-the-phone interpretation (OPI) account? Good question, and the answer is no! Think of an account like an umbrella: Don’t wait to get one until you’re stuck in the rain. Get it now so when you need it the service will be operational and you don’t look “wet” in front of your customer.

6. Do you offer tiered pricing for over-the-phone interpretation (OPI)? Generally speaking, we don’t like tiered pricing because it only serves the business providing the product or service. We do our best to be up front and transparent, and set flat rate pricing according to your volume right out of the gate. If things change for you, we can always adjust the rate to be fair. You’re not locked into anything!

7. How does over-the-phone interpretation work? When you need our service, dial the provided toll-free number, enter your access code, and within seconds you’re connected to a live interpreter. Easy!

8. How do I get over-the-phone interpretation service? Sign a two page Interpreter Service Agreement (ISA), fill out a third page with signer, operations and billing contacts, and you’re done! We give you a toll-free number and assign you an access code, and you’re on your way.

9. What topics can you cover in your training sessions, seminars and workshops? All topics can be customized for specific contexts—whatever you need. We can cover cultural competency, cross-cultural communication, inclusion, diversity, assimilation, ethnic exposure/marketing and immigrant relations. (If that doesn’t work, I have a pretty decent stand up comedy routine.)

10. I’ve sat through more boring seminars, workshops, lectures and training sessions than anyone should ever be forced to. Am I going to fall asleep during your engagement? Only if you’re really tired. My purpose is to inform, but I do make it entertaining, humorous and light-hearted. Often, the topics covered can be sensitive and I think we are all better served by not taking each other so seriously.

11. What do you do for the environment? Is Ethnic Bridge “green”? My parents, coming from a farming background, taught me to love the earth and all the beautiful plants and trees that come from it. As a young boy I worked in a nursery and landscaping company and developed a keen appreciation for the growth cycle, beauty of flowers and the importance of nature. (On a side note, don’t be surprised when you receive a bouquet of flowers delivered to your door. It’s one of our ways of saying thanks!) All our office equipment is low-energy compliant and we are virtually a paperless organization. Our billing is sent via email. You can pay online, ACH, or through our electronic wire invoicing system. All payment services are complimentary. Beyond that we donate 5% of corporate revenues to The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. They are a wonderful organization that strategically plant orchards where the harvest will best serve the community for decades to follow, at places such as public schools, homeless shelters, drug rehabs, low-income areas, international hunger relief sites, and animal sanctuaries. FTPF's projects benefit the environment, human health, and animal welfare—all at once!

12. How does your invoicing work? We send you a monthly invoice via email. Payment is due 30 days from date of invoice.

13. What payment options do you have? We offer several payment options for you to choose from. Our preferred methods are through our free wire service from your bank to ours or by using our online credit/debit card option on our secure website. We also accept PayPal, ACH payments, checks or bags of cash.

14. Do you donate to any specific causes? Yes! We donate 5% of corporate profit to The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. Please visit their website for more info.