For the last two years, I’ve chaired the Angels Committee and am often asked, “What will this money be used for?” Angels are our major donors, at $1,000 and higher, so of course they want to know their contributions are being used wisely.
At first, I wonder how people don’t know about the Foundation and all it does for our profession. I mean, we’ve been around for 33 years. But then I realize that most reporters are usually so busy that we often don’t have time to really read the JCR or NewsFlash. NCRF also has a bit of an identity crisis, because people may know about our programs but think that NCRA is doing them.
NCRF is really the members’ foundation. Everything we do is to support NCRA members. Every member counts ✔to NCRF, and we strive to count to the members. So, what do we do with donations? When I tell you, I know you’re going to say, “Oh, I’ve heard of that!”
How about the Veterans History Project ? Need PDCs to meet your certification requirements? You can earn them by transcribing a veteran’s history through VHP.
How about scholarships for court reporting students? NCRF awards the Frank Sarli and grants Student Intern Scholarships, as well as grants to a New Professional Reporter. How about free memberships in NCRA for students if they transcribe veterans’ histories?
Or how about free teaching tools so that you can offer a seminar to end-users on how to make a good record? You know they don’t get it in law school!
How about supporting NCRA at Intersteno so that our profession is represented in the global community?
All of our donors make these programs — and more — possible. But it takes money.
That’s why we have the Angels Drive and hold fun events at Convention and other conferences. In 2012, Stenograph donated a beautiful Diamante that NCRF raffled off, raising more than $11,000 for the Foundation. Whoops, they did it again! They donated a Diamante for NCRF to raffle at NCRA’s 2013 Convention in Nashville. Stenograph has been a faithful supporter of NCRF since we were formed in 1980, and we can’t thank them enough.
As Merilyn Sanchez mentioned in this column last month, NCRF’s Board of Trustees is undertaking a new strategic plan. We’re working closely with NCRA to connect NCRF’s activities more tangibly and directly to the needs and priorities identified by NCRA members. You matter to us, and we want to matter to you! Keep watching. We’re excited to announce how we’re going to do that.
Finally, thank you to everyone who supports NCRF. We can’t do it without you!
Want to become an Angel? Contact me at TammeyMPastor@gmail.com or BJShorak@ncra.org — we’re always happy to hand out halos!
