While in New York City attending the 2015 NCRA Convention & Expo, be sure to stop by the National Court Reporters Foundation booth and learn how you can help the association’s philanthropic arm do more through the many programs, scholarships, and grants it offers. The NCRA Convention & Expo is being held July 20-Aug. 2 at the New York Hilton Midtown. The NCRF booth will be located on the 2nd floor.
NCRF will be holding two fundraising raffles at this year’s convention. For the second year in a row, NCRA member Jane LaPorte of Columbia, S.C., has donated a one-of-a-kind, handmade, origami quilt. The “Past Presidents” quilt is composed of more than 100 different fabrics through a combination of machine and meticulous hand-stitching. The pattern features an array of whimsical characters including women with bikini tops and men with bowties. The quilt would make for a beautiful display or framed as an art piece, or can be used as it is washable and dryable in cold water. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25 and will be available for purchase at the NCRF booth or from an NCRF representative.
Also being raffled to benefit NCRF is a Diamante steno machine, which is valued at more than $5,000 and has been generously donated by Stenograph. The machine will be on display at the NCRF booth. Raffle tickets are $50 each or 3 for $125 and can be purchased at the booth or from an NCRF representative. The drawing will be held on Sat., Aug. 1 and the winner, who will have his/her choice of colors, need not be present to win. Stenograph has been a faithful supporter of NCRF since it was formed in 1980.
Visitors to the NCRF booth can also join the many NCRF members who have already committed to donate $1,000 to support the Foundation’s Angel Drive. The gift provides a great tax write-off, and those who donate during the Convention will be invited to attend the exclusive Angels Luncheon on Fri., July 31. Attendees can also learn more about how to join the many current NCRA members who are part of NCRF’s esteemed Legacy Society by designating NCRF as a beneficiary either through a will, an insurance policy, or stock donations.
Other treasures that await at the NCRF Booth include the 2015 New York City Convention Commemorative Pin that will be offered for $5 each, an array of past convention pins available for $1 each, and the popular 2014 San Francisco Convention & Expo pins, available for $5 each. Visitors to the booth can also become part of NCRA history by signing the “Official Convention Register,” a time capsule of sorts, documenting convention attendees since the early 1900s and housed in NCRF’s Robert H. Clark Library at NCRA headquarters in Vienna, Va.
Finally, NCRF is very proud to host its first Corrinne Clark Professionalism Institute educational event in New York by partnering with Macy’s. While designed with students and new professionals in mind, even seasoned professionals will undoubtedly enjoy this session led by NCRF Chair, Jan Ballman, RPR, CMRS, Minneapolis, Minn., and representatives from Macy’s. The session will feature models to demonstrate how to create a powerful business brand using the latest fashion trends. Attendees can earn CEUs and enter to win a Macy’s gift card and a free Macy’s By Appointment consultation.
If you are interested in taking a chance on the quilt or the Diamante machine, becoming an Angel Donor, or joining the Legacy Society, be sure to stop by the NCRF Booth in New York, or contact B.J. Shorak, NCRF Deputy Executive Director, at 800-272-6272, ext. 126, or bjshorak@ncra.org.
