2024 Court Reporting & Captioning Week wrap-up

2024 Court Reporting & Captioning Week may be over, but the celebration of the profession will continue as members salute NCRA marking its 125^th Anniversary throughout the year. In the meantime, here is a wrap-up of how state associations, members, and even judges recognized the second half of this year’s event.

Nebraska CRCW — Court reporters and members of the legal arena celebrated in Nebraska

Tina Nelson, RMR, CRR, a freelance court reporter from Omaha, Neb., and President-Elect of the Nebraska Court Reporters Association, reported that the organization kicked off the week with a happy hour at a local law firm and provided drinks, snacks, and NCRA materials for attendees who included court reporters, attorneys, paralegals, and other legal staff members to take home. Several members also have plans to visit a local middle school in March to talk about careers in court reporting and captioning.

Celebrations with the judges

Colorado CRCW — *10th Judicial District Colorado Court judges celebrate their court reporters*

In Colorado, NCRA member Carlina Gallegos, RPR, an official state court reporter from Monument, reported that four of the judges from the 10^th Judicial District Court of Colorado treated their court reporters to lunch, a chair massage, and a cake.

ICRA CRCW — ICRA members with Chief Justice Susan Christensen

According to Joni Fleig, RPR, an official court reporter from Johnston, Iowa, and President of the Iowa Court Reporters Association, the state held two successful Zoom meetings to celebrate: One meeting with board members and students and another for reporters and students which featured interactive games. Another highlight of the week included Chief Justice Susan Christensen from the Iowa Supreme Court visiting the Des Moines courthouse to read the governor’s official proclamation recognizing the week. Fleig noted that Christensen, who is a huge supporter and advocate of court reporters in Iowa, even made homemade cookies for the event.

ICRA CRCW 2 — Chief Justice Susan Christensen (left) and Joni Fleig, President of ICRA with the official state proclamation

Court reporters in Iowa also celebrated with social media postings about their favorite briefs, student advice, pictures with their machines, and more. Daily drawings for a gift card were held for those who participated.

Finally, Fleig said a number of ICRA members made a fantastic and hilarious video that they posted on the Association’s Facebook page. She encourages everyone to check it out.

There were social events to celebrate

In celebration of the week, court reporters in New Jersey, New Mexico, and Montana hosted social events, while in California the state association hosted several in-person Paint & Sips as well as a virtual one each night of the week. Members of the Connecticut Court Reporters Association also participated in the week by taking to social media to promote the profession as well as taking part in a local career fair.

Not to be outdone, members of the Massachusetts Court Reporters Association (MCRA) are holding an Axe Throwing Event at the end of the month to celebrate, followed by a lunch. In addition, MCRA is putting together an NCRA A to Z^® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand program for a local high school that will start on Feb. 29. Members are also planning their 2024 Spring Convention which will be held in Newport, R.I., and is themed “Writing In A Modern Steno World.”

ILCRA Allen and Weiland CRCW — Jason Allen and ILCRA President Greg Weiland, a freelance court reporter from Chicago, Ill.

The Illinois Court Reporters Association (ILCRA) hosted a happy hour to kick off the week which included Jason Allen, the court reporting program director at Generations College. Allen brought several students to the event with him and also noted that 26 new students signed up for the school’s winter program.

What have you done for me lately?

New York State Court Reporters Association (NYSCRA) used the week to show their members what their association does for them as well as promote new members. Activities included in-person “Meet & Greet” events throughout the state with free admission and free appetizers along with raffles of steno-related items. NYSCRA worked with Plaza College in Queens, N.Y., to promote its court reporting program.

Joshua Edwards CRCW — Joshua Edwards demonstrating realtime

Representatives from the New York State (NYS) Unified Court System Office of Court Administration joined representatives of Plaza College in a press conference to promote the profession. NCRA member Joshua Edwards, RDR, CRR, CRC, a CART captioner and court reporter from New York, N.Y., captioned the event to demonstrate realtime writing and addressed the key differences between reporting and captioning. NCRA member Denee Vadell, RPR, an official court reporter from Edison, N.J., and a NYS state official reporter, also spoke at the event, as did NYSCRA President Reid Goldsmith, CRI, a court reporting instructor from Syosset, N.Y.

Edwards reported that he and his business partner also spoke to more than 140 students from across the county in a virtual meeting about captioning. In addition, he said that Court Reporting & Captioning Week was the topic of his StenoMasters meeting also held during the week. A number of speakers delivered short stories about what steno means to them.

Members of the Mississippi Court Reporters Association handed out materials about court reporting at their State Capitol building. They spoke with members of the legislature lobbying for a page rate increase for officials. Members also shared messages about the profession on social media.

Other notables

On Feb. 10, NCRA President Kristin M. Anderson, M.A., RPR, FCRR, an official court reporter from Denton, Texas, was the guest of Al Betz on Stenographers World Radio. Anderson shared with listeners more about NCRA, state associations, and the future of court reporting.

NCRA member Meredith A. Bonn, RPR, CRR, an official court reporter from Webster, N.Y., shared the following from the Hon. William K. Taylor, Administrative Judge, 7^th Judicial District Court, Rochester, N.Y.:

“National Court Reporting Week is a great opportunity to say thanks to all of you for being such an important part of our team in every one of our courthouses. We couldn’t do what we do without you, and I know every judge in this District is grateful and appreciative of the important work you do with us every day. I also hope you know how much I personally appreciate you, and the great work that you do.

So on behalf of myself and all of my judicial colleagues, thank you and I hope you are having a great week!”

Snohomish CRCW — *Court reporting on display at the Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Wash.*

Members of the Kentucky Court Reporters Association (KCRA) celebrated by sharing social media postings and making plans for two social events that will be held in March in Lexington and Louisville respectively, according to Shelly L. Collins, RMR, CRR, CRC, a freelance court reporter from Lexington and President of KCRA.

Georgia CRCW — Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division Federal Court Reporters gathering in celebration of CRCW

If you missed any of the JCR Weekly stories about the celebrations happening nationwide, you can catch up by clicking on the following links.

State proclamations

States that send a copy of their official proclamation to pr@ncra.org will be entered into a drawing to win a 2024 NCRA Conference & Expo registration. The deadline to submit official proclamations is Fri., Feb. 16. The winner will be announced in the Feb. 21 JCR Weekly.

From the bench

Several judges also weighed in during the week about the important role stenographic court reporters have in accurately capturing judicial proceedings. See what they had to say below.

In the news

As always, there were press releases issued celebrating the week and a number of articles generated by the excitement. Read more below.

While 2024 Court Reporting & Captioning Week may be over, promoting the profession any time an opportunity presents itself is not. Many of the resources found on the Court Reporting & Captioning page are customizable and can be used for events outside of the week. The resources page offers an array of downloadable, promotional materials ranging from press release templates, flyers, presentations, and social media tips to messaging, posters, yard signs, business cards, and much more.

In the meantime, mark your calendars for 2025 Court Reporting & Captioning Week being observed Feb. 1-8.

Reminders

The NCRA Merchandise Store is running specials in February. Save 15 percent off everything from Feb. 23-27. These sales offer a great opportunity to save money while also purchasing a range of items from clothing to gifts and accessories that sport the official 2023 Court Reporting & Captioning Week logo as well as other NCRA and NCRF logos and artwork.

Send a picture of yourself modeling your customized swag to pr@ncra.org by March 1 and be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes.

State associations, schools, individuals, and vendors, please share with us photos and stories about how you promote the stenographic court reporting and captioning professions and send to pr@ncra.org.