As the third annual National Court Reporting & Captioning Week wraps up, state court reporters associations, court reporting schools, firms, and individual members across the nation have reported participation in a wide range of activities to mark the event.
In addition to U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta (N.H.) recognizing the week-long event in a floor speech at the U.S. House of Representatives, official proclamations were obtained by lawmakers in a number of states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In most instances, court reporters and captioners were on hand to witness the recognitions.
“The National Court Reporting & Captioning Week event has steadily gained support by our membership, schools, and many of the vendors who support our profession since it was first launched three years ago. This effort is a true grassroots movement that has once again successfully put the spotlight on this wonderful, rewarding, and unique profession,” said NCRA President Sarah E Nageotte, RDR, CRR, CBC.
Nageotte, an official court reporter from Jefferson, Ohio, kicked off the 2015 National Court Reporting & Captioning Week with a presentation about NCRA’s Take Note campaign during a luncheon held at the Hawaii Court Reporters and Captioners Association’s annual meeting.
Other events and activities that marked the week included:
The Ohio Court Reporters Association provided a number of resources to members who plan to exhibit at upcoming events, including the Business Professionals of America Ohio Annual event and the Ohio Judicial Conference Court Technology conference.
The Kentucky Court Reporters Association, the Texas Court Reporters Association, and the Wisconsin Court Reporters Association were represented at their respective state’s school counselors association seminars.
A casual reception hosted by the Los Angeles County Court Reporters Association at City Hall. Guests included association members, bench officials, and members of the city’s District Attorney and Public Defenders office. City Councilman Gil Cedillo presented LACCRA with an official proclamation recognizing National Court Reporting & Captioning Week.
The Arizona Court Reporters Association hosted a meet and greet for court reporters, court reporting students, and potential students at a local court reporting firm in Phoenix. There was also a brief presentation given on the growing number of opportunities in the court reporting profession.
The Minnesota Association of Verbatim Reporters & Captioners joined Anoka Tech to host a Court Reporting & Captioning Spring Fling that was open to the public and included food, demonstrations, prizes, and a realtime courtroom tour.
The New York State Court Reporters Association hosted several meet and greet events throughout the state, including at the Nassau County Bar Association, as well as a Realtime Training Day.
The Iowa Court Reporters Association created an online career day outline on its student recruitment webpage for members to use. Resources include a court reporting program brochure from the Des Moines Area Community College, a keyboard layout handout, sample career day presentation, court reporting facts, and an outline for student presentations.
Sumner College in Portland, Ore., invited working court reporters and captioners to visit students and discuss their experiences in the field and provide encouragement about the many benefits the profession offers.
NCRA is planning events for the 2016 National Court Reporting & Captioning Week to be held Feb. 14-20.
