"Court Reporting & Captioning Week is not only a week to celebrate who we are and what we do; it is also your chance to give back. Participate by spreading the word about our fabulous profession and the opportunities that await those who enter the judicial reporting, broadcast and CART captioning, and legal videography fields. You can earn points by attending a career fair, giving a presentation at a school, or hosting a Veterans History Project Day or an A to Z Program. The opportunities are endless. Who will have the new ideas this year? What will you do to take part? Share the excitement, share your passion, change our profession."   

Chris Willette           

2017-2018 NCRA President 

We are all familiar with the findings from the 2013-2014 Industry Outlook Report by Ducker Worldwide that predicts there will be a shortage of 5,500 court reporters over the next several years. We know our numbers are dwindling. We know we need students in our schools, and we know we need students graduating from court reporting programs. Is this challenging? Yes, it is, but we are court reporters, and we face challenges every day.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Just as colleges and universities engage in athletic rivalries, you can join forces with court reporters and captioners in your state for a little friendly competition across state borders. In our profession, we are silent as we diligently do our jobs, but we really have a lot to say about our great profession. Now is the time to say it. How can we let our voices be heard?

• Present and demonstrate at high schools or career fairs in our communities
• Present and demonstrate at guidance counselor conventions in our states
• Participate in a Veterans History Project Day
• Participate in and promotion of 2018 Court Reporting & Captioning Week
• Organize and lead an A to Z Program

WHEN IS THE COMPETITION?

The competition will begin Monday, Aug. 14, 2017. We do not want to waste any time spreading the message about our wonderful profession! Let's get the ball rolling! We will celebrate our successes and award our prizes at the culmination of Court Reporting & Captioning Week, Feb. 10-17, 2018. Please have all of your promotional events turned in to NCRA headquarters by Feb. 23, 2018.

WHERE CAN I FIND MATERIAL FOR A PRESENTATION?

If you're preparing a presentation, there is no need to look any further than the NCRA website to find a wealth of information at your fingertips.

• NCRA.org/awareness
• NCRA.org/NCRF
• DiscoverSteno.com

You can also contact NCRA's Communications Team at [email protected] for additional assistance.

2017-2018 NCSA STATE CHALLENGE 

Consider contacting the business education, English, or music department at your local school to set up a presentation. Consider taking along a short transcript to school presentations. Let the students do some play acting so they can experience what goes on in a court proceeding or deposition. Everyone likes to be the judge! If you have an idea that really works well for you and you want to share it with other states or if you are having difficulty getting the ball rolling and you are looking for ideas, email your regional rep or reach out to [email protected]. We are all working together to fill our court reporting and captioning schools with students, and we are all here to help each other.

HOW DO WE DOCUMENT OUR STATE'S ACTIVITIES?

Documenting your presentations or demonstrations is quick and easy.

For the NCSA State Challenge online submission form, go to bit.ly/2tK3YzC, fill in the information, and your event will be entered in the contest.

There is no limit to the number of contest entries your state can have. The greater the number of entries you have, the better the chances your state wins the competition. Did your state, county, and city government offices issue a proclamation commemorating Court Reporting & Captioning Week? Did you participate in a Veterans History Project Day? Did you present at a school, conference, or career fair? Did you organize and teach an A to Z Program? These are all great ways to receive recognition for your hard work, and they're each additional entries for your state in the competition.

Don't stop there, though. Post pictures of your presentations on your state association's website and social media pages. Note that only entries submitted through the online submission form qualify for the competition. Contact  NCRA's Assistant Director of Communications Annemarie Roketenetz at [email protected] for possible inclusion  in the JCR Weekly. Let everyone across the country hear about your successful campaign to promote court reporting and captioning.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES FOR THE COMPETITION?

The prizes for the competition are tiered. Each entry into the raffle-type competition qualifies for the first prize. Each prize awarded is to be used at the state's discretion, i.e. registrations for the president/delegate, raffle items/fundraising for future conventions, student gifts, et cetera. In addition, there is a grand prize for an individual reporter or captioner.

FIRST PRIZE: Five free webinars.

GRAND PRIZE: A complimentary registration to the 2018 NCRA Convention & Expo will be awarded to the individual reporter or captioner who does the greatest number of school, career day, guidance counselor convention presentations, VHP Days, and/or Court Reporting & Captioning Week events. In case of a tie, the prize will go to the reporter or captioner who completed and submitted their presentations first.

GOOD LUCK! LET THE WORLD KNOW ABOUT YOUR GREAT CAREER!