By Julia Alicandri
The National Court Reporters Association recently launched its 2016-2017 ‘Take Note’ Challenge. The competition started on August 8 and will run through February 18, 2017. The friendly challenge invites state court reporting associations and individuals to help spread the word about careers in court reporting and captioning. Career fairs and realtime demonstrations at high schools are just two examples of how to join in on the challenge. Anyone that is participating in an event that showcases court reporting or captioning can register the event on the National Committee of State Associations (NCSA) registration site and will be automatically entered in the contest. There are multiple prizes, and the prizes are tiered. The grand prize is a free registration to the 2017 NCRA Convention & Expo in July 2017 in Las Vegas, NV. As a part of the campaign, the NCRA also launched the second phase of the ‘Take Note’ Campaign, ‘Fresh Perspectives,’ which includes the distribution of newly designed rack cards to appeal to high school students, individuals in the middle of changing careers, college students who are redirecting, as well as veterans.
NCSA, which is sponsoring the challenge now for the third year, expects the 2016-2017 ‘Take Note’ Challenge to be the biggest one yet. The competition also calls on state associations to celebrate the 2017 Court Reporting & Captioning Week slated for February 11 – 18 2017. “This past year has been phenomenal, being a part of showcasing our profession, talking to so many students, and showing our millennials how to write at the speed of sound,” said Erminia Uviedo, RMR, CRR, a freelance reporter from San Antonio, Texas, and the winner of last year’s NCSA ‘Take Note’ Challenge. Erminia continued, “Seeing interested students, who are so amazed and fascinated by watching a court reporter or captioner writing realtime, brings such a rewarding and accomplished feeling as a court reporter. Our profession must continue to make appearances in schools because we must dispel the myth that the profession is obsolete and put it front and center in every way possible, especially with media coverage.”
Along with showcasing this promising career, competitors are also encouraged to post on social media using the hashtag #crTakeNote. To learn more about the ‘Take Note’ Campaign, including ways you can help spread the word, visit the NCRA website. The court reporting challenges during covid19 have highlighted the importance of adapting to new technology and remote procedures. As courtrooms shifted to virtual formats, reporters had to quickly learn how to manage digital platforms while ensuring accurate transcripts. This evolution not only tested their skills but also opened up new opportunities for growth in the field. As the field of court reporting evolves, understanding court reporting ethics and standards is essential for maintaining professionalism and accuracy. Professionals are encouraged to engage in continuous education to stay updated on these critical guidelines. By committing to these principles, court reporters can foster trust and credibility within the legal system and the communities they serve.
