NCRA on ER and Voice Writers (before considering reinstatement of credentials)

[Quyen]

I received an e-mail from the NCRA today regarding reinstatement of my lapsed credentials, and I am considering it. But before I decide to attempt to reinstate, I would like to know what the NCRA's current stance is regarding ER and whether they ever chose to certify voice writers.

I left the organization years ago over these issues, out of pure disgust/disdain, and completely stopped following any news related to the NCRA. Could anyone give me an update?

Much appreciated!

[Lindsay Pinkham]

I, too, quit my membership over this issue. I lost my CRR certification, but I don't mind because I also have the Calif. Depo Rptrs Assoc. CCRR (which in my opinion was a harder test).  But recently I was at a seminar and mentioned to an executive from NCRA why I had quit, and she said they had changed their policy and were not certifying ER and voice writers.  So I am thinking of rejoining, if only to get their excellent magazine, except the fact that I'd have to take the CRR test all over again still rankles me.

[Quyen]

Hold that thought, Lindsay.

I bumped into a reporter, asked her if she happens to know what's going on with the NCRA. She is a current member, and mentioned that the NCRA is now contemplating allowing videographers equal vote as reporters. Seriously???!!! I can't believe they're even THINKING of letting people who are not reporters make decisions that may affect our careers/livelihoods. What the !@#& is WRONG with the NCRA?! It's still all about their bottom line. I'm glad to see NOTHING has changed with the NCRA. I am no longer considering reinstatement.

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

That was up for a vote and I'm pretty sure it was defeated as it should be.  Why should a VAOFR be, say, president of NCRA is the thinking.   

[Quyen]

Got another reinstatement e-mail.  Any current significant issues affecting CSRs that the NCRA is up to?

Marge, you said, "I'm pretty sure it was defeated."  Could you find out for certain if it did and provide an update, please.  Thanks!

Any others who have let their credentials lapse and gotten reinstated or who is considering reinstatement?

[Kellie Zollars]

I am still a member but haven't kept up with events.  I was very disappointed with the convention I went to in San Francisco (2 years ago maybe?)     They operated on the trust system, they had no requirement to get your CE card punched, and some of the seminars were practically empty.  Loved the Ed and Nancy Varrallo seminars though.   

Kellie

[Mary Ann Pennington]

I don't even know what to say.  You left NCRA because they might certify voice writers?  Do you even know what it means to be a voice writer?  Certifying them would mean that they would have to do exactly what you do only with a different input and be certified to the same qualifications that you are (were).  How can that be a bad thing?  ER is taking over because nobody is filling slots when CRs retire.  CRs aren't graduating at a fast enough rate to fill available slots.  We need to work together, not fight each other. 

I am a certified voice writer through my state and the NVRA.  I passed the knowledge test and JC at 225, two-voice testimony at 225, and lit at 180 the first time I took the national test.  I do hearings and depositions.  I read back from my screen.  I do realtime for myself all the time. 

Before you condemn something, you should check it out first.  I can't tell you about ER because I don't do that.  I do resent your disgust/disdain aimed at me when you don't know anything about which you speak.

Like I said before, we should be working together to preserve court reporting as an industry, not fighting like children. 

[Quyen]

I'm not here to fight.  We're all entitled to our opinions.  You have yours.  I have mine.

[Beth]

Hi, Mary Ann.  Good post.  I do realtime for myself.  I am certified nationally for Q&A at 250 wpm and certified in my state at 225 wpm.     

Quyen, my opinion is that Mary Ann is correct.  We should be working together to preserve court reporting as an industry, not fighting like children. 

You've stated you're not here to fight, stating, "You have your opinion, I have mine."  But your opinion is what?  "I hate voice writers because they're not steno writers?"  So I have to ask: Why do you hate voice writers? 

It's NCRA, National Court Reporters Association, not National Steno Reporters Association.  I'm not a member of NCRA.  I don't care if I have NCRA certification or not.  I *am* proud to say that I am a member of NVRA, National "Verbatim" Court Reporters Association.

[Quyen]

I'm not here to seek anyone's approval either.

I have no need/desire to further explain/defend what I've said.

[Beth]

Quyen, I've wondered since your first post why and was hoping somebody would ask, and they didn't, so I did.  I don't want this to turn into a fight either, so on second thought, never mind.  :)

[Amanda Leigh]

My concern used to be that voice relied 100% on electronic means.  If there is an issue with an electronic media, the record is gone.  Unfortunately, that is now the same issue with machine writers.  No more record on paper--electronic mishap, record gone.

I just purchased and had refurbished two old writers with paper trays.  I will be using them in the future and put my Diamante on the shelf.

[Beth]

That's a very, very good point, Amanda.  I hadn't thought of that.  I started voice writing after digital recorders started being mainstream, so I have my computer 'voice' notes and then a totally separate digital recorder 'voice' notes backup.  But that is a very valid concern...100% reliance on electronic means. 

Yeah, I was thinking when they first came out with paperless writers that no paper backup at all would be scary.  I spent a lot of years in steno school where we had a CAT system, but we relied on our notes completely for tests.  If I were a steno reporter, I don't know that I could give up those paper notes.