Concerned Reporters website article "Putting the association on the rocks?"

[Bill Parsons]

There have been many posts regarding NCRA's proposal to test of electronic reporters.

One of the very best articles expressing the best interests of NCRA members is contained at the Concerned Reporters website in the article entitled "Putting the association on the rocks?"

To view the article, go to http://www.concernedreporters.blogspot.com/

As a part of my always standing up for the very best interests of NCRA members and in having personally confronted the NCRA triumvirate of the NCRA board/executive director/staff, I can attest to the accurate analysis contained in the Concerned Reporters article "Putting the association on the rocks?"

Bill

[Lisa Migliore Black]

MaryAnn, I'd have to put myself in the category of "wanting to believe" in NCRA. I've seen it fall short in a couple of areas where I've needed them the most and exceed my expectations in other areas. I don't look at our leaders with a pointed finger and accusations, but I certainly don't agree with the direction that they take in all matters. I'm not inclined to be silent no matter which is the case. Certainly where candidates stand on a number of issues will be very important to me in any election. I'm certain to vote for the candidates that have MY best interests at heart. I am an independent freelance reporter operating a VERY small firm. I don't want to compete with corporations that circument commonsense ethics on gifting at a disadvantage. I don't want to compete with ER reporters with five minutes of training whose only prerequisites for the job are big boobs, too much makeup, and a pretty face, and I certainly don't want NCRA certifying these reporters with a test that any typist with opposable thumbs can pass. To do so would only diminish whatever value may or may not exist in the minds of the public as it relates to the certifications already in existence.

I'm told that the specifics for the types of testing of ER reporters is not yet available; it's only at the discussion level at this point. While I'm not completely closed-minded yet, I haven't seen any evidence that this is anything but bad news for ME. Yes, this will be a topic that I will continue to watch closely.

The posts do bring up an important topic, and that is the loss of membership of existing members of NCRA. Debbie, I think NCRA needs more members like you, not more members with opposable thumbs. I think our best effort is spent as an association making membership and certification MEAN something in the eyes of the public, especially in states where mandatory certification is not a reality. Additionally, it is common knowledge that it is better business practice to retain customers you do have than spend money replacing the customers you are losing; it's much easier. It's my hope that NCRA will go forward with the wishes of its current membership and stay true to its original course as an organization for stenographic reporters.

[Judy]

Being in CA, a CSR state, I have very little knowledge of NCRA testing procedures for non-CSR states, but I am asking questions and I think finding out a little bit of information.

It sounds like if you're in a non-CSR state that wants to use NCRA testing procedures for their certification, then you sit for the test and if you pass you receive a letter of some kind that says you've passed NCRA's test. Then that enables you to call yourself a CSR in your state. I understand you don't have to be a member, therefore I'm assuming no dues and no CEUs. I am also under the belief that you cannot test for anything other than the initial test. Meaning, if you want to test for the CRR or RMR, nope, can't do it.

[National Court Reporter Guide.Com]

M.A - maybe I misunderstood, but on the NCRA's website, it specifically says to maintain your RPR designation, you MUST renew your membership with them. If you do not renew your membership with NCRA, do you lose your RPR certification, i.e. your license to practice as a Court Reporter in States which require certification?

[National Court Reporter Guide.Com]

I have a question regarding those States which require RPR. When did they start requiring it - and - how did they even know there was such a certification as RPR? Sounds to me like the NCRA lobbied the States to implement the rule, thereby (NCRA) gaining even more control over court reporters due to the fact you have to maintain your membership & pay your fees to the association to keep your certification. (To again put more money in their own coffers). I, for one, do not see how they can "legally" revoke a certification you have attained simply by the mere fact you no longer wish to be a member of their association, for whatever reason. They're playing God with YOUR license for the almighty dollar. Belonging to th NCRA should be by choice, not by force that you will lose what you have already attained.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

from my understanding the NCRA used to be NSRA (S for shorthand) represented only shorthand reporters.
now its broader.

I could be wrong though.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

How many contributions has NCRA PAC received in 2006 to date?
NCRA PAC received approximately 670 contributions in 2006 from members of NCRA who are eligible to contribute funds to NCRA PAC under FEC guidelines. This allowed the PAC to raise approximately $44,038.08.

as always Mary Ann, thanks for the links.
44k in 2 years is just not enough to do anything in Washington.

I though the NCRA used some of the money you guys pay for your memberships for lobbying.

[Bill Parsons]

Thanks, Mary Ann, for providing the links to NCRA forum where the testing of electronic reporters has had so much discussion.

It's wonderful that reporters are not just accepting what is told to them by NCRA officials and that reporters are using independent thinking to come to very valid conclusions.

Best Regards, Bill

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

I have no dog in this fight either, So I say it as I see it (and I admit I know little about this whole thing, so please ignore me if I say stupid things)

The problem guys is that you are pretty much stuck with the NCRA, I am not sure why the NCRA doesn't vote on serious issues such as this and why you guys pay a membership fee to an association that is clearly changing underwear right in front of you.

NCRA does lots of things for our industry, letting it crash is not a good idea, but we need a lobby in Washington. (do we have one?)
20k reporters paying $200 each is around $4 million, that's not bad at all, it could really get you some serious lobbying in Washington.

Many people might say, oh Monti.. stop the gloom and doom, its not that serious.
I say, even if you are right and it is not that serious, we SHOULD squash it before it does become a serious issue.

www.concernedreporters.com should come and start a group here on CSRnation, they will get new readers, gather members in one group and easily keep them updated.
we get 700-1000 unique visitors a day, not sure how much they are getting at blogger.

pre internet era gathering 20k members was very hard and an association like the NCRA was crucial, if we all work on the same cause gathering 20k members would take us less than 3 months.
heck, between all the forums we have at least 15k court reporters.

[Jennie Ann]

I have no dog in this fight. That said, this has been an ongoing battle for decades now: stenotype versus electronic.

I understand the strongly held views on each side of the fence.

Me personally, I cannot see an electronic reporter producing a transcript as efficiently as a stenotype reporter for same-day delivery, though I have seen it done.

As well, I cannot see a stenotype reporter producing a transcript as efficiently as an electronic reporter for a World Bank conference with 300 attendees, though I have seen that done.

I will be interested to read opinions from others about this topic. I enjoy reading articles about the industry.

[Judy]

certification of “non-dues” industries, such as digital audio recording transcriptionists, medical transcriptionists, National Verbatim Reporters Association, and the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers, among others.

If NCRA achieves their goal of certifying non-machine writers, I, for one, will quit NCRA. Will anybody else quit? Maybe they'll give this more thought if they figure out how many current members they'll lose vs. what they'll gain.