The National Court Reporters Foundation (NCRF) has announced that its Jim Bouley Family Lifetime Award for Altruism has been renamed the NCRF Heart of Service Award, sponsored by the Jim Bouley Family. In addition to this new name, the Foundation will accept nominations year-round.
While the name has changed, the purpose of the award remains the same: recognizing working and retired court reporters and captioners whose selfless service has made a lasting impact on the profession and their communities.
NCRA member and NCRF Angel Donor Michael Bouley, RDR, a freelance court reporter from Henderson, Nev., announced the new name during the Saturday Awards Luncheon at the 2026 NCRA Conference & Expo in Bellevue, Wash.
“For the past several years, it’s been my honor to present NCRF’s crown jewel for kindness and devotion to others. The trustees and my family felt this year was the perfect opportunity for a little modern makeover,” Bouley shared during brief remarks at the Conference.
“The Heart of Service Award better reflects the spirit of the individuals this honor celebrates,” said NCRF Chair Meredith Bonn, RPR, CRR. “This award recognizes court reporters and captioners whose compassion, generosity, and commitment to serving others have left a lasting mark on both the profession and their communities. We are grateful to the Jim Bouley Family for their continued support of this important recognition.”
Trustees will determine the inaugural 2027 Heart of Service awardee in April. Nominations received after April 16 will be eligible for the following year’s award.
The award, presented annually by NCRF, recognizes NCRA members who embody true altruism through a lifetime of service. Nominees must have worked as a court reporter or captioner for at least 25 years and demonstrated an unselfish devotion to the welfare of others, often giving of their time, talents, and resources with no expectation of personal benefit or reward.
“We wanted to acknowledge that, although how we live is always evolving, kindness and support are still critical to each person’s journey. We cannot do this without each other.”
Michael Bouley, RPR, CRR
The award’s history reflects NCRF’s continued commitment to honoring service within the court reporting and captioning professions. Originally established as the Santo J. Aurelio Award for Altruism, it was later renamed the Jim Bouley Family Lifetime Award for Altruism in recognition of the Bouley family’s generous sponsorship and support of the Foundation. The new name, NCRF Heart of Service Award, continues that legacy while emphasizing the compassion, generosity, and selflessness that define its recipients. The Jim Bouley Family will continue as the award’s proud sponsor.
“From its inception as the Santo J. Aurelio Award for Altruism to the Jim Bouley Family Lifetime Award for Altruism, it is now rebranded as the NCRF Heart of Service Award, a new name for the same timeless display of love for people in our profession and our communities,” said Bouley. “We wanted to acknowledge that, although how we live is always evolving, kindness and support are still critical to each person’s journey. We cannot do this without each other.”
Eligible nominees must be NCRA members in good standing in one of the following membership categories: Registered Member, Participating Member, Retired Registered Member, Retired Participating Member, or Retired Lifetime Member.
In addition to at least 25 years as a working court reporter or captioner, nominees should exemplify altruistic behavior through a sustained commitment to serving others and advancing the profession.
NCRF encourages members to nominate colleagues whose quiet acts of service, mentorship, volunteerism, and generosity have made a meaningful difference throughout their careers and to their communities.
“This tribe is overflowing with deserving nominees, and we want to hear about all of them,” Bouley said. “I encourage each and every one of you to pick up your phone or laptop in those moments of inspiration and tell us who is making a difference and how. Because the more things change, the more they stay the same. The most important thing in life will always be our love and support for each other, and that’s what this award has always been about.”
More information and a nomination form can be found on the Heart of Service Award web page.
For questions, contact NCRF Director Jill Parker Landsman at jlandsman@ncra.org or NCRF Manager Alex Vlahopoulos at avlahopoulos@ncra.org.
Comments are closed.