Make technology work for you with live webinars on apps and Windows 10

November 27, 2018 by

Technology shapes our lives each and every day. NCRA’s Technology Committee is sponsoring two live webinars to help you get a better grip on the tech that can save you time and make you more productive.

More about Windows 10
Pam Szczencinski, who has been a software trainer for more than 30 years, will offer a special session focused on how court reporters can get the most out of Windows 10. The 90-minute webinar (1.5 CEUs) will cover updates, including which ones are helpful and which ones to steer away from; lesser-known features of the operating system; and ways to customize your PC to work the best for you. This Nov. 29 session is filling up fast, so register right away!

Register for November 29 webinar: More about Windows 10

 

Apps for Court Reporters
Known technophile, court reporter, and chair of NCRA’s Technology Committee, Lynette Mueller, FAPR, RDR, CRR, will present a live webinar of her favorite apps and tech gadgets. “The smartphone has become an essential tool for every court reporter and eliminates the need for other gadgets one relies on,” says Mueller. “As our world and work environment is becoming more and more mobile, it’s important to be able to keep up with your calendar, billing, transcripts, and much more at the tips of your fingers. I’m excited to host this discussion about the most important apps I utilize every day to keep me productive and efficient.” The one-hour (1.0 CEU) live webinar will be offered on Dec. 3 and will include a plethora of ways to make you more productive each and every day.

Register for December 3 webinar: Apps for Court Reporters

 

Filed Under: CEU Corner, Events, Member Announcements, NCRA & You, News Tagged With:

Learn how storytelling builds your business at NCRA’s 2019 Business Summit

November 26, 2018 by

Ann marie Houghtailing

Ann marie Houghtailing, entrepreneur, storyteller, and business coach, will present her Storytelling & Business Development session at NCRA’s 2019 Business Summit being held Feb. 1-3 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in beautiful San Diego, Calif.

Houghtailing, who launched her practice as a business development expert in 2009 with only $5 in her pocket, a Macbook, and a truckload of tenacity in the worst economic climate of her life, developed the Corporate Alliance Partner for the Institute for Sales and Business Development at the University of San Diego, Calif., just one year later. Today, she has the reputation of being one of the most sought-after business development and storytelling experts in the country and speaks regularly on Narrative Leadership and how to use storytelling as a tool of influence in business with her trademarked Narrative Imprinting® process.

Participants can expect to learn an array of skills from Houghtailing, including:

  • An understanding of why our brains love storytelling
  • How to use a character-driven story to increase emotional connection, build trust, and create relationships
  • How to evaluate current processes to increase narrative impact
  • The importance of threading narrative and questions throughout the consultation process
  • How to use presentations and consultations to influence your audience
  • How to synthesize information into narrative
  • How to make your presentations and consultations memorable
  • How to increase conversion rates through narrative imprinting
  • How to be memorable

According to Houghtailing, to establish trust and build relationships, we have to create a Narrative Imprint™. The ability to hold someone’s attention and create trust through narrative recognition is critical throughout the business development process from casual meetings to consultations and presentations.

“We now know that storytelling creates a bond between teller and listener,” said Houghtailing. “Old modalities of features and benefits and mission statements are not effective or sustainable. Training professional service providers to be excellent communicators and storytellers accelerates the relationship development process, increases conversion rates, and infuses the consultative process with humanity and elegance. People may not remember the features and benefits of your service, but they will never forget the story you told them about how you saved a company millions, increased revenue, or transformed leadership.”

Mike Miller

Houghtailing will join past NCRA Director Mike Miller, FAPR, RDR, CRR, a freelance court reporter from Houston, Texas, who is known for his popular Depoman.com forum, which provided court reporters with a medium to share insights and address common issues from 1997 to 2015. Also recognized for his Tough Love session, Miller will lead a seminar called “Tough Love Part 2,” which will challenge the most sacred beliefs about the business of court reporting with a focus on why being stuck in 1985 isn’t going to alleviate any of the issues faced by agencies and reporters in the 21st century.

Eunice Carpitella

Also on the schedule is Eunice Carpitella, a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, who will serve as keynote speaker. She will address the practical idea that simple shifts in our routine patterns of interaction and mindset make it possible for business leaders to include, engage, and unleash everyone in solving problems, driving innovation, and achieving extraordinary outcomes.

Early registration rates end Dec. 10, for NCRA’s 2019 Business Summit. To save even more money, attendees are encouraged to book their hotel now before the guaranteed room block ends Jan. 8, 2019. Online registration for the 2019 Business Summit closes Jan. 20, 2019, and onsite registration and pricing starts Jan. 21, 2019.

Don’t forget, February is the perfect time to book early and stay late to enjoy the beauty, sunshine, and numerous attractions San Diego has to offer.

Filed Under: Business, Events, NCRA & You Tagged With: ,

Celebrate 2019 Court Reporting & Captioning Week with NCSA Annual Challenge

November 20, 2018 by

2019 NCRA Court Reporting & Captioning Week

Support and promote the court reporting and captioning professions by taking part in NCRA’s National Committee of State Associations’ (NCSA) Fifth Annual State Challenge and earn a chance at winning the grand prize of a free registration to the 2019 NCRA Convention & Expo. The first-prize winner will receive five free NCRA webinars.

The NCSA challenge calls on all state associations and individuals to spread the word about the benefits of a career in court reporting or captioning. The challenge will culminate during NCRA’s 2019 Court Reporting & Captioning Week being held Feb. 9-16. The aim of the challenge is to encourage working professionals to reach out through career fairs and other activities to spread the word about the viable career paths of court reporting and captioning.

“You never realize just how much difference one presentation at a high school can make. There are so many people (students) who do not realize our profession even exists and the various types of reporting there are: official, freelance, and CART and broadcast captioning. You do not have to be perfect or a pro at public speaking to pull off a presentation. All you need is your machine and your laptop and the ability to do a realtime demo. Anything else is icing on the cake. The students will be in awe of what you can do — while at the same time showing them how you can kick Siri’s butt in translating the spoken word. Get out there and participate in Court Reporting & Captioning Week and the NCSA Challenge!” said NCSA Chair Huey L. Bang, RMR, CRR, an official court reporter from Pass Christian, Miss.

“With the shortage of reporters in the field, it’s more important than ever to let the public know what a reporter actually does and that you can make a good living while doing it. We need more people entering the field, and the only way to make that happen is to spread the word and do a demonstration at your local schools,” he added.

To help members and state associations celebrate the 2019 Court Reporting & Captioning Week, NCRA has available resources on NCRA.org/Awareness that includes press release templates, media advisories, activity ideas, and more. Other available resources include templates for official proclamations recognizing the week, flyers and logos, and materials for schools to use to help celebrate as well. This year’s Court Reporting & Captioning Week will mark the seventh year the Association has hosted the event.

“Court Reporting & Captioning Week is a great opportunity for us all to really take a little time to introduce our great profession to the world. Whether it’s a presentation at a local high school, a brief segment on the local news, or even discussing amongst friends what it is we do as court reporters and captioners, you could make a difference in someone’s life who would love this career path,” said NCSA Vice-Chair Carol Naughton, RPR, an official court reporter from Virginia Beach, Va.

“It’s always exciting to hear the different and unique ways states are getting involved and making a difference. I’m sure this year will be no different,” added Naughton, who is also immediate past president of the Virginia Court Reporters Association (VCRA).

“While doing an actual demonstration at a college or high school may be the quickest way to get someone into our profession, I encourage my state association and any individuals who can to get their state legislature to have a proclamation passed recognizing the week,” said Bang. “Whether it’s on the state level or your municipal level, it just gets people talking about what we do,” Bang added.

According to Naughton, VCRA is planning a social media challenge to celebrate the 2019 week. “While I’m not at liberty to share what’s up our sleeves, I can say that your state association may be called upon to meet our challenge. We may even challenge NCRA! So you better be ready!”

To learn more about NCSA’s State Challenge or to participate, visit NCRA.org/StateAssociations.

Filed Under: Career, Events, Marketing Tips, NCRA & You Tagged With:

“Tough Love Part 2” session confirmed for NCRA’s 2019 Business Summit

November 13, 2018 by

Mike Miller

NCRA member and past NCRA Director Mike Miller, FAPR, RDR, CRR, a freelance court reporter from Houston, Texas, has been confirmed as a presenter at NCRA’s 2019 Business Summit being held Feb. 1-3 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in beautiful San Diego, Calif.

Miller is known for his popular Depoman.com forum, which provided court reporters with a medium to share insights and address common issues from 1997 to 2015, as well as his Tough Love session. As a Business Summit presenter, he will lead a seminar called “Tough Love Part 2.” According to Miller, this session will challenge most sacred beliefs about the business of court reporting with a focus on why being stuck in 1985 isn’t going to alleviate any of the issues faced by agencies and reporters in the 21st century.

“Everyone in the court reporting and captioning professions is a business, from the largest international agencies to officials to freelancers to CART providers,” said Miller, who is known for his candor. “Do yourself a favor and learn from the experts on how to run your business.”

Eunice Carpitella

Eunice Carpitella, a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, will serve as keynote speaker. She will address the practical idea that simple shifts in our routine patterns of interaction and mindset make it possible for business leaders to include, engage, and unleash everyone in solving problems, driving innovation, and achieving extraordinary outcomes.

Early registration rates end Dec. 10, for NCRA’s 2019 Business Summit. To save even more money, attendees are encouraged to book their hotel now before the guaranteed room block ends Jan. 8, 2019. Online registration for the 2019 Business Summit closes Jan. 20, 2019, and onsite registration and pricing starts Jan. 21, 2019.

Don’t forget, February is the perfect time to book early and stay late to enjoy the beauty, sunshine, and numerous attractions San Diego has to offer.

Filed Under: Business, Career, Events, Market Trends, NCRA & You, Reporting Tagged With:

Veterans History Project, stenographers work to collect stories

November 12, 2018 by

Radio station WTOP in Washington, D.C., posted an article about NCRA’s and NCRF’s involvement with the Veterans History Project program.

Read more.

Listen to radio story.

Filed Under: Events, NCRF, People in the News, Realtime, Volunteering Tagged With: ,

Upcoming live webinar tackles uses of Dropbox for reporters

November 6, 2018 by

Kim Greiner

Kimberly R. Greiner, RDR, CRR, CRC, will offer a live webinar Dropbox: Getting Started, Sharing, and Making the Most of It through NCRA’s Continuing Education Program. The live webinar, which is sponsored by NCRA’s Technology Committee, occurs on Nov. 12 from 8-9 p.m. ET. Register here.

Greiner shared the following about what attendees can expect from this session.

“Dropbox is an important tool I use to ensure I have everything I need at my fingertips,” Greiner explained. “My desire is for attendees to walk away with a complete understanding of how it really works, where your files are, what should be synced, and how this cloud storage can best function for you.”

Dropbox can be an important tool for managing your files, whether you like to share with your scopist as you are working on the files or you need a place to upload your backup before you leave your workplace.

In addition, Greiner explained: “I will walk through this cloud storage from the beginning, show you how to share files, manage your storage, backup or retrieve files, and how to collaborate with a scopist using a shared folder. I will also cover Case CATalyst Work Units using Dropbox so you can see and understand, before you need to use it, what you and your scopist can expect, and setting suggestions.”

Register now for this live webinar to earn 0.10 CEU.

Filed Under: Events, How-to's, Member Announcements, NCRA & You, News Tagged With: ,

Sign up to be a speaker at the 2019 NCRA Convention & Expo

October 30, 2018 by

Denver, Colorado

Have you had an unusual experience you want to share? Have you learned something about the professions of court reporting, captioning, or legal videography that you want to get out into the world? Now is your chance to share your knowledge. NCRA is seeking speakers and ideas for presentations for the 2019 Convention & Expo, which will be held Aug. 15-18 in Denver, Colo.

“What better place to learn from your peers than the 2019 NCRA Convention & Expo,” says Lisa Knight, FAPR, RDR, CRR, who co-chairs the NCRA Education Content Committee. “And if you have something to share that touches on topics related to the court reporting, captioning, or legal video professions, now is the time to let us know your ideas. Whether you are relating something from your experience in the field or have a deep understanding of a topic such as realtime, speedbuilding, ethics, language, technology, or test-taking skills, this is an opportunity to share that you won’t want to miss.”

Knight, who has presented sessions on technology, gadgets, and realtime in the past for national events, says that becoming a presenter changed how she thought about her role in the profession. “I’m a self-proclaimed introvert, and I always thought that the people who were presenting at the events I went to were just naturally confident and just loved being in front of the crowd,” Knight says. “But I had learned so much in the field – about realtime, about marketing myself, and about embracing technology – and my friends were so supportive in pointing this out when I first volunteered to speak. I knew I had to share my knowledge and help everyone in the profession. Presenting at a convention is a wonderful way to share what you know and give back to the profession as a whole.

“What was amazing to me, though, was how much opened up to me after becoming a speaker,” Knight continued. “Speaking in front of such a warm audience, one made of your peers, that is, people who are excited to hear about the nitty-gritty of the jobs and ask questions that really get to the heart of the practice, is such a great affirmation of how important our role is, no matter if you are an official or a freelancer, a captioner or a videographer. It made me want to continue to learn more and be the best I could be.”

Presentations on a variety of topics, including state and federal regulations, speedbuilding, marketing, health and wellness, trends in technology, and software training, are being sought for the event. If your idea is not on the list, if it’s for court reporters, captioners, or legal videographers – or students of those professions – we’d love to hear more.

Visit NCRA.org/presentations for more information or to submit a presentation for consideration.

Filed Under: Events, Volunteering Tagged With:

Leadership expert to address 2019 Business Summit attendees

October 23, 2018 by

Eunice Carpitella

Eunice Carpitella, MSOD, PCC, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, will lead a hands-on workshop at the 2019 NCRA Business Summit titled “Guts, Grit, and Glory: Strategies and insights for transforming your selves, teams, and businesses.”

At the core of this workshop is the practical idea that simple shifts in our routine patterns of interaction and mindset make it possible for business leaders to include, engage, and unleash everyone in solving problems, driving innovation, and achieving extraordinary outcomes.

This workshop is highly experiential and will comprise a multitude of learning modalities to include an interactive and informative presentation, round table discussions, individual reflection, and opportunities to connect at large by tapping into the expansive and talented resources among all participants. Attendees will be inspired to practice new behaviors of personal courage, innovation, and inclusion that they can implement upon their return to the workplace.

Eunice Carpitella biography

With more than 30 years of management consulting and investment industry experience, Carpitella founded Transformative Dynamics, LLC, in 2011. She works in partnership with senior executives as well as emerging and high potential leaders in creating, implementing, and executing new futures that hold the promise of growth and sustainability for individuals and organizations.

Earlier in her career, Carpitella was a senior vice president of an investment advisory firm, where she was instrumental in growing and developing the firm from a start-up to a viable and sustainable growth business. During her tenure, Carpitella was responsible for new business development and relationship management nationally. Additionally, she facilitated and led programs for a global training and development firm, where she worked with thousands of individuals on leadership development, high performance, productivity, and effective communication.

Carpitella received an M.S. in Organizational Dynamics from The University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in English from Arcadia University. She is designated as a professional certified coach through International Coach Federation where she recently served on the Board of Directors, Philadelphia Chapter. She also received a Rotary International ambassadorial scholarship to Queensland, Australia, and finds that travel is the elixir of life.

Other highlights of the 2019 NCRA Business Summit will include an opening networking reception, compelling business panels, and a Super Bowl Party to close out the event Sunday night. Early registration rates are currently in effect.

Filed Under: Events, NCRA & You Tagged With:

Now available: New e-seminars from 2018 NCRA Convention & Expo

October 23, 2018 by

NCRA is offering two noteworthy recorded sessions from the 2018 Convention & Expo held in New Orleans, La. These long-awaited e-seminars are CART/Captioning: What You Need to Know and Financial Wellness in the “Gig Economy.”

Both e-seminars are worth 0.1 continuing education credits each and run for 51 minutes in length. E-seminars are available for review for 30 days after purchase. The cost of each is $55 for NCRA members and $79 for nonmembers.

Alan Peacock

CART/Captioning: What You Need to Know takes listeners from the basics of providing captioning in a convention setting to how to set up in unusual settings for on-site CART. The e-seminar teaches everyone from the beginner to the experienced captioner how to market themselves, find relevant work in this arena, and offers demonstrations of how to set up equipment for various scenarios, how to connect to audio sources, logistics, and troubleshooting. The e-seminar is led by NCRA member Alan Peacock, FAPR, RDR, CRR, CRC, who has also earned NCRA’s Realtime Systems Administrator certificate. Peacock has been reporting since 1987. He has presented on the topics of CART, captioning, and judicial reporting at the state and national level. In this e-seminar, he is joined by Rita Jo Scarcella, a sign language interpreter and owner of Sign of the Times in Philadelphia, Pa., as they share humorous anecdotes from their long careers.

Janet Meinheit

The second recorded 2018 Convention & Expo session, Financial Wellness in the “Gig Economy,” is geared toward small business owners and contractors. In it, Janet Meinheit, a national account executive at Alliant Credit Union where she manages the United Airlines account, walks listeners through tips and tricks for a healthy and wealthy life in the “gig economy,” an environment where short-term work engagements abound. The e-seminar provides tangible takeaways on how to sustain a more balanced and financially healthy lifestyle. Meinheit is a seasoned personal finance professional with expertise in business development, relationship management, and financial wellness; and she believes that a financially healthy workforce is a more engaged and productive workforce. Certified through the National Financial Educators Council, she provides money management sessions to empower individuals. In addition, her expertise in financial literacy allows her the privilege of traveling around the country presenting financial wellness workshops on numerous topics. Meinheit is distinguished by her passion for values-based leadership programs and commitment to meeting the financial literacy needs of the employers and communities she serves. Her contagious enthusiasm facilitates an environment of creativity and learning.

Visit NCRA.org to learn more about continuing education opportunities.

 

Filed Under: Events, NCRA & You Tagged With: ,

Expanded state leadership program now offers more topic choices

October 16, 2018 by

NCRA’s State Leadership Seminars Program now offers more topics for state association leaders to choose from when including a national presentation on their convention agendas.

“The NCRA State Leadership Seminars program, which provides state association leaders the opportunity to request a presentation with special content for their membership, has been expanded to include a number of new topics that can be presented by an NCRA Board Member or staff expert,” said Matthew Barusch, NCRA’s State Government Relations Manager.

The topics range from addressing professional practices to technology to schools and education and more. States can also opt to have a 60-minute Town Hall session presented by NCRA CEO and Executive Director Marcia Ferranto or an NCRA Board Member that provides valuable information on initiatives being driven at the national level to promote, protect, and grow the court reporting and captioning professions.

“Through this enhanced program, state leaders now have more options regarding topics to help better inform and educate their members on issues important to the overall court reporting and captioning professions but also to aid in their own professional success,” Barusch said.

“NCRA is committed to exploring options with its state affiliates to partner in a way that will provide greater value for members.”

Learn more about the newly expanded State Leadership Seminars or request a seminar. Requests need to be received by NCRA at least three months in advance of a scheduled event. For questions, contact mbarusch@ncra.org.

Filed Under: Events, NCRA & You Tagged With: ,
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