2008 Annual Business Meeting Rough Transcript

Welcome to the realtime transcript of the 2008 NCRA Annual Business Meeting that was held on Thursday July 24, 2008 from 10:30am-1pm PDT.

The realtime webcast will be brought to you by Speche Communications, providing scaleable, realtime streaming text services for integration with Internet depositions, webcasts, and CART applications.

The Business Meeting was realtimed by Mark Kislingbury, RMR, CRR.

Realtime Rough Transcript

MS. DILORENZO: Would you please take your seats so we can get started. If you would take your seats as quickly as possible so we can get started. Good morning, everyone. I'm Kathy DiLorenzo, NCRA president. We would appreciate at this time if you could silence your cell phones in whatever fashion so that we're not interrupted during the meeting today. The chair is honored to call to order the member business meeting of the 2008 annual convention of the National Court Reporters Association in Anaheim, California.

I would at this time ask for a moment of silence in remembrance of those NCRA members whom we have lost this past year, in particular we were saddened to learn of the death just yesterday of Bernard Goldstein of Green Acres, Florida. Please take a moment.

Thank you. Now to business. First, here with our credentials report is chair of the credentials committee, president-elect Karen Yates.

MS. YATES: Madam president, the credentials committee reports that there are 85 voting members registering. By direction of the credentials committee, I move the adoption of the credentials committee report.

MS. DILORENZO: The question is on the adoption of the report of the credentials committee. Are you ready for the question?

Those in favor of the adoption of the report of the credentials committee please raise your pink voting card. Okay, you may put them down. Those opposed, please raise your pink voting card.

The affirmative has it and the report of the credentials committee is adopted, a quorum is present, and a voting body of this meeting is established.

The next business in order is the adoption of the standings rules and the agendas. President-elect Karen Yates is the chair of these committees and will give the reports.

MS. YATES: Madam president, the standings rules for this meeting are included in the member business meeting handout, distributed as you entered the meeting room. Please get out your copy of the standing rules.

Last year, this membership passed an amendment to the bylaws respect to online voting. Because this is the first year we are following these new rules, please allow me to read them to you.

On the standings rules, number 7. Voting in preparation of the final vote on bylaw amendments and contested elections shall take place during the annual business meeting by the members physically present and voting. The prepared bylaws amendments shall be made and processed during the annual business meeting up until the point of the final vote. If there are more than two candidates for an office, there shall be a vote of the members present and voting during the annual business meeting to select the top two candidates for the election that will be conducted electronically.

The final voting on bylaws amendments and contested elections shall take place electronically at a secure, online Web site as instructed by the chair.
The voting shall be open two hours after the close of the meeting and shall remain open for 12 hours.
The announcement of the results shall be done by the chair as soon as judged appropriate and shall be placed on the NCRA Web site.

And as a reminder, there is a rule number 9 also that requires all motions, including amendments, must be made in writing. And just to be clear, those were the only two items on the bylaws, the bylaws amendments and the contested elections to be voted online. The agenda for this meeting which we will also be considering is also in the packet.

By direction of the Rules Committee, I move that the rules included in the handout be the rules of this meeting.

MS. DILORENZO: The question is on the adoption of the meeting standing rules as printed in your handout. Without objection, they will not be read. There is no objection. Is there any discussion on the rules?
Are you ready for the question? Those in favor of the adoption of the meeting standings rules please raise your pink voting card.

Thank you. Those opposed, please raise your pink voting card. There are two-thirds in the affirmative, and the member business meeting standings rules are adopted.

MS. YATES: Madam president, the agendas is also included in the member business meeting handout. By the direction of the agendas committee, I move the adoption of the agenda as presented.

MS. DILORENZO: I swallowed an ice cube.
The question is on the adoption of the agenda as presented. Are you ready for the question? Those in favor of the adoption of the member business meeting agenda, place raise your pink voting card.

Thank you. Those opposed, please raise your pink voting card. The ayes have it and the agenda is adopted. The chair would now like to take the time to introduce your board of directors. As your name is called will each board member rise and remain standing. President-elect Karen Yates, CRR, CPC, CBC of-mile-an-hour winds en, Navy.

Vice president Lou Lynn Morgan, RPR, of Lawton, Oklahoma. Secretary treasurer, R. Douglas Friend, RMR, CRR, of Portland, Oregon.
Immediate past president, Reesa Parker, RPR, CRR, of Dallas, Texas.

Director Richard Greenspan, RMR, CRR of Palm Beach Gardens Florida. Director Shirley , RDR, CRR, CBC, CRI, CPE, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Director Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag, RDR, CRR, of Wheaton, Illinois.

Director Teresa A. Kordick, RDR, CRR, CBC, CCP, CRI, CPE of Des Moines, Iowa.

Director Judith Lehman, RMR, CRI of Shelbyville, Illinois.

Director Jason T. Meadors, RPR, of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Director Adam Miller, RPR, CRI of Middletown, Delaware. Director Tammie Shedd, RPR, CMRS of Fairfax, Virginia.

Director Laurie shingle, RPR, CMRS of Ogden, Utah.
Our executive director and chief executive officer Mark J. Golden, CAE of NCRA headquarters, Vienna, Virginia. Please join me in thanking the officers and directors for all of their hard work on your behalf this past year.

(Applause.) . It's been a delight to work with all of you this past year. The chair would like to introduce to you at this time the person who will be seated to my left during our meeting, our parliamentarian, Nancy Sylvester, Professional Registered Parliamentarian of Loves Park, Illinois.

Ms. Sylvester is also a certified professional parliamentarian and is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Robert's Rules and The Guerilla's Guide to Robert's Rules.
We are glad that she can be with us today. Thank you, Nancy. (Applause.) . The chare chair would also like to introduce to you our general counsel, Jeff Altman of McKenna Long & Aldridge of Washington, D.C. Thank you, Jeff.

(Applause.) Mark Kislingbury, RMR, CRR of Houston, Texas, is the reporter for this meeting. As has been our practice for the past several years, streaming text of the business meeting is being broadcast on NCRA's Web site. This service is offered compliments of Speche, a service of Courtroom Connect. Also this year for the very first time in conjunction with direct member voting, members from around the country and the world will receive a live streaming video proceeding of -- I'm sorry -- streaming video feed of the proceedings. A special welcome to those members at home. In addition, the video feed will be archived on the Web for review during the 12-hour windows in which online voting will be open.

Fellow NCRA members, when I assumed the role of president of NCRA last August, I asked you to take a realistic look at our past, at our present, and most importantly, to our future. I asked you to take an honest look at where we are headed as a profession and as an association. It was at that time that we began a lively, engaging, and, yes, at times, heated dialogue of where we are steno reporters fit into the universe of court reporting, not as we see the universe of court reporting, but as our competitors, our clients, and our consumers see the universe of court reporting.

There were areas where most of us agreed.

Realtime must be the baseline offering from stens graphic reporters.
Without it, we provide a first pass of the proceeding much like our [KP*-EFRPLTS] the we have one offering and one alone that alternative technologies do not, and that is realtime, extraordinary realtime.

Last summer I reported to you that less than 10% of our members competitors trands hold a certification in the very skill for which we claim to be our superiority.
Folks, we all know that's not good enough. If we're the best technology, then our numbers must prove that we're the best technology. We can't just talk about it, we have to prove it. Certification is our most important asset. The more certified members we have within our ranks, the more qualified our members, and the more educated our members through continuing education to maintain that same certification.

Two weeks ago, I was sent for signature 387 congratulatory letters to our members for passing at least one portion of one exam, 387 letters for one test alone. Seventy-seven of those letters were sent to brands new certified realtime reporters, all completing this exam in May of 2008. Congratulations to all of you who have accepted this challenge and who exemplify fidify leadership by all.

Folks, we can't stop there. Remember, realtime came around more than 25 years ago. We're moving on as our convention theme promotes from better to best. NCRA is moving forward with a certification to promote the certified Realtime Systems Administrator.

The experts within our field have recognized that we can no longer be the human attached to the steno machine but instead we must be the center of technology, understanding each and every piece of that technology, in addition to having outstandings realtime skills in every environment.

Realtime and all of the attendant technology is our future, and for the moment, it's ours alone.

My final message to you, the members of NCRA, we are not machine operators. We are skilled, indicated professionals. Step outside your courtroom, step outside your deposition suite, step outside your classroom, step outside your captioning studio, look around, know what's going on, figure out how to compete each and every day and secure your position within the court reporting and captioning profession. It's you that is competing, not your steno machine. NCRA is well quipped kand prepared to take you where you need to. I'm excited for our future. I hope you are, too. It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve the members of NCRA. Thank you very much.
(Applause.) (Standing ovation.). Thank you very much. And now, secretary/treasurer Doug Friend will present his report.

SPEAKER: Good morning, everyone. It has been an honor to serve you, the NCRA members, as your secretary/treasurer for the past year, and I am, of course, looking forward to serving you again in the upcoming year.

The past year in this position has certainly allowed me to grow a lot professionally and, man, have I learned a lot. And I want to thank you for that opportunity. It is my responsibility, along with the finance committee, which consists of five board members as well as myself, to monitor, review, and evaluate NCRA's financial performance. Throughout the year we are responsible for reviewing the association's monthly financial statements and investment reports and developing, recommending, and reviewing financial policies as needed for the board's consideration, as well as reviewing the association's year-end audit. An extremely important task that the finance committee performs is to meet with NCRA's auditing firm in executive session, without any NCRA staff present, to review the year-end [KWRA-UTD] and to ask questions.

This gives the committee and on our auditors to discuss openly and confidentiality to discuss our areas of concern, successes, and weaknesses. The firm of larceny Allen confirmed the audit for fiscal year 2007 covering the period from October 1, 2006, through September 30, 2007. They were consisted of auditing NCRA's financial transactions to ensure their accuracy and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles -- GAAP -- as well as considering the effectiveness of internal controls and procedures.

For the past fiscal year, I am pleased to report that Larsen Allen reported no material weaknesses in NCRA's internal controls or financial standings.
In other words, we received another clean bill of health from our independent auditors. And there are copies of the audit available for your review at the back of the room if any of you would like to look at that.

In the last several years, as many of you know or have experienced first hands working with NCRA, the association has introduced or continued with a wide range of important and valuable services and activities.

A few examples are, NCRA has helped secure justice this year $1.98 million in congressional earmark funding for four realtime training programs. We have secured over $13 million in total to help schools get students out into the workforce.

NCRA this year alone trained and set up appointments for 68 state leaders and school representatives to meet with their elected officials on Capitol Hill, as part of the legislative boot camp experience.

NCRA has expanded the written testing opportunities to four times per year for a period of two weeks each.

NCRA created guidelines to help members make informed judgments on where, when, and under what circumstances to use and provide backup audio media. And NCRA has created a clearinghouse of information on ER, on NCRA's Web site, to keep members up to date on ER and have developed programs to help them promote the value of their services to court administrators, judges, and others. We have also made necessary and long overdue investments in upgrading the technology systems that support member services, that support you. At the same time, the association has continued to experience moderate declines in membership and had identified no significant or expanded nondues revenue opportunities.

Through extremely diligent management of expenses combined with strong performance and utilizing budgets from prior years we continue to advance NCRA's strategic objectives. For fiscal year 2007, I am reporting that the audited year ended with a surplus of $77,491, which is a significant improvement from 2006, chented with a planned deficit of $577,609. Although the majority of the surplus was achieved through the earnings in our investment portfolio, I would also like to note that staff did an amazing job of trimming expenses where they could.

The budget for 2008 required that several programs be reduced at headquarters, which was accomplished this last fall. Again, this happened essentially without any reduction in member service to you.

The budget for 2008 that the newly installed board will be considering for approval at its post convict- -- you know, I did that in practice, too! At its postconvention board meeting. (Audience laughter.) Well, you know, all those days in court, what can I say? At its post convention board meeting -- hey, I'm the finance committee, what can I say? At that meeting the budget will be essentially break-even.

On the investment side our portfolio compromised of stocks, bonds, and money if you know it funds managed by City Institutional Consultinging ends fiscal year 2007 with total investments at $5,764,604 with a rate of return of 14.75%. Well, gang, that was last year.

And as many of you know, the financial markets have not been performing very well this year. Year to date our investments have not done well, just like mine personally and just like I'm sure yours [P-RPBLZ]. And in the first eight months of our fiscal year the value personally [SKPHA*-EPBGZ] drands has decreased by 2.60%. We have historically used the morning star balanced and the 60-40 S&P 500 Lehman procedures Indians I says as good time know good barometers for measuring our performance. These two Indians I says measured similar losses for the same time period.

These hold investments that are similar to the makeup of NNCRA's portfolio. . Even including the losses from our most recent quarter the trailing three, five, and seven years rates of return on our investments have been 7.10%, 8.36%, and 4.34% respectively.

As of May 31, 2008, our investment portfolio held assets totaling$4,806,695. As always, it is important to note that although it is impossible to predict how financial markets will perform over the coming months, our hope does spring eternal, and we are hopeful that NCRA's investments will grow through the end of the fiscal year.

In terms of our overall financial health, as of April 30th, our reserves are equal to 54.9% of our fiscal year 2008 operating budget. For comparison, the American Society of Association Executives operating ratio report shows that associations of similar budget size maintained reserves as a percentage of their annual operating budget for a reported average of 58% and a median of 36%. So construction as you can see, narks is financially sounds when comparing its reserves for annual yearly budget, and we intend to keep it that way.

The status of our current year to date financials is in line with our budget projections, with the exception of investment know investment income.

Our most current financial statements show that, except for investment income, revenue is consistent with last year and actually expenses are slightly lower.

Before I make a motion, I would like to remind the members that the bylaws state that any increase in the annual dues for any class of membership from that of the previous year shall be recommended by the board of directors and shall be approved by the voting members present at the annual business meeting. The vote on the following motion will take place during this business meeting by the members present.

Madam president, on behalf of the board of directors, I move that dues be increased as follows:

Associate international from $90 to $100. Associate United States from $135 to $145. First-year graduate from $130 to $145. Second-year graduate from $175 to $1890. Reporter international from $115 to $125. Reporter United States from $230 to $250. And student from $60 to $65. Now, you might be asking yourself, why are we proposing to increase dues when we have reserves in the bank? First of all, it is imprudent and fiscally irresponsible to continue operational spending at a level that just is not supported by our income. [-UPBLDZ] want to accept a situation where we were constantly dipping into our being bank accounts to fund day to day expenses. Also reserves are like an insurance policy.

Resources that should be used for special needs.

If approved this increase will go into effect for dues covering the 2009 calendar year.

MS. DILORENZO: The question is on the adoption of the dues increases recommended by the NCRA board of directors. Is there a debate? Is there any further discussion? There being no further discussion, we will proceed to a vote. The question is on the adoption of the dues increase as recommended by the NCRA board of directors. Are you ready for the question?

Without objection, the chair has appointed three members as materials.

They will assist with the voting. Will those three members come forward.
Anita Johnston of Nevada, Bill Webber of Pennsylvania, and Kathy Phillips of Florida. . If there is no objection, the tellers are appointed.

Those in favor of the adoption of the dues increase please hold up your pink card.

MS. DILORENZO: Thank you. Those opposed please hold up your pink card.
There is a majority vote, and the dues increase is adopt.

SPEAKER: Thank you, Kathy.

MS. DILORENZO: Thank you, Doug, for your fine service this past year as secretary/treasurer.

(Applause.) The next business in order is consideration of the proposed bylaws amendments. In your packet, you will find the proposed bylaws amendments, if you'd like to take some time to get those out. There are three of them. Please have them in front of you at this time.

Since the amendments have been printed and distributed to the members, if there is no objection, they will not be read in their entirety. Robert Bramante, chamers of the bylaws committee, was unable to attends this year's convention due to family matters. The chair now recognizes president-elect Karen Yates to present Robert's report. Karen?

MS. YATES: Autbehalf of the bylaws committee I move the adoption of the bylaws amendment regarding Article 3, membership, CART provider, as printed and distributed to the members.

MS. DILORENZO: The question is on the adoption of the bylaws amendment regarding article 3k be membership, CART provider, as printed and distributed to the members. Is there any discussion? Are you ready for the question? . Since we are amendmenting the NCRA bylaws the vote required twob a two-thirds vote. According to our bylaws and the rules for this meeting the final voting on bylaws amendment shall take place electronically at a secure online Web site. The voting shall open within two hours after the close of the meeting and shall remain open for 12 hours.

The results shall be posted on the bulletin board in the registration area as well as the NCRA Web site. At the end of this meeting the chair will give you instructions for voting. Karen, would you please continue?

MS. YATES: On behalf of the bylaws committee, I move the adoption of the bylaws amendment regarding Article 3, membership, student membership members, as [PR-EUPBTDZ] and distributed to the members printed trands.

MS. DILORENZO: The question is on the adoption of the bylaws amendment regarding Article 3 membership, student members as [PR-EUPBTDZ] and distributed to the members. Is there any discussion? Are you ready for the question? Since we are amendmenting the NCRA bylaws, the vote required will be a two-thirds vote.
According to our bylaws and the rules for this meeting the final voting take place electronically at a secure online Web site. The voting shall open within two hours after the close of the meeting and shall remain open for 12 hours. The result shall be posted on the bulletin board in the registration area as well as the NCRA Web site.

At the end of this meeting, the chair will give you instructions for voting. Karen?

MS. YATES: The next proposed amendment has been submitted by 168 NCRA members from eight states. It meets the requirements of the NCRA's bylaws that any three voting members may propose an amendment to the constitution and bylaws.
I move the adoption of the bylaw amendment regarding Article 16, affiliated units, as printed and distributed to the members.

MS. DILORENZO: The question is on the adoption of the bylaws amendment regarding Article 16, affiliated units, as printed and distributed to the members. The chair at this time recognizes Tony Palone, who will address the amendment on behalf of the Deposition Reporters Association.

SPEAKER: Thank you, madam president, before I speak I've been asked by Kathy Phillips if she could have a moment to make a short [TPRO-EPBGTS] members rarting NCSA.

SPEAKER: Hello, my name is Kathy Phillips and I'm the vice chair of NCSA, and since this is being streamed across the Internet, we wanted and for the benefit of everybody here, a lot of people don't know what NCSA stands for so we wanted to make sure everybody understands because wens it will probably come up in the discussion for this amendment. NCSA stands for the national committee of State Associations.

NCSA has become one of NCRA's most vital and active committees. The purpose of NCSA is to perform a forum for affiliate delegates or affiliate representatives where appropriate to exchange experiences, information, and various points of view about matters of current relevance to NCRA affiliates and the profession. NCSA also provides information and guidance to the NCRA board of directors through the submission of resolutions and position statements.
Thank you.

SPEAKER: Again, thank you. Madam president, fellow members of NCRA, I'm Tony Pallone, I'm the president of the Deposition Reporters Association of California, and I speak in favor of our amendment. By way of explanation, NCRA's bylaws currently allow for one state affiliated association per state.

Our amendment would allow for a special circumstance of in states where the NCRA membership reaches 10% of the total national NCRA membership, that second state association or additional state associations may be considered for affiliation. I want to stress the point that it is a position of may be considered for affiliation. Your vote in favor of our amendment would allow for this amendment to the bylaws, but it does not automatically make DRA or our other state association immediate affiliates of NCRA. It only allows for that possibility, and we've purposely crafted the bylaws amendment in that fashion so that if the bylaw amendment passes, then the NCRA directors would have the opportunity to establish whatever criteria they feel are important for determining whether affiliation should be granted to our association. And we're happy to leave that judgment to them.

I should explain that when the bylaws were first developed and craft, there was only one state association in California, and that was the California Court Reporters Association, CCRA.

However, in 1996, a group of dedicated and serious freelance reporters determined that it was necessary to form a separate state association so that we could be represented as we felt we needed to be in our state. And we formed DRA at that time. And then approximately three years later, a group of official reporters felt that they needed separate representation and formed the California official Court Reporters Association known as COCRA. So now there are three state associations in California, and we are all functioning well, we're viable, we employ lobbyists, we organize, we introduce and get legislation passed, we -- we keep dangerous legislation from being passed in California, and we're all operating now cooperatively with one another.

However, we are hoping that we can now take a full seat at the NCRA NCSA table with voting privileges for our two additional associations.

The NCRA president has very graciously invited our association to attends functions that are normally designed just for affiliates over the last few years and we've attended leadership, we've attended legislative boot camp, and now we can even attend NCSA and participate there. But we don't have a vote. It's popularity now to be able to provide that voting privilege to our members with NDRA. We have over 500 NCRA members in our association, just NDRA, which equals some of the larger state associations in the nation, and we feel it only fair that they be represented fully and have a vote within NCSA, and that is the reason for our bringing this amendment.
Now, for NCRA, all of your members' purposes, I think you want to consider whether there is any harm or benefit to this amendment proposal, and I would suggest that there is no harm to anyone within NCRA to include these additional associations as affiliates for NCRA.

The first organization that might consider there would be harm would be CCRA, and I think they realize there is no threat meant here. We have no intention to displace, replace CCRA. We expect their relationship with NCRA to continue on. And I think they've recognized that there is no threat intended because they are not opposing this motion, and we thank them for their consideration of that. I think there is no -- there certainly is no harm to NCRA to bring new people, new blood to the table, new ideas, people who are -- who are dedicated and are enthusiastic and want to be part -- fully a part of this association. And volunteer their time. And there is, I don't think, any possible harm to any of the other state associations within NCSA because I fully expect that the NCRA board will craft this in such a way that this will not will not turn into any sort of power grab on the part of the California reporters.

We'll have just an equal voice within NCSA but we will have that voice, and our members will be represented, but not to the detriment of any other state associations.

I'm sure that they will handle it delicately and make sure that no one is harmed in any way by allowing us into this group.

I think there is a great deal of benefit to be had, obviously there is benefit to DRA and there would be benefit to COCRA to be allowed to join in association fully and have a vote at NCSA. There certainly I think is a benefit to NCRA because it brings a lot of dedicated, smart, enthusiastic people who want to volunteer their time, and in these days, we certainly do not want to turn away any active, interested volunteers, when all of our associations need all the help we can get.

And I think it's a benefit to NCSA as well and -- MS. DILORENZO: Tony, excuse me, we'll need you to wrap up shortly. Like ten seconds.

SPEAKER: I think it's a win-win situation for all of us. I would hope that you consider that you want to have us participate with you, have a full vote, join you in NCSA as fully fledging affiliated state association with you, and we urge and thank you for your consideration, urge you to vote for our amendment.
Thank you very much.

MS. DILORENZO: Thank you, Tony. Is there further discussion? Chair recognizes Gary Cramer of California.

SPEAKER: Good morning.

Welcome to California. I can't imagine why any association would want to disadvantage themselves, giving California this level of recognition in this way means they wind up with two votes, and all of you that aren't from California have one vote.
That's the harm, besides being a very slippery slope.

There is -- this amendment is what I consider to be enabling, that is, it provides an argument for all states to have multiple associations, because the amendment would apply to statewide and local associations the way it's crafted, California could potentially have more than two votes, more than two, because we have five statewide associations in California. We have one local association with in excess of 600 members, so there is a whole bunch of votes that are coming down the pike. Most importantly, I think that multiple associations in California have been a disaster for us. What's happens is there are too few members, too few potential members to go around us for all these associations to maintain an appropriate base of dues and people. There's too little money that's being spread around us.

I'm not a member -- I'm not a dues-paying member of any of these associations, and I do -- I'm a retired reporter. I do government relations work now. And in my personally discussions with legislators that know me and I know them here in California, I've had more than several personal conversations where they've asked me, what's happened to the court reporters in California?

Why are there so many associations? And, you know, you give them the best answer you can, but there really aren't any good answers. We just went through an ER battle here in California where we were one vote away from having ER imposed on specific kinds of proceedings here in California, one vote.

California has a huge amount of disclosure. And if you take a look at those disclosure forms, you'll see there is less money going into legislative activity now than there was when there was one association.

I think the answer is to suggest to all of the associations in California, because I think there is an answer to this problem, they need an association of associations so that they come with one position and provide a vote. They need to solve their problems among themselves and not come here and ask you to solve their problems.

MS. DILORENZO: Ten seconds, Gary.

SPEAKER: Thank you very much.

MS. DILORENZO: Thank you. (Applause.) chair recognizes Jackie Timmons.

SPEAKER: Yes, Jack even Timmons from Illinois.

Actually they don't have a question for clarification microphone so I'm just standing at this one.

MS. DILORENZO: That's fine.

SPEAKER: My question is, on the bylaws amendment, says that only one affiliated unit may be recognized from any one state but it doesn't clarify whether they can have more than one or is it just they can get one more, is it a percentage of how many members are in each of those associations in every state? As Gary mentioned if there were five associations, does that mean there was a potential there could be five more associations that will become associated units or will it be a percentage determined on how large that association is?

MS. DILORENZO: Jackie, I apologize. Could you state just the basic part of the question and what is the exact question?

SPEAKER: Will they be allowed to have more than one other association, or will it be based on the size of those other associations? So is there potential that they could have, since they have five state associations, that they can have five more affiliates?

MR. GOLDEN: The language is proposed from the membership states that you may consider more than one association if a certain percent -- number of NCRA members reside within that geographical location. So it says more than one. It does not become more explicit beyonds that.

MS. DILORENZO:
Specifically 10%. MR. GOLDEN: It does not limit, it does not set specific guidelines on that.

MS. DILORENZO: Chair recognizes Janelle amends.

SPEAKER: Janelle amends from Mississippi. I have a clarification as well.
Does a proposed amendment request the membership vote to give the board discretion to make the decision as to whether or not and take the authority from the voting membership itself?

MS. DILORENZO: That is correct.

SPEAKER: To make that decision.

MR. GOLDEN: The amendment would create the power for the NCRA board to make a determination.

SPEAKER: And not the general membership?

MR. GOLDEN: That is correct.

SPEAKER: Okay, thank you.

SPEAKER: Thank you very much for allowing me an opportunity to speak. We name is Rosalie Crom from San Diego, California, and I would like to speak in favor of this amendment.

Number one, the -- the charge that there would be only -- there would be more than two votes per state I think once again as was just brought up is going to be up to the board of directors of NCRA to decide what power any state has as to how many votes they have in NCSA.

So that's the first thing I'd like to speak to. The second thing is I don't know that there are five associations in California. I know of three. But the bigger point is, and the thing that I think is important to understand is DRA, COCRA are made up of people who are passionate about court reporting.

Amazingly leaders who truly care about this profession. And if that causes people to be inspired to join our association, which we have over 700 reporters in our association, DRA, if that inspires reporters to pay dues, to care about legislation, to get on the phone and call senators, to help to not pass an ER bill, which, true, one vote. The point is, it did not pass, and we were a part of it not passing.

So whatever it takes to inspire someone to join an association I think has value, especially the in this day and age, and I would hope that you would vote yes for this amendment, vote yes-for-all of our members and vote yes for the future of this profession. That's how I see it. Thank you.
(Applause.)

MS. DILORENZO: Chair rhesus Lisa Mervin.

SPEAKER: I'm always standing at this microphone because there is not one in the middle that stated no position.

I'm Lisa Mervin, president of the California Court Reporters Association. I have a real short statement that we posted on the NCRA forum and also we posted it on the listserv and I'll just read it here to clarify our position. At the NCRA annual convention in Anaheim, an amendment to NCRA's bylaws to allow more than one affiliate association per state will be presented by the Deposition Reporters Association. CCRA is taking no position on this motion. CCRA's unwavering position is that the court reporters of any state are best represented by one association. Membership in such organizations is declining, making these resources all the more precious. Dividing those resources among two or three even -- associations dilutes member representation and weakens all of the associations, adversely affecting the association's ability to protect and promote the court reporting profession.

However, the reality is that California has three state associations.

Whatever position CCRA takes regarding the upcoming proposed bylaws amendment will not change that. In addition, whatever happens will not change our status as California's premiere state association and as an NCRA state affiliate.

It is for that reason that CCRA feels taking no position is in the best interests our members and of all court reporters in California.

Since neither the success nor failure of the motion will change anything in California, we feel this issue should be decided by the NCRA membership as a whole. Whatever decision is made, the California Court Reporters Association will continue to support NCRA and its membership 100%, is it has for the past 100 years.

MS. DILORENZO: Thank you, Lisa. Chair recognizes the speaker in the affirmative.

SPEAKER: Thank you. My name is Janice Scott. I'm president of COCRA, the California Official Court Reporters Association.

Thank you. I have one very brief point. What I'd like to say we were indeed in the worst battle in my memory of fighting ER, electronic recording expansion in California.
Thank goodness for the three associations, let me tell you. We had our COCRA lobbyist Libby Sanchez fighting along with Jim Cassy, the CCRA lobbyist, together with CCRA and DRA, DRA made more phone calls for us when we asked them to, and their reporters were incredibly passionate in helping us defeat ER expansion. And I can't tell you how good it felt to have Lisa and Tony and all of us working together as three very strong organizations fighting against ER, and I truly believe because of those lobbyists working together, web looked stronger than ever in California. Thank you.

That's the only point I wanted to make. I'd like to repeat everything Tony said, but I won't. Thank you.

MS. DILORENZO: Thank you. Chair recognizes Laura brewer.

SPEAKER: Pluce excuse me back, members of the podium, I'm going to face the majority of the audience. My name is Laura Brewer. I've been a member of NCRA since 1981. I took the Merit and became a Merit writer at the very first opportunity when I could sit for the test. I've continually been a member of my state and national associations, I've served for six years on committees for NCRA, working hard towards the benefit of all reporters.

This is an issue that's near and dear to my heart. I have been a member of Dr. RA since its very beginnings, and yet I have no vote through NCSA. Neither do any of the other NCRA members of DRA who are not also members of CCRA.

California has approximately 18% of NCRA's membership. So I see this just as a matter of fairness, just as a saw direct member voting to be an issue of fairness. And I personally ask your support for this issue.

Thank you very much.
(Applause.)

SPEAKER: I'm Linda Goddard of California.

Have worked toward this goal since we first proposed it in Orlando, Florida, when back again in Reno. I realized at that time DRA had not been around enough, was not known enough to be appreciated by other members. We were scary.
We have now been around us for ten years.

Thankfully, for the NCRA leadership who have allowed us to go to boot camp and leadership, we've been able to meet a lot of wonderful people. And I really hope that you will appreciate that all we want to do is participate. All we want to do is come to the party. So -- and the other point I was going to answer and that was on the question of the board having the discretion to choose affiliates, the board always has that discretion. Membership doesn't vote on who gets to be an affiliate in each state. So that actually really isn't changing anything taking it away from the membership. And thank you for your consideration.
(Applause.)

MS. DILORENZO: Is there any further discussion?

Chair recognizes Kevin Daniel.

SPEAKER: Just ask yourselves which side of this issue had the most passionate people. I think that's how this ought to be decided.

These people want this so much. They've fought for it for years. I'm on the side of passion in this argument.

MS. DILORENZO: Chair recognizes marginsry Peters.

SPEAKER: Hi. Marjorie Peters, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I have been a state leader on my state board for eight years.

I'm not on the board anymore, but I did participate in NCSA, and I just have to say, as I listen, I have a hard time -- it seems to give one state so much more leverage. And I think that all of the state associations should be equal. We have small states with very passionate people who work hard and participate in NCRA, as well as large states. And in NCSA we always seem to solve our problems together. So while I do appreciate the hard work that -- that you do in California and your passion for your work, and the things that you have accomplished, I just think that if you need to accomplish something through NCSA, then -- then why can't you as CCRA?
And just each state have its own equal footing is I guess all I'm trying to say.

MS. DILORENZO: Chair recognizes the speaker in the affirmative.

SPEAKER: John Squires, John Desires before it California, currently vice president of DRA, and I think the last question can be addressed by, we would expect the NCSA board to establish criteria to address those types of problem. We're not looking for any kind of advantage at all. You know,'s statement reminded me of I have a book recommendation for all of you. I just finished reading a book written by a Senator from Virginia, Jim Webb, he was the last person I saw interviewed by Tim Russert. The book's called A Time To Fight. And the premise is there are certain things that our nation has inadvertently or advertently taken the wrong path on, here's my solutions, and you ought to fight for that. DRA was born fighting and continues to fight for fair business practices and for an equal playing field in the procurement and maintaining of your clients and for the -- for the establishment -- for the continuation of the stenographic arts. If you would like an organization of that ilk to join, I think you should open your arms and welcome us into the NCSA family as an affiliate. Thank you.

SPEAKER: Pam wells. Pam Wells. And I'm past president of the Kansas association and I'm on this side because there's not one in the middle. I have a question I have a question to pose [RA-ERPBZ] an opinion.

I'd like to know whether the NCSA board or the NCRA board has a position on this, and if if they have an answer as to how to resolve the questions that have been presented, if this was passed.

MS. DILORENZO: On behalf of the NCRA board I can say that the board as a whole holds no position on this issue.

SPEAKER: And the NCSA board the same?

MS. DILORENZO: If someone would care to take the mike and speak on behalf of NCSA, I'm not sure.

MR. GOLDEN: Is Kathy still here?

MS. DILORENZO: Is Kathy here?

SPEAKER: The NCSA board has not taken a position, either.

MS. DILORENZO: Chair recognizes Janelle Adams.

SPEAKER: Madam chair, I call the question.

SPEAKER: Second.

MS. DILORENZO: There is no one at the microphone.

Are you ready for the question? Since we are amending the NCRA bylaws, the vote required will be a two-thirds vote.

According to our bylaws and the rules for this meeting, the final voting on bylaws amendments shall take place electronically at a secure online Web site. The voting shall open within two hours after the close of the meeting and shall remain open for 12 hours. The result shall be posted on the bulletin board in the registration area as well as on the NCRA Web site.

At the end of this meeting, the chair will give instructions for voting. Karen?

MS. YATES: Madam president, that concludes the report of the bylaws committee. I hope you'll join me in thanking the members of the committee, chair Robert Bramante, members Tammy Smith, and Yvonne Fenner for their hards work.

MS. DILORENZO: Thank you, Karen. (Applause.) It gives me great pleasure to ask executive director and chief executive officer Mark Golden to give us his annual message. Mark?

MR. GOLDEN: Thank you, Kathy. Normally my report to the business meeting falls at the end of the debate while you're waiting for votes to be counted. And so I always served the purpose of providing filler while you waited on that.

Now, this year" as Kathy has mentioned since we are inaugurating the direct member voting provisions that the membership approved last year k which can allows all eligible NCRA voting members, not just those present, to vote on these matters, the vote will be open throughout the afternoon, the results available tonight. So I'm no longer just filler. And I have an no idea whether that means you will be more attentive or less attentive than you have been in the past. I am certain that no one has any interest in dragging it meeting out any longer than it needs runs so I will be brief in my report.

One of the improvements, as Kathy has mensions, that we've made to this business meeting this yearr is that in addition to our traditional streaming of the text to the Internet, we do have a live audio and video stream being created, which means for the first time absent members can follow audio and video of the meeting as well. So I send my greetings to those of you watching at home.

Sometimes all of us fall into the pattern of talking about NCRA in the abstract, as if it were some external thing, some thing or someone out there and apart from us. And one of the great things about the annual convention and other meetings that we hold throughout the year is that it offers us a chance to interact with each other and to experience the fact that NCRA isn't an it, NCRA isn't even just the visible representatives of the organization, your board and staff, NCRA is all of you, all of its members: working reporters, captioners, CART providers, who care enough about your profession to be part of an organization that has lasted now 109 years and includes tens of thousands of individuals throughout the United States and abroad. You are NCRA. And while I believe that NCRA's programs are something we can all be justifiably proud of the true proof of NCRA's greatness lies in the passion, the energy, the time put in by members in advancing themselves and in advancing the profession. Kathy has talked about certification. That commitment by the individual to constantly hone and improve their skills, demonstrating that they are indeed professionals.

So I would like to ask each of you in the audience who have achieved a new certification this past year to stand, be recognized for what you have done to advance the credibility and stature of your profession. Please stand. (Applause.) And bear with me as I impose on you. I'd like you to stay standing. I also point out that NCRA has continued its numerous advocacy efforts on behalf of the stenographic profession this year, achieving very noticeable results in funding for education, paving the way towards affordable health care insurance for small business owners and independent contractors, countering the spread of electronic recording and promoting the role of the professional reporter as an integral part, I should even say the central hub to courtroom technology.

I would like to ask each of you in the audience who made even one phone call or wrote within letter, who made a visit to one legislator, state or federal, who wrote a check to the political action committee, or worked on a committee or a task force to try to craft and implement rules to benefit the profession, each of you who gave your time in any way this past year advocating for the profession, if you would please rise and remain standing. I love to see that. Recruiting students, invigorating and improving both the quality and the availability of court reporting schools and supporting graduating students as they make the difficult leap from graduate to working professional, these are all keys to the profession's successful future. And I would like to ask any of you who took time to share your expertise and knowledge by teaching a seminar or by mentoring a student or new professional to also stand and be recognized. And even if you have never served in a formal or official capacity with your state association or NCRA, on a board, committee, or task force, each of you who at some point during the year have stepped up to give a hands to a fellow reporter in their time of need, to please stand. Each of you who committed yourself to professional development, not because you needed the points, but because you recognized your obligation to remain at the top of the game in an ever changing world, each of you who just went to work every day and conducted yourself in a manner that gives the most compelling witness possible to the high standards and excellence of the professional court reporter or CART provider, each of you, if you're not already standings, please stand and join your peers. All of you, all of you are NCRA and deserve our sincere recognition and thanks. Thank you very much. (Applause.) . And there's no better example of the passionate and committed professional than your out going president, Kathy DiLorenzo. So on behalf of a grateful profession and in recognition of her tireless efforts advocating on your behalf, it is my pleasure to present to you, Kathy, this flag which was flown in your honor over the United States capitol by Senator Arlen Specter.

(Applause.) . Any of you who have served in a governance capacity for an association, NCRA or your state association, your local PTA or whatever know that such service involves living your life simultaneously in two parallel worlds, operating at two completely different rates of speed.

You need to be focused and deliver on the here and the now. The profession does face urgent needs, and the demands to action today. You must keep pace with and satisfy the what have you-done-with-me--lately crowd who are sometimes impatient, demanding, even hostile, not because they're of poor character but because their needs are immediate and great. But at the same time, you always have to keep your eye on the distant horizon, too, and take the steps today that will ensure opportunities for success in the future. I have been extremely impressed with your board and its leadership this past year, as they have simultaneously kept pace with both the short-term demands and the long-term needs of the profession.

Annoying provides more tangible evidence of this than the boards member value proposition effort.

The board created an independent commission of members to study the past, the present, and see what they could surmise about the future and then report back with midterm, short term, and long term goals to address the needs of NCRA's membership. The board creating the commission and then left it alone to do its work.

Once their report was done, the board absorbed and debated the implications of the MVP team's conclusions and modified the association's Strategic Plan in response. This included a fundamental reaffirmation of the association's traditional focus on the core of who NCRA is, a verbatim stenographic reporter, and established a new commitment to nondues revenue sources and nonmember customers for association services.

Why is this additional or corollary so important?

In order to tap into something other than your own pockets for the money needed to fund member needs. It is worth noting, given that associations are not often characterized by nimbleness and speed to action, that a comprehensive, data-driven study was planned, started, and concluded, and initial implementation of many of its recommendations was begun, all within the space of a single year.

But as I said, we must exist simultaneously in two timelines, present and future. And as impressive a leadership and governance accomplishment as the MVP work was, it was not the sole or even primary outcome of the association's year. For those of you who do judge the association from the what-have-you-done-for-me- lately perspective, the reports are good as well.

Doug as previously reviewed many of these accomplishments in his secretary/treasurer report and I could go on and on and on, but I did, don't worry about. Let me just ends as I began by simpliagings acknowledging that NCRA didn't do all these things, you made them possible by your involvement and support, your commitment to debate, commitment to take action, and movel most of all your commitment to your own professionalism. There's no question that we do face challenges ahead, and very likely there will be some disagreements and debates within our community. But as you know, differences are not a weakness, but a source of strength.

The intersection of different points of view often reveal something that neither person ever saw or considered before.

If we only had one eye, we would lose our ability to perceive depth and would see things in only two dimensions.

In the same way, our world expands if we have two pair of eyes by which to see and as an association we have some 20,000 pair of eyes with which to consider the future.

Certainly among them, never forgetting that even in our differences, how much we share in common, we will continue to see and find and take the way forward into a proud future that is fully equal to our illustrious past.

Once again as I say every year but I say it lunch know humbly and with deep sincerity, it is truly a privilege for me to be allowed to be a part of helping you achieve that, and I thank you for that privilege. (Applause.)

Jo thank you, Mark. Here to present the nominating committee report is chair Reesa Parker.

SPEAKER: Thank you, madam president. The nominating committee submits the following nominations. I will ask each nominee to stands as I call his or her name. Directors three-year terms, Kimmy George, RMR of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Tammie Shedd, FAPR, RPR, CMRS, of Fairfax, Virginia. Tami Smith, RPR, CPE, of Lansing, Michigan.

Directors one-year term, Mr. William Greenlee, RDR of Petaluma, California.
Secretary/treasurer, R. Douglas Friend, RMR, CRR, of Portland, Oregon. Vice president, Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag, FAPR, RDR, CRR of Wheaton, Illinois. President-elect SueLynn Morgan, RPR, of Lawton, Oklahoma. This completes the report of the nominating committee.

I'd like to thank the other committee members if you're present in the room today, I'd like to recognize you please.

Yvonne Fenner, please stands if you're here, Jim diCrecen [STKPHR*-RBGS]o I saw Jim earlier, Jerry [KA*-ERBLGS] and Cassy roughly, thank you all for your hard work, and I'd like to give you a round

MS. DILORENZO: U that, Reesa. In accordance with article 6, section 2 of the constitution and bylaws Karen Yates, CRR, CCP, CBC will automatically assume the office of president of the National Court Reporters Association. She will assume her duties at the close of this convention.

(Applause.) According to our bylaws and the rules for this meeting, the election process will vary according to the number of candidates for each office. If there is only one candidate for an office, the election can occur during this meeting. If there are two candidates for an office, that election shall occur electronically after this meeting. The voting for contested candidates shall open within two hours after the close of the meeting and shall remain open for 12 hours. It is now time for the election of nominated officers and directors to the following offers that have not been contested for the respective terms set forth in the report of the nominating committee.

Those nominated to the following offices have not been contested:
Directors, three-year terms, Kimmy George, RMR, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Tammy A. shedd, FAPR, RPR, CMRS of Fairfax, Virginia.
Director, one year term, William greenly, RDR, of Petaluma, California.
Secretary/treasurer, R. Douglas Friend, restroom, CRR, of Portland, Oregon.
And president-elect SueLynn Morgan, RPR of Lawton, Oklahoma. Those in favor of electing the and directors just read, please raise your pink voting card. Thank you."
Those opposed, please raise your pink voting card. The motion is carried, and it is my pleasure to declare these officers and directors duly elected to the 2008-2009 NCRA board of directors. (Applause.)

Congratulations to all of you. These officers and directors already formally installed at the premiere session tomorrow morning.

Petitions were received prior to June 15 placing additional names in nomination for the office of director and vice president. The chair has directed Paulita Condit as chairman of the elections committee. The members of the committee are Angie Culler, Curtis High, Mike bren 10.tan owe and Lynn Fischer Mezanin. The responsibility of the election committee is to verify that the candidates meet the requirements set forth in the NCRA Constitution and by laws to supervisor and conduct the election and to report the election results as soon as they become available [STPH-RBGZ]. Share person Condid will now report. Paulita?

SPEAKER: Thank you, madam president. The petitions contesting the office of director has been reviewed and verified as eligible.

The two candidates for the office of director are Tami Smith, RPR, CPE, of Lansing, Michigan, and Donna Collins, RPR, CRR, CCP of Dallas, Texas.

MS. DILORENZO: Each candidate will be allowed no more than seven minutes for their presentation, and one supporting speech of no more than three minutes. Questions from the floor will not be allowed. We will now hear from our candidates and their supporting speakers. The supporting speaker for Donna Collins for the office of director is Mark Kislingbury, this man is really talented.

My fellow court reporters, it is my honor today to introduce a colleague from my own state of Texas.

She is Donna Collins, from Dallas. My friends, Donna's resume is so huge, my Adobe reader asked for an upgrade when I tried to open it. Then my laser printer ran out of ink just printing it. Tried to open it. Then my laser printer ran out of ink just printing it. I counted the words in it.

If I were to dictate her whole resume to you at 300 much reporter for 35 years, a firm owner for 27. She's been an NCRA member the To even talk about her qualities as a person would take far more time. Volunteer hours for the betterment of our profession than there are words in a speed contest!

She has spent thousands of hours for the benefit of court reporting: doing pro bono, volunteer work involving the deaf and court reporting: doing pro bono, volunteer work involving the deaf and lur teaching CART, promoting our beloved profession of court reporting to the legal field and the public, chairing this committee and serving on that legal field and the public, chairing this committee and serving on that committee, president, officer, committee chair, liaison this, task force that, advisory board here, board of director there, appointment here, founder advisory board here, board of director there, appointment here, founder advisory board here, board of director there, appointment here, founder there, major donor, angel, PAC contributor, on and on and on! It makes me there, major donor, angel, PAC contributor, on and on and on! It makes me so tired just to say it all!

The terms NCRA, TCRA, NCRF appear 43 times in her resume. She is an NCRA Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters, a TCRA Distinguished Service Award Recipient, Fellow, and Texas Hall of Famer, Above and Beyond Award recipient, Dallas Court Reporters Association DSA recipient, three-time Court Reporter of the Year for Pro Bono, awarded by the Dallas Bar Association, an NCRF Angel and Major Donor. I know of no one who is more of an expert in CART than she. And her own realtime skills are as exemplary as her service. She's a realtime contest veteran, and she has earned the Level IV Advanced certification of Texas' unique CART certification system. All that is just it is To even talk about her qualities as a person would take far more time.
There, major donor, angel, PAC contributor, on and on and on! It makes me In brief, she's an angel, a friend to all, a woman of the utmost integrity. And her humility matches her accomplishments -- huge.

She is a legend in her own time. And she shows no signs of slowing up.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you may have heard, everything is bigger in Texas. And I know no bigger giant as a friend, as a person, or in accomplishments in court reporting than 6 I counted the words in it. If I were to dictate her whole resume to you at 300 board of directors, Texas' own Donna L. Collins.

SPEAKER: Good morning, fellow NCRA members here in Anaheim and in your home cities. 35 years ago today, on July 24, 1973, I was certified as an official court reporter for the Dallas county Texas courts. I am proud of having reached that milestone in my career. I am proud to be a member of the National Court Reporters Association, and I am honored to be running as the members choice for NCRA director, your voice, your choice. Today I feel a bit like a cloth salesmen rolling out a bale of cloth for your inspection. I am asking you to look at my qualifications for the position of director to the NCRA board. I'm asking you to look carefully at that bale of cloth and to see that it is good, strong material, and that it will wear well. The theme for my campaign has been the members choice for NCRA director, your voice, your choice.

Our constitution and bylaws provide for a nominating committee of four persons appointed by the president and chairted by the immediate past president. It takes as few as three and as many as four committee members to vote a candidate up or down. After the nominating committee slate is announced, you, the NCRA members, participate in the process by putting forward the members of your choice. I had the privilege of submitting the signatures of 30 NCRA members to place me on the ballot and an additional 18 member endorsements.

Another important consideration is that half of the nominating committee members had met me for the first time on the day of my interview.

Compared to 48 other NCRA members, most of whom have known me for ten, 20, or 30 years, and know the true fabric that makes up this bale of cloth. The unique strengths that I would bring to the board are diversity both in my career and in association work. I am a working freelance reporter, I serve as a deputy official reporter several times a year, I am a CART provider, and I am a firm ownerer. As a working freelance report I know the struggles of meeting transcript deadlines and trying to improve my realtime skills. As a deputy official reporter I am keenly aware of it threat of being replaced by digital recording. As a firm owner I understand the struggle of having to meet a payroll and trying to compete in the wake of incentives that dilute the honor and integrity of our profession. As a cart provider I am aware of the need for a standardized competency exam for delivery of quality realtime communication access for the growing population of persons with hearing loss. I have fought the electronic and digital recording battle at the local commissioners court level and the state legislature for years.

I'm not giving up the fight. I have fought for stronger laws and rules at the state level, relating to contracting issues for years. I'm not giving up the fight. We need to mend some fences, rope the calves, and drive the herd home to NCRA. We have a lot of work to do and I am ready to accept the challenge. I had the privilege of observing the NCRA board in action over the last couple of days.

It's a hard working board with differing opinions that is a mirror image and reflection of the diversity of opinion amongst the membership.

We've heard a lot lately about blue ocean and red ocean in the JCR and on the NCRA forum. Well, I don't know what color it is, but there's an ocean of opportunity out there for realtime judicial reporters, CART providers, and captioners. There is a very promising future for our students and for seasoned professionals looking for new opportunities. Some of you have asked, why are you opposing Tammy Smith for the position of director? Tamil has been and continues to be a dedicated hard working volunteer and leader, my answer is absolutely, I agree with you, Tami has a proven track record as a leader. I have had the opportunity to visit with Tammy this week and we discover that we have several things in common and agree on the issues facing us as a profession and as ans association so why am I running as a candidate for director against Tammy? There are very few opportunities to serve as director with only three positions opening up each year.

Tammy served as director for three years from 2004 to 2007. I am now asking for the same opportunity.

I want to work with the board and I want to work with you. I am prepared to really hear what you have to say. I promise to give you the members of NCRA my time and my commitment. I promise to be loyal to our membership and our purposes as set out in our constitution and bylaws and to do my part to see that we remain the leaders in the reporting and captioning professions. I respectfully ask for your vote to elect me as a director to the NCRA board.

Well, you can't grow up in Texas with three brothers without playing cowboys and having wild west gunfights. Of course I saw-of-I was always Annie Oakley. I had the hat, two toy six shooters, and a holster. Upon entering elementary school I hung up my holster and became involved in more young lady-like behavior and turns to piano recitals and spelling bees. When I reached my late teens and entered court reporting school I decided I needed to get Annie out of my system for good. I bought a new holster, a real six shooter, wax bullets, and joined us a quick-draw club. I once received a second place trophy in a ladies quick-draw contest. This really is a true story, not a tall Texas tale. I retired my guns and holster long ago, but I thought about that second-place trophy as I prepared for my campaign.

If you come in second place in a quick draw contest, you're dead, right? (Audience laughter.) Well, I'm certainly glad that today is not a quick-draw contest. After the shots are fired and all the smoke has cheerleaders, Tami and I will both still be standings, standing side by side to serve you, the members of NCRA and the great profession of the verb stenographic reporter, your voice, your choice. (Applause.)

MS. DILORENZO: Supporting speaker for Tami Smith, Pat Highland.

SPEAKER: Good morning, I guess -- well, no, it's afternoon. My name is Patricia Highlands and I'm from Dearborn Heights, Michigan, which is a suburb of Detroit. I'm pleased to introduce my friends Tami Smith who is running for director. I have known Tammy since she was a new reporter and I first noticed her when she was attending Michigan association of Professional Court Reporter seminars and conventions and I was the president of our association. She was one of those eager, interested newbie reporters always attending seminars and then volunteering for committees. She started out volunteering as chief examiner of the NCRA tests and the Michigan CSR testing. From there she worked her way up through many committees and board positions to the presidency of the Michigan board in 1999 and still does help out with some committees now. She is a dedicated worker, and she was just as sunny, friendly, and open then as she is now. Tami sets goals and achieves them which is why she is regarded so well in her home state, and she has received several awards.

I have seen many leaders come and go through Michigan and NCRA. When I say many in NCRA, I mean that. I have attended every NCRA annual convention since 1982, and many midyear conventions.

As I have interacted with Tami over the last 20 he years, she has continued to evolve as a true leader, and I have seen her passion for the court reporting profession flourish. She is well respected at home and across the country. Look at her biography to see how many Michigan and NCRA committees she has worked on and how many states she has visited as an NCRA rep and making new friends along the way. Tami is also an NCRF Angel and has worked on the NCRF committee. I am confident in asking you to vote for Tammy. Her effectiveness and value to this association did not end with her last term. There is no expiration date on those attributes and your return on your investment in her in the past and the future will be tenfold.
Thank you. (Applause.)

SPEAKER: Thank you, Pat.

Good morning, everyone here and out in cyber-world. I just commented to Donna that I didn't know she knew how to shoot a gun and now I'm really scared of her.
(Laughter.) In the fall of 2004, then NCRA president Duane Smith asked me to chair a task force to explore the feasibility of direct member voting. I worked on the direct member voting project until August 9th 2007 when it was passed by you, the membership. How exciting to have a direct role in the inauguration of that process.

Thanks to the candidates' e-mails, Web sites, and chat related discussions the membership now has more information about the candidates than ever before. I hope that you have all had a chance to study all of that information in order for you to make an informed decision. Through my Web site and my chat related discussions I have shared with you some of my feelings on the issues, and I want to tell you now why I think you should vote for me.

The nominating committee has already exhibited their confidence in me by naming me as the nominee for this position. If you look at the slate of candidates, you see working [TPHR*-EUPBTZ] freelance, CART, and captioning fields. I am the only candidate that is an official working full time every day in a field which is more threatened by digital reporting than ever before, and officials need representation on the national front. I am the best candidate for this position. I've been a state association worker and leader and an NCRA worker and leader. I have traveled the country doing state rep assignments and talked to reporters all across the United States and Canada. We all have common yet different issues, and I understand that. You've seen what I can do, and there's no mystery about it. There's always something new to learn and new challenges facing us in this profession. Direct member voting has changing what the future of this association will be and how contested elections and bylaw amendments occur. My service on both the Michigan and NCRA constitution and bylaw committees has given me a strong foundation in association governance.

One of NCRA's strengths is our lobbying power. Part of our lobbying effectiveness is due to the relationships we have built over the years.

This is one of my strengths. Through my service on the Michigan and NCRA boards, I have worked hard to develop those relationships. I have the ability and willingness to work with reporters across the country on their individual concerns while at the same time the ability to understand and address the issues that face our profession across the nation.

I'm aware of the student recruitment you and retention problem. I mentor students and work with them to keep them motivated and to get them through the training process. I encourage each of you to do the same. It is important to keep up with ever-changing technology and to use it to our advantage.

Providing realtime is vital to our profession, but it shouldn't stop there.

We need to continue to investigate any technology that will work to our advantage and make us indispensable to our clients whoever they may be. Many people say, what do I get for my membership dues? One of the things you'll get by electing me is a valid return on your investment. You've already spent three years' worth of time and your dues dollars training me.

I'm ready to go to work tomorrow with no learning curve. There is no expiration date on a person's effectiveness, fashion, and ability to lead. Effective leaders don't lose their passion and knowledge. It only develops into something that is more beneficial for the association.

Although one of the talents we quarry in learning this profession is the ability to listen without really hearing what is being said, it's time we started listening to each other. Our new goal should be working together in concert, to improve our profession and our association. Direct member voting is making a good start on that already. Because of my prior experienced, passion, and willingness to continue to listen and learn, I'm the person who can assist the board to direct all of our interests. It's time NCRA came back to its center, the membership. We can and we will make positive changes. With your help, I will assist NCRA to move forward to a bright future. Make the right choice. Vote for me.

Thank you. (Applause.)

MS. DILORENZO: According to our bylaws and the rules for this meeting, the final voting on bylaws amendment shall take place electronically at a secure online Web site. The voting shall open within two hours after the close of this meeting and shall remain open for 12 hours.

The results shall be posted on the bulletin board in the registration area as well as on the NCRA Web site. At the ends of this meeting the chair will give you instructions for voting.

Paulita?

SPEAKER: Thank you, madam president. The petitions contesting the office of vice president have been reviewed and have been verified as eligible. The two candidates for the office of vice president are Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag, FAPR, RDR, CRR of Wheaton, Illinois, and Jason Meadors, RPR, CRR of Fort Collins, Colorado.

MS. DILORENZO: The candidates will be allowed no more than seven minutes for their presentation and one supporting speech of no more than three minutes. Questions from the floor will not be allowed. The supporting speaker for Jason Meadors is Duane Smith. Duane?

SPEAKER: Good morning, everybody. You know, 66% prepared speech but as I sat out there listening to other people express their opinions about candidates, it occurred to me that I've never been a great speechwriter because I don't know how to do that, but I do know how to speak to you from my heart, and to tell you what I really believe and what I really feel. And I'll do that.

I'll do that right now.

I'm here to make some comments today about Jason Meadors in support of his candidacy for the position of vice president of NCRA. This is important stuff to me, 'cause I poured a good portion of my life and a lot of love and passion into this organization, so I want us all to make a good choice. When we're voting for someone who's running for vice president, we're really voting for someone who's going to be the president in a few years hence. We should be looking at this election as though we're choosing a president right now, at this moment.

Now, some people would like to make this a referendum on alternative technology or the like, and I just want you to understand that it is not. This election has absolutely nothing to do with anything but the choice for vice president. Some people will make an election a popularity contest. This is not a popularity contest. This is a serious decision. This is a decision that will affect the future of this organization for more than a handful of years, so we need to look at it seriously.

What we should all be doing here is trying to pick the best candidate to lead us and to guide us through the next few years. We should be looking for someone who is strong, strong enough to hold up to their own convictions and to stands us for us and our interests unders any circumstances. We should be looking for someone who is intelligent enough to understand the complexities of the boatload of issues our association and our profession will face in the not-so-distant future. We should be looking for someone who is humble enough to understand they are not the Almighty and can lead us in a gentle and caring and knowledgeable way. We should be lag for someone who truly understands the nature of governance and the meaning of our bylaws and is absolutely committed to upholding them in the name of the members. Is my time up already? So this has been difficult for me, for a number of reasons. Give me just one minute. The primary reason is, these candidates are both my friends. And it's hard for me to make that choice. It's hard for you to make that choice. I've made my choice. You know, I support Jason Meadors, I will follow him, the board will follow him, and I encourage you to follow him and elect him as your vice president.

MS. DILORENZO: Thank you, Duane. (Applause.) Jason Meadors.

MR. MEADORS: My dear colleagues, let me tell you why I should be your vice president, notwithstanding the nominating committee's recommendation. There are two ways to be a candidate for this -- for this office: To be selected by a majority vote of five members of the nominating committee or to be nominated by at least 25 members of the association. The bylaws place no preference upon either method. I would have liked to have been the nominee, but when close to 50 people turns in nominations for me and another few dozen people whom I highly respect urging me to run that is the course I chose and to give you the choice. The voice writer amendment.

In 2001 I saw voice realtime, I realized that it would be viable, and I felt that a court reporting association would be better off if it included all court reporters. I asked if the membership agreed. The membership clearly did not, and that answered my question. Now, as a director on your board of NCRA, I am duty- and honor-bound to protect, preserve, and promote steno reporters. That is what I have continued to do under our bylaws, what I have done for my career, as evidenced by such things as testimony before the Colorado Supreme Court that locked in the ability of court reporters to collect from attorneys by authoring a paper that stopped a legislative attack on Colorado reporters. You want leaders who think creatively. You want leaders who aren't afraid to take a standswhen that stand is valid and leaders who follow process and follow the will of the membership. It's vitally important to understand right now, my dear colleagues, that this is a critical time for our association, for our profession, our most critical time ever. We are faced with changing conditions and changing perceptions of our work and for over a decade now, we have a declining and aging population. We can't cheerlead our way out of shrinking numbers.

We cannot simply wait for schools to reverse the decline in student population. It's going to take creative vision, it's going to take an honest appraisal and hard work.
When times are tough, I'm not the one who is going to cheerfully tell you that they'll simply get better. I run a small court reporting firm and I hope to take a deposition every day, and I know better than that, but I will strategize with you on how we make them better, to be honest in how we implement those plans, to be candid about the prults results and be creative in fitting those plans to changing conditions. This is a time for strong and steady leadership at the helm, someone with the full endorsement this thing of the state in which they serve, twice as president, with the trust of the board that he serves with now. Someone who knows what it takes to be a zealous steward of your money, who will press on with difficult questions, who has sharp analysis, who will respect views rather than impose them, and who, through effective moderation will help your board with their strengths and their abilities to move our association forward. You're hearing about passion for the profession. All of the people speaking at this podium have passion for the profession or thempted they would be here. But let's explore that for a minute. I'm certainly asking for your vote. But right now, as I'm proudly talking to you hundreds of you, maybe thousands on the webcast, I can't pass on this opportunity. If you simply want to know my qualifications, there's fliers, there's a Web site, there's people in red T-shirts to talk to.

Let's put aside that for a minute, let's talk about us, let's talk about court reporters. When. When you're busy taking it down, do you feel the echoes through history, the resonance of what our profession has duns through the ages? Let us never forget who we are and our importance to society. When people read a history book, they know what went on because a court reporter, a scribe was there. Others read history, we are history we make history from the most pro founds oration, to the most misunderstands be an witness -- they get pretty misunderstands be an at times -- we are the guardians against storytelling inaccuracies, we are the protectors dependence judicial abuse. Other people in our society represent some idea or some group. What makes our mission so pure, is that we advocate for no one pepper, we advocate for the words that they are taken down accurately, for other people to read and rely upon a day from now or a century from now. And if we don't get it down, those words are lost forever.

So, in performing our -- performing our duties in the stresses that the outside world can't conditioned and concentration carved into split seconds, we accomplish that sacred duty of preservation that we've done throughout the ages. I'm a reporter because I can think of no higher calling than being that talented person who preserves history for society. I urge you with all my heart, we owe it tower on predecessors, we owe it to ourselves, we owe it to society to preserve that mission. We must advance its importance, our accomplishments, and, yeah, the enjoy-of-our work, what we don't from the highest decision-makers to the most policy person pushing through those courthouse doors, we protect them all, guardians of the record indeed. What we do is staggeringly important not just to them but for the generations to come, but we do have our advocates, and that is NCRA and your board of directors. Your board is charging with acting in the best interests of the steno reporter. That is what I have aggressively done on my time on the board. If elect, that is what I will continue to do. Those reporters who nominated and support me believe I have the qualities to make that happen. Okay, I will now modestly say, they are right. As demonstrated in the decades of successful leadership roles and the unconditional support now that I receive from reporters with whom I've served over those decades, in our changing world, you have a choice not just in this election today, but a choice within our profession to carry and keep alive the flame of our undying mission to our consumers, to our clients, and to society at large, for their understandings and appreciation of what we do and so importantly right now to a new generation of reporters is that our flame never falters and our profession stays vibrant.

I ask for your vote as vice president, and should that vote carry the day, then I respectfully ask for your continued support in fulfillment of our mission. Thank you.
(Applause.)

MS. DILORENZO: Supporting speaker for Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag is Mr. Kevin Daniel.

SPEAKER: Boy, do I have a candidate for you. I've been in this profession for 37 years now, and I've met some remarkable women along the way. Thank goodness we have Mark Kislingbury reporting my speech because I've only been given three minutes to tell you about one extraordinary lady that stands out in the crowd.

Let me just read Avery words used to describe Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag from her supporters and admirers. From Mark Kislingbury, optimistic, cheerful, inspiring, contagious enthusiasm, a reputation for integrity and credibility. From past president Mary Smith, savvy, talented, and smart, experienced, enthusiasm, and a dynamic personality. From Ed Varallo, leadership qualities, ideal role model, unflagging devotion to court reporting, our go-to person. Doesn't that sound like the person you want as your vice president? Someone that will ascend to the top leadership position of this association? Three minutes does he want begin to give me enough time to tell you about Mel an even Sonntag. Melanie graduated from highly high college in Colorado in 1979 and she's beenans NCRA member continuously since that time working in Wyoming and Colorado as an official freelancer and firm owner. She's serves on NCRA committees since 1995 and she's given over 80 seminars in the past 15 years. Melanie is a registered diplomate reporter, a certified realtime reporter and a fellow of the academy of professional reporters.

NCRA describes a fellow as a profession distinction conferred upon a person of outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and experience, and having distinctions as measured by performance. Melanie is no slouch on the stenotype machine, either. She was like the Colorado speed contest champion four times and the Illinois champion three times. She has competed in the NCRA speed contest for 17 years and the NCRA realtime contest since its inception, and she perennially walks across the stage to collect her medals.

Melanie would not forgive me if I failed to tell about her pet project, the NCRF angels drive.

Melanie has been drive chairman and a contributor since its inception through generous donations is from many of you the number of Angels has increased each year, a testimony to Melanie's leadership ability and passion for the future of our profession. I've had the pleasure of working with Melanie, her overarching -- another foundation just got its wings. (Bell rang for time.) (Laughter.) Her overarching enthusiasm and positive spirit is infectious and it infuses every around her with a desire to produce at their highest level. If you think I'm enthusiastic, it's because that's the effect Melanie has on the people she works with.

Following careful deliberation of the NCRA nominating committee selected Melanie Sonntag as its choice for vice president, I strongly urge you to make her your choice as well. And now saving the best for last, please show your enthusiasm for my friends and our next NCRA vice president, Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag.
(Applause.)

MS. HUMPHREY-SONNTAG:
Thank you so much, Kevin, for that great introduction. I'm glad we got a new angel. We're up to 105 coming into this convention, so that's fabulous. I also want to thank everybody that worked on my election campaign, everybody who supported me behinds the scenes and in front of the scenes. The nominating committee for laboriously deliberating and spending a week together locked away and slects me, and most of all you members for being here, for reading the transcript online, for watching the webcast, for voting to make a difference for our future.

Mark, thank you as well.

I'll go slow.

I also want to that I think Jason Meadors for challenging the nominating committee's choice of me.

In the last several weeks I have had such an opportunity for personal growth, for expansion of my skills, for better communication with the members. I exceeded a lot of my comfort zones and it was exciting. Direct member voting has changing the way that we do voting for our association, and it has changing the traditional notion of you come to the convention and then you campaign. In the last several weeks I've answered ten hard-hitting questions from members, I've participated in an online chat, several online chats, a recordeded webcast, and recorded podcast and now my first podcast. It's been a busy several weeks and I thank you for that, Jason.

Having too many people wanting to serve NCRA is really a good thing. Some of the hard-hitting questions that were asked by the members were also asked by the nominating committee when they interviewed both me and Jason in March, that's why we have the nominating committee at NCRA, to screen people, to make the best choice that they feel will be be a good advocate for NCRA going forward, working with our strategic alliances. If you select me and accept the nominating committee's
choice as your next president, it gives me a person opportunity to give back for all the benefits I've gained from this profession. I've been a member my entire career, almost 30 years, and I started when I was four, just so we're clear. But the future is what we're all about today, not necessarily our past. The person and the image that you want to put forward as the face of NCRA for the next several years and the opportunity that each of us have to shape that future through direct member voting.

You've heard a lot lately about the Member Value Proposition and our strategic plan unfaled veiled this spring. It's easy to find, it's on our home page, NCRA online.org on the left about NCRA governance, strategic plan. That's like the road map that the board follows. It's transparent, everybody knows where we're going, it alleviates the peaks and valleys of different years of leadership. The five key success factors of the plan include efficiency and innovation, networking, bringing our members together online, in person, where we need to be to work hard for our profession. Strategic partnerships, building them through the exhibition at the court technology over the years, showcasing realtime for our products, interacting with the American judges soaks, the National Association of Court management, legislators, other people who are making decisions on our future. Technology, providing the Tech Tracker and other vehicles to keep our members up to date with other methodologies that are out there, other ways of doing business, better ways of doing our own business through the steno machine. I'm excited about creating the new technology certificates that the board worked on this week, providing a certificate for people who do trial presentation, providing someone who's a manager of realtime systems in the courtrooms, those are things that are happening. My favorite part of the new strategic plan, however, is the continuity, supporting members through our careers, nurturing a sense of belonging, going from being a regulatory gatekeeper into being a community builder.
Reporters helping each other is the name of the game to me.

I've been very fortunate to have been able to give seminars the last several years, starting in 1993 I think I've spoken to over 80 groups, I often have people come up to me and say you motivated me to reach for that next certification, you [H-EPDZ] me get beyond that speed plateau, you showed me what it means to be a steno writer every day on the machine doing your best. I'm a bit helped trands of an overachiever, I always have to push myself so we'll see how well that works out on Saturday.

As we become more proficient and efficient at our jobs, we improve morale. Happy members get more happy members. Happy members bring back lost members. You've heard a million times today, our membership is shrinking and that's no joke. Happy members recruit more people into our field.

I'm one of the people, and yes, I'm a cheerleader and I'm darn proud of it, I believe in this profession, I believe in motivating each of us to be the best that we can do, be the best that we can't be and I've-of-I've reached out to a lot of people and I'm going to keep doing it whether I serve on this board or whether I don't. I will always be advocating this profession, for realtime, reaching for the next certification, doing everything that we need to do. I applaud you sitting in this room today for increasing our dues. It needed to be done.

Another thing that needs to be done is increasing nondues revenue. You can help with that, too. Our affinity programs are something that not a lot of members know sletch about yet, but you're going to be hearing about it, through Bank of America NCRA has as [KR-EUTZ] cards program, we earn a royalty on every credit card that's issued through our association.

Marsh sponsors our tote bags, they also payously a royalty for all the members that have their insurance with Marsh.

These are ways of creating nondues revenue so we don't have to keep going back to our members. When I got the news in March that was selected by the nominating committee I was actually on critical visiting a friends. His response: Good for you, good for NCRA. I've had 13 years of the NCRA committee work, prior to that time I was the president of two different state associations, I've been active and remained a member in every state that I've ever lived in, I have been a member since I was a student of NCRA. I've reached for every certification we've invented so far. I'm looking at those new ones coming down this pike.

Having been elected as a fellow of the academy of professional reporters in 2001 is a testament to the many, many things I've done for this profession.

I didn't do them in order to be a fellow but it's a nice little feather in my cap. It's a way of saying this is where you can be if you spend your time volunteering. The greatest compliment I ever got in my life is I mean what I say and say what I mean. As leaders of this association you may not always like where I stand but you're always going to know where it is. What you see is what you get with me. I know that you will agree with me that trusting and believing in your leaders is a huge part of remaining a viable and vibrant association.

I'm honored to serve you, and I look forward to being your next vice president. Thank you.
(Applause.)

MS. DILORENZO: According to our bylaws and the rules for this meeting, the final voting on bylaws amendments shall take place electronically -- sorry -- at a secure online Web site. The voting shall open within two hours after the close of the meeting and shall remain open for 12 hours.

The results shall be posted on the bulletin board in the registration area as well as the NCRA Web site. At the ends of this meeting, the chair will give you instructions for voting. All right.

Be an end to this meeting.

Is there any new business to come before this convention? Please approach the floor mike in the aisles, if so. As has been noted several times [TK*-URGTSDZ] meeting, members will be availability on the proposed bylaws amendments in the contested elections online via a secure Web site. All eligible voting members will receive an e-mail containing the members the members' unique user IDPIN numbers as well as a link to the secure voting Web site. A link will also be posted on the NCRA home page.
Online voting will be open for a period of 12 hours.

Members attendings convincing will be able to vote via their own computers in their hotel rooms. In addition there will be voting stations just outside this room for the length of the 12-hour voting window as well as in the exhibition for as long as the exhibition is open. The chair appreciates your participation in the annual business meeting.

If there are no further questions, no further business, and no objection, we will adjourn. Hearing no objection, the annual business meeting of the 2008 annual convention is ajunders sine die. We'll see you at the opening reception this evening.
Thank you. (Applause.)
(End of meeting.)