Vice-Presidential Candidate Chat Session 9pm EST. Please note this is
not an open chat. Before commenting or asking a question, please refer
to the chat rules as outlined on
http://ncraonline.org/forum/forums/storage/13/15899/chatrules_revised.doc Also
please be aware that a complete transcript of this session will be
posted shortly after the chat.
Sandy VanderPol:
Welcome everyone to the NCRA Vice-President Candidates Chat. Let's get
started.
Sandy VanderPol:
Thank you all for attending. Please pose your questions to me in whisper
mode as soon as you can.
Sandy VanderPol:
I just wanted to thank everyone for coming - I'm honored to be your
moderator.
Sandy VanderPol:
Melanie will start the chat with opening comments.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
thank you, Sandy, for setting all of this up for us tonight. We're happy
to have you as our moderator, as well.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thank you, also, to everybody who is joining the chat. This is such a
historic time in NCRA history to be able to have so many speeches, as it
were, before the convention begins.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
As many of you know, we have an opportunity now, our first year of
direct member voting, with two contested elections.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I'm honored to have been selected as one of the candidates this year and
I'm eager to get the chat started. Thank you all for coming.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Go ahead, Sandy
Sandy VanderPol:
Jason, you may make your opening statements.
Jason Meadors:
I'll just tag on that there was a tough fight to put the power to vote
in the hands of the membership, and I do hope that as many as possible
appreciate and take advantage of that new-found power to get out and
vote, whoever your favored candidate may be.
Jason Meadors:
I'm anxious to get started, too. Thank you all for coming.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
am I there?
Candis Bradshaw:
Sandy is having technical difficulties
Candis Bradshaw:
I will be asking a question until she gets them straightened out
Candis Bradshaw:
Why do you both like court reporting?
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
well, obviously there's the excitement of something new every day.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
As an official and freelancer, I've had some experience with both sides
of the fence, as it were.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
It makes you appreciate your life a lot when you hear everybody else's
troubles.
Jason Meadors:
I like being the impartial person, of quiet but completely earnest
importance to the system. The challenges are there, on a
second-by-second basis.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
One of the greatest things about the reporting and related professions
is that it allows women to be paid the same as men, of course, and
allows people who never would have considered travel as part of their
ultimate career the opportunity to travel the country and the world.
Jason Meadors:
Once I told a bunch of students, "I like court reporting because I don't
have to talk." And sat down. I guess that won't happen here. But it is
an absorbing role that I enjoy.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I like the many different things I learn all the time, whether it's an
arson investigation or a murder case.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I think that's one of the hardest things for people to do, Jason!
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
That's why it's difficult, I think, for us now with our Train the
Trainer program, teaching court reporters to actually speak about our
profession to the public
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
we're our greatest advocates but we also tend to hold ourselves back by
being the silent person in the corner
Jason Meadors:
When I was in the courtroom, I enjoyed my historic role within the system.
Jason Meadors:
As a freelancer, I enjoy the freedom and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
it's a very important role, that's true, one carved out in history, not
just from us but from the pen writers and even the folks with stone tablets.
Jason Meadors:
When I do the rare CART and caption, there's a tremendous service being
provided.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Do you like the travel, too, Jason? The long roads of Wyoming?
Sandy VanderPol:
Melanie and Jason, I have another question, please.
Jason Meadors:
Well, court reporting is a solitary profession in its endeavors.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Welcome to my world I spent many, many years on them
Jason Meadors:
That's why I like motorcycling and, yeah, driving Wyoming roads.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
that's why associations are so important, to break through the
solitariness inherent in our careers.
Sandy VanderPol:
First, let's let Melanie answer completely, and then Jason.
Jason Meadors:
Will do.
Sandy VanderPol:
From Kevin Daniel: I'd like to know the platforms of each candidate.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
But there are so many things to get excited about over and over again.
I'll stop now and let him talk.
Sandy VanderPol:
Melanie, please address Kevin's question. Thank you.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thank you, Kevin.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
The basis of my platform is that happy reporters make happy member make
happy recruiters.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
When someone is happy about their profession, they tell somebody else,
whether it's a student or another report.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
When someone is unhappy, they also tell everybody they know about that.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I think our profession offers such a great opportunity for personal
enrichment that I hate to see people who don't take advantage of it.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I like to be able to teach a seminar and help someone learn to enjoy
their job more, whether it's through learning to market their value or
write differently or more efficiently on their machine
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
my platform is that if we work together, we can regain the respect our
profession once had and be excited about providing the wonderful
services we do. Thank you
Jason Meadors:
My overriding theme: Be united. Be informed. Be strong. Love our work.
Jason Meadors:
Our numbers are shrinking. We need to build them up.
Jason Meadors:
That's a bootstrapping operation, from reporter training on up.
Jason Meadors:
We MUST find effective ways of recruitment and training. That will give
us a stronger foundation upon which to build our profession.
Doug Friend, RMR, CRR:
finally in!
Jason Meadors:
And in this changing time, successfully navigating those changes to
advance our cause, build confidence among ourselves, and let that
confidence spread not only through our industry but the world at large.
Jason Meadors:
Thank you.
Sandy VanderPol:
A follow-up question to Melanie: You state that we need to work
together. What do you mean?
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I think, unfortunately, that the many technological advances have tended
to let uscoccoon and we need to reengage with each other in person, as
well as online.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Working together means we go to seminars, we test each other, have a
workout buddy in our professional arena, as well as our personal weight
room.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
We can help each other learn to write better, as many people do when
attending a Steno Swap
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
talking to each other around the water cooler or working together on an
NCRA committee, togetherness is how we can be united, how we can be
strong and how we can continue our proud profession. Thank you
Sandy VanderPol:
A question to Jason - it's long so wait a minute. This is from me.
Sandy VanderPol:
Jason, you speak of remote reporting from a reporter’s home office
covering counties or parishes. Do you mean a reporter writing remotely
judicial proceedings, whether a deposition or a courtroom proceeding?
Sandy VanderPol:
If “yes,” would legislation allowing such remote reporting for such
judicial proceedings be needed in states throughout the country?
Sandy VanderPol:
If so, how would you lead NCRA and the profession in passing such
legislation?
Jason Meadors:
We already have that with videoconferencing.
Jason Meadors:
But videoconferencing right now is more specialized than the broader
implications that I'm thinking of.
Jason Meadors:
In the official arena, I would simply be a matter of the state or local
jurisdiction acquiring the technology.
Jason Meadors:
For the deposition arena, yes, the parties and reporter must make sure
they're covered under the applicable states.
Jason Meadors:
Those vary state by state, and it then becomes a matter of good training
from NCRA on down......
Jason Meadors:
... through things like Leadership, the ER Task Force type of approach,
and Legislative Boot Camp to help train states to do that.
Jason Meadors:
NCRA can help states individually as needed, but resources are short and
need to be used wisely in that endeavor.
Jason Meadors:
Thanks.
Sandy VanderPol:
Jason, a follow-up and then on to Melanie, ok?
Jason Meadors:
That's fine, Sandy.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
this is the easy part.
Sandy VanderPol:
This is from Breck Record:
The biggest obstacle with VTC is the swearing in of the witness. Should
NCRA push for some sort of national ability to swear witnesses?
Jason Meadors:
That would be a wonderful thing. As I recall, there was a national
notary law on the books that was vetoed by FDR. (I don't mean I recall
that PERSONALLY)
Jason Meadors:
Otherwise, it would be a change for Federal Rules in Federal cases.
Jason Meadors:
And education for state rules. But yes, a national notary would be quite
helpful.
Jason Meadors:
Thanks.
Sandy VanderPol:
Melanie, your answer as to what role you expect technology to play in
our profession over the next three years, in part, stated, “As the speed
of society increases in general, so will the demand from our clients to
provide more services practically instantaneously, leading inevitably to
the realization that realtime reporting is the gold standard in our
profession.”
Sandy VanderPol:
Is it your position that realtime is not yet the gold standard in our
profession?
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I think we're working on it but I think, no, not everybody recognizes it
as such yet.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
That's part of NCRA's mission, to educate our members, along with the
general public, of the amazing things that a realtime writer can do for
the consumers out there, whether they're litigants or hard of hearing
consumers.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
As you recall from Kathy's speech in Dallas last year, less than 20
percent of our members are certified in realtime. If realtime is the
gold standard, we need to get cracking on more certifications for our
members and more members for our association.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I believe it is on its way to being the gold standard, but, no, I don't
believe it is yet. Thank you
Sandy VanderPol:
Just a moment.
Sandy VanderPol:
A fun question. What will you both be doing at the convention other than
campaigning? You first, Melanie.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
LOL!
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Well, one of my favorite convention pasttimes is competing in the speed
and Realtime Contests, and that's where some of my attention will be,
definitely
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
of course, we'll both be busy campaigning and . . . voting! !
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Just the other day I got excited about the prospect of seeing everybody
that I haven't seen for a year.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Although e-mail and online communication has increased our access to
each other throughout the year, it's always great to be able to be in
person and catch up again.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I love NCRA conventions and, yes, I'll find a lot of things to do other
than campaigning, I can assure you. /PEUR /PEUR
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thanks
Jason Meadors:
Well, there's the Board meetings. That takes some time.
Jason Meadors:
It's the Land of the Mouse. We'll have my daughter and grandkids there.
Jason Meadors:
So lots of meeting and greeting friends, introducing my family, showing
the kids what Grandpa does at conventions.
Jason Meadors:
And, of course, reacquainting with friends that are seen far too
infrequently.
Jason Meadors:
Thanks.
Sandy VanderPol:
Melanie, a follow-up. Did you mean new types of certifications or more
members need to get their RPR, RMR, CRR?
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Well, all of the above, actually.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Some of the things you've seen in our new plan include a legal tech
certificate, for instance, for both reporters and nonreporters.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
We need to make testing more accessible to members, and we have recently
through the WKT online testing.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Someday we hope to be able to do skills online but, as you know, that's
a bit of a challenge with the Court Reporter types.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Because our testing is so specialized, there isn't a lot of demand for
the "independent testing companies" to want to research how to do it,
very similar to the way it's hard to find a serial port on a computer
these days. Court reporters just don't bring enough high demand -- yet! !
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I'm excited about the legal tech cert, though, something that we'll be
discussing at our meeting in Anaheim.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
This also is another option for us to start looking at ways to increase
the revenues to NCRA without increasing dues, for instance . . . while
we continue to build our own core membership, though.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thanks for asking.
Sandy VanderPol:
From Shirley Houston: Jason first then Melanie: If you as vice president
were to give us an idea of how you could build the morale of NCRA to the
level it was eight years ago, what measures would you take? (Both
candidates.)
Jason Meadors:
The level of membership has been dropping at a steady rate, single-digit
percentages, for over 10 years now.
Jason Meadors:
We need strong leadership in terms of moderation. A number of elements
of our population are pretty fractious.
Jason Meadors:
In changing times, that's to be expected. Societal and industry changes
bring pain along with the opportunities.
Jason Meadors:
It takes diplomacy and reasoned words to bring the fractious elements
together, to get them to talk to one another reasonably and with
civility, and come to goals and directions for the betterment of us all.
Jason Meadors:
We're all not going to agree, but we all must share in the appreciation
of what we do in order to display that to the world.
Jason Meadors:
Thanks.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
One of my greatest strengths is inclusivity, and I think I bring an
ability to get people to want to sit together and talk as well as sit
together and work
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I bring a natural enthusiasm for reporting to my proposed new job as
your vice president, and people always to want to be around positive
people who enjoy their work.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Yes, I think board service is work, but I also think serving our
profession is very rewarding. You
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
mentioned eight years ago. I was a member along those years, too, and,
yes, there was less perceived infighting then . . . but maybe some
differences of opinion are a good thing!
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
We still need to work together, as I said previously. Building morale
is obviously a team sport
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
when people move their job, when people are compensated well for their
job and their work and they feel valued, that's a good thing.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I bring excitement and techniques to being able to be happier in our
everyday lives, which goes right along to building morale.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
If
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
If
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
whoops!
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
If you tie that together with the new programs we have and new streams
of nondues revenue, we start to build morale and trust.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I think trust of the board and our leaders is a huge issue that we need
to address, and I think that goes a long way toward building morale and
a common purpose for our association and our profession.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thanks.
Sandy VanderPol:
From Theresa Coffman: Jason first, then Melanie, please: Many reporters
are discouraged from participation in state organizations by
cliquishness and from stating opinions on forums by people who use
intimidation to quash other people's opinions. Any thoughts about how to
change that?
Jason Meadors:
Well, along with freedom of speech comes the freedom to get abused with
it. Moderation is always a limitation speech, and complete lack of
restraint leads to anarchy.
Jason Meadors:
Certainly, a balance has to be found, and finding that balance is a
never-ending struggle.
Jason Meadors:
But you encourage diplomacy and collegiality on the forum in order to
bring the good examples along and put the bad examples in the background.
Jason Meadors:
And there's probably more outreach to be done in the background with
people who feel put off, with people who are putting others off ......
Jason Meadors:
... and outreach to be done with the NCRA reps at the state level to
encourage wider use of the Forum.
Jason Meadors:
Thanks, Theresa.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Inclusivity is the foundation of making people welcome wherever they
are. I see your question as twofold, and I'll address the participation
in state organizations first.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
When we did the studies several years ago in Future Group, we found,
amazingly to me, that many folks had trouble bridging the gap from
student to professional.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
NCRA has taken steps in recent years to try to bridge that gap but it's
still a bit of a problem. /#
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
In Anaheim, however, and at several recent conventions, the Board has
met with the student attendees and tried to share with them the
importance of belonging and serving in their state and national
associations.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Many of our fine young reporters today, who are active in both the
online community and on committees, et cetera, are products of those
sorts of interaction.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I can't say enough how important it is to me that the Board becomes
accessible to the members.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
When we're participating in seminars, when we're hanging out in the
lobby, and we're visiting with the vendors in the exhibition area, and
we're with * you* we are truly part of NCRA
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
there is no us and them. Some of the candidates' questionnaires talked
about listening to the members. Yes, we want to listen to you, and, in
order to do that, we have to be part of the convention scene and part of
the seminar seen and, yes, part of the state scene.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
As far as manners on the forum, I can't say I couldn't have about how
well the NCRA staff does on that.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I'm not a member of any other forums so I've only been spoiled by this
one but I think they do a very nice job of keeping everyone in line and
letting folks share views.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Good manners is something we all learned from our moms and it's okay to
use them in public, whether with the general public or with our
professional peers.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I hope that helps, Theresa
Sandy VanderPol:
From Shirley Houston: Could each candidate express their opinion on the
bylaws that will allow California to have two votes? Melanie first, then
Jason, please.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
thanks for asking, Shirley. I haven't made up my mind yet and I'm eager
to hear the debate.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I know that this question has come up before and I'm thrilled -- see,
here's a good use of the online community and the forum debating the
issue ahead of time -- that so many thoughtful people have taken the
time to voice their opinions about it.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
I'm not one to say that "That's all the way we've always done it, we
should we main the same." I'm willing to listen to both sides of the
argument and the debate in person and will make my decision on Thursday,
July 24
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
thank you.
Jason Meadors:
I'm pretty much the same. I know how I'll vote after the business
meeting, and I'd like to hear if it's going to be debated at the NCSA
meeting.
Jason Meadors:
I also think it's a good springboard into looking into the whole idea
and effectiveness of NCSA itself, which is what this amendment is about
Jason Meadors:
If we're wanting to include groups that represent significant portions
of our population, there may be some opportunities out there. Users
groups and the like. I'm not advocating that - I'm saying it's worth a look.
Jason Meadors:
Thanks.
Sandy VanderPol:
From Judy Hobart: I keep hearing about the NCRA Strategic Plan. Is it on
the website where we can look at it? (Adding by the moderator) In a
nutshell, can you explain it, please.) Jason first, please.
Jason Meadors:
Yes, it's on teh Website.... just a sec......
Jason Meadors:
http://ncraonline.org/AboutNCRA/Governance/statplan/
Sandy VanderPol:
From Shirley Houston: : I am Interested in hearing from both candidates
their views on digital recording, voicewriting, vendors and others be
members of NCRA. Where do you stand on this?
Jason Meadors:
In a nutshell - that's pretty tough. But in a very SMALL nutshell, it's
protecting, preserving, and promoting our core values and core
membership while meeting the changes of the world, expanding our
markets, seeking new markets.
Jason Meadors:
Whoops, sorry, Sandy.
Sandy VanderPol:
Excuse me, Jason and Melanie, that' the next question. Please ignore.
Sandy VanderPol:
Continue Jason. I apologize.
Jason Meadors:
That's the title of the cliffnotes version. Thanks, Sandy.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
By the way, as you can probably tell, I'm using my steno machine for
input and I get so excited that I sometimes have a misstroke or two. I
apologize for the past and future. I obviously need more practice!
Breck Record to Shirley Houston:
That was an excellent question, Shirley. (tipping hat) I'm curious, too.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Judy, the simple story of the strategic plan that it governs the
direction that NCRA goes in our future. It's clear, it's transparent,
and it's available for everybody to read.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
There is no short answer for all the goals and objectives, but staff has
done a fabulous job of distiling hours upon hours of work by the member
value profession committee and the board and staff and MVP members
during a weekend in December into a comprehensible document.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
The five major areas of the plan, which we all strive to adhere to, are
efficiency and innovation, networking, strategic partnerships,
technology, and continuity.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Everything that we do as a board, every program that NCRA rolls out as
an association is in line with those five major goals.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
The sense of community building -- my favorite part -- is in the
continuity section, continue to support members throughout their
careers, and I mean from student to certified professional.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thank you for asking, Judy. It's very easy to access on the NCRA home
page, on the far left, governance, strategic plan.
Sandy VanderPol:
From Shirley Houston: I am Interested in hearing from both candidates
their views on digital recording, voicewriting, vendors and others be
members of NCRA. Where do you stand on this? Jason first then Melanie,
please.
Jason Meadors:
It's not something I'm ready to push. (do you hear a dry chuckle with that?)
Jason Meadors:
Seriously, they're different realms within that. As voice realtime gets
more indistinguishable from steno realtime, there will be a market
compression of those two.
Jason Meadors:
I'm not advocating that. I just don't see it as being very avoidable.
Jason Meadors:
However, if and when that happens, it will be the membership and/or the
markets that would make that push. I feel the issue is too divisive for
the Board to push.
Jason Meadors:
And digital recording is yet further removed.
Jason Meadors:
As for vendors... that would have to be the subject of study,
feasibility, and structure
Jason Meadors:
We don't have any proposals for vendor/corporate/whatever memberships
right now, so it's hard to say "I like it" or "I don't" without a
proposal in place.
Jason Meadors:
Thanks, Shirley.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Our members have said twice, in 2001 and 2004, that we're not ready for
voice writers to be members of NCRA yet. Does that mean we ignore the
technology? No. Does it mean we keep our members apprised of what's out
there? Yes, we do. What you won't see in the strategic plan is a
movement to include voice writers as members of NCRA.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
what you will see in the plan as a sole is to "Enhance current and
create new programs, products, and services that meet member/customer
needs and generate nondues revenue." Does that mean testing voice
writers in the future? Possibly. Testing is one thing that NCRA does
incredibly well and we need to be able to generate revenue from
nonmember sources. Is it an option? Maybe? Who knows? That's the point
of having a plan.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Another of our goals is establish NCRA as a facilitator of peer to peer
interaction. Are voice writers are peers? Some say yes, some say no.
Some say "Someday."
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
When and if we get to that day we'll cross that bridge. Do I think that
your dues dollars and time and energy need to be spent on including
voice writers as members in our association? No, I don't.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
As far as vendors, many vendors are already members, whether they're
associates or former reporter members who are now vendors. They're
providing very valuable service on committees, as well as sharing
groundbreaking technology with us on many fronts.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Digital recording, I agree, is farther down the line . . . but does that
mean we don't pay attention to it? No. Does it mean we don't keep our
members abreast of developments in the field? No, I don't think so.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
But I appreciate your asking the question. Thanks
Sandy VanderPol:
It's already an hour. It's time to allow the candidates to post their
closing remarks. Jason, you may go first.
Judy Hobart left this room.
Jason Meadors:
I think this chat has been fun and, I hope, informative.
Jason Meadors:
One of the limitations of this venue is not having a free-flowing
dialog, and being a little restrained on the answers due to my (QWERTY,
sorry) typing speed and not wanting to bore the readers.
Jason Meadors:
I think it's important to realize that a lot of the concepts are don't
have instant-prepared answers.
Jason Meadors:
There is deliberation to go through, discussion, structure. That's where
good moderation comes in. None of us can be dictators, to bring our pat
answers and pet projects to the Board and just automatically effect them.
Jason Meadors:
My strengths have always been in bridge-building, good moderation,
promoting effective discussion, reaching conclusions based on logic,
facts, practicalities, and the realities, and moving forward from there.
Jason Meadors:
Thanks very much, all. I think I noticed over 40 people in the room at
one point. A nice turnout. I very much appreciate your taking the time
to attend and ask questions and listen.
Jason Meadors:
Thank you, Sandy.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thank you all for being here tonight. We are nothing without our
members. Many of you already know me, and I hope I've convinced a few of
you tonight that I'm a people person. Working together, rebuilding
morale, rebuilding respect from our professional peers, those are all
things that we can do together when we all believe in our profession and
we all believe in our leaders. it's all about the teamwork and being
willing to learn from and share with each other.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thank all for taking your available time tonight to be part of your
future and part of participating in the governance of our beloved
association.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
The future is what we're all about today, the person and image you want
representing our association and profession for the next few years.
Trusting and believing in our leaders is a huge part of remaining a
viable, vibrant association. I bring trust, transparency, and
accessibility to the table, and I look forward to being your next vice
president.
Sandy VanderPol:
Thank you all for participating. It's been my pleasure to moderate two
top-notch candidates. Have a good evening. You are all invited back to
the Director's Chat tomorrow - same time/same place. Have a good evening.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
Thank you, Sandy, for a wonderful job as our first-ever moderator for
an NCRA candidates chat
Judy Lehman left this room.
KathyDavis26693 left this room.
Sandy VanderPol:
Melanie and Jason, very nice job.
Melanie Humphrey-Sonntag:
thanks! ! It was fun the way you did it!