| August 2002
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Houston Court Reporters Association
Message From the President
by Tamara Vinson
Okay. I admit it. I am not a writer. However, I can share with you a few insights and comments on my past experience with, present plan for, and future vision of HCRA. I have been an officer of HCRA for several years now, serving in a myriad of capacities under many different presidents. I have seen this organization travel through many peaks and valleys, from times of strength and high membership to times of virtual nonexistence. Through this experience, I know one thing to be true: My job as president of HCRA is to leave this association stronger, better than I found it.
We are a new HCRA. We are strong. We are committed to making this organization something that every reporter in the greater Houston area can be proud of, something that you will want to be associated with. We believe that reporting has changed, and that HCRA needs to change with it. Let me tell you about a few things we’ve been working on toward that end.
The board and I have spent the first half of this year doing some much needed housekeeping. We have established our very own website, updated our ACT database with current member information, gone through box after box of ancient documents, and met with both a CPA and an attorney to get our affairs in order.
We have organized a student committee to work with Shirley Baker and Alvin Community College. We also have a student liaison whose job it is to coordinate regular visits to both schools. Some of our board members have been working individually with recent graduates to help them become good reporters.
In February, HCRA, together with TCRA, sponsored a tour of then-Enron Field to help raise funds for TCRA. We then had our swearing-in of new officers at the Home Plate Grill. A good time was had by all.
Our March 16th Case CATalyst4 mini-seminar with Jeff Cobb, regional sales manager for Stenograph, was a great success and everyone who attended walked away excited about the new update coming out in the fall. If you missed it, Jeff has promised to come back again.
Our big event for this year will be our September seminar. We are offering all your CSR points (1.0) in a day and a half!!! YOU WON’T BELIEVE THE SPEAKERS WE HAVE!!! Log on to our website (http://www.hcrainfo.com) for further details. You can print the seminar information and registration form right there. YOU’LL BE SORRY IF YOU MISS THIS!!!
My point in telling you all this is that I hope it gets you excited. We want you involved. This is YOUR association. Make sure that you’re being represented by it. Don’t stand on the sidelines and make commentary; jump in and participate. You can’t make changes unless you’re willing to get your hands dirty and help. Besides, we’re having a ball, so come on out and play with us!
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Upcoming Events
AUGUST 8-11
NCRA ANNUAL CONVENTION IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA
SEPTEMBER 26-29
STAR FALL 2002 CONVENTION IN SANIBEL, FLORIDA
SEPTEMBER 28, 29
HCRA SEMINAR IN HOUSTON
OCTOBER 10-13
USCRA CONVENTION IN WASHINGTON D.C.
OCTOBER 26
BACRAT SEMINAR AT GALVESTON HILTON
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