2021 Convention Schedule*

Friday, October 15, 2021

2:00pm - 4:00pm How to Be Good at Taking a Test (with a few English rules thrown in)!
Let’s talk about that CSR exam and gain insight into the English portion and into being prepared overall for a test. As a part of the discussion, we will highlight some basic punctuation rules and word usage pitfalls – where does the comma go in a compound sentence? What about “affect/ effect”? (This session includes a mock CSR English exam that you will complete prior to the convention.)
Speaker: Margie Wakeman Wells, Margie Holds Court CEUs: 0.2

4:15pm - 5:15pm Don’t Be Caught Off Guard: What You Need to Know Before Transitioning from Student to Working Professional
Join us for an interactive discussion with a 34-year veteran official reporter, a firm owner freelance reporter, and a CART/Broadcast Captioner for advice and tips on transitioning from a student to a working professional.
Speakers: Victoria Thomas, VLThomas Court Reporting; Lorraine Romin, LACCRA President, LASC Official Reporter; Jordan Mucha CEUs: 0.1

5:30pm - 7:00pm President’s Reception and Fundraiser
It’s time to get this party started! Join CCRA President Mike Hensley for the bash that will kick off our convention with flair! Do you want to know more? Well, then you shall have it! You won’t want to miss out on the thrill of DRAG QUEEN BINGO with special guest host Ruby Red Munro. We’ve got the recipe for an incredible evening, the only ingredient missing is YOU.

Saturday, October 16, 2021

8:00am - 9:15am Welcome presentation from Mike Hensley, CCRA President, and Keynote Speaker, Kathy Buckley
See page 4 of the attendee brochure (linked above) for a complete description.
CEUs: 0.125

9:30am - 10:30am Up Your Virtual Game: Effective Virtual Communication for Legal Proceedings
Feeling Zoomed out? Do you feel jittery at the thought of being on camera or wish you could turn off your video? Known for their workshops on the court reporter circuit around the country, Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein Scott of TALLSmall Productions will reveal hacks to up your virtual game. Learn how to: 1) Look and feel your best on cam. Small camera angle and lighting tweaks make a dramatic difference when it comes to how everyone will perceive you. 2) Set a tone that your voice matters before the proceeding begins. 3) How to handle distractions, disruptions, and how to curb zoom fatigue. 4) Maintain a sense of calm when technology misbehaves.
Speakers: Rebecca Scott, CEO, TALLsmall Productions, Keith Scott, CEO, TALLsmall Productions CEUs: 0.1

10:45am - 11:45am Beat the Clock: Time Management Skills that Put You in Control
High demand means more opportunity than ever before for transcript professionals, and while your income potential is increasing, your time is not. In fact, time is your most precious resource in both the work you do and the life you lead. This seminar will guide participants through tried-and-true techniques used by top Fortune 500 executives, to make your time work harder for you. You will learn how to set attainable goals, the art of prioritization and planning, how to set boundaries, and how to get organized and delegate like a boss.
Speaker: Lauren Lawrence, Founder, Stenovate CEUs: 0.1

11:45am - 12:15pm Enjoy lunch. We will see you back here at 12:15pm.

12:15pm - 1:15pm Tough Love with the Depoman
Join Mike for a frank and in-your-face assessment of the current state of freelance reporting. Topics will include best practices, proofing techniques, and utilizing your software to help minimize errors. Bring your sense of humor and prepare to be educated, shocked, amused, and possibly offended when “Depoman” takes the stage.
Speaker: Mike Miller, Depoman CEUs: 0.1

1:30pm - 2:30pm Just Okay is Not Okay
While realtime does not mean perfection, how do you know if your realtime measures up as a sellable product? Let’s look beyond the gray and examine concrete, real-world examples of what is great, good, and just okay. Just because you can read through it doesn’t mean that your clients can. Anissa will debunk untranslate-rate myths and other misperceptions about quality realtime. She’ll also provide solutions to common stacking, easy brief ideas, and why you should be editing in a way that school never taught you! If you’ve felt “in the dark” regarding realtime standards, you won’t want to miss this presentation!
Speaker: Anissa Nierenberger, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI, B.S. Realtime Reporting, Learntocaption.com CEUs: 0.1

2:45pm - 3:45pm Doubling Down with Margie Wakeman Wells
Join Margie as she answers some of your must burning questions about grammar and punctuation. This will be in interactive Q & A session that you won't want to miss.
Speaker: Margie Wakeman Wells, Margie Holds Court

4:00pm - 5:00pm It’s Time to Educate Consumers on CSR Laws and Court Rules in California
There will be a step-by-step PowerPoint that will inform and guide members on how to educate consumers about the important roles CSRs have in creating an accurate record; the importance of accountability; and the importance of following long-established laws in order to best protect the record.
Speaker: Phyllis Craver Lykken CEUs: 0.1

5:15pm Virtual Happy Hour
Please grab your favorite beverage and join us on Zoom for some fun and networking!

Sunday, October 17, 2021

8:00am - 9:00am Communicate with Clarity, Confidence and Command Results
In this highly interactive session, we will focus on how to best protect the record using confident body language, word choice, and tone. Through a series of communications challenges, participants will learn: 1) What words and phrases to use and avoid when protecting the record. 2) How the words we choose shape how we are perceived. 3) How to center conversations on protecting the record. 4) How to navigate and diffuse heated conversations. We will also include an extended Q&A to troubleshoot challenges that participants have faced and anticipate facing.
Speakers: Rebecca Scott, CEO, TALLsmall Productions, Keith Scott, CEO, TALLsmall Productions CEUs: 0.1

9:15am - 10:15am 2021 Legislative Update
This class is all about legislation! What did CCRA accomplish this year? What are the goals for our legislative committee next year? Learn how the CCRA legislative committee operates, discover the ins and outs of the workings of the capitol, discuss legislative strategies and goals, and learn how a bill makes its way from an idea to signature by the Governor. Come and learn how CCRA’s legislative work works for our membership.
Speaker: Ignacio Hernandez, CCRA Legislative Advocate, Hernandez Strategy Group CEUs: 0.1

10:30am - 11:30am Essential Strategies for Retirement & Tax Planning as An Independent Contractor
This session will provide participants a deeper level of understanding in the following topics: Investing; Retirement Planning; Tax Planning; and Estate Planning. These topics will have a focus on helping independent contractors.
Speaker: Garrett Yack, Financial Planner, Investment Advisor, Ensemble Wealth Management CEUs: 0.1

11:45am - 12:45pm Ditch the Transcripts… Captioning is for You!
No transcripts, no commute, live where you want, and no last-minute cancellations… welcome to captioning! Anissa will present the history of captioning, making the transition to CART and broadcast captioning, and why thinking like a captioner will make reporters the crème de la crème in their industry! We’ll start with 5 Things to Improve your Realtime. Transitioning into a new, exciting career is a matter of taking things one step at a time. Reinvigorate your passion today!
Speaker: Anissa Nierenberger, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI, B.S. Realtime Reporting, Learntocaption.com CEUs: 0.1

1:00pm - 2:15pm CCRA’s Annual Business Meeting and Election of the Board of Directors
Please join us for our annual business meeting. You will learn how the board conducts its meetings, including becoming familiar with parliamentary procedures; you will participate in the election of the Board of Directors for our new board season; and you’ll see how the board develops goals for CCRA and the strategies they will employ to accomplish them. This event is sponsored by Kusar Court Reporters.
Speaker: Mike Hensley, CCRA President

2:15pm - 3:15pm How to Be a Court Reporter Advocate
During this class, you will hear about the California legislative process. There will be an educational portion where you’ll learn how bills are sponsored, authored, and lobbied. You’ll learn about the different legislative committees and what types of bills they hear. The second portion will be fun. You’ll be put into virtual groups to put together talking points to practice talking with legislators. This will give you the confidence to be able to help advocate on behalf of your profession if called to do so.
Speaker: Carolyn Dasher CEUs: 0.1

3:30pm - 5:00pm It Comes at the Front of the Sentence: Comma? Dash?
After discussing some of the basics of commas, we will take a look at the introductory element. What is it? Does it take a comma or maybe a dash? And what if it comes after the conjunction in a compound sentence? What then? We will explore this element that so seldom grabs the limelight. There will even be a quick peek at sentence diagramming as part of the process! Leave the session with an understanding of how to punctuate introductory elements. And we will answer some of those burning questions you have from your transcripts. Students and newbies or experienced reporters alike will benefit from this session.
Speaker: Margie Wakeman Wells, Margie Holds Court CEUs: 0.15

Click here to download