In one or two sentences, please explain your role in the court reporting or legal support industry.
I have been a legal transcriptionist since 2002 and I am now a digital reporter. I worked as a freelance reporter, and recently have obtained a W-2 position with a global firm, none of which would have been possible without my AAERT certifications.
What has your involvement with AAERT looked like? How long have you been a member and how many conferences and events have you attended?
I have, unfortunately, not attended any conferences -- yet. To be honest, I worked for so many years as a legal transcriptionist without certification, I didn't think I needed it. I was a member of AAERT and if my memory serves me correctly, I let the membership lapse. I signed up again and took the CET test and failed on the first try. I tested again and obtained my CET in February 2022. Once I obtained my CET certification, it opened doors for me I didn't even know existed. I am now CDR and CER certified and I work as a reporter. So far, my involvement is that I serve on the AAERT grading committee. I would love to be more involved and I think board membership is an excellent way to be immersed in all things AAERT. My employer has been 100 percent supportive in my request to run for the AAERT board.
How would you describe your dedication to the mission and purposes of AAERT during your membership up to this point? How has that dedication been demonstrated?
Just because I have not attended conferences (which was mostly due to monetary issues) I still feel I can contribute much to our organization. I am now a staunch advocate of obtaining AAERT certification. I am been a member of the grading committee and would like to see the testing expand to practical exams for all certifications.
What are your key reasons for running for the board? Whom and what do you want to impact? What strengths do you feel you would bring to the board?
I would like to have the most impact on new members, showing them that AAERT certification can take one's vocational path in directions that they never imagined. I know, it happened to me! I bring positive energy and a sincere willingness to help the general public know more about AAERT and our mission and goals.
What do you feel are the greatest challenges and opportunities that our industry and our association face?
As with any vocation that is entrenched, we face much pushback from predecessors in the field. And while I understand there is much frustration in transition, I personally feel that using technology to our advantage is the best way forward for the future of court reporting in particular and the legal support industry in general.
What is the single most important thing that AAERT can do to fulfill its mission?
Make sure that an AAERT certification is as good as gold and get the word out nationwide.
What kind of leadership experience would you bring to the board? Do you have experience as a board member of a nonprofit organization? Please list the organizations, your positions, and your duties.
I was a director on our local school board for a year and I helped get the local volunteer fire department's auxiliary up and running. The school board meets once per month and was responsible for all fiscal decision-making presented to it. The auxiliary was started to support the fire department when sent on mobility to local fires and we would provide food and drinks to the firefighters and support to the local community.
In what way would you like to learn and grow as an AAERT board member professionally and/or personally?
I have wanted to become more involved, more vocal, more responsible as an AAERT certificant and member. I feel it is very important for all members to bring their "A game," in all professional matters and I want to help anyone I possibly can to reach that goal. I would like to help bring this about in any way I possibly can.