The ACRA 2012 Annual Conference will be January 19-21, 2012, at the Hilton Perimeter Park, Birmingham, Alabama.

Pre-registration is open until January 9, 2012. 

On-site registration only after January 9, 2012.  

ALABAMA COURT REPORTERS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

JANUARY 19-21, 2012

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

 THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012

 9:00                            REGISTRATION

 9:45                            WELCOME

                                     Celeste Riddle, RMR, RPR, CCR

                                    President Elect

 10:00-12:00              IN SEARCH OF THE BEST COMPUTER (Part 1)

                                           (This is a very in-depth seminar and  is divided into two parts.)

  Presenter:  Angie Ryder

 Do you get frustrated when shopping for a computer?  Do you feel lost trying to decide between SSD and HDD?  Maybe you wonder what SSD and HDD are.  Learn some basic computer terminology, from hardware to compatibility.  Emphasis will be on knowledge needed when shopping for new computers/and or their peripherals and on terminology of processes utilized by court reporters. 

Topics will cover everything from CPUs, RAM, cache, etc., to subjects such as what a dual boot is and what are the differences in a partitioned and nonpartitioned hard drive.

 12:00-1:30                              LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

 1:30-3:30                  IN SEARCH OF THE BEST COMPUTER (Part 2)

  3:30-3:45                  BREAK

  3:45-5:15                  LOOKING THROUGH MY REAR VIEW

                                    33 YEARS OF LAWYERING IN ALABAMA

                                    Presenter:  William (Bill) Veitch

                                    Chief Assistant District Attorney

                                    Jefferson County, Alabama – Bessemer Division

 In his 33 years of practice, Bill has been both a defense attorney and assistant district attorney.  He is noted for witness preparation for Trial, Cross Examination of Experts and Prosecution of Crimes of Violence

 FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012

 7:45-8:15                   BREAKFAST

 8:15-10:15                THE RULES CONSTANTLY CHANGE

                                     Presenter:  Brian McVeigh

                                    District Attorney

                                    Calhoun County, Alabama

 Legislative Session 2011 and 2012 – Sweeping Changes in Ethics and Immigration.  Grassroots movement that led to the banning of “Spice” and related substances.  Participants will also have a chance to ask about the new synthetic drugs that are affecting our communities.

 10:15-10:30              BREAK

 10:30-11:30              STATE OF THE UNION

                                     What’s Happening with our Court System and What Changes Can We Expect

                                     Presenter:  Chief Justice Charles (Chuck) Malone

                                                     Ashley Toole, Administrative Director of Courts

 11:30-1:00                BUSINESS MEETING and LUNCHEON

  1:00-3:00                  PHOTOSHOP – IT’S NOT JUST PHOTOS!

                                          Enhance Your Court Reporting Business

                                            Presenter:  Anita Bice

 Create personalized business cards, stationery.  Formulate company logo to capture recognition.  Create company flyers and brochures to adequately advertise company services.  Create slide show presentations.  Create CD and DVD jackets and labels (including company logo, if desired).  Organize/catalog displays for courtroom and create slide show presentations.

  3:00-3:15                  BREAK

  3:15-4:15                  TOWN HALL MEETING

                                     Issues Affecting NCRA and ACRA

                                     Presenter:  Nancy Varallo

                                    NCRA Vice President

                                     ACRA Board 

  4:15-5:15                   THE PROFESSIONAL IN THE PROFESSION OF COURT REPORTING

                                     Presenter:  Nancy Varallo

                                    Vice President, NCRA

                                     This seminar will focus on what it takes to be a professional in court reporting.  You’re in business:  Do you have insurance?  Are you complying with identity fraud protection laws?  Are you recognized by your clients as a “best practices” firm?  You’re a court reporter in a time of shrinking budgets, layoffs, less business:  How do you make sure you get assigned the best jobs?  How do you find our niche as the profession evolves?  Don’t miss the opportunity to ask “Dear Nancy” questions.  She knows the business of court reporting both as a court reporter and as an owner.

 

7:00-10:00 p.m.       PAINTING WITH ANITA (optional)

                                    Presenter:  Anita Bice

                                    Networking and socializing with other reporters while having fun painting a picture with step-by-step instructions by Artist Anita Bice.

                                    (This seminar is optional and there will be a $25.00 additional fee to cover the cost of supplies, etc.)

 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012

8:30-9:00                   BREAKFAST

9:00-10:30                PRACTICAL TIPS FOR TODAY’S COURT REPORTERS

                                     Presenter:  Laura H. Nichols, RPR, CRR, CMRS

                                    Efficiency

                                     Building a Team of Scopists and Proofers            

                                     Rush and Expedited Transcripts the Easy Way

                                    Preparation for a Real-Time Deposition

                                    Products I like that Make Reporting Easier or More Fun                                           

10:30-10:45              BREAK

 10:45-11:45              THE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS ETHICS

                                    BUSINESS PRACTICES OVERVIEW

                                     Presenter:  Michael Woolley

                                     Reward vs. Incentive

                                    Tax implications of gifting

 11:45-12:00              CLOSING REMARKS