This year’s “Meet and Greet” at the Judges’ Conference was a great success! As part of our annual tradition, the ACRA Board hosted a vendor table and handed out gift bags filled with swag to the judges. Each judge who stopped by to say hello was entered into a drawing for our prize basket, which was beach-themed this year. Congratulations to our winner—District Judge Steven Curtis from Pike County!
Events like this provide a valuable opportunity to connect with our judges in a more relaxed setting. These face-to-face interactions help put a name with a face and serve as a reminder that we truly appreciate their ongoing support of our profession.
In addition to connecting personally, we’re able to answer questions about procedures across different circuits and offer guidance when needed. This year, I had the chance to meet a judge who is working closely with Chief Justice Stewart and Nathan Wilson on proposed changes regarding the reporting of juvenile proceedings and transcript turnaround times. We exchanged contact information, and I’m hopeful this interaction will help ensure court reporters have a voice at the table as those changes are developed and implemented.
Loretta Lynn famously said, “You can’t be halfway in this business. If you don’t meet the fans, you lose all you’ve got.” I believe that’s a perfect mindset for us—both officials and freelancers alike. We need to meet our clients and judges, build those relationships, and remind them that we’re not digital recorders or remote transcription services. We’re educated, trained, and licensed professionals who are present in the courtroom or deposition suite capturing and preserving moments that can define the course of people’s lives.
These small but meaningful interactions help build the bridges that support our profession—bridges that, in some places, have unfortunately been allowed to collapse. Your ACRA remains committed to not only maintaining these bridges but strengthening and adapting them as new challenges arise.
