CCRA - Association and Membership Information

Mission Statement
The mission of the California Court Reporters Association is to advance the profession of verbatim shorthand reporting by promoting professional reporting excellence through education, research, and the use of state-of-the-art technology; establishing and maintaining professional standards of practice; and advocating before legislative and regulatory bodies on issues which impact the judicial system and others served by the court reporting profession of California.

Membership Benefits

A Future for Court Reporting and Your Job Security
CCRA boasts a highly successful team of court reporting professionals who are knowledgeable and skilled in the California legislative arena. CCRA has defeated every single bill ever introduced to replace court reporters with ER. Since 1980 there have been eleven such attempts. CCRA provides extensive lobbying efforts in Sacramento and is the only organization lobbying for all reporters, both officials and freelancers.

Enhanced Court Reporting Environment
CCRA has sponsored key legislation designed to make your job easier and more enjoyable.

For officials, this includes legislation to provide additional fees for one-person dailies, additional fees for transcripts on disk, protection for transcript copies, increase of folio rates, and indemnification for realtime transcripts.

For freelancers this includes sponsorship of legislation to eliminate the requirement to be a notary public to swear witnesses at depositions, indemnification for realtime transcripts, and the right to sell deposition transcript copies to anyone requesting one, absent a protective order.

(Freelancers could previously only sell copies to parties to a case while other legal professionals were actively selling, trading, and data banking our transcripts.)

CCRA supported the consumer attorneys with funding and grass roots phone calls on the 1996 tort reform initiatives. Passage of these initiatives would have greatly diminished the number of depositions being taken.

CCRA has also sponsored legislation to exempt transcribers from being classified as employees by the EDD, sponsored legislation to establish the CSR Board, as well as legislation which created the Transcript Reimbursement Fund, a fund which gives relief to indigent litigants without court reporters working for free.

Caligrams Magazine
The only California state publication devoted to both officials and freelancers, this truly invaluable publication keeps you informed on professional trends, technological developments, and legislative and legal issues. Learn what is going on in the reporting community and the latest developments in your profession.

Cal*E*grams
The newest addition to our member services, this electronic newsletter keeps you updated on the latest breaking news which affects you as a court reporter. Keep apprised of the latest amendments in the California legislature which affect your job and what we can do about them. To receive Cal*E*grams, just send your email address to lesia@quik.com.

Continuing Education Seminars
Exciting, state-of-the-art seminars and conventions, held at various locations around the state, for your convenience. These provide professional enhancement and CE accreditation for your NCRA status on a wide array of reporting-related topics, including recent changes in the laws which affect you. Meet court reporting's most influential leaders and make contact with vendors who showcase the latest technology. Networking events provide you with the opportunity to meet new people and have some fun!

Insurance Programs
As a CCRA member, you are entitled to group rates on insurance coverage for yourself, your family, and your business. Group rates on medical, short- and long-term disability, errors & omissions, liability, and other coverage is available.

Other Benefits
A credit card is available through MBNA, as well as Hertz and Avis benefits, in the form of a discount coupon to be used when renting a car.

Tax Deductions
Contributions or gifts to California Court Reporters Association are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for Federal income tax purposes. However, they may be tax deductible under other provision of the Internal Revenue Code except that portion of your dues, which are allocated to association lobbying expenses. California Court Reporters Association estimates that your dues, which are allocated to lobbying expenses is 56% for the year 2003.

Help us to help you. Join CCRA today!

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