PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE A CCRA-NJ MEMBER AND SEEING THE NON-MEMBER PRICING PLEASE CALL 856-875-0818. THIS USUALLY MEANS THAT YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS NOT RENEWED.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ENTIRE PROGRAM
CCRA-NJ MARCH 2026 VIRTUAL CONVENTION – Day 1
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR MARCH 26, 2026 ONLY –
YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPLETE THIS REGISTRATION FORM IF YOU ARE REGISTEREING FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
Sign up for Saturday and get complimentary access to the Thursday event!
THE DETAILS:
7pm-8pm
Live, Virtual via Zoom Meeting
Registration Fee: $25 Member / $40 Non-Member / $20 Associate Member / $0 Student
SESSION 1
Zoom Best Practices
Presented by: Ken Amrhein, Director of Video & Technology - Everest Court Reporting
CE POINTS pending: (1.0 NJ CE/.10 NCRA CEU)
About this session:
In today's digital landscape, effective communication is more important than ever. Zoom Best Practices is a comprehensive seminar designed to equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge to make the most of Zoom’s interface and advanced features and is tailored to help you leverage Zoom to its fullest potential. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of managing meetings, optimizing audio and video settings, and utilizing smart devices effectively.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the Zoom Interface Thoroughly
Address Audio and Connectivity Issues
Enhance Screen Sharing and Presentation Skills
Record Meetings for Future Reference
Utilize Smartphones and Tablets Effectively
CCRA-NJ MARCH 2025 VIRTUAL CONVENTION – Day 2
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE ENTIRE MARCH 2026 CONVENTION
– INCLUDES THE THURSDAY, MARCH 26 SESSION
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026
Sign up for Saturday and get complimentary access to the Thursday event!
THE DETAILS:
8:15am-2:15pm
Live, Virtual via Zoom Meeting
Registration Fee:
$175 Member {early bird, until March 12, $160}
$275 NonMember {early bird, until March 12, $260}
$100 Associate {early bird, until March 12, $85}
$0 Student {early bird, until March 12, $10}
Opening Comments
8:15am-8:30am
SESSION 2 - 8:30am-10:00am
Protect Your Health While Protecting the Record
Presented by: Linda Shanahan, MSN, RN, Educator
CE POINTS pending: (1.5 NJ CE/ .15 NCRA CEU)
About this session:
Court reporting requires sustained focus and precision, often under demanding conditions. The pace of the work, long periods of sitting, and exposure to challenging subject matter can contribute to ongoing stress. Over time, stress may affect energy, concentration, and comfort, and can have broader effects on physical, mental, and cognitive health, including muscle tension, headaches, fatigue, disrupted sleep, weakened immune function, increased inflammation, anxiety, emotional burnout, and difficulties with memory or attention. This session will provide an overview of how stress can impact court reporters and introduce practical ways to support well-being and career longevity.
Learning Objectives:
Identify common sources of stress in court reporting
Gain a general understanding of how stress can affect physical, emotional, and cognitive health
Recognize early signs of stress in daily work
Learn basic strategies to support wellness and longevity
Break
10:00am-10:15am
SESSION 3 - 10:15am-11:15am
The Importance of Excellent Realtime
Presented by: Tracy Thompson, RPR, RMR, CRR, CRC, RDR, CRI
CE POINTS pending: (1.0 NJ CE/ .10 NCRA CEU)
About this session:
This seminar focuses on the importance of excellent realtime, not merely functional realtime in today’s court reporting environment. Participants will learn why clean, reliable realtime is critical for judges, attorneys, and reporters alike, and how realtime quality directly impacts editing time, confidence, and career longevity. This seminar content will introduce strategies for improving realtime accuracy and efficiency through better writing habits, intentional refinements, and overall awareness of editing and dictionary entries.
Learning Objectives – Participants will:
Understand how intentional realtime improvement supports long-term career sustainability and confidence.
Identify common causes of realtime breakdowns, including dictionary issues and writing habits.
Recognize how small writing adjustments can significantly improve realtime accuracy and consistency.
Learn to apply practical strategies to reduce editing time by improving realtime output. (5) Participants will understand why excellent realtime is so important.
Break
11:15am-11:30am
SESSION 4 11:30am-1:00pm
A CART Readiness Checklist
Presented by: Colleen Platt, RPR, CCR-R(NJ)
CE POINTS pending: (1.5 NJ CE/ .15 NCRA CEU)
About this session:
Each day CART captioners bring their best to classrooms, public civic and cultural venues, places of worship, as well as healthcare and legal settings. Your stenographic skills are uniquely suited to assist people with hearing loss gain understanding of the spoken word. Your work is necessary and appreciated, and the endless topics you’ll caption will keep the lifelong learner in you smiling.
Learning Objectives:
How to set up your equipment and create display settings for optimal viewing by a deaf/hard of hearing consumer
Methods used to project CART captions for an individual consumer or larger audience
What the role of the CART captioner is in a legal setting when there is an official record being made
Information on ethics and the CART Consumer’s Bill of Rights
Break
1:00pm-1:15pm
SESSION 5 - 1:15pm-2:15pm
Grassroots Efforts, Networking, Advocacy, and You!
Presented by: Nativa P. Wood, RDR, CMRS (Ret.), FAPR
CE POINTS pending: (1.0 NJ CE/ .10 NCRA CEU)
About this session:
This one-hour seminar will focus on how Project Steno built a successful platform for promoting stenographic court reporting through grassroots efforts, advocacy, networking, and public speaking. Tiva will share some statistics on the inquiries received and the number of enrollees in Basic Training, (a free, six-week, 12 hour introductory class), and provide information on how the students are supported through the sessions and how we engage fellow court reporters to be volunteer instructors. Tips will be given so that every reporter can participate in raising awareness of our profession through networking, advocacy training, public speaking, and grassroots efforts.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees will learn how to initiate a grassroots effort in their community for raising awareness of the stenographic court reporting profession(s).
Attendees will learn how to assess contacts they have in local schools in order to develop speaking opportunities at the scholastic level. Networking is the key to identifying ways to engage local educators.
Attendees will learn key factors to raise while advocating for our profession(s).
Tips will be given to the attendees for how to engage with students to pique their interest in stenographic court reporting.
Closing Comments and Raffles!
2:15pm
Don’t miss out on the 50/50 opportunity at this year’s convention. Tickets must be purchased at the time of registration!
$5 for 8 tickets
$10 for 16 tickets
$20 for 35 tickets
SPEAKER BIOS
Ken Amrhein is a seasoned professional in the realm of video and technology, boasting over 25 years of experience as a Trial Presenter. Currently serving as the Director of Video & Technology at Everest Court Reporting, Ken has been at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge solutions into legal proceedings. With an 18-year certification as a Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS), he brings a wealth of expertise in harnessing video technology to enhance trial presentations and depositions. Ken's innovative spirit and technical acumen led him to design and implement the remote deposition experience at Everest, utilizing Zoom, secure file sharing, and advanced trial technology. His pioneering efforts have set new standards for remote legal proceedings, ensuring a seamless and secure environment for depositions. Ken’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his work, where he consistently delivers high-quality, reliable solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of legal professionals. His contributions to the field have distinguished him as a leader in the integration of technology in legal environments, making him an invaluable asset to any team or project.
Colleen Anne Platt is a Certified Court Reporter and CART captioner from Lincoln Park, New Jersey. She has worked as a freelance reporter, as an Official Court Reporter for the Superior Court of New Jersey (1987-1996), and as an on-site and remote CART captioner. Her captions have been viewed in a wide variety of settings by individuals, as well as large convention and theater audiences. From 2003-2022 Colleen worked for Bergen County Special Services as a member of the paraprofessional staff of the SHIP program providing CART captioning and support services for students. She worked in the classroom with middle and high school students with hearing loss. Joining with her student membership in 1979, Colleen continues to be an active member of NCRA and has served on the CART Community of Interest as a member and chair. She has presented on CART, realtime, and captioning topics at NCRA conventions. She is also an active member of her state association (CCRA-NJ), and has served as a board member and presenter.
Linda Shanahan, MSN, RN, is a highly experienced nurse with over two decades in acute care and nursing education. Her extensive background in conventional medicine equips her with the knowledge and skills to address a range of health and wellness issues, particularly those impacting professional environments. Linda leverages her comprehensive medical training to educate others on maintaining health, focusing on evidence-based practices to ensure optimal care and well-being.
Tracy Thompson, RPR, RMR, CRR, CRC, RDR, CRI is a seasoned court reporter with 38 years of experience, including the last 24 years as an official federal court reporter writing realtime on a daily basis. After training under realtime expert Anissa Nierenberger and witnessing firsthand the impact that high-quality realtime has on accuracy, efficiency, and confidence, Tracy transitioned into full-time training for working reporters. She acquired LearnToRealtime as Anissa retired at the end of last year. Tracy has taught court reporting for the past six years and views her transition to training working reporters as a natural extensionof her career—combining decades of realtime experience with practical strategies that help reporters improve accuracy, reduce editing time, and sustain long-term career success.
Tiva Wood was a reporter for 46 years both as an official and a freelance reporter. She has volunteered on behalf of the stenographic court reporting profession for a majority of those years. Tiva served on her state board, the Pennsylvania Court Reporters Association, culminating in the presidency. She is past president of the National Court Reporters Association, past chair of COPE and CAPR, served on the Vision for Excellence in Education Task Force, and is past chair of the National Court Reporters Foundation. Currently, Tiva is secretary of the Project Steno Board of Directors. She recruits and trains fellow reporters to instruct Basic Training.
SAVE THE DATE!!
Saturday, April 25, 2026 **NEW DATE**
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET – Quizzo, Board Meeting, Lunch
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET – Game Play, Networking, Drink ticket included
Dave & Buster’s | Woodbridge, NJ
Pricing:
• FREE for members if registered by 3/30/26 – Don’t miss out on the fun – register today!
• $35 for members beginning 3/31/26
• $35 for non-members (Join CCRA-NJ before the event and receive $35 off your membership dues!)
CE credits. Lunch. Networking. Games. One Saturday well spent.
Don’t Be the One Who Missed It.
Join CCRA-NJ on Saturday, April 25 for an afternoon that everyone will be talking about — earn 2.0 NJ CE / 0.20 NCRA CEU, enjoy lunch on us, compete in interactive Quizzo, and network with NJ court reporters in a fun, relaxed setting.
Stay in the loop with a brief board update, test your knowledge for bragging rights, then stick around for game play — your game card and complimentary drink ticket are included.
Spots are limited, and it’s FREE for members who register by 3/30/26. After that, it’s $35 — and once we hit capacity, that’s it.
And yes — Dave & Buster’s is made for adults. Great food, creative cocktails, big-screen sports, and hundreds of arcade games make this the perfect place to reconnect with your profession and unwind at the same time.
Don’t miss the credits. Don’t miss the connections. Don’t miss the fun.
Register early. See you there. REGISTRATION LINK COMING SOON!!
