CCRA-NJ PRESENTS
WRITER WORKOUT WORKSHOP
An in-person event
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Join us on April 29, 2023, at the East Brunswick Library for an in-person workshop.  Start the morning by arriving at 9:15am to set up your equipment and have some breakfast with your colleagues.
  • 9:15-10:00 – registration/attendees breakfast/writer set up
  • 10:00 to 11:00 – Power Hour - metronome/steno swap 
  • 11:00 to 12:00 – Live Dictation Speed Building Workshop
  • 12:00 to 12:45 – lunch/contest set up
  • 12:45 to 1:00 – Speed Contest (280wpm)
  • 1:00 to 2:15 – transcription time 
10-11am Session
Power Hour
In this power hour, you will gain tips on how to speed build, prep for tests, avoid hesitation, incorporate new briefs, and stay on the speaker!  Maybe you’re not ready for the speed test, but in this hour you will gain tools to incorporate into daily practice, whether it’s prepping 10 minutes prior to a deposition, getting ready for that marathon trial, or taking a test.  We will show you how to get those fingers moving using an online metronome.  This power hour will benefit the seasoned reporter and the newbie.Karen Friedlander’s Power Hour Objectives
  1. Attendees will learn a new practice technique involving the metronome
  2. Attendees will learn new briefs during the steno swap
  3. Attendees will learn a new technique to better memorize briefs and phrases
  4. Attendees will learn new ways to job prep, warm up, gain finger speed, and avoid hesitation
Karen Friedlander learned how to use the metronome to speed build when she was in Popkin School of Court Reporting in the 80’s.  Fast forward to 2012, she found out she lost the RPR and RMR due to not enough CEUs.  To regain these certifications she went back to basics and incorporated the metronome in her daily practice so she could pass these tests once again.  She passed all legs at one sitting and attributes this to working with the metronome.It's not just a great tool, but there’s science behind it!Speaking with a friend whose son is on the autism spectrum, she was told of how Interactive Metronome Therapy had made a huge difference in his learning and behavior.  Now, Karen doesn’t claim to be an expert on Interactive Metronome Therapy, but found out these facts about it:Science shows that rhythm and timing is a baseline brain function. A unique therapy called Interactive Metronome training helps reset the timing in the brain at the millisecond level. 
11am-12pm Session
Live Dictation Speed Building Workshop dictated live by Diane Belmonte, JoAnn Haberkorn, and Doreen Risoldi Massaro -- your favorite teachers from court reporting school. Live High-Speed Dictation Objectives
  1. Attendees will gain the confidence they need to level up their certifications or compete in a live setting at upcoming contest events such as the upcoming NCRA contest
  2. Attendees will get an hourlong high-speed endurance practice session ranging from speeds of 225 words per minute to 300 words per minute
  3. Attendees will have the benefit of practicing in a new environment with external distractions
 12:00 to 12:45 – lunch/contest set up
12:45-2:15pm
Stick around for CCRA-NJ’s first speed contest (no CEUs, PDCs, or CEs) at 280 words per minute, graded to NCRA standards.  Contest participants will have 75 minutes for transcription.  The contestant for each dictation with the highest percentage will receive a cash prize and recognition as the 2023 New Jersey State Speed Contest Champion.  The speed contest portion will be eligible to all current NJ-CCR/CSRs .Don’t lose your spot!  There is limited space, so sign up today!