August 2023 –
It may sound cliché, but time flies! In the ten years that I have served on
USCRA’s Board of Directors there have been many changes, and yet some
things still remain the same. We continue to have great people
volunteering their time to make this association what it is. They make sure
that The Circuit Rider gets published twice a year, put on fabulous
seminars and conventions, offer onsite testing, send out blasts through
Constant Contact, keep detailed records of our membership database,
answer the questions of our constituents, and track changes proposed by
the AO by giving of their time.
As federal reporters, we know the value and importance of producing a
verbatim record and ensuring that process is preserved. It has been said for
decades that electronic recording and artificial intelligence will replace us.
The AO is working towards implementing proposed voice-to-text software
and electronic recording as a viable means of preserving the record. The
creative “solutions” that the AO suggests to find ways to preemptively deal
with the projected shortfall of reporters nationwide include everything but
giving federal reporters raises.
As president, I have had the privilege of spending time in the trenches with
those doing the work of the association. Everyone who gives their time
genuinely cares about our profession, this association and preserving our
place in the judiciary. The work at times can be exhausting, but the reward
is well worth the effort of actively getting involved and taking ownership in
your own future.
I have said it before that the friendships you make and the relationships
that grow as a result of USCRA membership are the intangible and priceless
gifts this association offers! In a world where far too many people strive to
find places to belong, every federal reporter needs to understand that
USCRA has a place for them to serve and become more involved. As more
federal reporters retire and reap the benefit of their labor, now is the time
to change the attitude that “someone else” will always be there to do the
work of the association and that you can remain passively on the sidelines.
I want to push back against that and tell you that now more than ever it is
important that each of us stand up and take responsibility for our
profession so that it will continue to serve as a cog in the wheels of justice
going forward.
Please consider volunteering your time and talents to preserve our
profession and make this association stronger by giving your time as a
circuit representative, serving on any of our committees, or taking care of
things behind the scenes. Our strength is in our numbers and in our
diversity and uniqueness. Martin Luther King said it best when he said,
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Our profession, this association, and the constituents we serve must begin
to speak loud and clear and continue the discussion to set ourselves apart
as the only true guardians of the record.
Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President. We have many
talented and bright people in USCRA, and we will be stronger only when we
all fight to preserve our profession together!
Jana McKinney
USCRA President 2022-2023