Fearless Stenographers Conference 2025 – Event Schedule
Conference Agenda FEARLESS SEMINAR SESSIONS April 10, 2025 – April 12, 2025 Total 1.4 CEUs Thursday – April 10th Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86161394313?pwd=Oxa2HJceev57ZgQIuenoSEVLDCkAoG.1 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM AI Without the Learning Curve: Pre-Made Tools That Put Time Back in Your Daytime Back in Your Day .15 CEU NCRA, 1.5 CE JBCC Presenter: Tamara Chapman, CSR (Texas), RPR, CRR Forget tutorials, courses, and technical training. These pre-made AI tools are ready to transform your transcript preparation process right now. Discover how a single click and one simple question can automate your most time-consuming tasks – from perfectly formatted appearance pages to comprehensive exhibit descriptions, these reporter-made tools come with built-in instructions and require zero AI expertise. Whether you’ve been skeptical about AI or tried it without success, this session will show exactly how to put these powerful tools to work immediately, freeing you to focus on what matters most – producing excellent transcripts while reclaiming those evenings and weekends for life beyond the job. 3:30 PM – 3:35 PM Break 3:35 PM – 5:05 PM How To Write Shorter and Smarter and Survive Tough Jobs .15 CEU NCRA, 1.5 CE JBCC Presenter: Alan Peacock Alan shares steno tips for faster writing, handling tricky phrases, and staying ahead under pressure. Gain insights from his experiences and learn techniques to navigate challenging depositions. 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM Networking Event (41st Floor) Networking Event – Paris of the South Masquerade Affair Location: High above the city on the 41st Floor – 6:30 p.m. Dress to impress and step into an unforgettable evening at the Paris of the South Masquerade Affair, where the charm of New Orleans comes to life. As with every Steno in the City networking event, you will be mingling amongst the creme de le creme in the court reporting community. Join fellow stenographers, lawyers, judges, and legal professionals to the backdrop rhythms of jazz, savor Cajun hors d’oeuvres, and indulge in libations—all while enjoying the best company. The Paris of the South Masquerade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. United under the banner of STENO United, we come together with a shared goal of promoting and protecting our profession. This event is not just a celebration—it’s a movement that transcends individual interests for the greater good of the court reporting and captioning community. What to Wear: Embrace elegance in a stunning ball gown, a chic cocktail dress, or a sleek all-black ensemble. The choice is yours! Let your fashion make a statement as you step into an unforgettable night. Wear what makes you happy. Professional attire. Bring your masquerade masks. What to Skip: Sneakers, denim, and track suits—let’s keep the vibe as refined as the occasion itself. Come ready to mix, mingle, and make memories at a night you won’t want to miss! Friday – April 11th Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81181551724?pwd=2bM8RDsQhEXXaKdIKO6X7QPaz1FPAH.1 6:15 AM – 7:15 AM Steno Sport Cardio Workout Session (No CEUs) Presenter: Cinta Corbin Jumpstart your day with a high-energy fitness hour designed specifically for busy professionals! This session blends 30 minutes of invigorating HIIT cardio and 30 minutes of cool-down Pilates. This session will leave you feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. No matter your fitness level, join us for a sweat session that is as fearless as you are! 7:15 AM – 8:30 AM – Continental Breakfast 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Maximizing Your Worth: Building Confidence in Rates & Negotiation .1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC Presenter: Kyung Lee-Green Take charge of your career by learning essential skills to thrive in the court reporting and captioning profession. This session will guide you through creating a professional rate sheet, understanding the nuances of working with a single or multiple agencies, and mastering negotiation techniques to secure better rates. Discover practical strategies to confidently communicate your value, make informed decisions, and set yourself up for long-term success in a competitive industry. 9:30 AM – 9:35 AM Break 9:35 AM – 10:35 AM Bridging the Gap: Agency Owners & Reporters .1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC (Ethics) Presenter: Max Curry This session dives into the dynamic relationship between agency owners and court reporters, uncovering the key ethical expectations and qualities that agencies value most. Participants will gain practical insights into fostering collaboration, optimizing workflows, and enhancing communication for shared success while maintaining ethical standards. Through actionable tips and real-world examples, this session emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, clear expectations, ethical decision-making, and teamwork. Together we’ll explore ways to build a supportive, empowered workforce that benefits both reporters and agencies alike, rooted in a foundation of professionalism and integrity. 10:35 AM – 10:50 AM Break 10:50 AM – 11:50 AM Fearfully & Wonderfully Made: Embracing Your Unique Path .1 CEU NCRA, 1.0 CE JBCC Presenter (Keynote): Francheska Duffey Fearless and relentless, Fancy Duffy embodies unwavering determination and boldness. With a trailblazing career, she inspires others to overcome obstacles and pursue their passions without fear. Fancy’s keynote address will ignite your inner fire, challenging you to embrace change, seize opportunities, and transform adversity into strength. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and fearless spirit will empower you to push beyond your limits and achieve your true potential. Don’t miss her electrifying message at the Fearless Stenographers Conference. 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM Lunch (On Your Own) 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Empowering Your Journey: Insights from a Seasoned Stenographer .15 CEU NCRA, 1.5 CE JBCC (ETHICS) Presenter: Kathryn Sweeney Kathryn has been a stenographer for over 33 years and an agency owner for 25 of those years. Join her as she shares her unique perspective on working as a freelance reporter for other agencies while running her own, with a focus on maintaining ethical standards. Let’s face it – being a stenographer can feel isolating. Who can you turn to when you have questions? Kathryn will cover everything she wishes she knew when starting out in this profession, including setting the pace of a deposition, finding your voice, managing vicarious traumatization, fostering personal reliability, choosing ethical agencies that align with your values, adhering to
SITC 2024 Legal Networking Event
Steno in the City’s Legal Networking Event This year’s Legal Networking Event took place aboard the elegant Entertainer yacht, providing a luxurious atmosphere and a celebratory tone for the evening. Against the backdrop of the eye-catching Long Beach Shoreline Marina, professionals and students alike let loose and had a fabulous time. Attendees were warmly greeted upon boarding the ship by the captain and crew who offered glasses of champagne to set the mood. Guests were then welcomed to the ship’s main deck by melodious saxophone tunes while a live DJ spinning popular hits lured people onto the dance floor on the upper deck. The steno community enjoyed three levels of entertainment and fun aboard the luxury yacht while a photographer and videographer captured an array of memorable moments. The lively, upbeat event provided a fantastic evening for all, including steno spouses, the number of which continues to grow each year. Witnessing our steno professionals convening to network with and embrace students in conversations and good times aboard the private yacht was truly a remarkable and unforgettable experience. “Steno in the City” will continue to open our doors for the legal community to participate in our networking events. Aboard the yacht were Assistant Attorney General Allison Alier from the State of Colorado and Cory Chinn-Lang, Warner Bros. Entertainment attorney. A special thank you to Judy Bundy-Bellinger for inviting her connections to be part of our event. United we stand!
Fearless Stenographers Event Schedule 2024
Schedule (1.65 CEUs/16.5 CE Hours Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Speed in the City – Speed and Realtime Contests Test your writing skills by competing in the “Speed in the City” and Realtime skills tests. The contests are open to all working professionals. Students are not allowed at this time. The first contest, the “Speed in the City” tests, will consist of three five-minute legs: 280 wpm Q&A, 260 wpm Jury Charge, and a 220 wpm Literary. The second contest will be the Realtime test, which will consist of one five-minute leg, a 240 wpm Q&A. 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Laptops for Legal Proceedings 1.5 CEUs Tim Falk, Remotely, LLC – 1.5 CEUs How do I know when it’s time to replace my laptop and what should I consider when picking out my new device? Is there anything I can do to keep my laptop in tip-top shape to prolong its life and ensure it stays fast and responsive? CPU speed, RAM, drive types, resolution – do your eyes start to glaze over? What do these terms mean exactly and what is their purpose in a laptop? We will answer these questions and more as we go through the components of a laptop, one by one, clearly explaining their function and how they relate to your specific needs. By understanding these factors and regularly assessing your laptop’s performance, you can make informed decisions about when to replace it and choose a new device that best aligns with your needs as a court reporter. 6:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. – Networking Event – Steno in the City Private Yacht Cruise Join your fellow stenographers, lawyers, judges, and legal professionals as we network and take a Verbatim Voyage on a private yacht and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, cocktails, good music and great company!!! The yacht will be docked for the initial two hours, and will set sail around the Long Beach Shoreline Marina at 8:00 p.m. Friday 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. – Leading The Way: Serving, Advocating, and Leading in the Court Reporting Profession – .1 CEU Moderator: Kerry Murphy, CA-CSR, RPR Shacara Mapp, CSR-MI, RMR, CRR, FCRR and Shaunise Day, Founder of Steno in the City When your passion becomes your purpose, true leaders are formed. Shacara Mapp, current President of the Michigan Court Reporters Association; and Shaunise Day, Founder of Steno In the City and Confessions of a Stenographer Podcast, will tell us why it is essential for us all to advocate for the court reporting profession. They will share their journeys as to how they both developed into the leaders they are, and how we each can become an effective leader in our own individual way. 8:35 a.m. – 9:35 a.m. – Certs Matter: Always and Forever – .1 CEU Cindy Bowden, RDR, CSR-CA, TX, NV Kathryn Sweeney, FAPR, RDR, CRR, CSR, LCR Certifications in court reporting stand as indispensable pillars of professional competence and reliability. In the intricate realm of legal proceedings, where accuracy and precision are paramount, a certified court reporter is not merely a practitioner, but a trusted guardian of the judicial record. Through rigorous examinations and continuous education, the mastery of our stenographic skills are validated. Cindy Bowden and Katherine Sweeney will further the conversation of why Certs Matter, always and forever. 9:40 a.m. – 10:40 a.m. – Pivot – .1 CEU Allison Hall, RDR, CRR, CSR What do you do when life or your career throws a curveball? Navigating life’s unexpected twists and turns requires resilience, adaptability, and a positive mindset. In this inspirational and motivational seminar, we delve into the art of pivoting when faced with those career and life curveballs. You will learn invaluable strategies for transforming challenges into opportunities and discovering hidden potential in every situation. 10:40 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. – BREAK 10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. – Premiere – The Fearless Mindset – .15 CEUs Keynote Speakers Embark on a transformative journey in our Premiere seminar, where we will explore the profound concept of cultivating a fearless mindset. Fear, a natural emotion, holds the dual power to safeguard and impede. When the latter takes center stage, it becomes a formidable barrier preventing us from realizing our true potential. As court reporters, masters of an awe-inspiring skill, it is essential to confront fear, dismantle mental blocks, and ascend to new heights in both personal and professional growth. Join us for this Premiere session featuring two distinguished stenographers, Captioner, Regina DeMoville, CSR, CRC, CCG, and Retired Official Brandi Killingsworth-Ray, CSR-TX. Through their compelling narratives, they will share personal challenges faced while navigating trepidation and apprehension, providing valuable insights into the journey of overcoming fear. We will delve into the heart of fear, unravel its grip, and reveal the power of a fearless mindset. Brandy Killingsworth-Ray, CSR-TX Regina DeMoville, CSR, CRC. CCG 12:05 – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch Break 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Social Media Mastery for the Court Reporting and Captioning Community: Amplifying Your Presence and Promoting Your Profession – .1 CEU Desiree Cook, CSR-CA Join us for an electrifying session featuring Desiree Cook, TikTok sensation who has seamlessly blended her passion for court reporting with the dynamic world of social media. Discover the way in which she has harnessed the power of TikTok to connect with diverse audiences making court reporting accessible, engaging and relatable. With over 1.5 million views and counting, don’t miss out on Desiree Cook’s journey at the intersection of court reporting and viral social media success. 2:35 p.m. – 3:35 p.m – Planning for Financial Freedom: Navigating Pensions, Retirement Accounts, and Tax Strategies – .1 CEU Jennifer Crisologo, PPC, CPFA Get ready to transform your financial future as we delve into the essential strategies for maximizing cash flow and securing a robust retirement plan. Join Jennifer Crisologo in this informative session tailored specifically for court reporters. In