The President’s Report - November 2007

What a wonderful time we enjoyed at our Annual Convention held in Niagara Falls the weekend of September 28 – 30, 2007.  The theme was “It’s All About Me” and our seminar committee did a great job selecting a variety of topics with invigorating speakers to help us meet the challenges we face in our profession.

The Welcoming Reception on Friday evening offered us the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones as we learned about the brewing of beer through the entertaining presentation of Timothy Herzog, who is the owner/brewer of Flying Bison Brewing Company.

There was a sampling of four types of beer as he explained the different textures involved in making each one.

Saturday morning’s presentation was extremely moving.  The topic was domestic violence and the panel consisted of Susan Still, a Domestic Violence Advocate; Honorable John F. O’Donnell, Supreme Court Justice, IDV Court; Lisa Bloch Rodwin, Erie County Assistant District Attorney, Domestic Violence Bureau Chief; Donna Nowaczyk, Senior Court Reporter.

ADA Rodwin was the prosecuting attorney on the horrific trial regarding the domestic violence suffered upon Susan Still at the hands of her husband.  She began by showing us the 20/20 presentation which revealed this violence on a videotape taken by their son at the insistence of his father and Susan’s husband.   It was extremely upsetting to view such violence but it was clear why this video was such an important piece of evidence at trial, which unfortunately most victims do not have.

One of the statements by ADA Rodwin that I found upsetting was that at the time Susan finally reached the decision to leave with her children, there were no vacancies in any of the 36 shelters in the area.  That spoke volumes to me as to how many victims there are of domestic violence. 

 Out of frustration in trying to provide Susan with the services she and her children needed, ADA Rodwin shared the Family Justice Center of Erie County, Inc. (FJC) was formed.  It brings professionals and services together under one roof to help victims of family violence.  “The FJC provides a coordinated, efficient and user-friendly system that decreases barriers, improves the delivery of services to victims and increases victim safety and offender accountability.”

Next to speak was Susan Still of her experience as a victim and now as an advocate.  We were moved by the courage she exhibited to share her emotional, physical, and psychological pain, and the rejection she endured on behalf of her children, who were strongly influenced by their father, and the very ones she was trying to protect.

Her husband was convicted and is presently serving jail time.  Susan is slowly rebuilding her life and is especially happy with the relationships she is now enjoying with her children.  She spends much of her time lecturing and advocating on the topic of domestic violence.

Senior Court Reporter Donna Nowaczyk shared her experience as the Court Reporter on this trial and how it affected her in such ways that even her family noticed.  Donna said the most difficult part of the trial was the testimony of Susan’s eight-year old son.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the courtroom and it was so emotional that Judge O’Donnell called for a break so everyone could recover themselves. Donna told us the way she chose to express her feelings  of  compassion was to make a donation  to  the  Family Justice Center so that victims of violence would continue to have these services available to them in their time of need.

Judge O’Donnell shared his experience of presiding over such a trial because his part did not usually get cases like this, and how affected he was by the eight-year old son’s testimony.

The Panel is to be commended for their professionalism, sensitivity, and compassion which they displayed in their presentation on the issue of domestic violence.

After a short break Kristen Klyczek, Physical Therapist and Adjunct Instructor, conducted an interactive presentation as to what we can do as court reporters to prevent aches, pains, and injuries whether we are using our stenotype machines or computers.  We learned quick, easy, and very useful techniques.  Thank you, Kristen, for these great ways to relieve stress. 

A lunch break was then taken during which we held our Annual Meeting conducted by Lori Strong, Chair of the Board.  Reports were given by myself, the Secretary/ Treasurer Jen Buccheri, Membership Committee – Mary Jo Dean, Web site Committee – Kerry Meegan, so that you, the members, may know what your Board is doing for you.  After enjoying dessert and having an opportunity to visit the vendors, we gathered for a presentation by Michael Dollard, Education and Training Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, Western New York Chapter.  Michael explained ways to increase our awareness so we may reduce our risk of developing memory problems as we age.  He also provided us with information regarding memory health and the effects of exercise, nutrition, and aging with respect to memory and the brain, and basic information about Alzheimer’s disease.

Following a delightful snack break, newlyweds Ivan Bumgarner, Executive Sous Chef, and Julie Bumgarner, Director of Catering for the Hyatt Regency in Rochester, in a relaxed and casual manner shared with us ways to prepare fast and delicious meals for ourselves and our families in the busy lives we lead.  We even got to sample the food they prepared right then and there for us!

Lorianne Jasinski,  former Board of Director, is the one who made the contacts with the speakers and all that is entailed in that process.  Thank you, Lorianne, for choosing speakers who provided us with very useful information for our profession.

Having another opportunity to visit with the vendors we then gathered for a delicious dinner, installation of our 2007-2008 Board of Directors, and the Chinese Auction.  We welcome two new Board Members, Adam Alweis and Victoria Torres Butler.  Thank you for taking on this commitment and we look forward to working with you in developing the great ideas and suggestions you offer.  Thank you to all the Board members who have been elected to serve another term of one year and for accepting this commitment.  It has been a pleasure working with you this past year and may we continue to develop new and innovating ways to promote this great profession of ours!

Those members who have dedicated 25 years of service to NYSCRA received a pin as a symbol of our gratitude.  Their commitment was quite a witness to all of us present!

Distinguished Service Awards were presented to William Denall, Honorable James Dillon, Jo-Anne Galloway and Santo Vitrano.  This award is our means of thanking these individuals for all they have done to promote and foster our profession.

We were honored to have among us our good friends, Pat and Adam Miller.  Adam is an NCRA Board Member and president of the Delaware Court Reporters Association.  Thanks for all your support and friendship, and for making the trip up to Niagara Falls!

I sincerely thank the Convention Committee chaired by Mary Jo Dean and consisting of Past President Kathy Hoffman, Lorianne Jasinski, Kerry Meegan, and Lori Strong, Chair of the Board.  It was because of their hard work and efforts we all were able to enjoy such an educational and social weekend.  Thank you for your commitment and dedication in making this possible.

We wish to thank all those who contributed and donated all the baskets for the Chinese Auction and for those who put the baskets together.  We know how much time and effort goes into that and truly appreciate it.

The following day myself, my husband, and Realtime Center for Learning owner, Harriet Brenner, took a tour which included the Cave of the Wind and the Maid of the Mist boat ride.  We had so much fun laughing and enjoying ourselves as we were being sprayed with the mist from the Falls in our provided yellow and blue slickers and sandals.  What an exhilarating experience to feel the power and energy generated from these magnificent Falls!

Our 2008 Membership Renewal is in process.  Please renew your membership, as we need your support to continue the work of promoting our profession.  We ask you to invite a court reporter or student to join.  If your means will allow, we ask you to consider sponsoring a student’s membership, making a contribution to the Horizon Scholarship Fund so we may provide scholarships to students, making a contribution to the Special Fund which funds our lobbying expenses.  Whatever you give will be greatly appreciated and used to promote this great profession of ours. 

Just to give you an update, recently we had a meeting with the free-lance agencies regarding issues they are dealing with, so we are working with them to address these matters.  Contributions to the Special Fund would be helpful in this regard.

Last week I took a position with Queens Supreme Court and have experienced my first Immediate Copy, which is due at 8:00 p.m. that evening.  Talk about baptism by fire!  I wish to thank all the Court Reporters in Jamaica for their generous help.  I couldn’t have done it without you, especially Marilyn Gonzalez.  Everyone was so supportive and I sincerely appreciate it.

Thank you to all the Court Reporters at Nassau County District Court.  It’s been a pleasure working with you these past nine years and for your support in my work with our Association.  I extend an invitation to all Court Reporters to please join me in making 2008 a year that truly promotes our profession and one in which we are proud to be Court Reporters!