TEXDRA LAUNCHES ITS SUMMER MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

As most of us know, volunteer associations can only function by receiving membership dues and donations. TEXDRA is no different. We have a lot of exciting things on the horizon that will benefit Texas freelance reporters. A lot of what we are doing right now is strategizing behind the scenes with our excellent legal team, but one of our main goals is modernizing the TRCP, especially Rule 203. The next legislative session is in 2019, and we are concerned that the critical shortage of reporters may prompt legislators to amend current statutes to make it easier for non-certified people to be deposition officers. While TEXDRA itself has minimal operating expenses, the big pull on our finances is consultation with our counsel. Their advice is extremely important as we navigate the best path possible for TEXDRA to follow to reach the goals we want to achieve.  With these goals in mind, TEXDRA is starting our 2018 summer membership drive!

There are several prongs to the drive. The first one is for current nonmembers. From June 16 to August 1, 2018, any nonmember who joins TEXDRA will automatically have their membership extended through August 31, 2019.  

The second prong is any current member who renews between June 16 and August 1 for the 2018-2019 membership year goes into a drawing for a $100 TEXDRA credit. We’ve got some great things in the works, such as possible online CE sessions and/or seminars, etc. You can also opt to save that credit and use it towards renewal for the 2019-2020 membership year.

The third prong is very exciting! Any current TEXDRA member (and that includes those who join from June 16 to August 1) who recruits a minimum of three new members (excluding new student members) during this same window, June 16 to August 1, 2018, will be entered into a drawing for a 9.7” 128GB Wifi iPad Pro!

The last prong regards increasing our student membership. Any current TEXDRA member (student, professional, CRF or associate) who recruits a minimum of two new student members between June 16 and August 1, 2018 will be entered into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. You can download or print a copy of these details by clicking here.

VERY IMPORTANT: When you get a new member to join, please make sure they put your name as the referring member so we can identify you!

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TEXDRA presents Project Steno founder Glyn Poage with its initial donation in San Antonio.  L to R, BCCRA President Carol Castillo; Glyn Poage; Rene White Moarefi; Janice McMoran; Rebecca Callow; Kim Tindall; Susan Miller; TEXDRA President David Ross; TEXDRA VP Kelly Hanna; Angie Lozano

TEXDRA's initial fundraising drive for Project Steno has concluded and was a resounding success!! Many sincere and heartfelt thanks to all of the generous donors that made this happen.  TEXDRA's members are the best!

Have you heard about Project Steno's efforts?  In a nutshell, Project Steno is designed to help promising new reporting students, recruited through the A to Z Program, with their court reporting school tuition.  As we all know, WE NEED MORE REPORTERS!  The shortage of court reporters is critical, and TEXDRA is taking action.

TEXDRA recently concluded our first A to Z class, and there are many more classes happening statewide.  We need to help these bright new students achieve success!  Please watch this site and our Facebook page for additional updates very soon or Follow @TEXDRA on Twitter.

Also, check out the News page for the latest updates on JBCC and Court Reporters Certification Advisory Board activity.  Work will begin very soon on the Texas UFM, and if you have any questions or suggestions, please e-mail us at UFM@texdra.org.  We're listening!

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TEXDRA is an association for Texas Certified Shorthand Reporters and Court Reporting Firms founded on the core principles of integrity, transparency, advocacy and teamwork.  We pledge to serve our profession with honesty and hard work, and we will work closely with other associations whenever possible to recruit, train and mentor students, lobby in Austin on important issues and challenges that face us all, improve relations between us and the people we serve, and educate the judiciary and the public about the vital role we hold as impartial guardians of the record.  If you're not already a member, please visit our Join Us page to join now.

TEXDRA's Mission:  To represent the professional and business interests of Texas freelance Certified Shorthand Reporters and Court Reporting Firms through advocacy, education, communication and transparency, while promoting the advantage of working with trained professionals who capture the spoken word in judicial proceedings and provide services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, and to foster better awareness of their value to the judicial system and the public.

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