The Court Reporting Journey:
Learn. Thrive. Evolve.
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Online via Zoom
Join us on September 26, 2026, for The Court Reporting Journey: Learn. Thrive. Evolve, featuring three presentations on building a career, maintaining a sustainable work life, and navigating the future of the profession.
The court reporting profession is evolving quickly. New technologies are emerging, job demands continue to grow, and protecting both the profession and personal well-being has never been more important. Still, one thing remains unchanged: the future of court reporting is in your hands.
Students, new reporters, and seasoned professionals are invited to join VCRA for an inspiring virtual event exploring every stage of the court reporting journey.
Register Now
Cost:
$60 VCRA Member|$45 VCRA Board Member
$70 Non-member price|$20 Student
Schedule
| Topic/Speaker |
Description |
Time/CEUs |
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Learn: Tracks of a Career
By Jason Meaders, RPR, CRR, CRC
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Every court reporter has a story, and few stories are as remarkable as that of Jason Meadors, Past President of the National Court Reporters Association.
Jason’s journey began in the U.S. Marine Corps and has taken him around the world. Over nearly five decades, he has served as a judicial reporter, freelance reporter, captioner, business owner, author, national leader, and advocate for the profession.
In Tracks of a Career, Jason will share the unexpected path that led him into court reporting, lessons from decades of professional growth, and the rewards that make this profession a fulfilling calling.
Whether you are just discovering your own path or reflecting on years in the profession, Jason’s presentation will remind attendees of the opportunities that await those willing to embrace the journey.
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9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
.1 CEUs
|
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Thrive: Protect Your Health and Your Career
By Marie Olson, CVR
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Success in court reporting isn't measured only by speed and accuracy. Long-term success also requires balance, resilience, and a commitment to personal well-being. That's why Marie Olson's presentation is a must-attend for every reporter and student.
Marie Olson understands the physical and professional challenges court reporters face. Her session, Court Reporting Business & Practice Management for Body Health and Career Longevity, offers practical strategies for a healthier, more sustainable career.
Attendees will learn strategies for:
- Avoiding burnout
- Managing stress more effectively
- Staying organized and productive
- Establishing healthy professional boundaries
- Working smarter rather than harder
- Implementing Marie's innovative DECIDES system for getting things done
Court reporters often care for everyone else’s record while overlooking their own needs. Marie’s session is a reminder that protecting your health is one of the best investments you can make in your future.
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10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
.1 CEUs
|
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Evolve: Understanding Artificial Intelligence and Protecting the Record
by Jeopardizing Justice
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Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how information is created, processed, and distributed. But what does it mean for the legal profession—and, more importantly, for the integrity of the record?
In Jeopardizing Justice and Artificial Intelligence, attendees will hear from a powerhouse panel of industry leaders:
- Phyllis Craver Lykken, FAPR, RPR, WA CCR
- Sue Terry, FAPR, RPR, CRR, CRC
- Debra A. Dibble, RDR, CRR, CBC, CCP
Together, these distinguished professionals bring decades of leadership, advocacy, education, and courtroom experience to a timely discussion about AI and its impact on legal proceedings.
The panel will explore how AI is influencing the legal industry, current legislation across the country, and the risks of relying on technology that may compromise accuracy, privacy, security, and due process.
This interactive session will equip attendees to educate clients, attorneys, legislators, and the public about the critical role skilled stenographic professionals play in protecting the official record.
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11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
.1 CEUs
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Total CEUs: 0.3 CEUs
Speakers
Jason Meaders, RPR, CRR, CRC
Jason Meadors began his career in court reporting while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975-1978. He has worked in official, freelance, and captioning environments. The majority of his career has been in freelance deposition work. Over the course of his career, he has reported coast to coast as well as in 16 foreign countries. He is currently stationed in Seoul, South Korea, with his wife, Sherri. They plan to return to their home in Colorado in 2027.
Jason holds the RPR, CRR, and CRC. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Professional Reporters (FAPR). Jason has served on numerous NCRA committees, as well as Board service in Director, Secretary-Treasurer, President-Elect, and President positions. His volunteer service also has included numerous roles with the Colorado Court Reporters Association and StenoCAT Users Network, including as president and DSA recipient in both groups. He also has served in civic roles, most notably the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority.
Jason is a prolific writer, with numerous contributions to the JCR, as well as state and user group newsletters. He currently has eight books published. You can also find him wending his wordy way on social media.
Jason has presented numerous seminars in many states and online settings covering a variety of 2 topics, including ethics, international reporting, best practices, office technologies, and high-spirited encouragement for practitioners in our demanding profession.
Marie Olson, CVR
Marie is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Verbatim Reporter, Certified EclipseVox Trainer, and published author will focus on balance in your court reporting business, knowing your limits, staying organized, and ways you can reduce stress from the comfort of your desk in this presentation. Don't burn out before you've even celebrated your wins! Geared towards new and seasoned reporters, attendees will learn ways to work smarter, not harder and Marie's innovative DECIDES system for getting things done!
Phyllis Craver Lykken, FAPR, RPR, WA CCR
Phyllis has come a long way since she took a Gregg shorthand class in college more than 40 years ago. Today, she is a freelance court reporter and owner of Central Court Reporting & Video in Yakima, Washington. She has served as president of the Washington Court Reporters Association (WCRA) on three separate occasions and serves on the Board of Directors of NCRA.
Craver Lykken’s long involvement with WCRA, along with a presentation she gave to the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) in 2018 to educate attorneys about compliance issues, led her to review rules related to taking depositions. “I noticed there was no direct language that would allow for remote oath administration in situations where the court reporter was not with the witness,” she says. WCRA subsequently drafted language for a new Supreme Court rule, and by the time COVID-19 emerged in March 2020, the Washington Supreme Court already had what it needed to issue an emergency order implementing the rule change.
Thanks to her years of dedicated service and her work with the WSBA and the Supreme Court, Craver Lykken serves on both the Character and Fitness Board and the Limited License Legal Technician Board of the WSBA.
Sue Terry, FAPR, RPR, CRR, CRC
Sue is an official court reporter and captioner from Springfield, Ohio. Terry is also the former chair of the NCRA STRONG Task Force, which was dedicated to promoting stenographic captioning and court reporting as the best means to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the record.
She was honored at the 2022 NCRA Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla. where she was awarded both the 2022 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) and the National Court Reporters Foundation’s The Jim Bouley Family Lifetime Award for Altruism, making her the first person to receive both honors in the same year.
Debra A Dibble, RDR, CRR, CBC, CCP
Debbie Dibble is an experienced freelance court reporter and captioner from Salt Lake City, Utah. She holds the nationally recognized professional certifications of Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR), Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR), and Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC), and has qualified for the National Speed Competition and 4 National Realtime Competition multiple times. Debbie has also worked as a reporter in Memphis, Tennessee, and is highly experienced in reporting arbitrations and trials.
At the national level, she has served as an NCRA Chief Examiner and as a delegate to the National Committee of State Associations from 2008 to 2012. She has also served on the NCRA Board of Directors, including terms as Director, Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, and President.
In 2010, the Utah Court Reporters Association (UCRA) honored her with its Distinguished Service Award. Debbie has also served in numerous volunteer leadership positions at the state level, including as a director and president of UCRA.
Debbie played a key role in leading the team that designed and developed Career Launcher, the National Court Reporters Foundation’s mentorship program for new professionals.
