By Diana L. Coleman
Legal News
Michigan Electronic Court Reporters Association (MECRA) is coming to Muskegon for its 2010 annual conference August 11-13.
But it could more aptly be said that a little dynamo of energy in the 60th District Court raised her hand at the last conference and volunteered to work on the 2010 conference. The result of volunteering to help by Valerie Alcorn Williams, court recorder and judicial secretary for the Honorable Maria Ladas Hoopes, was her chairmanship of the conference and bringing the event to her hometown.
“This is the first time the conference has ever been held in Muskegon,” said Williams. Even before attending the 2009 conference, Williams was thinking it would be really nice to host the event in Muskegon. “When they asked for volunteers to help with the 2010 conference,” Williams said, “no one was raising their hands and I just felt that I should volunteer.” The rest is history, and conference time is here.
MECRA was founded in 1978 and has grown to be the largest association in the field of electronic/digital court reporting the United States. Certification in the State of Michigan is mandatory and is accomplished through a testing process administered by the Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review.
MECRA is a nonprofit corporation organized to promote education and certification for professionals engaged in electronic reporting, transcribing, and supportive employment roles. It promotes public awareness of the electronic/digital state-of-the-art reporting industry.
Brining this association to Muskegon has made for a very busy year for Williams. She has been working lunch hours, evenings and weekends getting ready for the conference. She was in charge of scheduling speakers, the event venue, entertainment, vendors, and all aspects of the conference.
When Williams volunteered for this job, she said she thought, “How hard could it be? It’s a piece of cake. You don’t know what you’re getting into until you get the checklist from the board in June. All of a sudden, when I thought I had everything under control, I saw that checklist and thought, oh my goodness, there were tons of other things I had not even thought of.”
Williams continued, “I wanted to target local vendors and speakers. Everyone I have contacted has been extremely supportive and helpful. Kristin Knop of the Muskegon Visitors Bureau has been wonderful. She has assembled gift bags for all conference attendees that include information about the area, things to see and do, and has even included coupons to be redeemed at some of our local businesses.”
Honorable Maria Ladas Hoopes will speak on Tuesday afternoon in the opening session of the conference. Presenters include:
- Blair R. Moreau of H.E.A.R.T. Center Mercy Health Partners speaking on “Emotional, Spiritual and Physical Health;”
- Steven Capps, Director of Trial Court Services of SCAO;
- “Punctuation, Writing, and Grammar Skills” will be presented by Mary Kay Simon, Esquire, Adjunct Professor, Muskegon Community College;
- “Walky Talk” presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan - Jodi Davis, BCBSM, Health Advocate - interactive session;
- “Promoting Unity and Dealing with Stress and the DRUM CIRCLE way” Barb Pitcher, Facilitator;
- “Web Page Design and Excel” by Bob Davis of Varnum Law Offices; and
- “Self-Defense Instruction (in and out of the courtroom)” by Ike Villapando, Black Belt and Muskegon County Juvenile Court Probation Officer.
Williams is extremely excited about two special attendees to the conference: Andrea-Rennette Sohun, secretary to the Honorable Mme. Justice D. Bernard, Caribbean Court of Justice, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Debra Gibbs who will be arriving in this country to attend the event. Williams said, “We have been working to get the necessary customs clearances, dealing with money exchange issues, and making sure that the guests will receive a grand welcome in Muskegon.”
In addition to the numerous educational sessions and general session business meetings, guests will enjoy a “Hospitality Night” aboard the Port City Princess. A Hawaiian Luau theme is set for the evening and guests are invited to dress accordingly. The award ceremony for the 2010 Court Reporter of the Year will take place during the dinner cruise.
While Williams is stressing a bit with last minute changes, revisions, and accommodations, she is truly excited about this opportunity for guests to preview the Muskegon area and all that it offers to visitors. She may, however, be a bit more cautious the next time the organization asks for volunteers; or, maybe not. She certainly appears to be capable of handling whatever task may come her way.
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