Over the last 15 months, it has been a distinct pleasure to serve with the members of your current KCRA board.  Those board members include Miranda Cummings, Stacey Potenza, Mary Kay Howe, Danielle Murray, Lynelle Gottschalk, Deanna Warner, Brad Sherffius, Brandy Trible, Shanna Hill, Meghan Rogers, Johanna Lynch, and your executive director, Coleen Boxberger.  Collectively, they have acted on behalf of all court reporters in Kansas, endeavoring to focus on the ground we have in common instead of the differences that challenge us.  As each task presented itself, this board of directors offered their time, experiences, opinions, ideas, mediation skills, energy, and intellect, generously and respectfully.  During the course of those encounters and exchanges, countless hours were dedicated to address the issues and concerns of KCRA’s members, reporting students, fellow court reporters in Kansas, as well as the profession and its future.  It has been a marvelous process to watch unfold and we thank KCRA’s membership for affording all of us this opportunity to be a part of the board for 2018/19.

     In August, Mary Kay Howe and I were able to attend the National Court Reporters Association convention in the vibrant city of Denver, Colorado.  Besides attending interesting class sessions and meetings, including the National Congress of State Associations (formerly known as “committee”), we had an opportunity to visit with friends and colleagues in the Mile-High City and experience a part of the West that is itself undergoing changes and experiencing challenges.  We flew into the Denver International Airport and stepped onto the A-Line train that whisked us to downtown Denver where we arrived at Union Station.  After a half-hour walk (sorry, Mary Kay) with suitcase in hand, and a quick bite, we made it to our final destination; the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  Come to find out, there was a red (yes, really) mall bus that travels down 16^th Street from Union Station to (you guessed it) within a block of the Hyatt.  The good news is we recalculated, made adjustments, and from that time forward, maneuvering downtown was a breeze.  It was an incredible trip packed full of information!  Thank you for the chance to represent KCRA in Denver.

     There are observations and lessons to learn no matter where you are in this world.  From my perspective, Denver is transforming its downtown area with businesses and eateries, gardens and sporting venues utilized by locals and visitors day and night.  The plan they’ve chosen to pursue enhances the experience, is user friendly, and considers the impact those changes will have on its future.  Now that is what I call “community” thinking. 

     In order to move beyond where we stand, we must look beyond where we stand and visualize the future we want in our personal and business lives.  Each of us must consider the effect those decisions will ultimately have on those who follow us.  We have an obligation to one another, whether we acknowledge it or not.  The choices we make today matter to everyone because in some way, they affect everyone.  It is our duty to educate and prepare ourselves for the future.  Without the proper tools and skills, we may not be able to serve when called upon at a time that it matters the most.  Today, we have a choice.

     Approximately six weeks from now, we will be meeting for the Kansas Court Reporters Association 2019 Convention in Wichita, Kansas.  It’s been a while since we’ve visited this wonderful city for convention in the fall, perhaps take a lovely drive through the Flint Hills to reach our destination.  I hope you will join us October 20-22, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for what promises to provide educational opportunities, CEU’s, amusing diversions and excursions, and friends and colleagues.  If you haven’t made plans to attend, please consider doing so today.  Registration and information is online at KCRA’s website, www.kcra.net, under “Upcoming Events.” 

     I thank you for your time and support and I look forward to seeing you in Wichita in the fall!