House Bill 5046
MECRA, MAPCR, and MAFCR are pleased to announce the newly introduced House Bill 5046 - Page Rate Increase for transcripts in the state of Michigan. This long-awaited increase has caused a shortage of court reporters and recorder along with causing a crisis producing the official record.
We are charged as the "guardian" of a precise record that can change the lives of so many in the legal system.
Join us in making history and making a change for our industry.
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2024 Calendar
Registration links are available at the top of this webpage.​
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The January student orientation will be this evening (January 4, 2024) at 6:30 pm. We will be reviewing the student portal, student expectations, and answering questions. Also, Robin from SCAO will be available to assist you.
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Join by Zoom at 212 158 4850 or this following quick link below:
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Please note the following due dates we will be reviewing this evening.
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JANUARY 2024
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January 4th – CEO and CER Orientation
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January 12th (Day 1) - CEO/CER Course – Registration Deadline: January 1, 2024
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January 13th (Day 2) - CER Only Course – Registration Deadline: January 1, 2024
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January 23rd @ 6:30 pm via Zoom – CEO and CER Pre-Final Submission Review
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February 3rd – All assignments due to instructors
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February 10th – Approved list of students completing course due to SCAO for testing and evaluations returned to students
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February 26th @ 6:00 pm via Zoom – CEO and CER Pre-exam review with MECRA and SCAO
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EXAMS:
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March 11, 2024 (Lansing). Exams Registration Deadline: February 26, 2024
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March 12, 2024 (Lansing). Exams Registration Deadline: February 26, 2024
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March 13, 2024 (Lansing). Exams Registration Deadline: February 26, 2024
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March 14, 2024 (Lansing). Exams Registration Deadline: February 26, 2024
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March 15, 2024 (Lansing). Exams Registration Deadline: February 26, 2024
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March 20, 2024 (Howell). Exams Registration Deadline: March 4, 2024
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APRIL 2024
(Located at the Otsego County Library in Gaylord, Michigan)
This course is a hybrid with attendance in person and by Zoom.
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April 8th - CEO and CER Orientation
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April 16th - Off the Record Rally at the Capitol for HB 5046​​
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April 25th - Board Meeting at Otsego County Library (10 am)
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April 26th – (Day 1) - CEO/CER Course – REGISTRATION CLOSED.
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April 27th – (Day 2) - CER Only Course - REGISTRATION CLOSED.
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May 6th @ 6:30 pm via Zoom – April Student - CEO and CER Pre-Final Submission Review
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May 11th - All assignments due for April Course (These students would take the exams in July and after.)
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SEPTEMBER 2024
(Located at the Clinton County Courthouse Board of Commissioners room in St. Johns, Michigan)
This course is a hybrid with attendance in person and by Zoom.
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September 11th - 13th - MECRA Conference - Gaylord, MI
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September 26th - CEO and CER Orientation
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September 27th – (Day 1) - CEO/CER Course – Registration Deadline: September 12, 2024
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September 28th – (Day 2) CER Only Course – Registration Deadline
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October 6th @ 6:30 pm via Zoom September Students- CEO and CER Pre-Final Submission Review
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October 10th - All assignments due for April Course (These students would take the exams in July and after.)
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PRE-EXAM REVIEW MEETINGS:​
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February 26th @ 6:00 pm via Zoom – CEO and CER Pre-exam review with MECRA and SCAO
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May 6th - @ 6:00 pm – Pre-exam review with MECRA and SCAO (May Exam Takers)
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June 25th - @ 6:00 pm – Pre-exam review with MECRA and SCAO (July Exam Takers)
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July 23th - @ 6:00 pm – Pre-exam review with MECRA and SCAO (August Exam Takers)
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November 5th - @ 6:00 pm – Pre-exam review with MECRA and SCAO (November Exam Takers)
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For an updated list of dates, please visit our website at www.mecra.info.
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Please contact us at mecracorrespondence@gmail.com If you are interested in a Refresher Course for CEO/CER, transfer your class to another session, or training for court staff in a Video Courtroom.
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***If you are transferring to another session, please note this is a one-time option and must be the following course of study available and requires prior approval from the education team. Transfers are granted by submitting your request in writing to mecracorrespondence@gmail.com.
**Refunds are honored up to two weeks before the orientation date.
***If you are attending this course for a refresher, please note that prior approval is required by the education team. You are eligible for (1) one refresher at no charge within 12 months of completing the MECRA course.
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Zoom Instructions
Course and Legislative Meetings
Option 1: Quick Link from Laptop, Desktop, Smartphone or Tablet
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Option 2: Join by Phone
Dial 312 626 6799 US
Enter meeting ID: 212 158 4850 and follow prompts
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OUR MISSION
The Michigan Electronic Court Reporters Association (MECRA), is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and maintaining excellence through continuing training/educational opportunities and by mentoring; to establish and maintain high standards as set forth by the Michigan Supreme Court; and, to foster and maintain the honor and integrity of the profession of verbatim court reporting while actively serving the public and judicial system of the State of Michigan.
CER and CEO
Courses
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All dates are open for registration unless indicated above.
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Each student will be assigned an instructor to walk you through the course material and to review your work.
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Classes will be a hybrid of online and in-person studies.
CER ONLINE COURSE
VIA ZOOM
$210
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The CER Course is presented via Zoom from 8 am - 5:30 pm
for two days.
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This course includes all materials, online instructions, and grammar/punctuation
instruction via web conferencing.
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Projects are self-paced and self-proofing with a final transcript review once all projects are completed. Your review will be submitted to SCAO and your supervisor upon completion.
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NEW - Typed and hand-written log instruction.
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NEW - Additional online instruction included in grammar and punctuation.
This is a Board of Review approved program required prior to taking the CER examination.
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CEO ONLINE COURSE
VIA ZOOM
$110
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The CEO Course is presented via Zoom from 8 am - 5 pm.
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This course includes all materials, online instructions, and grammar/punctuation instruction via web conferencing.
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Projects are self-paced and self-proving with a final transcript review once all projects are completed. The Certificate of Completion is issued once the final exam log and transcript are completed by the student and reviewed by the instructor. (See the detailed calendar below for timelines.)
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NEW - Typed and hand-written log instructions.
This is a Board of Review approved program that is required prior to taking the CEO examination.
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Daily Course Schedule
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Day 1: CER and CEO
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7:00 pm - Class Orientation
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Before attending the classes
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Participants will need to review all pre-recorded videos in the student portal.
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Printed out the manual for reference.
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CERs - Type the Bubble Transcript sample for formatting practice, complete Margie Holds Court session, and submit typing speed test.
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CERs and CEOs - Attempt a practice log that is provided in the student portal
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Day 2: CER and CEO
8:00 am - Introductions
8:30 am - Section 1 - 3
10:45 am - Section 4
Noon - Lunch Break
1:00 pm - Review Logging Material
2:00 pm - Logging Session 1
2:45 pm - Logging Session 2
3:15 pm - Logging Session 3 (Final)
4:00 pm - Submit final logging to instructor
4:15 pm - Review logs
4:30pm - Q & A
Day 3: CER Only
8:00 am - Introductions
8:15 am - Section 5
10:00 am - Section 6 - 7
11:00 am - Section 8 - Part 1
Noon - Lunch Break
1:00 pm - Section 8 - Part 2
2:00 pm - Type transcript for final
4:30 pm - Submit final transcript to instructor
5:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Group review of the final transcript
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**Section 9 - 10 is available on the website.
Day 4: CER and CER
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6:30 pm - Pre-Exam Review
Required supplies:
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Laptop or desktop computer
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Earbuds or headset
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Foot pedal (CERs only)
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Internet access
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All course material is available for download from the student portal.
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