For forty years, the court reporting profession has faced a worsening shortage. Ninety percent of students never finish training. The average completion time is seven years. And every year, the professional associations release annual reports celebrating "progress."
This satirical FAQ imagines what an honest membership services page might look like — if institutions said what they actually meant.
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
Q: What does my membership include? A: The privilege of continued membership.
Q: What tangible benefits do I receive? A: Access to our Members-Only Portal, where you can view your invoice, pay your invoice, and download a PDF of your invoice.
Q: Is there a member discount on steno machines? A: Members receive 2% off at participating vendors, after paying the $75 Discount Activation Fee.
Q: Is the fee refundable? A: The fee is non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-optional.
CERTIFICATION
Q: What does RPR certification prove? A: That you passed the RPR exam.
Q: Does it prove job readiness? A: It proves you passed the RPR exam.
Q: The exam is controlled dictation in a quiet room. Depositions involve crosstalk, mumbling, and interruptions. Does certification reflect real-world conditions? A: The certificate has a gold seal.
Q: What’s the pass rate? A: We’re comfortable not disclosing it.
EDUCATION & THEORY
Q: Why do 90% of steno students never finish? A: We don’t have data on that.
Q: Multiple studies show— A: We don’t have data on that.
Q: Has N.O.M.A.D. investigated whether the theories taught in accredited programs contribute to dropout rates? A: Theory curriculum is outside our purview.
Q: But you accredit the schools. A: We accredit their paperwork.
Q: What if a program hasn’t produced a working reporter in years? A: Accreditation renews automatically upon payment.
THE SHORTAGE
Q: There’s been a court reporter shortage for 40 years. What is N.O.M.A.D. doing? A: We’ve launched initiatives.
Q: How have they gone?
2019: Initiative launched.
2020: Initiative under review.
2021: Initiative sunset.
2022: New initiative launched.
2023: Initiative under review.
2024: Initiative merged with previous initiative.
2025: Task force convened to define “initiative.”
Q: Has the shortage improved? A: The number of initiatives has increased.
Q: That’s not the same thing. A: It’s the same line on the annual report.
TRANSPARENCY
Q: Can I see how dues are spent? A: A summary is available in the Annual Report.
Q: The Annual Report doesn’t break down spending. A: Correct. A summary is available.
Q: Can I submit a question to the board? A: Questions can be submitted to the Questions Committee.
Q: When does the Questions Committee meet? A: The schedule is under review by the Scheduling Committee.
Q: When does the Scheduling Committee meet? A: That question has been forwarded to the Questions Committee.
COMPLAINTS
Q: How do I file a complaint? A: Submit via the Member Portal under “Feedback.”
Q: What happens after I submit? A: You receive an acknowledgment.
Q: Is the complaint addressed? A: The acknowledgment is filed.
GLOSSARY
Member: A person who has paid.
Former member: A person who has not yet paid again.
Member benefit: Something you pay for.
Initiative: Something we announce.
Progress: See “Initiative.”
Transparency: The name of a committee.
Accountability: See “Transparency.”
Strategic vision: A document (2007, unchanged).
Task force: A group that will meet eventually.
Reform: Under review.
Dues: The answer to every question.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact support@nomad.org.
Please allow 6-8 weeks for a response. Responses available to members in good standing. Good standing requires payment.
Thank you for your continued membership.
Your renewal invoice is attached.