CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan, left, and Long
Island Region President Jarvis Brown, right,
congratulate Region 1 Judiciary Local Vice
President Darlene Devlin, center, on receiving
the Danny Donohue Leadership Award – State
Government.
RIVERHEAD — During her 25-year court stenography career, CSEA Long Island Judiciary Local Vice President Darlene Devlin has carved out a pivotal role recruiting potential stenographer applicants.
For her efforts, Devlin was honored with the Danny Donohue Leadership Award – State Government at our union’s 114th Annual Delegates Meeting.
“At times, being a union activist can feel like a thankless job,” said Devlin. “Winning this award feels like a validation that I’m doing the right thing and I’m on the right path.”
Devlin began her career as a freelance stenographer before she became a full-time employee at the New York State Unified Court System.
About seven years ago, Devlin received a promotion, and she joined CSEA soon after.
“Because I’ve worked as a freelancer, I know what it’s like to not have a contract or union negotiated benefits,” said Devlin. “That experience has given me a greater appreciation for my CSEA membership. I don’t take it for granted.”
Recruitment a top priority
Knowing that many court reporters will be retiring in the next few years, Devlin has thrown herself into recruitment efforts in hopes of increasing the hiring pool.
“We call court stenography the greatest job that nobody knows about,” said Devlin. “This job has afforded me the ability to raise my daughter and buy a home on my own. I want other people to know about it.”
As part of her recruitment efforts, Devlin works with the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), visiting high schools where she speaks to students about the association’s A to Z program, a free six-week introductory course to introduce potential students to the stenography machine and steno alphabet. The association’s program also gauges students’ interest and aptitude for the position.
Devlin brings a rented or donated “writer” when she meets with students to help students familiarize themselves with the machine.
“College is great for some people, but not everyone wants to attend a university. You’re also not guaranteed a job after school,” said Devlin. “Due to the high demand [for court stenography], students receive immediate placement after completing the A to Z Program.”
Devlin’s other avenues for recruitment include successfully networking with the Suffolk County District Administrative Judge and the New York State Court Reporters Assocation (NYSCRA), which helped CSEA members by bringing experts into the field that could help facilitate Court Recess Training.
From left, during a civil service exam practice session are Reid Goldsmith, retired New York State Senior Court Reporter and President of the New York State Court Reporters Association (NYSCRA); Karen Santucci, Court Reporting Program Director at Plaza College and NYSCRA Vice President; Harriet Brenner-Gettleman, NYSCRA Immediate Past President and current Third Department Director at NYSCRA, and owner/director at Real-time Center for Learning and CSEA Long Island Region Judiciary Local Vice President Darlene Devlin, who is also an active member of NYSCRA. (Photo provided by Darlene Devlin.)
To help potential stenographers pass the New York State Unified Court System’s (NYSUCS) Court Reporter Examination, Devlin and other professional court reporters participated in dictation sessions for students at Plaza College, enabling the students to practice before the next exam.
“It’s a passion of mine to help people to get into the NYSUCS. I want them to have the stability and the benefits that I have,” said Devlin. “When I was first getting into the field, so many people helped me. I want to pay it forward.”
Devlin notes that people are often worried about technology taking over the stenographer position, when the truth is lack of interest in the field is the true problem.
“If no one is interested in these positions, the courts will have to rely on technology to fulfill the role,” said Devlin. “The technology is subpar and it cannot do what a court stenographer does. This job is not as simple as Siri voice to text. There is a lot more involved.”
Recognizing Devlin’s passion for recruitment, the NYSCRA has asked Devlin to be on their board of directors, a position that she holds as of early November.
Devlin will be teaching a seminar about working in the courts system at the association’s next convention.
Devlin credits CSEA for giving her the support that she needs to fulfill her recruitment goals.
“When you have the support of CSEA leadership, you can get so much accomplished,” said Devlin. “Their assistance is an important benefit of our membership.”
— Wendi Bowie
