Section C: Association Governance – Miscellaneous - Subsection 8b: JCR Advertising Policy

POLICY: JCR Advertising Policy

Policy Statement(s)

1. No advertisement submitted for publication in any NCRA publication may be false, misleading, deceptive, in poor taste or contrary to the purposes and objectives of NCRA. NCRA has the right to refuse advertising from any vendor whose activities are contrary to the purposes and objectives of NCRA or whose activities violate the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics.
2. Although the NCRA certifications and their abbreviations are personal certifications, the phrase “includes RPRs” or “includes Registered Professional Reporters” may be used by a court reporting entity in its advertisements, if a majority of the reporters employed by or independently contracted for by said firm or entity hold said certification. This policy shall equally apply to other NCRA designations.
3. Only designations currently conferred by NCRA, as well as designations for a court reporter that are officially recognized by the state in which the court reporter is licensed to practice, may be used to refer to the services or skills of a court reporter in an advertisement appearing in an NCRA publication. This Advertising Policy is not intended to prohibit or restrict the use of academic degrees or other professional designations unrelated to court reporting skills or services in advertisements appearing in NCRA publications.
4. A reporting firm may advertise its freelance shorthand reporting services in any NCRA publication if a majority of the reporters employed by the firm or with whom the firm contracts for reporting services are members in good standing of NCRA and are actively engaged in shorthand reporting.
5. NCRA will not publish advertisements that indicate a preference in terms of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
6. A copy of this Advertising Policy and the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics shall be given to each person or entity that submits an advertisement for publication in an NCRA publication. The person or firm submitting the advertisement must (1) certify that such advertisement complies with the above requirements; and (2) agree to provide, upon request, satisfactory proof that the above requirements are satisfied. The person or firm must also agree to be bound by and follow the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics.
7. NCRA retains the right to reject any advertisement submitted for publication in an NCRA publication if, in its judgment, such advertisement does not meet all the requirements specified in this Advertising Policy. or if the activities of the person or firm submitting such advertisement are contrary to the purposes and objectives of NCRA or violate the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics.

POLICY: NCRA Advertising Complaint Process: Alleged Code of Ethics Violations

Policy Statement(s)

NCRA Advertising Complaint Process: Alleged Code of Ethics Violations

Definitions

“Advertising” includes all paid advertising or promotional opportunities offered by NCRA, whether in print or online, including any and all display advertising, classified advertising, event sponsorships, advertising inserts or flyers, etc.

“Advertiser” shall include any individual or entity purchasing advertising from NCRA, regardless of whether they are eligible or hold NCRA membership.

Agreement and Scope

All NCRA advertising agreements shall include an affirmative agreement by the Advertiser that they will comply with the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics as a condition for advertising.

Actions in violation of COPE need not be apparent or referenced in the content of the Advertising itself to form a basis for complaint. A proven violation of COPE by the Advertiser is sufficient for disciplinary action, including limitations on advertising privileges, regardless of whether the violative behavior is referenced or discussed in the content of the advertisement.

Complaints of violations of COPE by the Advertiser will only be considered for activities occurring from the time of signing the advertising agreement forward. Complaints based on past activities without evidence that these violative practices have continued will be dismissed.

Complaint Process

The NCRA Advertising Complaint Process provides the same due process and evidentiary standards as the current COPE process:

Sanctions:

If an advertiser is held in violation of the Code, based upon the severity of the violation, sanctions shall include:

• A permanent or temporary loss of NCRA advertising privileges;
• A cautionary letter, warning or statement of advice; or
• A reprimand.

Advertisers’ advertising privileges shall not be restricted or impinged upon unless a formal complaint has been filed and a final finding of violation has been made. That is, Advertisers may continue to advertise while a complaint is pending.

Initial Implementation:

Complaints against Advertisers shall only be considered for actions in violations of COPE occurring on or after October 22, 2011.

Download a Complaint Form

Policy Statement(s)

Vendors/suppliers who compete with vendors/suppliers of programs that NCRA endorses may advertise in NCRA publications and exhibit at NCRA meetings and conventions.