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Calendar and Announcements
FREE WEBINAR for Legislative Staff!
 Emily Post will speak about "Courteous and Effective Communication" using email and social media on June 13, 2013. Learn how to effectively use these tools, sharpen your writing skills, and get your points across, while understanding the responsibilities and potential consequences that result from the unprofessional or careless use of these tools. More.
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Leadership Staffing as a Career
 Announcing a new initiative from NCSL to recruit young people into legislative service. Visit the Legislative Careers webpage to learn more about legislative service as a career and search job postings from state legislatures More
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Standing Committees
Serving on an LSS standing committee is a great way to get involved. Interested? Submit your name and the committees on which you'd like to serve to Sallie Bolton, Chair of LSS, or Natalie Wood, LSS liaison. Keep clicking to see the list of committees... More
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Legislative Summit in Atlanta is Fast Approaching!
 LSS will be offering sessions tailored to leadership staff. Are you registered?
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Overview
Purpose
The NCSL Leadership Staff Section was founded in 1975 as a professional organization for legislative staff in the fifty states who work for leaders and party caucuses. The purposes of the section are:
- To provide a national forum for the recognition of the contributions of leadership staff to the legislative process;
- To enhance communication among leadership staff members in the 50 states and the insular possessions and the territories;
- To increase effectiveness of leadership staff; and
- To offer a forum for discussion of how leadership staff can better serve their leaders and their legislators.
Governance
The staff section is governed by a chair, a first vice-chair, a second vice-chair, an immediate past chair, and an 9-member executive committee. The officers and executive committee are elected by the general membership at the annual business meeting of the staff section. They serve one-year terms with a three consecutive term limit. The executive committee makes general decisions that guide the staff section including planning the activities of the staff section. The executive committee meets at least twice a year at the annual training seminar in the fall and during the winter for a planning session. The executive committee is responsible for setting the agenda for the annual training seminar, publishing the staff section newsletter, maintaining communication with the NCSL executive committee and conducting other business and special projects that arise.
Activities
The Leadership Staff Section is committed to developing the professional skills of legislative staff working in the unique and demanding offices of state legislative leaders. The LSS Annual Training Seminar is the main venue through which the staff section offers professional skills development. The annual training seminar is held each fall for four days. The staff section also sponsors several sessions at the NCSL Annual Meeting in the summer. Curious about last year's agenda? Click here. The 2009 agenda will be available this summer.
LSS also meets annually at NCSL's Legislative Summit.
LSS publishes a periodic newsletter called Leadership Staff Connections which is sent to all LSS members.
Contact
For more information on LSS, contact Natalie O'Donnell Wood, NCSL staff liaison to LSS.
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Leadership Staff Membership and Contacts
The general membership of the Leadership Staff Section (LSS) consists of persons designated as leadership staff by legislative leaders of the fifty states and the insular possessions and territories of the United States. Each individual state's definition of legislative leaders shall apply when determining membership.
A searchable database of the LSS membership (as well as other staff section memberships) is available to you. This is a fast--and easy--way to find LSS members when you are looking for information and need a contact in a state. The roster of the staff section is maintained by NCSL. To be added to the membership of the staff section, or to search the database, contact the NCSL liaison for LSS.
Guidelines for Retired Members
Members of the Leadership Staff Section who leave active legislative employment are eligible to continue their membership in the LSS as "retired members." Retired members shall be defined as those former LSS members actually drawing retirement benefits from legislative service and those who have left legislative employment but are employed elsewhere. Lobbyists registered to lobby state legislatures shall not be eligible for retired member status.
A retired member shall not have voting privileges, but is eligible to receive all other privileges of LSS membership. Specifically, a retired member is eligible to participate in the LSS annual training seminar in the same manner as an active legislative staff member. The retired member will pay the same registration fee as for guest registration.
Application for retired member status shall be made in writing to the current LSS chair. Final approval shall be by majority vote of the LSS Executive Committee.
These guidelines are adopted as general policy of the LSS, but are not incorporated into its bylaws. The guidelines become effective immediately upon their adoption. They can be amended or revoked at any time by a majority vote at an annual meeting of the Leadership Staff Section.
For More Information
Contact an officer or a member of the executive committee, or contact Natalie O'Donnell Wood, the NCSL liaison for LSS, at (303) 364-7700.
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Bylaws
Leadership Staff Section
(as amended October 2012)
ARTICLE ONE
Name - The name of the organization is the Leadership Staff Section (LSS) of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
Membership - The general membership will consist of persons designated as leadership staff by legislative leaders of the fifty states and the insular possessions and territories of the United States of America. Each individual state legislatures definition of leadership staff shall be applicable when determining membership. A person's eligibility for membership or tenure on the Executive Committee shall cease upon separation of employment with the legislature. There shall be no dues or membership fees.
Purpose - The purposes of this Section are: to provide a national forum for recognition of the contributions of leadership staff to the legislative process; to enhance communications among staff members in the 50 states and the insular possessions and the territories; to increase effectiveness and professionalism of leadership staff; and to offer a forum for discussion of how leadership staff can better serve their elected legislators and the public.
Meeting of Members - The Annual Business Meeting of the Section shall be held at such time and place normally to coincide with the Annual Professional Development Seminar of the Section.
Adequate notice of the business meeting shall be provided to the general membership of the Section at least thirty days prior to the Annual Professional Development Seminar.
Executive Committee - The Executive Committee shall be composed of 13 members, an LSS Chair, First Vice-Chair, a Second Vice-Chair and nine Directors, elected by the membership at the preceding Annual Business Meeting, and the immediate past chair. All Executive Committee members who are employed by a state legislature, upon the completion of their term, shall be designated as ex-officio voting members for two years following the end of their term on the Executive Committee. If there is more than one ex-officio voting member from the same state, voting is limited to one vote for that state. After the two-year period, all past chairs or executive committee members of the Section, other than the immediate past chair, who are employed by a state legislature shall be ex-officio non-voting members of the Executive Committee. Any NCSL staff officer or past NCSL staff officer, or present staff member of the NCSL Executive Committee, if serving as leadership staff in his or her state legislature, shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of the Executive Committee.
The LSS Chair shall preside over meetings of the executive committee and the membership and be responsible for the general management and control of the business and affairs of this Section. The LSS Chair is an ex-officio member of all standing committees of the Section. The First Vice-Chair shall preside in the absence of the chair. The Second Vice-Chair shall preside in the absence of the first vice-chair. The NCSL staff member assigned to the section shall provide administrative assistance to the Section.
Meetings/Quorum of the Executive Committee - The Executive Committee of this Section shall hold its meeting upon the call of the LSS Chair at such time and place as he or she shall designate. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee. A vacant position on the Executive Committee shall not be included in the determination of a quorum for the purposes of transaction of business.
Powers and Duties - The Executive Committee shall have the power to select a site for the Annual Professional Development Seminar, prepare the agenda for the Annual Professional Development Seminar, call special meetings of the full membership, execute contracts subject to approval of the NCSL Executive Committee, appoint subcommittees and special committees, and manage training programs.
ARTICLE FOUR
Nomination, Election and Terms of Office - Not later than 120 calendar days prior to each Annual Business Meeting of the Section, the LSS Chair shall appoint from the general membership of the Section a nominating committee of five members, one of whom shall be the immediate past chair of the Section who will serve as chair of the nominating committee. If the immediate past chair is unable or unavailable to serve in this role, the LSS Chair shall appoint the nominating committee chair from among the general membership of the Section. If any member of the nominating committee is unable or unavailable to serve in this role, the LSS Chair shall appoint a replacement from among the general membership of the Section. The nominating committee shall compile a slate of nominees for the offices of LSS Chair, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair and nine Directors of the Section.
No later than 90 calendar days prior to each Annual Business Meeting of the Section, the nominating committee shall distribute by either electronic mail or mail to the general membership of the Section a notice that announces the opening of nominations for candidates to the Executive Committee, describes the general conditions and responsibilities of Executive Committee service and lists the name and contact information of the chair for the nominating committee. Insofar as possible, consideration shall be given to providing reasonable gender, racial, ethnic, partisan and geographic balance among the list of nominees submitted by the nominating committee, provided that nothing herein shall require the establishment of any quota. The slate of nominees shall be submitted for vote of the membership at the Annual Business Meeting of the Section provided, however, that additional nominations may be made from the floor by the general membership. Election to the office of LSS Chair, First Vice-Chair or Second Vice-Chair requires a majority vote of the member states, insular possessions, and territories present and voting. Election to the office of Director requires a plurality vote of the member states, insular possessions, and territories present and voting. Each state, insular possessions, and territory shall have one vote for each position to be elected.
The terms of officers of the Section shall commence at the close of the Annual Business Meeting at which meeting their successors shall be elected. No Director of the Executive Committee may serve more than three consecutive one-year terms unless elected to be LSS Chair, First Vice-Chair or Second Vice-Chair of the Section. Upon serving three consecutive one-year terms on the Executive Committee, an ex-officio non-voting member must wait one year before being eligible to serve on the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE FIVE
Vacancies - LSS Chair, First Vice-Chair and Second Vice-Chair: In the event of a vacancy in the office of the LSS Chair prior to the expiration of his or her term, the First Vice-Chair shall assume the office and responsibilities and serve as LSS Chair for the balance of the term. Filling the unexpired term of the LSS Chair does not preclude the First Vice-Chair from being eligible to be nominated for a full term as LSS Chair.
The vacancy created by the First Vice-Chair shall be filed by the Second Vice-Chair. He or she shall assume the office and all responsibilities and serve as First Vice-Chair for the balance of the term. Filling the unexpired term of the First Vice-Chair does not preclude the Second Vice-Chair from being eligible to be nominated for a full term as First Vice-Chair.
To fill the unexpired term of the Second Vice-Chair, the LSS Chair shall submit to the remaining members of the Executive Committee a name for nomination for the position of Second Vice-Chair. The nomination shall be approved by majority vote of the voting members of the Executive Committee at a special meeting to be called by the LSS Chair. Should the nomination of the LSS Chair not be approved, he or she shall make a second and any subsequent nominations until the Executive Committee shall approve the nomination with a majority vote. Filling the unexpired term of Second Vice-Chair does not preclude the Second Vice-Chair from being eligible to be nominated for a full term as Second Vice-Chair.
Immediate Past Chair: In the event of a vacancy in the position of Immediate Past Chair, the LSS Chair shall submit to the remaining members of the Executive Committee the name of a former Chair for nomination for the position of Immediate Past Chair. The nomination shall be approved by majority vote of the voting members of the Executive Committee at a special meeting to be called by the LSS Chair. Should the nomination of the LSS Chair not be approved, he or she shall make a second and any subsequent nominations until the Executive Committee shall approve the nomination with a majority vote.
Directors: In the event of a vacancy in the position of a Director on the Executive Committee, the LSS Chair shall submit to the remaining members of the Executive Committee a name for nomination for the position of Director. The nomination shall be approved by majority vote of the voting members of the Executive Committee at a special meeting to be called by the LSS Chair. Should the nomination of the LSS Chair not be approved, he or she shall make a second and any subsequent nominations until the Executive Committee shall approve the nomination with a majority vote. Filling the unexpired term of Director does not preclude the Director from being eligible to be nominated for a full term as Director on the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE SIX
Amendments of By-Laws - These By-Laws may be amended by a majority vote of the member states, insular possessions, and territories present at any Annual Business Meeting of the Section. Proposed amendments shall be available in writing and distributed to all leadership staff at the Annual Business Meeting.
ARTICLE SEVEN
The Leadership Staff Section is part of the legislative staff division of the National Conference of State Legislatures. All matters not covered by these By-Laws or the By-Laws of NCSL, Masons Manual of Legislative Procedure shall govern.
LSS Standing Orders
As of 10/05
When adopting policies of a continuing nature, the LSS Executive Committee records its actions in the form of standing orders. Standing orders remain in effect until amended or repealed by action of the same or a succeeding Executive Committee.
1. Guidelines for Retired Members
Adopted September 1999
New Orleans, Louisiana
Members of the NCSL Leadership Staff Section (hereafter referred to as NCSL-LSS) who leave active legislative employment are eligible to continue their membership in the NCSL-LSS as “retired members.” Retired members shall be defined as those former NCSL-LSS members actually drawing retirement benefits from legislative service and those who have left legislative employment but are employed elsewhere. Lobbyists registered to lobby state legislatures shall not be eligible for retired member status.
A retired member shall not have voting privileges, but is eligible to receive all other privileges of NCSL-LSS membership. Specifically, a retired member is eligible to participate in the NCSL-LSS annual training seminar in the same manner as an active legislative staff member. The retired member will pay the same registration fee as for guest registration.
Application for retired member status shall be made in writing to the current NCSL-LSS chair. Final approval shall be by majority vote of the NCSL-LSS Executive Committee.
2. LSS Executive Fund
Adopted September 2002
Portland, Maine
Findings & Purpose:
The Leadership Staff Section finds that several of the member states of the NCSL have travel restrictions involving expense reimbursement that prohibit many from attending and participating in staff section sponsored seminars and meetings. This limit of state funding impairs numerous, talented individuals from ascending to leadership positions within the Leadership Staff Section, some of which require travel for participation on other committees within the NCSL. It is the intent of the Leadership Staff Section to address this issue with the creation of a funding mechanism that will aid, if not offset, the expenses incurred for those who are elected to govern or represent our staff section.
Creation:
There is hereby created - under the auspices of the NCSL - the Leadership Staff Section Executive Fund, hereafter referred to as “the Executive Fund.” The fund shall be administered by the Leadership Staff Executive Committee.
Housing of Executive Fund:
The Executive Fund shall be located in the Leadership Staff Section accounts of the NCSL. All contributions to the Fund shall be sent directly to the NCSL marked for that specific account. All pertinent tax information shall be made available to contributors to the Fund.
Solicitation:
Each year, the newly elected Chair of the Leadership Staff Section shall compose one general mailing to potential contributors identified by the members of the LSS Executive Committee. This letter will originate from—and be signed only by—the Chair of the section in his or her official capacity on NCSL stationery. The letter will not make mention of any individual that might benefit from any contribution, but will only speak of the Leadership Staff Section, the Leadership Staff Executive Committee and its officers generally. The letter shall point out the tax deductible benefits of contributing to the Executive Fund.
Operation of the Fund:
Members and officers of the Leadership Staff Executive Committee and members of the Leadership Staff Section serving on the NCSL Executive Committee shall submit a formal letter of funding approval to the Chair of the Leadership Staff Executive Committee for assistance from the Executive Fund. Said letter shall include, but not be limited to, the purpose of travel, quote of amount requested from the Executive Fund, a breakdown of said quote and the current applicable expense and reimbursement level/travel policy for the state or chamber of which you are in the employ. The letter must be received by the Chair at least two months prior to the scheduled date of the meeting.
The letter of funding approval shall be reviewed by members of the Executive Committee and voted on during any scheduled meeting of the Leadership Staff Executive Committee or by a call for a vote via e-mail from the Chair. The person requesting the assistance from the Executive Fund shall be prohibited from voting due to the direct pecuniary interest. Voting results are determined by simple majority.
Moneys available for withdrawal from the Executive Fund are limited to the actual balance in the fund.
In the event of insufficient funds being available to meet the letters of application, preference for funding from the Executive Fund shall be given as follows:
1 - Section Chair
2 - Section 1st Vice Chair
3 - NCSL Executive Committee Member
4 - Section 2nd Vice Chair
5 - Section Immediate Past Chair (if not on NCSL Executive Committee)
6 - Non-officer section Executive Committee members, excluding ex-officio members
Should a letter for funding be requested by the Chair, the 1st Vice Chair shall call for the vote.
Should funds be offered by the Executive Committee that are less than the amount requested, the requestor of the funds has the right to accept the amount offered or withdraw their letter of funding approval.
Any officer or member of the Leadership Staff Executive Committee or any members of the Leadership Staff Section serving on the NCSL Executive Committee that receives moneys from the Executive Fund shall sign a letter of acceptance of moneys from the Executive Fund which shall state in form, “in the event of meeting cancellation, personal or professional obligation or any other natural disaster, terrorist act or act of God, the receiver of moneys from the Executive Fund shall reimburse - in full - the moneys withdrawn from the fund.”
Approved moneys shall be mailed to the applicant prior to the meeting for which the moneys were requested. In the event of a meeting cancellation, for any reason, all moneys must be returned to the NCSL for redeposit into the Executive Fund. The beneficiary of the moneys shall accept all responsibility for the return of such moneys.
Accounting of the Fund:
Copies of the activities of the Fund shall be provided annually to the Executive Committee at a time designated by the Chair. Any amount remaining in the Executive Fund from the prior year’s solicitation shall be automatically carried over.
Transfer of Money from the Executive Fund:
The LSS Executive Committee may transfer money from the Executive Fund to the LSS Special Meeting Fund at any time, except if such transfer would reduce the balance of the Executive Fund below $1,000.
3. The LSS Professional Development Revolving Account
Creation:
There is hereby created—under the auspices of the NCSL— the Leadership Staff Section Professional Development Revolving Account, hereafter referred to as the PDRA. The PDRA is created to hold surplus monies (if any) generated by the LSS Fall Professional Development Seminar. The PDRA shall be located in the Leadership Staff Section accounts of the NCSL.
Administration
Funds in the PDRA will be administered by the LSS Executive Committee.
Moneys available for withdrawal from the PDRA are limited to the actual balance in the fund. Expenditures from the PDRA require approval of the LSS Executive Committee by an affirmative vote of a majority of its voting members.
A report on the activities of the PDRA shall be provided annually to the Executive Committee by the NCSL LSS liaison at a time designated by the LSS Chair. Any amount remaining in the PDRA shall be automatically carried over.
For More Information
Contact an officer or a member of the executive committee, or contact Natalie O'Donnell Wood, the NCSL liaison for LSS, at (303) 364-7700.
LSS Professional Development Seminar - Denver, Colorado
The 2013 LSS Professional Development Seminar will be held October 9-11, in Denver, Colorado!
LSS has a block of rooms at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Denver, at a room rate of $149/night. More information, including a preliminary agenda, coming soon!
To find archived information about the 2012 Madison meeting look here.
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Leadership Staff Section Awards
We will be soliciting nominations for the 2013 Legislative Staff Achievement Awards soon!
Legislative Staff Achievement Award Criteria
A Legislative Staff Achievement Award nominee may be an individual, office, group or team whose contributions benefit the oles of leadership staff, and should meet a significant number of the following criteria. At least one of the awards is presented to an individual who has been an active participant in Leadership Staff Section activities, as evidenced by attendance at the Section's annual training seminars, and by other significant involvement with the Section. Other examples include:
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Identified differences and used them positively to benefit our organization, and ultimately our roles in individual states.
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Identified significant areas within which we can learn from one another.
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Outstanding credibility and genuine interest in networking ideas.
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Common understanding necessary for inclusive contributions and acceptance of Leadership Staff Section participants.
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Effectiveness in giving...self, time, resources, etc...to benefit our Section.
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Insights that can be developed through teamwork (ability to objectively process knowledge/patterns for contriving options for avoidance of common obstacles).
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Determined toward efficiency and betterment of professional selves or members; shares "best game" strategies.
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Promotes benefits gained from Leadership Staff Section.
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Develops solution(s) for various subterfuges; emanating realistic expectations versus frustrations - for example, "New Dimensions for Change" ideas.
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Improved communication and/or participation in Leadership Staff Section.
The recipients of the awards are announced during the NCSL Annual Meeting. The awards presentation occurs during the Leadership Staff Section Fall Professional Development Seminar.
Legislative Staff Achievement Award Winners
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Year |
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2012 |
Terri Franks-Smith, Idaho House
Arnold Sowell, California Assembly
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2011 |
Mechelle Miller, Louisiana House |
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2010 |
Mary Sue Jones, Idaho Senate |
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2009 |
Erlinda Campbell, New Mexico Senate
Barbara Oakes, Maryland House
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2008 |
Nancy Butcher, West Virginia House |
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2007 |
Rosina Boyd, New Mexico House
Kurt Deweese, Illinois House
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2006 |
James Lovette, Pennsylvania House
Dawn Reese, Pennsylvania House
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2005 |
Laura Bauman, Indiana Senate
Erin Russell, Nevada Assembly
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2004 |
Diane Steward, Maine Senate
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2003 |
Joyce Johnson, Tennessee Senate
John Mullins, West Viriginia House
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2002 |
Lori Rigby, Delaware House
Meredith Norris, North Carolina House
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2001 |
Mechelle Miller, Louisiana House
Charlotte Ellis Land, Kentucky House
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2000 |
Marsha Wise, Pennsylvania House
Kathy Holcomb, Michigan House
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1999 |
C. Louise Krautheim, Pennsylvania House
Jenifer Noland, Kentucky House
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1998 |
David W. Wilkins, Delaware Senate
Jan Shirrell, Indiana Senate
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1997 |
Thomas R. Tedcastle, Florida House
Toni Christman, Pennsylvania House
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For More Information
If you have any questions about the awards or the nomination process, please call the LSS chair or any member of the LSS Awards Committee or contact Natalie O'Donnell Wood, the NCSL liaison for LSS, at (303) 364-7700.
Leadership Staff Section, E-Mail Discussion Group (LSS Listserv)
General Information
Do you have a question about how other states handle an issue or a problem that you’ve encountered? The Leadership Staff Section (LSS) listserv is an electronic discussion group. It provide an e-mail form for information exchange to legislative leadership staff and others interested in leadership issues.
LSS listserv subscribers may post questions to the list. Every question sent to the list’s address is automatically distributed to all LSS listserv subscribers. In return, any subscriber’s response to a listserv e-mail is automatically transmitted to all other subscribers.
NCSL staff use the listserv to distribute meeting announcements and other association information.
NCSL Listserv Use Policy
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: When you send or reply to a question on a listserv, all subscribers will be able to view your inquiry or message.
NCSL staff section listservs are open to all registered legislative members and staff.
To Subscribe
To subscribe to the LSS listserv, send an e-mail requesting a subscription to LSS-L to Natalie O'Donnell Wood, the LSS liaison and listserv administrator. In your e-mail, please provide the following:
Name
Title (for example—Chief of Staff, Legislative Assistant, etc.)
Office (for example—Office of the Speaker, Office of the Minority Leader, etc.)
Chamber (for example—Senate, House or Assembly)
State
Phone number
E-mail address
You will receive a welcome message that confirms your subscription and describes how to post messages to (and to be removed from) the listserv. It’s a good idea to save those instructions.
Posting Messages
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: When you send (or reply to) a question on the LSS listserv, all subscribers receive your inquiry or message.
To post a message to the LSS listserv, send an e-mail message addressed to LSS-L@ncsl.org. In the subject field, please put a brief description of the topic of your message. In the body of the message, present your questions or comments. Also, include your name and contact information at the bottom of every message, so others may contact you individually if they choose. When you hit "Send," your message will be sent to all subscribers on the list.
Also, if confidentiality is important, LSS listserv subscribers may ask Natalie O'Donnell Wood, the LSS liaison, to post questions.
Replying to Messages
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: When you send (or reply to) a question on the LSS listserv, all subscribers receive your inquiry or message. To respond privately to someone who posted a message or response to the LSS listserv, DO NOT reply to the listserv message. Instead, send a new message to that person’s individual e-mail address.
To respond to any inquiry posted to the LSS listserv, just hit "Reply" and type in your response. Again, please include your name and contact information at the end of your message, so others may contact you individually if they choose. When you hit "Send," your response will be sent to all subscribers on the list.
To Be Removed (Unsubscribe)
To be removed (to unsubscribe) from the LSS listserv, DO NOT SEND (OR REPLY TO) A LISTSERV MESSAGE. Please send an individual e-mail message to Natalie O'Donnell Wood. In either the subject line or the body of the message, put the word UNSUBSCRIBE.
For More Information
If you have any questions about or problems with the LSS listserv, please contact:
Natalie O'Donnell Wood
NCSL Liaison to the Leadership Staff Section (LSS)
Phone: 303-364-7700
Officers and Executive Committee
Leadership Staff Section Executive Committee Officers: 2012-2013
The Leadership Staff Section is governed by a chair, a first vice-chair, a second vice-chair, an immediate past chair, and a 9-member executive committee. The officers and executive committee are elected by the general membership at the annual business meeting of the staff section. They serve one-year terms with a three consecutive term limit. The executive committee makes general decisions that guide the staff section including planning the activities of the staff section. The executive committee meets at least twice a year at the annual training seminar in the fall and during the winter for a planning session. The executive committee is responsible for setting the agenda for the annual training seminar, publishing the staff section newsletter, maintaining communication with the NCSL executive committee and conducting other business and special projects that aris
Members
Voting Ex-Officio Members Non-Voting Ex-Officio Members
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Leadership Staff Committees
Leadership Staff Section 2012-2013 Committees
Awards
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Mission: To interpret and apply the standards set forth in the Leadership Staff Secion achievement award criteria relative to the nomination and selection of the two LSS Achievement Awards. Announce deadlines for nominations and ensure a timely process to enable the Committee ample time to thoroughly review all nominations and make selections of award recipients. |
Chair:
Tracy Campbell (WV)
Members:
Nancy Butcher (WV)
Terri Franks-Smith (ID)
Janeen Halverson (UT)
Mechelle Miller (LA)
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Bylaws
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Mission: To review any suggested changes in the Bylaws of the Leadership Staff Section and make recommendations to the LSS Executive Committee.
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Chair:
Aurora Hawke (AK)
Members
Nancy Butcher (WV)
Janeen Halverson (UT)
Jeff Johnson (WV)
Mechelle Miller (LA)
Kevin Teets (TN)
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Communications
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Mission: To ensure regular and effective communication of LSS activities and benefits of membership with appropriate legislative staff in the states and territories.
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Chair:
Janeen Halverson (UT)
Members:
Tracy Campbell (WV)
Terri Franks-Smith (ID)
Rhoda Struhs (UT)
Patricia Walker (AK)
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Finance and Fundraising
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Mission: To oversee the LSS "Officers' Fund," which may be used by LSS Executive Committee members and LSS representatives to NCSL's LSCC to supplement travel expenses when participation is otherwise limited by state travel restrictions. To oversee other fundraising efforts by LSS.
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Chair:
Mechelle Miller (LA)
Members:
Jeff Johnson (WV)
Zak Kelley (TN)
Patricia Walker (AK)
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Mission: From our general membership, encourage participants to run for the LSS Executive Committee. Be prepared to explain the structure of the LSS Committee and ensure that we have candidates for all vacancies on Executive Committee and for officer slots.
Publicize the procedures and time lines for submitting letters of intent to seek LSS office. Review all letters of intent and interview all candidates at the annual training seminar prior to selection of nominees. Seek information about legislative leadership support of candidates and approval for travel and participation in LSS activities. Inform nominees of their selection propr to announcement to general membership vote. Announce nominees and ask for nominations from the floor at the general membership meeting.
By the LSS Bylaws, the size of this committee is limited to 5 members.
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Chair:
Nancy Butcher (WV)
Members:
TBA
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Outreach
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Mission: To encourage participation by leadership staff in LSS activitiesand in other NCSL programs.
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Chair:
Sallie Bolton (KY)
Members:
Maridon Boario (AK)
Lisa Davis (MS)
Kevin Harun (AK)
Naomi Miller (TX)
Rhoda Struhs (UT)
Kevin Teets (TN)
Patricia Walker (AK)
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Program Development
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Mission: To develop balanced training programs that will provide information of value to Leadership Staff participants. These programs should be informative, enjoyable, participatory and should offer issues that are pertinent to leadership staff activities and personal career development. Contact and schedule speakers and/or panelists to ensure topics offered at the annual training seminar meet or exceed past sessions by reviewing seminar evaluations submitted by LSS attendees.
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Chair:
Nancy Butcher (WV)
Members:
Maridon Boario (AK)
Sallie Bolton (KY)
Nancy Butcher (WV)
Noah Hanson (AK)
Zak Kelley (TN)
Jeff Papa (IN)
Todd Scott (MO)
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E-learning Task Force
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The e-learning task force is charged with determing how the Leadership Staff Section can develop e-learning opportunities that best meet the group's educational and training needs. The task force applies for e-learning funds made available by the NCSL Foundation and the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee as they are made available.
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Chair:
Laura Bauman (IN)
Members:
Nancy Butcher (WV)
Peter Dodds (WA)
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Issues & Resources
Find the NCSLstaff member who handles the issue in which you are interested.
NCSLprovides access to current state and federal legislation and a comprehensive list of state documents, including state statutes, constitutions, legislative audits and research reports.
Members
As legislators and legislative staff, you are part of the nation's largest, most influential and only bipartisan organization of state legislators and staff.Learn about the resources NCSL has for you.
NCSL offers an array of services for legislative staff. Find out what's available.
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