Skip to main content
Expand All

How to Join

Join Our Community of Legislative Professionals! 

Are you a legislative staff member looking to expand your network, enhance your skills, and stay updated on the latest legislative issues? Look no further! LINCS offers a vibrant community of peers dedicated to supporting and advancing legislative work nationwide. 

By becoming a member, you will gain access to: 

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with colleagues from different states, share ideas, and forge valuable relationships. 
  • Professional Development: Take advantage of workshops, seminars, webinars, and resources tailored to legislative staff professionals. 
  • Legislative Insights: Stay informed about emerging legislative trends, best practices, and policy developments. 

Join us today and become part of a dynamic community committed to excellence in legislative service! 

Ready to get involved?

  1. Create an NCSL Profile: Click here to create your NCSL profile if you do not already have one
  2. Express Interest: Send a brief message to lincs-info@ncsl.org indicating that you are a legislative staff member eager to get involved. 
  3. Confirmation and Onboarding: Your NCSL liaison will reach out to confirm your membership and guide you through any onboarding processes. 

For inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out to our LINCS Liaison, Ta'Vion Hampton and (720) 957-4643. 

Bylaws

ARTICLE I

Name

The name of the staff association shall be Legislative Information and Communications Staff (LINCS) association.

Purpose

  • Promote the exchange of ideas and information in the fields of public information, media relations, social media and other such communication activities as they relate to state legislatures;
  • Promote improved and effective communication between public information staff and their legislators, legislative staff and constituents;
  • Advance and promote civic education programs administered by state legislatures;
  • Enhance professional development and expertise for public information and communications staff; and
  • Promote participation in the NCSL to staff association members.

Membership

The membership shall be composed of all persons employed by a member legislature of the NCSL or an agency thereof, in the capacity of the following: public information; communications; media relations; television, radio and broadcast media; civic and public education; public affairs; capitol tours and public use functions; or other such areas related to legislative communications.

ARTICLE II

Meeting of Members

The annual business meeting of the association shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated by the Executive Committee. On the day of the scheduled meeting, the Chair shall call the meeting to order at the designated time. The minutes of the previous meeting shall be read and approved and such business transacted as may properly come before the membership.

NOTICE - There shall be mailed to each member of the association, at least 30 days prior to the annual business meeting, a notice setting the time and place of the meeting. In case a quorum of the membership is not present, the regularly called meeting shall be adjourned to the next day at a time and place to be set by the members present and voting, at which time the members present shall constitute a quorum.

VOTING - All members attending the LINCS business meetings are eligible to vote on matters presented for decision. Business which requires approval of the staff association shall require approval of a majority of association members attending the annual business meeting. A quorum for business shall be established by the presence of representatives from a minimum of eight NCSL member states.

ARTICLE III

Officers

The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the association and of the Executive Committee, represent LINCS on the NCSL Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (LSCC), or designate an alternate, plan the agenda of the annual meeting and training seminar in conjunction with the Executive Committee and shall have general control over the affairs of the association, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee, and shall sign all certificates and other instruments for the association. The Chair may delegate his or her responsibilities as required for the most efficient operations and functioning of the association, subject to the review of the Executive Committee.

The Vice Chair shall assist with the planning of all meetings and seminars; preside at any meeting in the absence of the Chair, or serve as the Chair's designee at other meetings when necessary; represent LINCS on the NCSL Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee; and perform such other duties as assigned by the Chair. The Vice Chair shall be the Chair-Elect of the association.

The Secretary shall countersign all certificates and other instruments of the association, record the minutes of all meetings of the association and of the Executive Committee, prepare and distribute copies of minutes of all association meetings, assist with the preparation and distribution of the association's newsletter, The Voice; and may delegate tasks assigned with these responsibilities to others, and perform other duties as assigned by the Chair or the Executive Committee.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the elected officers of the association, the immediate past chair of the association, and four other communications professionals, referred to as Directors, who shall be elected by the membership at the annual meeting of the association.

Two Directors shall serve terms of two years, beginning at the professional development seminar of even-numbered years and ending at the PDS of the next even-numbered year. Two Directors shall serve terms of two years, beginning at the professional development seminar of odd-numbered years and ending at the PDS of the next odd-numbered year. One additional Director may be appointed from the state hosting the next annual professional development seminar, by the Chair, serving for a term of one year beginning at the professional development seminar and ending at the following professional development seminar.

The Executive Committee shall have authority and responsibility for the general management and control of the business affairs of the association and shall exercise all powers granted by the association under these bylaws.

The Executive Committee shall be authorized to assess all members a registration fee which shall be paid as a condition for registration and participation at the annual meeting of the association. The amount and manner of the registration fee shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

Past Chairs of the association who are members in good standing of the association shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee but shall not be counted in determining a quorum nor be entitled to vote.

Meeting of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall meet during the annual NCSL conference, the annual LINCS training seminar, and, upon the call of the Chair, at any other time necessary for the orderly conduct of the association's affairs. Four members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Duties of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee shall plan and execute a program for the annual meeting of the association, for the association's participation in the NCSL Legislative Summit, and for all other meetings of the association. The Committee shall keep the association's membership informed of developments relating to their professional areas of interest, shall recommend formal actions as deemed appropriate, and shall be responsible for the continuous review and update of these Bylaws. The chair of the Executive Committee may, from time to time, appoint subcommittees of the Executive Committee as appropriate.

Any member of the Executive Committee may be assigned by the Chair to assist NCSL staff with the administrative responsibilities associated with the association.

ARTICLE IV

Vacancies

In the case of death, resignation, or inability to serve of any officer or member of the Executive Committee, the ranking officer shall submit to the remaining members of the Executive Committee a nomination to fill the vacancy or vacancies for the remainder of the term. A majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee shall confirm appointments to such vacancies.

ARTICLE V

Amendments of Bylaws

These Bylaws may be amended at any annual meeting of the association by a majority vote of the members present. Notice of the proposed amendment to these Bylaws shall be provided to the membership 30 days prior to the annual meeting of the association.

Executive Committee

The LINCS Executive Committee consists of the chair, vice chair, secretary and immediate past chair, as well as four directors. Each of these positions are elected by LINCS membership during annual meetings. The terms of officers commence at the close of the annual meeting at which they are elected and continue through the next ensuing annual meeting.

The committee is responsible for the general management and control of the business affairs of LINCS. This includes: planning and executing programs/activities for upcoming meetings; keeping the LINCS membership informed; recommending formal actions as deemed appropriate; and reviewing and updating LINCS’ bylaws as necessary.

The committee convenes throughout the year to discuss these matters through conference calls and email communications.

2023-2024 LINCS Executive Committee

Chair

Aundrea Peterson
Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications Director
Utah State Senate
Term of Office: October 2022-October 2024

Vice-Chair

Jacque Bland
Director of Communications
West Virginia State Senate
Term of Office: October 2023-October 2024

Secretary

Matthew Prellberg
Director of Communications
Hawai‘i State Senate - Majority
Term of Office: October 2023-October 2024

Immediate Past Chair

Will Tracy
Communication Specialist/Videographer
Arkansas State House of Representatives
Term of Office: October 2022-October 2024

Responsibilities of LINCS roles

Chair

  • Preside at all LINCS executive committee, business and other meetings.
  • Have general control over the affairs of the staff association, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee.
  • Participate in conference calls and email communication to assist in planning LINCS activities.
  • May delegate their responsibilities for the most efficient operations and functions of the association, per the review of the Executive Committee.
  • Term is for one year, beginning and ending at annual LINCS Professional Development Seminar.

Vice Chair

  • Participate in conference calls and email communication to assist in planning LINCS activities.
  • Preside at any meeting in the absence of the chair or serve as the chair’s designee at other meetings when necessary.
  • Serve as one of the LINCS representative on NCSL’s Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (more information below).
  • Term is for one year, beginning and ending at annual LINCS Professional Development Seminar.

Secretary

  • Participate in conference calls and email communication to assist in planning LINCS activities.
  • Record the minutes of all meetings of the association and of the Executive Committee.
  • Assist with the preparation and distribution of the association’s newsletter, The Voice.
  • Term is for one year, beginning and ending at annual LINCS Professional Development Seminar.

Director

  • Participate in conference calls and email communication to assist in planning LINCS activities
  • Four directors serve two-year terms, with two starting in even-numbered years and two in odd-numbered years

Involvement in NCSL’s Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (Vice Chair and Chair):

  • The chair and vice chair serve as the two LINCS representatives to the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (LSCC), which advises NCSL on services and programs for legislative staff.
  • The LSCC meets four times a year in conjunction with the NCSL Executive Committee.
  • LINCS representatives are encouraged to attend as many LSCC meetings as possible and work with assigned LSCC committees and task forces.
 

Directors

2023-2024 LINCS Regional Directors

Region A

Tim Powers
Chief Technology & Outreach Officer
Alaska State Legislature 
Term of Office: October 2022-October 2024

Region B

Joshua Bly
Communications Director
Colorado State Senate-Republican Caucus
Term of Office: October 2023-October 2025

Region C

Rachel Aplikowski
Media Relations Director
Minnesota State Senate-Republican Caucus
Term of Office: October 2023-October 2025

Region D

Justin Speck
Technology and Legislative Network Coordinator, Webmaster 
Georgia State House of Representatives 
Term of Office: October 2022-October 2024

Past Chairs

Ex-officio members of the Executive Committee

2020 and 2021
Betsy Theroux
Director, Media Services
Georgia House of Representatives

2019
Tim Bommel
Photojournalist
Missouri General Assembly

2018
Jeff Fossett
Video Communications Specialist
Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

2017
K'Lynn Sloan Harris
Audio/Video Coordinator
Montana Legislative Services Division
(now with Montana PBS)

2016
Dennis Yoder
Communications Technician
Texas Senate

2015
Cory Stewart
Director of Communications
Louisiana House of Representatives

2014
Morgan Blanchard
Senate Communication Specialist
Louisiana Senate

2013
Bladen Finch
Senate Page Program Director, Civics Coordinator
Virginia Senate

2012
Jay Pearson
Virginia House of Delegates
Information & Communications Services Director
Virginia General Assembly

2011
Chuck Truesdell
Assistant Public Information Officer
Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
Kentucky Legislature

2008-2009
Mike Murphy
Public Information Director
Senate of Alabama General Assembly

2007
Wendy Madsen
Legislative Information Officer
Wyoming Legislative Information Office

2006
Mike Sunseri
Director of Photography
Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

2005
Mac Gordon
Public Information Officer
Mississippi House of Representatives

2004
Barbara Fellencer
Democrat Communications Director
Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee

2003
Bruce Smith**
Radio News Director
Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

2002
Mitch McCartney
Nebraska Unicameral Information Office

2001
Sheila McCant
Public Information Officer
Louisiana House of Representatives

2000
Susan Swords
Senior Coordinator
New Jersey Office of Legislative Services

Loading
  • Contact NCSL

  • For more information on this topic, use this form to reach NCSL staff.