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! The Leadership Staff Professional Association 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(virtual and in-person), 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: Create your NCSL profile if you do not already have one.  
  1. Express Interest: Send a brief message to LSPA using the email icon at left indicating that you are a legislative staff member eager to get involved.  
  1. 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 your Leadership Staff Professional Association liaison using the email icon at left. 

Bylaws

Article One

Name - The name of the organization is the Leadership Staff Professional Association (LSPA) of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

Membership - The general membership will consist of legislative staff of the 50 states and the insular possessions and territories of the United States of America who wish to develop leadership skills, including but not limited to persons designated as leadership staff by legislative leaders, legislative office chiefs of staff and managers, personal staff to legislators, and staff to legislative committees. A person's eligibility for membership or tenure on the Executive Committee shall cease upon separation of employment with the legislature. Any other person may be granted membership upon approval by majority vote of the the Executive Committee.

There shall be no dues or membership fees.

Purpose - The purposes of LSPA are: to provide a national forum for recognition of the contributions of staff to the legislative process; to provide a forum for legislative staff to develop leadership skills that increase effectiveness and professionalism of legislative staff; to provide support for legislative staff in leadership roles and prepare legislative staff for leadership roles; to offer a forum for discussion of how legislative staff can better serve legislators, the legislature, and the public; and to enhance communications among legislative staff members of the 50 states and the insular possessions and the territories.

Article Two

Meeting of Members - The Annual Business Meeting shall be held at such time and place normally to coincide with the Annual Professional Development Seminar. Adequate notice of the Annual Business Meeting shall be provided to the general membership at least thirty days prior to the Annual Professional Development Seminar.

Article Three

Executive Committee - The Executive Committee shall be composed of up to 13 members: a Chair; a First Vice-Chair; a Second Vice-Chair; up to nine Directors, elected by the membership at the preceding Annual Business Meeting; and the Immediate Past Chair. The Officers of the Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chair, the First Vice-Chair, the Second Vice- Chair, and the Immediate Past Chair. All former Executive Committee members who are employed by the legislature shall be designated as non-voting ex-officio members. Any NCSL staff officer or past NCSL staff officer, or present staff member of the NCSL Executive Committee shall be an ex-officio non-voting member of the Executive Committee if they so desire.

The 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 LSPA. The Chair is an ex-officio member of all standing committees. The First Vice-Chair shall preside in the absence of the Chair. The Second Vice-Chair shall preside in the absence of the Chair and the First Vice-Chair. The NCSL staff member assigned to LSPA shall provide administrative assistance.

Meetings/Quorum of the Executive Committee - The Executive Committee shall meet upon the call of the 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, the Chair shall appoint from the general membership a nominating committee of five members, one of whom shall be the Immediate Past Chair, who will serve as chair of the nominating committee. If the Immediate Past Chair is unable or unavailable to serve in this role, the Chair shall appoint the nominating committee chair from among the general membership. If any member of the nominating committee is unable or unavailable to serve in this role, the 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 Chair, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, and up to nine Directors.

No later than 90 calendar days prior to each Annual Business Meeting, the nominating committee shall distribute to the general membership 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 provided that additional nominations may be made from the floor by the general membership. Election to the office of 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 shall commence at the close of the Annual Business Meeting at which they are elected and end at the close of the next Annual Business Meeting at which their successors

are elected or they are elected to a subsequent term. No Director may serve more than three consecutive terms as a Director. An Executive Committee member may serve as an Officer immediately following the completion of a term or terms as a Director but may not serve as a Director immediately following the completion of a term or terms as an Officer. Upon completion of service on the Executive Committee, a non-voting ex-officio member must wait one year before being eligible to serve on the Executive Committee, except that they may serve additional consecutive terms if there is a vacancy on the Executive Committee that is unable to be filled from the general membership.

Article Five

Vacancies - In the event of a vacancy in the office of Chair, the First Vice-Chair shall assume the office and responsibilities and serve as Chair for the balance of the term. Filling the balance of the term of Chair does not preclude eligibility to be nominated for a full term as Chair.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of First Vice-Chair, the Second Vice-Chair shall assume the office and responsibilities and serve as First Vice-Chair for the balance of the term. Should the Second Vice-Chair be unwilling or unable to fulfill the office and responsibilities of First Vice- Chair, the Chair shall submit to the remaining members of the Executive Committee a name for nomination to assume the office and responsibilities and serve as First Vice-Chair for the balance of the term. The nomination shall be approved by a majority vote of the voting members of the Executive Committee at a special meeting to be called by the Chair. Should the nomination of the Chair not be approved, he or she shall make a second and any subsequent nominations until the Executive Committee approves the nomination with a majority vote.

Filling the balance of the term of First Vice-Chair does not preclude eligibility to be nominated for a full term as First Vice-Chair.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of Second Vice-Chair, the Chair shall submit to the remaining members of the Executive Committee a name for nomination to assume the office and responsibilities and serve as Second Vice-Chair for the balance of the term. 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 Chair. Should the nomination of the Chair not be approved, he or she shall make a second and any subsequent nominations until the Executive Committee approves the nomination with a majority vote. Filling the balance of the term of Second Vice-Chair does not preclude eligibility to be nominated for a full term as Second Vice-Chair.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of Immediate Past Chair, the Chair shall submit to the remaining members of the Executive Committee the name of a former Chair for nomination to assume the office and responsibilities and serve as Immediate Past Chair for the balance of the term. 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 Chair. Should the nomination of the Chair not be approved, he or she shall make a second and any subsequent nominations until the Executive Committee approves the nomination with a majority vote.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of a Director on the Executive Committee, the Chair may submit to the remaining members of the Executive Committee a name for nomination to assume the office and responsibilities and serve as Director for the balance of the term. 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 Chair. Should the nomination of the Chair not be approved, he or she shall make a second and any subsequent nominations until the Executive Committee approves the nomination with a majority vote. If the Chair is unable to submit a name for nomination from the general membership, the Chair may submit the name of a former Executive Committee Member, regardless of whether they are otherwise required to wait a year before being eligible to serve on the Executive Committee. Filling the balance of the term of Director does not preclude eligibility to be nominated for three consecutive full terms as Director.

Article Six

Amendments of Bylaws - These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the member states, insular possessions, and territories present at any Annual Business Meeting. Proposed amendments shall be available in writing and distributed to all members present at the Annual Business Meeting.

Article Seven

The Leadership Staff Professional Association is part of the legislative staff division of the National Conference of State Legislatures. All matters not covered by these Bylaws or the Bylaws of NCSL shall be governed by Masons Manual of Legislative Procedure.

History

  • Amended September 1997, Santa Fe, New Mexico
  • Amended October 2001, Overland Park, Kansas
  • Amended October 2004, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  • Amended September 2007, Anchorage, Alaska
  • Amended September 2010, Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Amended October 2012, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Amended September 2014, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Amended August 2017, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Amended August 2019, Nashville, Tennessee

Executive Committee

The Leadership Staff Professional Association is governed by a chair, first vice chair, second vice chair, immediate past chair and a nine-member executive committee. The officers and executive committee are elected by the general membership at the annual business meeting of the staff association. They serve one-year terms with a three consecutive term limit. The executive committee makes general decisions that guide the association including planning the activities of LSPA. 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 association newsletter, maintaining communication with the NCSL executive committee and conducting other business and special projects that arise.

Officers

Chair: Danielle Baker 
Louisiana House of Representatives 
225-342-0349 

First Vice Chair:

Second Vice Chair: Magali Bearden 
Arizona House of Representatives 
602-926-5885

Immediate Past Chair: Aurora Hauke 
Alaska State Senate 
907-465-5051

Directors

John Barron 
Ohio State Senate 

Taylor Boyer 
Colorado House of Representatives 

Shelly Brown 
Pennsylvania State Senate 

Aaron Goulette 
New Hampshire House of Representatives 

Jill Eldridge 
Louisiana State Senate 

Melvette Hill 
Connecticut General Assembly 

Edra Morledge 
Alaska House of Representatives 

Sean Walser 
Michigan House of Representatives 

1 Vacancy

Standings Committees

LSPA has standing committees to help guide the goals of the staff association, set priorities for each year, facilitate interaction and participation with all LSPA members, and assist the work of the LSPA liaison. Any LSPA member can serve on a standing committee. Please contact Megan McClure, LSPA liaison, for more information to volunteer to serve.

Awards Committee

Mission: To interpret and apply the standards set forth in the Leadership Staff Association achievement award criteria relative to the nomination and selection of the two LSPA 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: Aaron Goulette, New Hampshire

Members:

  • Danielle Baker, Louisiana 
  • Aurora Hauke, Alaska 
  • Cliff McCollum, Alabama 

Bylaws Committee

Mission: To review any suggested changes in the Bylaws of the Leadership Staff Professional Association and make recommendations to the LSPA Executive Committee. (Only convened if there are to be changes to the bylaws.)

Chair: Mechelle Evans, Louisiana

Members:

  • Danielle Baker, Louisiana 
  • Aurora Hauke, Alaska 
  • Cliff McCollum, Alabama 
  • Edra Morledge, Alaska 
  • Sean Walser, Michigan 

Communications and Outreach Committee

Mission: To ensure regular and effective communication of LSPA activities and benefits of membership with appropriate legislative staff in the states and territories. To encourage participation by leadership, personal and caucus staff in LSPA activities and in other NCSL programs.

Chair: Melvette Hill, Connecticut

Members:

  • Magali Bearden, Arizona 
  • John Barron, Ohio 
  • Taylor Boyer, Colorado 
  • Brian Colleran, Maine 
  • Allison Marlow, Alabama 
  • Edra Morledge, Alaska 

Finance and Fundraising Committee

Mission: To oversee the LSPA "Officers' Fund," which may be used by LSPA Executive Committee members and LSPA representatives to NCSL's LSCC to supplement travel expenses when participation is otherwise limited by state travel restrictions. To oversee other fundraising efforts by LSPA.

Members:

  • Allison Marlow, Alabama 
  • Sean Walser, Michigan 

Nominations Committee

Mission: From our general membership, encourage participants to run for the LSPA Executive Committee. Be prepared to explain the structure of the LSPA 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 LSPA 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 and member/office support of candidates and approval for travel and participation in LSPA 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. Per the LSPA Bylaws, the size of this committee is limited to 5 members.

Chair: Aurora Hauke, Alaska

Members:

  • Taylor Boyer, Colorado 
  • Jill Eldridge, Louisiana 
  • Alisa Lauer, New Mexico 

Program Development Committee

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 LSPA attendees.

Chair: Magali Bearden, Arizona

Members:

    • John Barron, Ohio 
    • Taylor Boyer, Colorado 
    • Shelly Brown, Pennsylvania 
    • Jill Eldridge, Louisiana 
    • Mechelle Evans, Louisiana 
    • Aurora Hauke, Alaska 
    • Melvette Hill, Connecticut 
    • Alisa Lauer, New Mexico 
    • Edra Morledge, Alaska 
Loading
  • Contact NCSL

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