Delighting in the bright sunshine, crystalline air, and snow-capped mountains, attendees basked in the gracious hospitality of their Colorado colleagues, led by Joan Albi, Secretary of the Colorado Senate, and J.R. Rodrigue, Chief Clerk of the Colorado House. The Colorado delegation welcomed all participants with a piece of beautifully painted pottery made by Ute tribe members.

The informative and stimulating annual program began on Saturday with a full day of work scheduled for Mason's Manual Revision Commission. Subcommittees met in the morning and the full commission met in the afternoon. The hard work of the members of this commission, both past and present, continues to bring recognition and honor to the society. Keep up the good work!

Sunday's management training workshop, conducted by William Harvey, a senior organization consultant with Eastman Kodak, focused on managing change and developing effective ways of working with people in times of change. The workshop was followed by a new attendee orientation that exceeded all previous attendance records. Seventy new attendees were matched with "old-timers" to be introduced to the workings of the society and its committees. Judging by the noise level and comments of many, the session was a great success with requests for more time allotted for the session in the future.

Sunday lunch was a free period which allowed everyone an opportunity to visit the charming and quaint Vail Village before afternoon breakout sessions. Regrouping after lunch, attendees were treated to staff breakouts that were charged with "war stories" about various states' procedures and situations unique to the legislative process. Many of the groups refused to quit when the time expired for the session and continued on with a vigorous exchange of ideas and problems.

The day's activities ended with concurrent events—a relaxing welcoming reception and the annual principal/associate "no holds barred" volleyball tournament.

The games were hard fought with feats of great athletic prowess in evidence on both teams, but the associates were the ultimate victors, winning three out of five matches. The sedentary of the society were treated to an evening of friends, both old-standing and new found, fine food, and good fellowship.

Monday brought a thought-provoking and engrossing plenary session on the role of the clerk in today's legislature and how to preserve that role. Following the afternoon's concurrent sessions, a convivial Western night, replete with hayrides, barbecue, and country music, was enjoyed by all.

For many the highlight of the week was the lively and laughter-filled plenary session moderated by Dr. Robert W. Terry of The Terry Group. ENTPs, ISFJs, and every combination in between swapped stories about how they were or were not true to type. Extroverts and introverts, intuitives and sensors, thinkers and feelers, and perceivers and judgers were humorously coached on how to deal with one another.

That evening many society members were introduced to the Midwestern "brat" to better prepare them for next year's annual seminar being held in Madison. On Wisconsin!

Wednesday morning's multifaceted and information-packed concurrent sessions were followed by the innovation awards lunch. The Innovation Award Program was established in 1992 to recognize creative ideas and programs implemented by society members. Ken Stigler, Records Clerk, Wisconsin Assembly and Donna Doyle, Assistant Chief Clerk, Wisconsin Senate were named 1997 Innovation Award Recipients for ComClerk, a computer program developed as a joint project to aid committee clerks in the Wisconsin Legislature in maintaining records and producing reports on legislative activity for their committees.

The 1997 Innovation Award for Excellence went to Marilyn Eddins, Journal Clerk, Colorado House and John McEnery Garrett, Deputy Clerk, Virginia Senate. Marilyn designed an engrossing program in WordPerfect which decreased the time of cutting and pasting markups and allowed three departments to electronically transfer and receive data. John developed an interactive CD-Rom for use by middle high school students to learn the legislative process. President Carole Peterson singled out her assistant, Sally Dahlstrom, for special recognition for yeoman service to Carole in her tenure as president of the society.

Continuing a relatively new tradition, the first meetings of the 1997-98 committees were held Wednesday afternoon rather than Thursday morning. The meetings were lively and full of ideas and suggestions for next year's annual meeting.

The final social event of the seminar was the evening's sumptuous state dinner and dance. Heartfelt speeches from outgoing president Carol Peterson and incoming president Susan Schaar touched everyone in attendance. However, nothing could compare to the surprise and delight of Dianne Arrington, Journal Clerk, Texas Senate when her name was drawn as the recipient of two airline tickets anywhere that United Airlines flies in the continental USA. She's still soaring!

Thursday's breakfast buffet and business meeting was convened by new society president Susan Schaar. As goodbyes were proffered, plans were made to see one another at the winter meeting in Atlanta.

News from other States

Jeannine Wood, Secretary of the Senate in Idaho, is back at work after having carpal tunnel surgery on her hand.

First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you. Since NCSL so kindly notified the Clerks and Secretaries of my illness, I have received cards from just about every state. This expression of concern has really impressed my friends and family. It really goes to show what a close-knit group we are.

I have also received calls and cards from some of the retirees who I haven't talked to in years. It has been great.

I have started my chemotherapy, and with all the prayers and good wishes that have come my way, I know I can survive this (although there are days when I think I would rather deal with Sine Die than take any more medicine). You know I must be sick, right . . .

Again, thanks for your support and let me wish each and everyone of you a joyous holiday season!

Please welcome the newest member of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries:

Mother and baby are doing fine. Dad is doing well and is very proud. If you wish to send cards please send them to the address listed above.