American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries
39th Professional Development Seminar
Springfield, Illinois
September 21 – 26, 2005
The American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS) is holding its 2005 Fall Annual Professional Development Seminar in Springfield, Illinois. The Professional Development Seminar offers a unique opportunity to learn important new work skills and procedures, build relationships with colleagues from other states and nations and advance the effectiveness of America’s state legislatures. We hope to see you in Springfield!
What This Seminar Covers
Legislative clerks, secretaries and their staffs work in a unique environment for which little formal training is available. The American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS) responds to these training needs by offering a seminar emphasizing the development of professional skills. The purposes of the ASLCS Professional Development Seminar is to improve the administrative and parliamentary effectiveness of state legislatures, to develop procedures to enhance lawmaking, and to provide a forum where legislative staff can meet and learn from their counterparts in other states. The following is preliminary session information.
Plenary Sessions
- Emergency Preparedness. The speaker for this program will be John Fortier, Executive Director, Continuity of Government Commission, American Enterprise Institute, Washington, D.C.
- How to Deal With Difficult People. Dr. Ben Bissell is President of LuBen Associates in Las Vegas, NV. He is an experienced keynote speaker and conflict management specialist. He has spoken to federal government agencies, including all four branches of the United States armed forces, the Social Security Administration, major medical training centers, Fortune 500 companies and universities such as Harvard University, the University of North Carolina and the University of Richmond.
- Is There Life After the Legislature? Join several former ASLCS members as they discuss their post-legislative careers and activities.
Concurrent Sessions
- Parliamentary Procedure
- Capitol Restoration
- Voting System Technology and Chamber Automation
- Interview Techniques
- How a Bill Becomes a Law (Part II)
- Historic Preservation
- Establishment of International Governments and the Role of the Clerk
- Team Building
Seminar Registration
Registration fees for the ASLCS Professional Development Seminar are:
Legislative Staff $325
Spouse/guest $195
All others $500
REGISTER ONLINE!
Or, Click HERE for your faxable registration form. Registration on-line requires payment with credit card for everyone except legislators and legislative staff. Confirmations will be sent by e-mail and meeting materials will be mailed. Those without an e-mail address will receive their confirmation in the mail. The deadline for registering is September 7, 2005.
On-site Registration: If you are unable to meet the September 7, 2005, registration deadline, please register on-site at the Hilton Springfield.
Spouse/Guest Registration. The $195 fee includes admission to all scheduled meal functions and evening social events. It must be paid in full at the time of registration.
Cancellations. Cancellations received in the NCSL Denver Office by September 20, 2005, will be refunded minus a $50 processing fee. Cancellations must be made in writing and faxed to (303) 364-7811. Fees cannot be refunded for registrations cancelled after the conference begins.
Confirmations. Confirmations will be e-mailed if an address is provided. Letter confirmations are mailed every Friday up to the conference start date.
Hotel Reservations
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Springfield, 700 East Adams Street. Each attendee is responsible for making his/her own hotel and travel arrangements. The phone number for the Hilton Springfield is (217) 789-1530, or call 1-800-HILTONS. Meeting attendees may also make reservations online, by visiting www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/private_groups/spfshhf_ncl/index.jhtml. When arranging hotel accommodations, please indicate that you are attending the ASLCS conference to receive the special room rate of $113 per night (excluding tax). Reservations must be held by one night's room deposit (a major credit card guarantee is acceptable). All room cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the arrival date or you will be charged. The cut-off date to receive the Seminar rate is August 23, 2005. For more information about the Hilton Springfield, visit www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=SPFSHHF.
UPDATE:
We have filled our room block at the Hilton Springfield, and the hotel is sold out on Friday, September 23. If you have not made your room reservations yet, I'm writing with two options, both of which have availability for the length of the fall meeting:
Springfield Statehouse/Quality Inn, 101 East Adams St.
ph: 217.528.5100
fax: 217.528.4358
Rates: $88 - $99/night
This hotel was recently redone and is basically across the street (two blocks) north of the Capital. It is about 6 blocks from the Hilton. I spoke with the hotel and the host state, and it was recommended to try this one first for reservations.
The Mansion View Inn and Suites, 529 South Fourth Street
ph: 217.544.7411, 800.252.1083
fax: 217.544.6211
Rates: $69.95/night
The Mansion View is right across from the Governor's Mansion, and is a little further away from the Hilton.
Travel Information
Make your reservations through Andavo Travel, NCSL's official travel headquarters, to receive discounted airfare and car rental rates. Andavo Travel maintains a 24-hour, toll-free line for changes and emergencies. Call toll free (800) 825-3283, ext. 2 (7:00 am to 6:00 pm MDT). In Colorado or outside the continental U.S., call (303) 694-4344, ext. 2. Airline reservations should be made at least 14 days in advance. United and American are the two airlines currently serving Springfield. The host state will be providing transportation from Capital Airport to the Hilton.
If you are driving to Springfield:
- It is approximately 100 miles from St. Louis’ Lambert Airport. Take US 55 North from St. Louis to exit 98B, Clear Lake Ave. Take Clear Lake to 9th Street and turn left. After two blocks turn right on Adams Street. The hotel will be on your left. To park, take Clear Lake Ave. to 7th Street and turn left. Pass Adams Street, the parking garage will be on your left side. Parking is $6 a day and can be charged to your room, which allows for in and out privileges.
- It is approximately 200 miles from Chicago. Take US 55 South to exit 98B.
- Nostalgia lovers may take U.S. Route 66 from St. Louis to Springfield or from Chicago to Springfield.
General Information
City of Springfield Information — The capital of Illinois is a blend of big-city amenities and small town charm. Springfield is home to a wealth of Abraham Lincoln historic sites and attractions, many of which meeting participants will experience during the course of this Seminar. Thursday evening will find the ASLCS at the Old State Capitol, where Lincoln delivered his “house divided” speech. Meeting participants will spend Friday at the State Capitol, which was first occupied by the General Assembly in 1877 and serves as the state’s sixth capitol building since Illinois achieved statehood in 1818. Later that evening, the Society will enjoy a private reception at the brand new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. For more information on the Library and Museum, visit www.alincoln-library.com/home.html.
Springfield’s Convention and Visitor Bureau will be on-site at the Hilton to offer visitor guides, maps, and information and materials about sightseeing, tours, area dining and nightlife. Visit Springfield’s Convention and Visitor Bureau’s Web site at www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/. Other interesting Springfield sites include:
Lincoln’s home - www.nps.gov/liho/
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana-Thomas House - www.dana-thomas.org/
Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site - www.lincolnsnewsalem.com/
Special Needs
In order to ensure full participation and accessibility for all meeting attendees, please notify Jennifer Kilstrup in the NCSL meetings department at (303) 364-7700, ext. 1466 of any special accommodations you may require.
For More Information
About the program: Contact Natalie O’Donnell at natalie.odonnell@ncsl.org or (303) 364-7700, ext. 1485.
About the hotel: Contact Jennifer Kilstrup at jennifer.kilstrup@ncsl.org or (303) 364-7700, ext. 1466.
About registration: Contact Carol Lathrop at carol.lathrop@ncsl.org or (303) 364-7700, ext. 1455.
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