Plenary Breakfast

Breakfast for all Spring Forum attendees.  Representative Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and a member of Congress since 1981, will address the subprime mortgage situation, the federal stimulus package, the government role in regulating financial services in the global economy and states' future role in insurance regulation.

Mentoring: Getting Good Guidance
(Co-sponsored by the Women's Legislative Network)

Mentoring programs can give legislators and staff important help in adjusting to life in the legislature.  A mentor can help you learn the ropes, avoid pitfalls and begin building the types of relationships that you need to be successful.  This session emphasizes how to make your mentoring programs practical and valuable.

Moderator:  Jeffrey Finch, Deputy Clerk, House of Delegates, Virginia

Presenters:  Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Texas
Marti Harkness, Staff Director, Off ice of Program Policy and Governmental Accountability, Florida
Caroline Carlson, Director of Development, Foundation for State Legislatures, NCSL

What Do You Think?
(Co-sponsored by the Women's Legislative Network)

This luncheon discussion session will provide attendees with a chance to talk informally about key topics of interest to the Legislative Effectiveness Committee.  Each luncheon table will have a designated topic such as the role of lobbyists, trends in legislative training, and reestablishing a sense of respect across party lines.  Attendees can choose the table and conversation where they want to participate.

Facilitator:  Tara Perkinson, Deputy Clerk, Senate, Virginia

The Legislator/Citizen Connection:  How to Run a Great Town Hall Meeting
(Co-sponsored by the Women's Legislative Network)

How can you improve your communications with your constituents?  Legislators have many time demands and they need to find sound strategies to make the most of their constituent contacts.  This session explores how to educate and reach out to your constituents and actively engage them in your legislative work.  This session provides training on how to run a great "town hall" meeting where you can learn how to promote lively citizen discussion.

Trainers:  Frank and Kimberlee Spillers, Co-owners, Global Horizons, Iowa

Making the Most of the Interim

When you’re in the heat of the legislative session, the interim period seems like an oasis that legislators and staff can use to relax and recharge.  As legislatures are asked to do more and more in short legislative sessions, the interim has become an integral time when legislatures can address the tougher complicated issues and seek wider public input.  This committee session explores how legislatures are making better use of the interim period.

Moderator:  Erica Warren, Committee Staff Administrator, Kentucky

Presenters:  Lorne J. Malkiewich, Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau, Nevada
Jim Greenwalt, Director of Information Systems, Senate, Minnesota

Representative Rob Eissler, Texas

Committee Business Meeting

Committee officers and members will discuss plans for the Annual Meeting and committee work products.

Presiding Officer:  Representative Kathy Tingelstad, Minnesota