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NLPES Executive Committee
Meeting Minutes
Minutes, Executive Committee Meeting
NCSL National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES)
April 9, 1999
The Executive Committee met on Friday, April 9, 1999, at the Omni Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida.
Members present at the meeting included: Joel Alter, James Barber, Gary Brown, Gerald Hoppmann, Kirk Jonas, Tony Jones, Craig Kinton, Jane Thesing, and Gary VanLandingham. Members absent from the meeting included: Joe Fiala, Heather Moritz, Mary Noble. Others present at the meeting included: Bob Boerner, Corina Eckl, and Judy Zelio (NCSL staff); Don Bezruki (Wisconsin Legislative Auditor's Office); Robert Krell (newly-elected NLPES Executive Committee member from the State of Washington JLARC) and, David Abbey (New Mexico Legislative Financial Oversight Committee).
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Gary VanLandingham, Chair, at 1:10 p.m. Gary welcomed Executive Committee members to Jacksonville.
LSCC Update
Gary VanLandingham gave the Executive Committee an update regarding recent actions of the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (LSCC). Gary stated that NCSL is redesigning its web site and noted that NLPES would need to revise its web site to conform with the changes made by NCSL. Gary stated that Florida's OPPAGA office is willing to continue maintaining the NLPES web site, which is receiving approximately 300 'hits' per week. Without objection, the NLPES Executive Committee accepted OPPAGA's offer to continue maintaining the NLPES web site with other states having the option to volunteer to maintain the site.
Minutes
Gary VanLandingham noted that Executive Committee members previously approved the Committee's September 30 meeting minutes electronically. James Barber, Secretary, provided hard-copies of the September 30 meeting minutes.
Committee Reports
The chairs of NLPES committees gave reports regarding the work of their committees.
Awards:
James Barber (Chair). James presented a proposal to rename NLPES's Methodology, Excellence, and Impact awards and to revise the criteria used to select recipients for such awards. The selection criteria would be more focused and streamlined and would emphasize an office's body of work for a limited period--i.e., within the last three years or less. Upon a motion by Kirk Jonas, and a second by Gerald Hoppmann, the Executive Committee created the 'Excellence in Research Methods Award' and 'Excellence in Evaluation Award' and adopted criteria to select recipients of the awards. The Executive Committee also agreed to allow the Awards Committee the flexibility to select the number of recipients to receive each award each year. The Executive Committee agreed to make no changes to the Certificate of Recognition of Public Impact or the criteria to select recipients of the certificate.
At the request of James, Gary appointed Gerald Hoppmann and Rob Krell to serve as members of the Awards Committee. Gary also noted that he has appointed Max Arinder, Roger Brooks, and Mary Noble to serve on a select committee that will consider potential awards to individuals for outstanding service to the field of legislative program evaluation. This committee may, but is not required to, identify persons who would receive this award at the Annual Meeting.
Annual Meeting:
Jane Thesing (Chair). Jane said that her committee has selected topics for three training sessions to be offered by NLPES during NCSL's Annual Meeting. The topics include: using performance information in the budget/oversight process; new and improved evaluation products; and, determining the impacts of Welfare Reform. Upon a motion by Kirk Jonas, and a second by Craig Kinton, the Executive Committee accepted the training topics recommended by the Annual Meeting committee.
Communications:
Craig Kinton (Chair). Craig noted that Mark Bucherl continues to do a great job with the NLPES Newsletter. Craig also stated that some states have expressed concerns regarding the completeness and accuracy of the Legislative Program Evaluation (LPE) portion of NCSL's data base. The Communications Committee will research the concerns and propose some possible resolutions.
Nominations/Elections:
Mary Noble (Chair). In the absence of Mary, Gary stated that the following individuals would begin their terms on the Executive Committee (without the need for an actual election) following NCSL's Annual Meeting in July: Joel Alter (Minnesota); James Barber (Mississippi); Martha Carter (Nebraska); Rick Coleman (Utah); Rob Krell (Washington); and, Jane Thesing (South Carolina).
Liaisons:
Heather Moritz (Chair). In the absence of Heather, Gary stated that NLPES members had been appointed to serve as liaisons to all of the professional organizations with which NLPES associates--i.e., GAO, Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation, AEA, and ASPA. A list of the current liaisons is available on the NLPES website.
AEA:
Kirk Jonas (Chair). On behalf of the Executive Committee, Gary congratulated Kirk for the publication of the New Directions for Evaluation issue entitled Legislative Program Evaluation: Utilization-Driven Research for Decision Makers. Kirk provided a synopsis of the contents of the issue and thanked Executive Committee members for their support and encouragement. Executive Committee members noted that the issue would be a useful training tool.
Training:
Joel Alter (Chair). Joel stated that the Training Committee had located the following potential host states for the NLPES fall training conferences: Texas (2000); Kansas/Missouri (2001); Arizona (2002); Michigan (2003); and, Florida (2004). Upon a motion by Jane Thesing, and a second by Tony Jones, the Executive Committee accepted the State of Texas as the site for the 2000 NLPES fall conference. Craig briefed the Executive Committee regarding the preliminary planning that his staff has done regarding the conference. He also stated that he is encouraging other NCSL staff sections to consider holding their annual training sessions in conjunction with NLPES. The Executive Committee gave preliminary approval to the other potential host states. However, recognizing that factors can change that may affect a state's ability to host the conference in the future, the Executive Committee agreed to notify the states of the preliminary approval and to ask the states to notify the Executive Committee at least two years in advance if any changes could affect their ability to host the conference. Final approval of host states will be made two years in advance of the scheduled conference date.
Joel reported that the special subcommittee appointed by Gary during the September 30 Executive Committee meeting had analyzed the revenues and expenses associated with NLPES's last four fall conferences. Joel stated that the subcommittee had concluded that the conference fee should be increased from $210 per participant to $285 per participant with a late fee of $100 imposed on individuals who register within three weeks of the first day of the conference. The Executive Committee discussed the subcommittee's fee increase recommendation. Tony Jones made a motion that the conference fee be increased to $295 with a $50 late fee. Gary Brown seconded the motion. Prior to the Executive Committee voting on the motion, Tony withdrew the motion. Tony Jones then made a motion that the conference fee be increased to $285 with a $50 late fee. Gary Brown seconded the motion. The motion failed. Upon a motion by Craig Kinton, and a second by Gerald Hoppmann, the Executive Committee voted to set the conference fee at $265 per participant, with a $50 late fee imposed on individuals registering within three weeks of the first day of the conference.
Tony Jones briefed the Executive Committee on the theme and training topics for the upcoming fall conference. Tony noted that his office was establishing a website to publicize the fall conference.
NLPES Performance Indicators
Gerald Hoppmann discussed a proposal to develop performance indicators for NLPES. Upon a motion by James Barber, and a second by Gary Brown, the Executive Committee voted to create an ad hoc committee to develop a mission statement, performance strategies, and objectives for NLPES. Gary appointed Craig, James, and Gerald to the ad hoc committee with a charge to report back to the Executive Committee during its next meeting.
Announcements
Gary VanLandingham announced that NCSL is seeking individuals who have an interest in serving as volunteer consultants for its international program. He stated that he and Craig Kinton would serve as contacts for anyone having an interest in this program. Kirk Jonas stated that he had been contacted by an evaluator from Australia who is seeking information from states which outsource evaluation work. Kirk said that he is encouraging the evaluator to attend the NCSL Annual Meeting. Kirk suggested that the Executive Committee host a roundtable discussion of outsourcing in conjunction with the NLPES Annual Meeting luncheon. The Executive Committee agreed with the suggestion.
Adjournment
By consensus, the Executive Committee adjourned its meeting at 4:30 p.m. The Chair announced that the next Executive Committee meeting would be held on Saturday, July 24 at 3:30 p.m., in conjunction with the NCSL Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Respectfully submitted,
James A. Barber, Secretary
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