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About NLPES

NLPES Executive Committee
Meeting Minutes

Minutes

NCSL National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES)

The Executive Committee met on Wednesday, October 6, 1999, at the State Capitol in West Virginia. Copies of handouts discussed during the meeting are kept on file with the NLPES Secretary.

Members present at the meting included: Joel Alter, James Barber, Gary Brown, Martha Carter, Rick Coleman, Gerald Hoppmann, Tony Jones, Craig Kinton, Rob Krell, Heather Moritz, Jane Thesing, and Gary VanLandingham. Others present at the meeting included Bob Boerner from NCSL.

From 1:00-2:15 p.m., the committee chairs met with their respective committees to discuss committee business. The Executive Committee plans to continue this practice for future meetings.

The meeting was called to order by Craig Kinton, Chair, at 2:15 p.m. Craig gave his opening remarks and thanked Tony Jones for his hard work related to West Virginia's hosting of this year's fall training conference. Tony briefed the Executive Committee on the conference program.

Jane Thesing distributed and discussed a draft of the NCSL 2000 Annual Meeting Schedule. The annual meeting will be held in Chicago, Illinois. Jane asked Executive Committee members to send their ideas for NLPES training (during the annual meeting) to her in January and February of 2000. Training topics should be finalized by the spring meeting.

Heather Moritz gave a brief status report of the committee's activities. The committee will try to allow more time this year for review of application packages for each award.

The Executive Committee also discussed whether the criteria for the methodology award should be "tweaked" to make it easier for states to receive. Last year, no states received this award. The awards committee will review the criteria to determine if changes should be made. For example, there was discussion on whether the "use of innovative software" should be included as a criterion for this award.

The Executive Committee also discussed the criteria for the impact award. There was discussion related to the ease by which states can receive this award. The consensus of the Executive Committee is to continue using the same criteria for the next year or so and then reassess.

Joel Alter distributed and discussed an update of the committee's activities. The following are areas that we discussed during the meeting.

• State Contacts: continue the practice of assigning Executive Committee members to primary state contacts in order to obtain feedback on the web site and newsletter, and to solicit attendance to fall training conferences.
• Listserve: continue using the Listserve to obtain feedback on the web site and newsletter, and to solicit attendance to fall training conferences. Currently, there are approximately 200 people signed up for the Listserve.
• Orientation: work with the Nominations & Elections Committee to develop a "buddy system" for newly elected Executive Committee members.
• Web site: continue to solicit feedback from the NLPES membership. Also, discuss the development of a site map for the web site, as well as plans to move the NLPES web site back to the NCSL server.
• NCSL Data Base: Continue working with NCSL to enable NLPES members to utilize the NCSL search engine more effectively and efficiently.

Gary VanLandingham gave the committee a brief summary of the activities of the committee. The committee should have nominations for vacancies by February of 2000. There are approximately 1,500 NLPES members, of which 400-600 vote in the elections.

Gary Brown gave the committee an update on the number of liaison positions filled. Currently, all positions are filled.

The Executive Committee discussed the importance of maintaining a relationship with other professional organizations. The general consensus of the Executive Committee is for the Professional Liaison Committee to 1) review and update the professional liaison list; 2) review and update the statement of liaison duties; and 3) update the liaisons on what our expectations are related to their positions. There was also a general consensus that all liaisons should report to the Professional Liaison Committee Chair prior to each Executive Committee meeting.

James Barber gave a brief summary of the activities of the committee. Currently, the committee is preparing a set of draft guidelines for future fall training conferences. This draft should be available for final approval during the spring meeting, which will include timelines.

The committee is also in the progress of updating the NLPES Catalog of Training Resources, which should be completed by the spring meeting. In addition, the committee will continue to discuss developing a training column in the newsletter and web site to highlight what other states have done with various training. This work could dovetail into a resource for states to use when trying to find trainers for contract courses.

Upon a motion by James Barber and a second by Joel Alter, the Executive Committee voted that Kansas City, Missouri will be the host site for the 2001 NLPES Fall Training Conference. The conference will be co-hosted by the Kansas Legislative Post Audit Committee and the Missouri Legislative Joint Committees.

Gerald Hoppmann gave a brief summary of the activities of the committee. The committee plans to present a draft of the strategic plan to the Executive Committee during the spring meeting. The committee will obtain feedback from the Executive Committee and NLPES membership from April through July. The committee will use the feedback to revise the strategic plan, which will be submitted to the Executive Committee for final approval during the July meeting.

Assembly on State Issues (ASI) Fiscal, Oversight, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee

Gary VanLandingham, who serves as staff chair for the ASI Committee, stated that the committee voted to conduct a joint survey with NLPES of the 50 states. The purpose of the survey is to determine what states are doing in the area of legislative evaluation and oversight. Gerald Hoppmann and Heather Moritz will help with this effort.

Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee (LSCC)

Craig Kinton and James Barber briefed the Executive Committee on the most recent LSCC meeting and ongoing projects.

2000 Fall Training Conference

Craig Kinton briefed the committee on the 2000 fall training conference. Tentatively, the training conference will be held from Sunday, 10/8/99 through Tuesday, 10/10/99. Craig also stated that the Research and Committee Staff Section expressed interest in joining NLPES during the 2000 fall training conference. This will add approximately 50 people.

Upon a motion by James Barber and a second by Gerald Hoppmann, the Executive Committee voted that the NLPES Executive Committee meeting will be held on 3/24 in Austin, Texas.

Craig Kinton handed out and discussed a prospectus on the proposed research project between NLPES and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. The project will focus on how program evaluations and performance audits have helped make policy related to welfare reform. Once NLPES shows support for the project, it can go to NCSL for possible funding.

Upon a motion by Heather Moritz and a second by James Barber, the Executive Committee voted to endorse the joint research project.

Upon a motion of Jane Thesing and a second by James Barber, the Executive Committee adjourned its meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Gerald W. Hoppmann, Secretary