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Communications & Leadership
Professional Development Seminar
October 25 - 29, 2005
Providence, Rhode Island |
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Preliminary Agenda
(as of October 21, 2005)
Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday
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2 - 5 pm |
Boot Camp/Conference Registration
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Balcony |
| 6 - 9 pm |
LSS Executive Committee Dinner
Raphael Bar Risto, 1 Union Station, Providence
Presiding: Nancy Butcher, LSS Chair |
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8 am - 5 pm |
Boot Camp/Conference Registration
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, State Suite A |
| 8 am - 3:15 pm |
Speechwriting Boot Camp
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, State Suite C
This hands-on, intensive workship will give you the tools to make your boss(es) look and sound great on the stump. (An additional fee is charged for this all-day program.)
| 8 - 9:15 am |
Presentation by Tom LaFauci, others
Introductions, anecdotes, recommendations, question and answer. |
| 9:15 am |
Break |
| 9:30 - 10 am |
Opening Address by Jeff Nussbaum |
| 10 - 10:30 am |
Question & Answer |
| 10:30 - Noon |
Quick Writing Projects |
| Noon - 1 pm |
Lunch |
| 1 - 3:15 pm |
Major Writing Projects | |
| 3:30 - 5 pm |
Plenary Session: Diversity in the Workplace
Providence Biltmore, 17th Floor, L'Apogee Room
America has an extremely diverse culture. What is "diversity?" How can state legislatures continue to attract the best and brightest from all walks of American life?
| Moderator: |
Brian Weberg, Legislative Management Director
National Conference of State Legislatures |
| Speakers: |
Brenda Allen, Asst. Provost & Dir. of Inst. Diversity
Brown University | |
| 5:30 - 6 pm |
New Attendee Reception
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Balcony |
| 6 - 7 pm |
Opening Reception
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Balcony |
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8 am - 5 pm |
Conference Registration
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Balcony |
| 9 - 10:15 am |
Opening Plenary Session: Managing a Disaster
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Garden Room
Hurricane...earthquake...fire…flood…tornado…Whatever the disaster may be, is your legislature prepared to respond? What are the roles for federal, state and local governments? Why is it important to know?
| Presiding: |
Mac Gordon, Public Information Officer
Mississippi House of Representatives |
| Speaker: |
Senator Richard Moore, Massachusetts
NCSL Task Force on Homeland Security Co-Chair | |
| 10:30 - 11:30 am |
Concurrent Sessions
The Role of Radio and Politics
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Garden Room
The media plays an integral role in the political process. But what is the specific role of radio? Is its role changing? How? Why?
| Speaker: |
Dan Frizzell, Broadcast Coordinator
Washington House Democrats
Bill Haberman, Reporter
WPRO 630 AM
Dan Yorke, Talk Show Host
WPRO 630 AM |
Successful Coexistence of Partisan, Nonpartisan and District Office Staff
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, State Suite B
State legislatures employ more than 35,000 people. Many legislative staff work in nonpartisan offices while others work for the legislatures' political caucuses. Many work at the Capitol. Some work in members' district offices. How do you blend such diverse roles and responsibilities into a unified workforce?
| Moderator: |
Brian Weberg, Legislative Management Director
National Conference of State Legislatures |
| Speaker: |
Mike Sunseri, Director of Photography
Kentucky Legislative Research Commission
Scott Brubaker, Director of Staffing & Administration
Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
| Noon - 1:15 pm |
Lunch Session: Legislative Web Sites and the NCSL Online Democracy Award
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Garden Room
NCSL's Online Democracy award is new for 2005. Find out why Utah Legislatures' website took top honors.
| Speakers: |
Jim Greenwalt, Director of Information Systems
Minnesota Senate & NCSL Immediate Past Staff Chair
Mitch McCartney, Director
Nebraska Unicameral Information Office
Bill Gross, Supervisor
Oregon Legislative Media Services | |
| 1:45 - 3:15 pm |
Plenary Session: The Public Image and Opinion of Legislatures
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Garden Room
Americans like the idea of representative democracy but many are cynical about the elected public officials who are supposed to represent their interests. What is the effect of such cynicism on representative democracy? What is staff's role in crafting image?
| Moderator: |
Karl Kurtz, Director of State Services
National Conference of State Legislatures |
| Speakers: |
Wendy Schiller, Assoc. Professor of Political Science
Brown University
Maureen Moakley, Poltical Science Dept. Chair
University of Rhode Island
Christine Heenan, President
Clarendon Group | |
| 3:30 - 5:15 pm |
Plenary Session: Emotional Intelligence: Transcending Conflict
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Garden Room
Every day you experience emotions. But how good are you at recognizing them when the arise? How do learn to deal with anger, hurt, disappointment or fear? What about joy? The range - and depth - of emotions tend to increase during times of conflict. Do you understand the sources of conflict? Learn what it takes to be calm in the midst of chaos.
| Speaker: |
Julie Fuimano, Chief Executive Officer
Nurturing Your Success | |
| 5:30 - 8 pm |
Host State Event: An Evening at the Capitol
State House, Governor's State Room
Cocktail hour and dinner in the House Lounge and Governor's State Room in the historic Rhode Island State House. |
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8 - 8:45 am |
Continental Breakfast - Rhode Island State House
State House, House Lounge |
| 8:45 - 9 am |
Welcome to the Rhode Island State House
State House, House Chamber
| Speakers: |
The Honorable Joseph Montalbano, President
Rhode Island Senate
The Honorable William J. Murphy, Speaker
Rhode Island House of Representatives | |
| 9 - 9:30 am |
Short Lesson on Rhode Island History
State House, House Chamber
There's so much history in Rhode Island that it is virtually a living museum. In fact, the state boasts one of the nation's largest concentrations of historic landmarks. Here's your chance to learn a little about Rhode Island's rich historic and political culture.
| Speaker: |
Dr. Patrick T. Conley, Professor
Providence College | |
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9:30 - 10:45 am
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Concurrent Sessions
Capitol Press Corps Panel Discussion
State House, House Chamber
The fourth estate - a.k.a. the press corps - is an important aspect to the legislative process. The press provides a level of accountability and transparency to government that allows constituents to keep informed and hold their elected officials accountable. Hear from Rhode Island's fourth estate on their role in Ocean State politics.
| Speakers: |
Katherine Gregg, Reporter
Providence Journal
Jim Baron, Reporter
The Times
Joe Baker, Reporter
Newport Daily News
Bill Rappleye, Political Reporter
WJAR-TV |
New Advances in Television Technology
State House, Room 313
From gavel-to-gavel coverage to streaming committee hearings, state legislative proceedings are more accessible to constituents than ever before. Experts from the legislative television community talk about the latest advances in video technology.
| Speakers: |
Steve Tymon, Director
Rhode Island Capitol TV
Tom Pyne, Assistant Director Communications
Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus |
LSS Staff Group Breakouts
1. Administrative & Legal Functions (State House, House Lounge) - This breakout is designed for staff who are chiefs of staff, leadership or caucus attorneys or whose work involves office management.
2. Research, Committee & Fiscal (State House, Senate Lounge) - This breakout is designed for staff who are leadership or caucus committee staff or research analysts.
3. Constituent Services (State House, Senate Chamber)- This breakout is designed for staff who are leadership or caucus administrative aides, secretaries or assistants. |
| 11 - 11:30 am |
Tour of the State House
State House
Participants will break into groups to tour the State House and learn about the Rhode Island Legislative Press Bureau. |
| 11:45 am |
Buses Depart for Newport Tour
Newport is one of the most scenic cities in the Northeast. This tour will include lunch at La Forge Restaraunt, a visit to a mansion and a tour of downtown. More information about Newport: www.gonewport.com |
11:45 am - 1 pm
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Buffet Lunch Available
State House, House Lounge
For those who are not going to Newport, a buffet lunch will be available in the House Lounge. |
| 1 - 5 pm |
Host State Excursions
RISD Museum
The RISD Museum traces the history of art from antiquity to the present through special exhibitions and a collection of nearly 80,000 works of art in all media, representing cultures around the world. The Museum is one of the best of its size and brings its galleries alive through special exhibitions, lectures, family-oriented activities and a variety of educational programs. More information: http://www.risd.edu/museum.cfm |
| 6 - 9 p.m. |
LINCS Executive Committee Dinner
| Presiding: |
Mac Gordon, Public Information Officer
Mississippi House of Representatives | |
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| 7:30 - 8:30 am |
Breakfast
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Balcony |
| 8 - 9:15 am |
LINCS Business Meeting
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Garden Room
| Presiding: |
Mac Gordon, Public Information Officer
Mississippi House of Representatives | |
| 8 - 9:15 am |
LSS Business Meeting
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, State Suite B
| Presiding: |
Nancy Butcher, Administrative Assistant
West Virginia House of Delegates | |
| 9:30 - 10:45 am |
Concurrent Sessions
Media Training: Communicating Your Message to the Media
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, State Suite B
What is message? Why is it important to have one? How do you effectively frame a message? How do you communicate it to the media?
| Speakers: |
Christine Heenan, President
Clarendon Group |
Media Training: Teaching Legislators How to Deal with the Media
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Garden Room
Lights... Cameras... Mics... Now what? A "deer in the headlights" look? Stutters and stammers? Or a smooth presentation with sharp, well-crafted responses? Which do you think your legislators would prefer? How can you help them?
| Speakers: |
Steve Tymon, Director
Rhode Island Capitol Television
Josh Fenton, Media Consultant
The Fenton Group |
The 'State' of Medicaid
Providence Biltmore, 18th Floor, Salon 6 & 7
Medicaid just turned forty. There has been much to celebrate over the past four decades but many challenges remain. What is being done to accentuate Medicaid's positive aspects? What needs to be done to alleviate its negatives?
| Speakers: |
Michael Bird, Senior Federal Affairs Counsel
National Conference of State Legislatures
John Mullins, Director of Government Relations
West Virginia Health Care Association | |
| 11 am - 12:00 pm |
Concurrent Sessions
Media Training: Training Reporters
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, State Suite B
Legislatures are unique environments - each has its own characteristics and culture. Yet little formal training exists for reporters who are asked to cover legislative proceedings. How do you put together an orientation program for reporters?
| Speaker: |
Larry Berman, Communications Director
Rhode Island Speaker of the House
Greg Pare, Communications Director
Rhode Island Senate
Wendy Madsen, Public Information Officer
Wyoming Legislature |
Blogs: The Wave of the Future?
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, Garden Room
What is a blog? Will blogs affect the legislative process? How? Why? Learn about an emerging political phenomenon.
| Speakers: |
Matt Jerzick, Moderator
RIsFuture.com
Justin Katz, Moderator
AnchorRising.com
Ric Cantrell, Assistant to the Majority Leadership
Utah Senate |
Federal Issues Update
Providence Biltmore, 18th Floor, Salon 6 & 7
The economy... disaster relief... Social Security... transportation... unfunded mandates... welfare... These are hot issues and not only at the state level. Learn what's happening in Congress, how federal actions may affect your state and what NCSL is doing to preserve states' rights.
| Speaker: |
Michael Bird, Senior Federal Affairs Counsel
National Conference of State Legislatures | |
| 12:30 - 1:45 pm |
Lunch: Politics: The Ins & Outs
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor Garden Room
A lesson about anonymous sources and freedom of the press from someone who has faced the reality of what happens when the two collide. Hear from a reporter who spent time in home detention for failing to reveal a source.
| Speaker: |
Jim Taricani, Reporter
WJAR-TV | |
| 1:00 - 3:00 pm |
LINCS Executive Committee Meeting
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, State Suite C
| Presiding: |
Mike Sunseri, LINCS Vice-Chair
Director of Photography, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission | |
| 1:45 - 3:30 pm |
LSS Executive Committee Meeting
Providence Biltmore, 2nd Floor, State Suite B
| Presiding: |
Mary Sue Jones, Incoming LSS Chair
Office of Idaho Senate President Pro Tem | |
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Meeting Information
Contact Information
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