LINCS Professional Development Seminar Preliminary Agenda

Wednesday, September 27

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Hotel Lobby

Registration

Thursday, September 28

7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Hotel Lobby

Registration

7:30 am - 8:30 am
Hotel - Lake Michigan

Continental Breakfast

8:15 am - 8:30 am
Hotel - Lake Superior

Goals of Seminar
Susan Swords, Senior Coordinator, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey, LINCS Chair

Welcome
Ramona Kenady, Clerk of the House, Oregon, NCSL Staff Vice Chair

Welcome to Minneapolis-St. Paul
LeClair Lambert & Karen Clark, Minnesota Host Committee Co-Coordinators

8:30 am - 10:00 am
Hotel - Lake Superior

Technology and the Legislative Message
The fastest 90 minutes in public relations! You, too, can be an expert in audio and video streaming, Web content, electronic clipping services, digital photos and several other techno-savy ways to promote your legislature or member.

Moderator: Susan Swords, Senior Coordinator, Office of Legislative Services,
New Jersey, LINCS Chair

Speakers: Dan Shellenbarger, Ohio Government Telecommunications General Manager, Ohio
Jenny Nash, Multimedia Producer, Senate, Minnesota
Paul Battaglia, Art and Production Coordinator, Public Information Office, House of Representatives, Minnesota
Mitch McCartney, Legislative Information Director, Unicameral Legislature, Nebraska

10:15 am - 11:45 am

Hotel - Lake Superior











Hotel - Lake Erie

1. Media Relations (for staff new to the business)
   Finding out what journalists want, what your bosses need, how to prepare yourself and others for interviews and how you get the media to pick up on important legislative activity is a daunting task. A professional media relations firm with legislative experience brings you up to speed on the latest in media relations.
   
   Moderator: Susan Swords, Senior Coordinator, Office of Legislative
   Services, New Jersey, LINCS Chair
   
   Speaker: Fleishman-Hillard

2. Media Relations (for experienced staff members)
   You know the nuts and bolts of media relations. How do you take the next step to raise the level of your work and get more publicity? An international public relations firm provides some answers to your professional development questions.
   
   Moderator: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer, House of
   Representatives, Louisiana, LINCS Vice Chair
   
   Speaker: Fleishman-Hillard

Noon - 1:30 pm
Hotel -
Stars Restaurant

Lunch Roundtables
Roundtables discuss common themes and strategies with other Democrat, Republican or nonpartisan communication staff.

Democratic Communication Staff
Moderator: Ray Joachim, Assistant Director, Senate DFL Majority Research, Minnesota

Republicans Communication Staff
Moderator: Tom Christensen, Director, Communications, House Republican Majority, Minnesota

Non-partisan Communication Staff
Moderator: Mitch McCartney, Legislative Information Director, Unicameral Legislature, Nebraska

1:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Hotel - Lake Erie

(1) Crisis Communications
Whether it's a natural disaster, a legislative logjam, or a personal crisis for a legislator, communications staff must be ready when the media calls. Learn from colleagues who have survived the onslaught.

Moderator: Bill Wyatt, NCSL Public Affairs Specialist, Washington, D.C.

Speakers: Jeanne Schmedlen, Director of Special Projects, House, Pennsylvania
Dave La Coursiere, Director, Media Services, DFL Legislative Services, Minnesota

Hotel - Lake Huron

(2) Managing the Public Information Office
State legislative staff who manage public information offices have special challenges. How do you manage staff, recruit and retain employees, process paperwork and still have time to shape a creative vision for your department? Learn how to make yourself a trusted strategist for your legislative body or caucus.

Moderator: Susan Swords, Senior Coordinator, Office of Legislative Services,
New Jersey, LINCS Chair

Hotel - Lake Superior

(3) Engaging Citizens at the Capitol
Whether it's a fourth-grade class or a couple on vacation, people who come to the Capitol want to learn more about a state's history and government. Because of this interest, they are also a prime audience for discussion of the values of representative democracy. A useful session for tour group directors and others who want to promote their legislative institution to the millions of people who visit state capitols each year.

Moderator: Penny Silletti, Publications and Program Specialist, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey, LINCS Secretary

Speaker: Carolyn Kompelien, Capitol Site Manager, Historical Society, Minnesota
Karl Kurtz, Trust for Representative Democracy Coordinator, Colorado

3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Hotel - Rum River

LINCS Committee Meetings
(1) Steering Committee
Chair: Susan Swords, Senior Coordinator, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey, LINCS Chair

3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Hotel - Cannon River

(4) Technology Committee
Chair: Katherine Staat, Director, Senate Media Services, Texas

3:15 pm - 4:15 pm
Hotel - St. Lawrence
Boardroom

(6) Nominating Committee
Chair: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer, House of Representatives, Louisiana, LINCS Vice Chair

4:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Hotel - Rum River

(2) Publicity Committee
Chair: Therese Mitchell, Director, House Republican Communications, Pennsylvania

4:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Hotel - Cannon River

(3) Awards Committee
Chair: Penny Silletti, Publications and Program Specialist, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey, LINCS Secretary

4:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Hotel - St. Lawrence
Boardroom

(5) Civic Education Committee
Chair: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer, House of Representatives, Louisiana, LINCS Vice Chair

3:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Hotel - Lake Ontario

The Exchange
Trade videos, audio tapes, CD-ROMs, publications, news releases, speeches and other material with seminar delegates.

5:45 pm - 6:30 pm

Paddle Boat Ride - Harriet Island
Enjoy a scenic ride down the Mississippi River aboard the Harriet Bishop Paddle Boat. Dinner will be served, with music provided by the Bruce Henry Trio. A cash bar will be available. Buses will depart at 6:00 pm and return to the hotel at 9:45 pm. Members of the Minnesota Hospitality Committee will also be available to take guests around the Twin Cities if anyone wants to continue their evening out after the boat ride.

Friday, September 29

7:30 am - 8:45am
Hotel - Lake Michigan

Network Breakfast
An informal open breakfast to network with colleagues across the country.

8:45 am

Road Trip/Welcome at Minnesota State Capitol
Board buses for a trip to historic St. Paul and the Minnesota Capitol, where the rest of the day's sessions will take place.

9:15 am
House Chamber

Introduction/Welcome
Minnesota's Legislative Leadership welcomes us to the Capitol.

Edward A. Burdick, Chief Clerk, House of Representatives, Minnesota
Pat Flahaven, Secretary of the Senate, Minnesota

9:30am - 10:15 am
House Chamber

Washing the Media Laundry in a Public Forum
In Minnesota, people with complaints against the media have an audience. The Minnesota News Council was created to promote fair, vigorous and trusted journalism in a forum where the public and news media can engage each other in examining standards of fairness. Find out how the council has existed for more than 25 years and why it was featured on "60 Minutes."

Moderator: LeClair Lambert, Director, House Public Information Office, Minnesota

Speakers: Gary Gilson, Director, Minnesota News Council, Minnesota
Steven Dornfeld, Editorial Writer, Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota
John Sundvor, Reporter, Minnesota Capitol Press Corps, Fargo Forum, North Dakota

10:30 am - Noon
House Chamber

Restoring Public Trust
A major effort to restore public trust and appreciation for representative democracy is underway. NCSL's Trust for Representative Democracy gives state legislative public information officers new opportunities to educate the public about the values of state legislatures. Hear first-hand a summary of the first nationwide America's Legislators Back to School Day and how other efforts of the Trust program are proceeding. See what other states are doing to involve the public by using innovations like multimedia projects and public access rooms, and find out how to get civic education programs started in your state.

Moderator: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer, House of Representatives, Louisiana, LINCS Vice Chair

Speakers: Karl Kurtz, Trust for Represenative Democracy Coordinator, NCSL, Colorado

Noon


12:15 pm - 1:45 pm










2:00 pm

Board buses to luncheon
St. Paul RiverCentre

Keynote Lunch Address

Introductions/Welcome
Susan Swords, Senior Coordinator, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey,
LINCS Chair
Representative Carol Molnau, Assistant Majority Leader, Minnesota
Representative Tom Pugh, Minority Leader, Minnesota

Speaker: Val Marmillion, President, Pacific Visions Communications, Inc., California

Return to Capitol

2:15 pm - 3:30 pm

Minnesota Capitol Workshops
Minnesota has long been considered a leader in public information and broadcast services. Here's your opportunity to see first-hand how they create their magic -- and tour the majestic state Capitol.

Senate TV Studios,
Room B44, Capitol
House TV Studios,
Room 317, Capitol

Group 1) This Program Brought to You By....
Both the Minnesota Senate and House have been leaders in public broadcasts of their legislative proceedings. See their operations and engage with a discussion with TVW President Denny Heck from the state of Washington and others about the current state and future of television broadcasts.

Speakers: Steve Senyk, Director, Senate Media Services, Minnesota
Barry LaGrave, Director, House Television Services, Minnesota

Room 112, Capitol

Group 2) On the Air
See how Minnesota is using radio to connect citizens with the state legislature. Speakers will lead a discussion of their and other state's efforts to tap the power of radio.

Speakers: Ray Joachim, Assistant Director, DFL Senate Majority Research, Minnesota
Jim Greve, Radio/TV Coordinator, House Republican Majority, Minnesota

State Office Building
Room 181

Group 3) Start the Presses
The House and Senate public information offices produce the most comprehensive summaries of state legislative activity in the nation. See their operations and learn how they keep thousands of Minnesotans informed. Hosted by LeClair Lambert. Then visit the State House and Senate partisan caucus staff to discuss how they practice their craft in a state that has a Republican House, a Democrat Senate and an Independent Governor.

Speakers: Karen Clark, Director, Senate Publications, Minnesota
LeClair Lambert, Director, House Public Information Office, Minnesota
Scott Magnuson, Director, Senate Information Office, Minnesota
Nick Healy, Assistant Director/Editor, House Public Information, Minnesota
Paul Battaglia, Coordinator, Arts and Production, House Public Information, Minnesota
Tom Olmscheid, Chief Photographer, House of Representatives, House Public Information Office, Minnesota

Room 118, Capitol

Group 4) Technology Today
Spend time with the computer staff that keeps the Minnesota Internet and Intranet humming.

Speakers: Mike Speiker, Webmaster, House of Representatives, Minnesota
Jim Greenwalt, Senate Information Systems, Minnesota

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Capitol Rotunda

State Capitol Tours
Take a tour of the historic Minnesota Capitol. Tours will be given by three members from the state historical society. Tours will last approximately 45 minutes.

8:00 pm
Hotel - Galaxy Room

Dessert Reception / Annual Scrabble Tournament

Saturday, September 30

7:45 am
Hotel - Lake Superior

Continental Breakfast

8:30 am - 9:45 am
Hotel - Lake Superior

LINCS Business Meeting
Take a stand in your national staff organization and help map out group goals and objectives in the coming months. The session will be highlighted by election of new officers for the 2000-2001 year.

Chair: Susan Swords, Senior Coordinator, Office of Legislative Services, New Jersey

10:00 am - 11:30 am
Hotel - Lake Superior

Best Practices
This popular session features short presentations from various states on new programs or services that may work in your state.

Speakers: Mitch McCartney, Legislative Information Director, Unicameral Legislature, Nebraska
Tracy McKay, Information Officer, Unicameral Information Office, Nebraska
Rusty Martin, Communications, Senate Democratic Staff, Iowa

Noon - 4:30 pm

Public Relations and the Mall of America (lunch on your own)
Millions visit the Mall of America each year. How does a PR professional maintain the site's image, despite having so many clients?
Note: The bus will load at 11:45 am and return to the hotel at 4:30 pm. Those wishing to stay at the mall longer will be responsible for their own transportation back to the hotel.

Speaker: Maureen Cahill, Director, Public Relations, Mall of America, Minnesota