Women's Legislative Network of NCSL

Sessions Overview
Presentations and Handouts

NCSL Annual Meeting
Nashville, Tennessee
August 14-18, 2006

Beyond Bickering: How Women Legislators Can Bridge The Partisan Divide
Monday, August 14, 2006

Cosponsored by the Policy Consensus Initiative

Faculty:
Chris Carlson, Executive Director, Policy Consensus Initiative
Representative Joyce Elliott, Arkansas
Senator Beverly Gard, Indiana
Representative Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Minnesota
Peggy Kerns, NCSL's Center for Ethics in Government
Senator Sheila Kiscaden, Minnesota
Former Senate Majority Leader Lana Oleen, Kansas
Representative Kathy Tingelstad, Minnesota

Over 40 women legislators gathered for this day-long workshop focused on collaboration and consensus-building.  Faculty led several discussion sessions about the dynamics of conflict, negotiation skills, collaborative processes, convening meetings and engaging the public.  Participants shared their experiences and identified problems that they will approach differently when they return home.

Network President's Kick-Off Breakfast
Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Florida Representative Nancy Detert, the President of the Women's Legislative Network of NCSL, hosted a breakfast open to all Annual Meeting attendees.  The event was sponsored by the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute.  

For Men and Women Only: Emerging Leadership Styles of the Feminine and Masculine and Why We Need Both
Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Cosponsored with NCSL's Legislative Effectiveness and State Government Committee

Introductions:  Senator Sheila Kiscaden, Minnesota

Facilitators: Donna Zajonc, Co-Founder, Bainbridge Leadership Center, Washington

David Womeldorff, Co-Founder, Bainbridge Leadership Center, Washington

Facilitators Donna Zajonc and David Womeldorff started by examining the audience’s assumptions and belief about feminine and masculine leadership qualities.  The group looked at positive and negative traits and ultimately created a blended list of key leadership traits:

• Visionary
• Competent
• Able to get things done
• Self-assured
• Persuasive
• Engaging
• Honest and ethical
• Compassionate

David and Donna took that list and connected it to two models of leadership:  problem-reacting and outcome-creating.  With all the challenges we face, it is typical to fall into a problem-reacting mode, and to some degree problems need to be addressed and solved.  However, as the group's own list showed, we respect the leaders who can stand back and figure out what outcome is needed, who don’t deviate from the important work to respond to minor distractions.  The distinctions in these two approaches center around what we are paying attention to, what we want in terms of results.  The participants also personally identified their own core beliefs and assumptions about leadership and linked them to actual behavior.

The facilitators also described the Myers Briggs personality profile and noted that decision-making function is the only function in the profile that shows a marked male/female distinction.  Two-thirds of males prefer “Thinking” and two-thirds of females prefer “Feeling.”  Some of the key aspects of “Thinking” relate to an emphasis on objectivity, logic, clarity, justice, consequences of action and being firm and fair.  Some of the key aspects of “Feeling” relate to an emphasis on values, interpersonal relationships, harmony, mercy, empathy and compassion.  Regardless of your preferences, true leadership ability involves developing your capacity address both “Thinking” and “Feeling” styles.

Keeping Your Vision for Public Service Alive
Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Cosponsored with NCSL's Legislative Effectiveness and State Government Committee, Center for American Women and Politics, Center for Women Policy Studies and Women in Government.

This luncheon session included the annual Network Business Meeting and Elections.  Representative Annie Kuether, Kansas, was elected President, and Representative Sheryl Allen, Utah, was elected Vice President.  View the complete 2006-2007 board here.

The keynote address helped participants renew their passion for public service and cultivate a new sense of hope in the midst of polarizing political breakdown.  Former Oregon state legislator Donna Zajonc provided tips she has learned as a professional political leadership coach.

Featured Speaker: Donna Zajonc, Co-Founder, Bainbridge Leadership Center, Washington

Donna Zajonc described the current political climate where the partisan fighting is more intense and legislators are feeling that “we have lost our way.”  There is a sense that the problems are grave and the effect on individuals can make them feel sick, tired and old.  She suggested a three-prong strategy to help lawmakers rekindle their passion for public service:

• Develop your political habitat  --- Our emphasis on partisan concerns is only part of what we need to consider.  We need multiple perspectives to keep healthy and we have to assertively make sure that we are not shutting out viewpoints.
• Living in the Land of “No” --- Your “yes” means nothing to people until you develop your ability to say  “no.”  You have to be strategic in terms of where you use your time and energy.  Many of us are “yes” addicts, but you have to create boundaries in this area.  When you start saying “no” your “yes” will become more powerful.
• Attention to outcomes --- You will be known for what you pay attention to, what you create.  Energy and passion flow when a legislator concentrates on outcomes rather than problems.  Legislators need to help people find hope and two questions will help them do that.  First, do I want to convince or connect?  Convincing is a persuasive strategy, while connecting involves listening and building relationships.  Second, what is it that you are eager to create and that only you can do?  This means reflecting on what it is that you can offer others and what really energizes you.

First Annual Walk for Wellness
Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Coming Soon: Visit the Walk for Wellness results and photos page here!

Stamping Out Disease: A Look at the Leading Causes of Death in Women
Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Cosponsored with NCSL's Health Program

(L-R: Christy Schmidt, Judith Prestifilippo, Sen. Bev Hammerstrom, Kathy Kastan)

Presiding:
Senator Bev Hammerstrom, Michigan

Senator Bev Hammerstrom is the Majority Floor Leader of the Michigan State Senate, and is chair of the Senate Committee on Health Policy.  She also serves as the vice chair of the Families and Human Services and Government Operations committees. Prior to her election to the Senate in 1998, Sen. Hammerstrom served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives.  Before becoming involved in local and state politics, Hammerstrom taught elementary, junior high and pre-school level classes. She also has business experience as a retail manager, buyer, marketing representative and regional director. Senator Hammerstrom earned a bachelor’s degree from Adrian College, and a master’s degree from the University of Toledo. 

Speakers:
Kathy Kastan, President, WomenHeart

Kathy Kastan, LCSW/MAEd, is President of the Board of Directors of WomenHeart, a national organization dedicated to reducing death and disability among women living with heart disease. As a bypass survivor at age 42, Ms. Kastan understands the unique perspectives and challenges of women living with heart disease.  In speaking with women’s groups, the media, health care providers and political leaders across the country about heart disease, Ms. Kastan urges women to know their risk factors for heart disease and insist that their doctors partner with them in their health care and treat them seriously.  She holds an MSW and MAEd from Washington University in St. Louis and is a certified LCSW and licensed family mediator.  She has more than 14 years of clinical experience in hospital and private settings, specializing in individual, family and group therapy for children, adolescents and adults.  Ms. Kastan’s first book, “From the Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease,” will be published by Da Capo Lifelong Press of Perseus Books Group in the Spring of 2007.

Judith Prestifilippo, MD, Senior Medical Director, Novartis
Judith Ann Prestifilippo, M.D. is Senior Medical Director, U.S. Clinical Development Medical Affairs, at Novartis Oncology. In this position, she manages the clinical development of breast cancer medications, specifically FEMARA® (letrozole tablets) in the United States and oversees the Femara clinical program.  Dr. Prestifilippo has been with Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp since 1998. Her first position was Medical Director of the Transplant and Immunology Business Unit. Prior to joining Novartis, she had served as Medical Director of Transplantation/Oncology/AIDS at Roche Pharmaceuticals.  Previously, she was in private practice, specializing in hematology and oncology.  She is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Prestifilippo earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University, and obtained  her Medical Degree from University of Bologna in Italy. She is board-certified in internal medicine and oncology.

Christy Schmidt, Senior Director of Policy, American Cancer Society
Christine Schmidt is the Senior Director of Policy in the National Government Relations Department of the American Cancer Society.  As the head of the Society’s policy team, Christy works on a variety of issues including cancer prevention, private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and quality of life for cancer patients.  Prior to joining the Society, Christy had a long career heading policy and research offices in both the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture.  Christy’s work in the private sector has included consulting, research and management jobs as Mathemata Policy Research, the Urban Institute, and NORC at the University of Chicago.  Christy is a graduate of Smith College and has a Masters of Public Affairs degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Affairs at Princeton University.

Senator Bev Hammerstrom introduced the panelists and shared some of her work on behalf women's health in Michigan.  Senator Hammerstrom also discussed some of the health initiatives of Women in Government.
Kathy Kastan shared her experiences as a bypass survivor, and discussed some of WomenHeart's advocacy work.  Kathy Kastan's PowerPoint.
Dr. Judith Prestifilippo discussed the importance of public-private-nonprofit partnerships to improve outcomes in cancer treatment and care.  Judith Prestifilippo's PowerPoint.
Christy Schmidt presented American Cancer Society statistics about breast and cervical cancer mortality rates, and gave specific recommendations for how state policymakers can improve access to care and treatment and eliminate health disparities. Christy Schmidt's PowerPoint.

Special thanks to Novartis for making this session possible.

Inaugural Reception for Incoming Network President
Representative Annie Kuether, Kansas
Wednesday, August 16, 2006

The reception was made possible by the Network Alliance, with special thanks to: Aquila, Inc.; Anheuser-Busch; AstraZeneca; Exxon Mobil; General Motors Corporation; Hein Law Firm, Chartered; Kansas City Power & Light; Kansas Gas Service & ONEOK; Kansas Electric Cooperatives; American Federation of Teachers / Kansas Association of Public Employees; Merck; Midwest Energy, Inc; Pepco Holdings, Inc.; Southwest Kansas Royalty Owners Association; State Independent Telephone Association; Sunflower Electric Power Corporation; Wal-Mart Stores, Inc; Westar Energy.

Third Annual Governor's Breakfast
Thursday, August 17, 2006

Presiding: Representative Kim McMillan, House Majority Leader, Tennessee
Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Christine Todd Whitman, Former Governor, New Jersey

Women legislators and friends of the Network gathered for breakfast to hear from two experienced women leaders.  Representative McMillan shared stories of her rise through the legislature into a leadership position.  Governor Whitman discussed the current climate of political polarization, and talked about the challenges women face in the male-dominated arena. 

Longer summary of Gov. Whitman's speech.

Listen to the speech.

Watch a video of the speech.

Special thanks to Novartis for sponsoring this session.

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Featured Links

• Women's Legislative Network 
• Notes from Nashville: More Annual Meeting audio, video and session summaries.