By Jane Carroll Andrade
Legislative staff work in a unique environment. There is no college major for working in a state legislature (as far as we know), so NCSL steps up to provide training for this hard-working group by holding professional development seminars (PDS) each fall.
Staff who work in various positions—from fiscal analysts to sergeants-at-arms, to name just a few—get together to attend relevant and interesting sessions, network with colleagues from across the country and enjoy terrific social events.
The 2014 staff section PDS season was no different as hundreds of legislative staff gathered on the east and west coasts, and places in between. Here is a quick synopsis of about half the seminars. Look for round-ups of the other staff section seminars tomorrow.
RACCS and LSSS: Historic Richmond, Va., was the site of the joint PDS held by the Research and Committee Staff Section and the Legal Services Staff Section Oct. 6-8. Approximately 170 staff attended more than 20 sessions, including updates on U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting the states, compiling 50-state research, defending legislative confidentiality, drafting skills, managing biases and dealing with workplace change. Many of the programs qualified for continuing legal education credits. Highlights included touring the historic Virginia Capitol and learning about staff services in the Virginia General Assembly.
NLSSA and NLPES: The National Legislative Services and Security Association and the National Legislative Program Evaluation Society met in early October in Raleigh, N.C. NLSSA members received training at the Wake Tech Public Safety Education Campus, where they operated squad-car and firearms simulators and toured the high-tech forensics lab and incident command center. The NLPES seminar offered something for everyone, with 16 sessions covering basic skills to management-level concerns. Participants learned new approaches and “best practices” for their evaluation work, while engaging in lively discussions with colleagues. The groups enjoyed a joint session on managing multiple generations and an evening “pig pickin’ ”—a traditional North Carolina-style barbeque pig roast—along with local musical entertainment.
NALFO: Across the country in Seattle, members of the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices attended the Fiscal Analysts Seminar Oct. 20-22. More than 150 legislative staff enjoyed four issue tracks: Revenue/Tax Policy, Health Care/Medicaid, Transportation and Corrections. Attendees also participated in seven general sessions, learning about new data mapping tools, reviewing agency budget requests and communicating with members, among other topics.
NALIT: Members of the National Association of Legislative Information Technology enjoyed glowing fall colors and perfect weather as they met in Santa Fe Oct. 14-17 to network and learn about innovative IT projects in the states. Sessions covered cyber security concerns, change management, return on investment, help desk operations, electronic committees and many more topics. The 104 attendees also enjoyed touring the Roundhouse—New Mexico’s State Capitol—and viewing its diverse collection of artwork.
NCSL’s staff sections are professional groups for staff who work in particular areas of the legislature. They provide opportunities to hone skills, exchange ideas, learn best practices and meet with colleagues who have similar positions in other legislatures. All legislative staff are welcome! To learn more, click on the links above, visit NCSL’s Web page on staff professional development or contact NCSL at 303-364-7700 and ask for the staff section liaison.
Jane Carroll Andrade is a communications program director and liaison to the LINCS staff section.
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