By Laura Rose and Angela Andrews

NCSL, with the support of the Kettering Foundation, provides a venue for legislators to get creative when thinking about ways to encourage citizens to participate in our democracy and the legislative process.

NCSL's Angela Andrews of the Legislative Management team has adeptly guided this project over the past few years.

Last week, NCSL and the Kettering Foundation, convened an advisory group of legislators at our office in Washington, D.C., to plan the July "learning exchange," July 14-16 in Dayton, Ohio.

This July learning exchange will bring together a bipartisan group of legislators new to the citizen engagement world, as well as reuniting veteran legislators of this project.

Members of the bipartisan advisory group were:  Senators Les Ihara (D-Hawaii); Judy Lee (R-N.D.); Valencia Seay (D-Ga.); and John Kefalas (D-Colo); and Representatives Bryan  Hughes (R-Texas); Jay Kaufman (D-Mass.); Rosie Berger (R-Wyo.); G.A. Hardaway (D-Tenn.); Sally Ann Gonzales (D-Ariz); and Lucy Weber (D-N.H). 

These skilled trailblazers are excited about cultivating citizen participation in our democracy and the legislative process. They also want to share their enthusiasm for strong citizen participation, along with their own tips and best practices, with their colleagues and other legislators. Joining them were Kettering Foundation officials John Dedrick, David Holwerk and Phil Lurie, and NCSL staff Laura Rose and Angela Andrews.        

Pictured is the group at NCSL's Washington office with Angela making a virtual appearance from the Denver office.

Laura Rose is group director and Angela Andrews is a senior policy specialist in NCSL's Legislative Management program.

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