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Preliminary Agenda – Fall 2022
*Subject to change
The Legislative Staff Certificate Program will be held online in September and October 2022. The program includes a kick-off meeting, five two-hour sessions, an optional networking event and a presentation of certificates.
Due to the high interest in this program, it is anticipated that two cohorts will be created. One cohort will meet every Thursday and the other cohort will meet every Friday. During the application process, applicants will be asked which cohort they prefer to join (Thursday cohort or Friday cohort). The 2022 meetings dates and times will not change.
Sept. 8 and 9
Program Overview and Cohort Introductions
1–2:30 p.m. EST
Sept. 22 and 23
Module 1: Our American Legislatures: Understanding Their Characteristics and Procedures
1–3 p.m. EST
Session length, legislator compensation, size of staff, term limits. These terms, among others, are used to determine and explain the similarities and differences between legislatures. This module will cover the characteristics of each legislature and touch on why legislative rules and procedures are important to the operation of legislative institutions.
Sept. 29 and 30
Module 2: The Model Code of Conduct for Legislative Staff
1–3 p.m. EST
Values are those core ideals that guide you in your personal and professional lives. Have you ever considered your values as a legislative staffer? Using NCSL’s Model Code of Conduct for Legislative Staff, you’ll determine your values and how they can guide your decisions in the legislative world.
Oct. 5
Networking Event (optional)
6–7 p.m. EST
Oct. 6 and 7
Module 3: Budgeting 101
1–3 p.m. EST
It is often said that state legislatures have one major task to accomplish each year: passing a state budget. This module will cover state budgeting processes and provide a brief overview of budget and tax structures, including unique budget features in the states.
Oct. 13 and 14
Module 4: Concise, Clear Communications
1–3 p.m. EST
This module will enable participants to identify their own communication tendencies and learn the DiSC system to focus their messages for any audience. Situational communication, concise messaging and succinct delivery will be covered. Participants will create individual road maps to support their improved communication efforts day to day, as well as down the road as their legislative careers grow.
Oct. 20 and 21
Module 5: Leadership Skills Within the Legislative Ecosystem
Noon–2 p.m. EST
As a legislative staffer, you grow into leadership roles, starting like a “green shoot” in the forest, emerging and new. From there, you transition to a sapling, strong enough to make your mark on the institution in a variety of ways. Finally, over the course of your career in the legislature, you mature into a towering oak tree with deep roots in the legislative community.
In this module, you’ll learn the importance of developing your legislative brand, cultivating emotional intelligence and creating an optimal cultural climate.
Program Wrap-up and Evaluation
2:15–2:45 p.m. EST
Nov. 4
Presentation of Certificates
1–2 p.m. EST