Monday, August 14

Jackson A/B -- Level M (Mezzanine)

LSCC

Presiding:

• Susan Clarke Schaar, Clerk of the Senate, Virginia, Staff Chair, NCSL

1:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Tennessee Ballroom A -- Level 2

This interactive session focuses on the role of legislative staff in providing their Legislature, its members, and committees with the highest quality legislative support services.  It explores how excellence in providing those services is vital to members in developing legislative policy, serving the public and functioning as a co-equal branch of government.

Presenter:

• Mary Quaid, Executive Director, House Legislative Services, House of Representatives, Louisiana

The Effect of Direct Democracy on State Constitutions
Co-sponsored with RACSS, LINCS and LSSS

In the last two decades, constitutional amendments proposed by citizen initiatives have become more prolific. This program will look at how direct democracy is affecting state constitutions and the legislatures' powers.

Moderator:

• Lisa Sandberg, Staff Attorney, Legislative Service Commission, Ohio

Speakers:

• Deborah Haskins, Senior Attorney, Legislative Legal Services, Colorado
• G. Alan Tarr, Director of the Center for State Constitutional Studies and Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University-Camden

Tuesday, August 15

The Global Edge: Economic Success in a Competitive World

The challenge of economic competition in a global economy can inspire great ideas, make a company great, generate government innovations, and create prosperity. At this session, panelists will explore strategies for success.

Presiding:

• Senator Steven Rauschenberger, Illinois, President, NCSL

Moderator:

• Matthew Kisber, Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development, Nashville, Tennessee

Speakers:

• James Sasser, Former Ambassador to China, Washington, D.C.
• Fredrick W. Smith, Chairman of the Board, FedEx Corporation, Memphis, Tennessee
• U.S. Representative John Tanner, Union City, Tennessee

LRL Luncheon & Business Meeting

Sponsored by West Group

Presiding:

• Tracey Kimball, Legislative Librarian, New Mexico
  LRL Chair

Tours:
Space is limited. Please contact Janna Goodwin to sign up.

Tennessee State Capitol
Join us in viewing the majestic Tennessee State Capitol, completed in 1859, located on a high hill in downtown Nashville. It was one of the most magnificent public buildings of its time, anywhere in the U.S.

Tennessee State Library and Archives
In 2004, the Tennessee State Library and Archives celebrated their 50/150 anniversary – 150 years in existence and 50 years in their current building.  Fewer than 15,000 items started the collection in 1854.  Today that collection contains more than 1.5 million items and is growing daily.

Country Music Hall of Fame: Music City Country Fair

Tennessee will showcase its famous Southern hospitality and capture the spirit of a Music City Country Fair. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame Park will be open exclusively to NCSL attendees, who will be submerged in the history of America's own country legends, including Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and Loretta Lynn. Guests will be greeted by animated impersonators for great photo opportunities. Soloists, trios, dance bands, Southern cuisine and carnival activities will provide hours of fun for the entire family. Come out to the Country Fair for a big Music City welcome!

Social Event Shuttle Pickup Locations:

• Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center - Presidential Portico
• Radisson Hotel at Opryland - Main Entrance
• Courtyard Marriott- Main Entrance
• Marriott Airport - Main Entrance
• Fairfield Inn by Marriott - Main Entrance
• Hotel Preston - Main Entrance
• AmeriSuites - Main Entrance

Wednesday, August 16

Lessons in Leadership

Join renowned historian, Doris Kearns Goodwin for a discussion based on her best selling book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Learn lessons from the way Lincoln surround himself with a Cabinet made up almost entirely of men who had been both his political enemies and enemies of each other to achieve not only political success, but also victory in the Civil War. Carefully analyzing Lincoln's political acumen, Goodwin extracts kernels of wisdom about leadership, building and maintaining teams in the midst of trying circumstances, and overcoming obstacles on the path towards your goal.

Presiding:

• Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Texas, President-elect, NCSL
• Speaker: Doris Kearns Goodwin, Boston, Massachusetts

Award for Excellence in State Legislative Leadership

• Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, Tennessee
• Speaker Andrew Romanoff, Colorado

Lifetime Achievement Award - State Legislatures

• Alan Rosenthal, Rutgers University, New Jersey

Speakers:

• Susan Huntley, NCSL
• Peggy Kerns, NCSL

Trainer:

• Phillip Boyle, President, Leading & Governing Associates, Inc., Adjunct Professor, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Legislative Staff Diversity
Co-sponsored by all NCSL staff sections

Legislatures acknowledge that a diverse workforce is a stronger, more creative and more responsive workforce. This session examines the definition of diversity in the workplace, describes how diversity strengthens organizations, and sets the stage for Thursday morning's training program on developing a diversity program in your legislative staff office.

Moderator:

• Dina Hidalgo, Director of Personnel, Senate, California

Speaker:

• Arthur T. Jones, A.T. Jones Ministries Inc., Tampa, Florida

Respondents:

• Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, Washington
• Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Texas, President-elect, NCSL

Join us for a preview of the NCSL Boston 2007 Strong States Strong Nation meeting. We'll showcase the best of Massachusetts, from Boston to the Berkshires. Enjoy regional foods and beverages from Boston's most famous restaurants, vineyards and breweries, and experience a sampling of the history and culture of this great state.

Thursday, August 17

How do you craft a successful diversity strategy? What are the best practices for developing and maintaining diversity in a changing environment? Hear from one of the experts in the field, who brings hands-on advice. Check out Chris Metzler's work at http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/mgmtprog/profiles/ChrisMetzler.html

Presiding:

• Senator Toni Harp, Connecticut

Speakers:

• Dr. Henry Lee, Chief Emeritus, Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory and Chair Professor of Forensic Science, University of New Haven, Meridan, Connecticut

• John Morgan, Assistant Director, Office of Science & Technology, National Institute of Justice, Washington, D.C.

10:00 am -11:45 am
Delta Ballroom C -
Level 2 

Business Meeting

All legislators and legislative staff will want to attend this centerpiece of the Annual Meeting. All other annual meeting participants are welcome to attend as observers.

The business meeting is the culmination of the conference year. It includes debate on policy resolutions that will guide NCSL in lobbying the federal government in the year to come, as well as election of NCSL officers and approval of the conference budget.

Presiding:

• Senator Don Balfour, Georgia, Chair, NCSL Standing Committees

• Senator Steven Rauschenberger, Illinois, President, NCSL

Legislative Staff Luncheon: Creating a Championship Team

Pat Summit, coach of the Lady Volunteers basketball team at the University of Tennessee, has won more games than any coach, male or female, in the NCAA. Join Coach Summit to hear her philosophies on building a great team and how to develop strategies for success.

Presiding:

Tennessee Center Stage Starring LeAnn Rime

Join the Tennessee Host Committee at the Tennessee State Capitol and Legislative Plaza for a private concert with country great LeAnn Rimes and an evening of Southern cuisine. The newly renovated Capitol Building and legislative complex will be open for guest tours and will set the stage for this country music sweetheart LeAnn Rimes.

Social Event Shuttle Pickup Locations:

• Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center - Presidential Portico
• Radisson Hotel at Opryland - Main Entrance
• Courtyard Marriott- Main Entrance
• Marriott Airport - Main Entrance
• Fairfield Inn by Marriott - Main Entrance
• Hotel Preston - Main Entrance
• AmeriSuites - Main Entrance

Friday, August 18

Dueling Pollsters: How Americans Will Vote In November

Presiding:

• Representative Donna Stone, Delaware, Vice President, NCSL

Two of the nation's most trusted and respected pollsters look across America's political landscape as the nation approaches the critical mid-term elections. Frank Luntz and Peter Hart provide the perspective of how the major political parties see the 2006 elections unfolding, and what it means for policy issues in the months ahead.

Peter Hart has been one of the country's leading public opinion analysts for more than 27 years. He conducts all public opinion polling for NBC News and The Wall Street Journal. His focus is public policy, cultural and social issues, and strategic consulting for corporations, including Time Warner, Microsoft and Kodak.

Frank Luntz is one of the most honored communications professionals in America today. Named one of the four Top Research Minds by Business Week magazine, he pioneered the Instant Response focus group research technique and won an Emmy Award in 2001 for his 100 Days, 1000 Voices segments on NBC's primary and election night coverage.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognition of John S. Wilder, Tennessee Senate Speaker and Lieutenant Governor

12:00 n

Annual Meeting Adjourns