Chair’s Corner
I hope this message finds you well, energized, and ready for the exciting updates and achievements we have experienced in the recent past. As we usher in a new season, I am honored to share with you a comprehensive recap and glimpse into the promising future of our esteemed association.
First, the 2023 NCSL Legislative Summit in Indianapolis highlighted the strength of our legislative community, bringing together legislators and staff from across the nation in a bipartisan forum. With over 80 sessions featuring insights from top public policy experts, the event offered a fresh perspective on addressing critical policy issues. The summit also provided professional development opportunities in leadership, civility, research, and writing. The Exhibit Hall highlighted offerings from 200 exhibitors, addressing the evolving needs of state governments. With over 5,000 participants, the Summit facilitated the exploration of innovative legislative services. Looking forward, the 2024 NCSL Legislative Summit in Louisville, Ky., promises exclusive programming tailored for legislators and staff, offering unique insights and connections.
Second, the recent LINCS and LSPA Professional Development Seminar in Washington, D.C., was triumphant, bringing together essential legislative staff for dynamic sessions on key issues and best practices. Attendees, including leadership, caucus, and communications professionals, engaged in a comprehensive program covering legislative landscapes and fostering collaboration. The seminar facilitated interactions with Maryland state legislators and staff, offering valuable insights. Emphasizing collaboration, the event empowered participants to absorb the latest information, refine skills, build relationships, and gain innovative tools for effective state legislatures. Sessions spanned constituent services, communications strategies, leadership, office culture, policy roundtables, resilience, writing skills, and the engaging "5 Minutes of Fame" sessions.
Additionally, I am delighted to continue serving as your LINCS chair for another year and celebrate the election of our new LINCS executive board members. Special thanks to Tim Bommel for his service as a LINCS director, and heartfelt congratulations to John Sattgast for receiving the prestigious Legislative Staff Achievement Award at the 2023 Legislative Summit.
Looking ahead, we are excited about upcoming events, including webinars, the 2024 LINCS professional development seminar, and the 2024 NCSL Legislative Summit in Louisville, Ky.
Furthermore, I am thrilled to announce that Breezio, our online networking website, will be available in January 2024. Breezio serves as your hub for connecting with fellow members, sharing files, and staying up to date on the latest trends in legislative communications. This platform is your space to foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and collectively advance the field of legislative communications.
In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each of you for your dedication and contributions to LINCS. Together, we are making a meaningful impact on legislative communications. Here's to a season of continued growth, collaboration, and success.
Whether you are an active member of LINCS or are just learning about our staff association, please tell me how LINCS can best support you and your work! I can be reached at aundreapeterson@le.utah.gov or 801-791-3365.
- Aundrea Peterson, LINCS Chair
2024 LINCS Executive Board
These dedicated professionals, representing diverse roles crucial to effective communication within state legislatures, have been chosen to lead LINCS through the coming year. Their passion for public service and wealth of experience will contribute to our association's continued success. Please welcome our LINCS executive board:
Chair
- Aundrea Peterson | deputy chief of staff, communications director | Utah State Senate
Term of Office: October 2022-October 2024
Vice-Chair
- Jacque Bland | director of communications | West Virginia State Senate
Term of Office: October 2023-October 2024
Secretary
- Matthew Prellberg | director of communications | Hawai‘i State Senate - Majority
Term of Office: October 2023-October 2024
Immediate Past Chair
- Will Tracy | communication specialist/videographer | Arkansas State House of Representatives
Term of Office: October 2022-October 2024
Regional Directors:
- Region A:
Tim Powers | chief technology & outreach officer | Alaska State Legislature
Term of Office: October 2022-October 2024
- Region B:
Joshua Bly | communications director | Colorado State Senate-Republican Caucus
Term of Office: October 2023-October 2025
- Region C:
Rachel Aplikowski | media relations director | Minnesota State Senate-Republican Caucus
Term of Office: October 2023-October 2025
- Region D:
Justin Speck | technology and legislative network coordinator, webmaster | Georgia State House of Representatives
Term of Office: October 2022-October 2024
Recap: 2023 NCSL Legislative Summit
The 2023 NCSL Legislative Summit, held in Indianapolis, brought together legislators and legislative staff from across the nation. This bipartisan gathering provided a unique platform for attendees to expand their legislative networks, fostering connections and sharing best practices to address the most pressing policy issues facing our states.
With over 80 informative sessions, participants had the opportunity to gain knowledge from the nation's leading public policy experts, casting a fresh perspective on their legislative agendas. The Summit also offered a robust agenda of professional development opportunities tailored specifically for the legislative work environment, covering essential topics such as leadership, civility, research, and writing.
The exhibit hall displayed more than 200 exhibitors, spotlighting products and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of state governments.
And with over 5,000 attendees, participants explored new legislative services, gaining valuable insights into innovative solutions for the challenges facing their respective legislatures.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the 2024 NCSL Legislative Summit, set to take place in the vibrant city of Louisville, Ky. With three days of exclusive programming tailored for legislators and legislative staff, the Summit promises a great return on investment, providing insights and connections not available anywhere else.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this year's Summit. We look forward to seeing you in Louisville next year!
Recap: 2023 LINCS & LSPA Professional Development Seminar
The LINCS and LSPA Professional Development Seminar held in the vibrant setting of Washington, D.C., proved to be a resounding success, uniting essential staff members crucial to the legislative process. From leadership and caucus staff to communications, public relations and press room professionals, the seminar provided dynamic sessions for the exchange of knowledge and insights.
Attendees engaged in sessions covering key legislative issues, soft skills and best practices while also seizing valuable networking opportunities. The seminar facilitated tours and discussions with Maryland state legislators and legislative staff, enriching participants with a comprehensive understanding of their legislative landscape.
With a focus on fostering collaboration, this year's seminar empowered attendees to absorb the latest information, hone crucial skills, cultivate relationships, and take away innovative tools and ideas to bolster the effectiveness of state legislatures. The diverse range of sessions explored topics from constituent services and communications strategies to leadership skills, office culture, policy roundtables, resilience, writing skills and the engaging "5 Minutes of Fame" sessions.
Recap: 2023 NCSL Basecamp
We are excited to share a recap of the recent NCSL Base Camp session titled "Building Bridges: How to Make the Most of Legislative Communications." In this engaging session, Jacque Bland, director of communications for the West Virginia State Senate, offered valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between state legislative communications professionals and journalists.
Attendees gained strategic perspectives, best practices and real-world experiences on effective communication and collaboration. The session highlighted the evolving landscape of state politics reporting, the importance of transparency, and strategies for maintaining constructive relationships between communications professionals and reporters. For those who missed it, you can catch the recording here.
Questions? Suggestions?
Do you have a question for your fellow LINCSters?
For all communications-related questions, you can ask NCSL or post them to the LINCS Breezio (coming soon). Please contact the LINCS Liaison, Ta’Vion Hampton, for more information on how to get your questions answered by your peers!
The Voice Suggestion Box
Have an idea for a future issue of The Voice? Want to contribute a short feature?
Contact LINCS Secretary Matthew Prellberg.