Every day, you and your colleagues work behind the scenes to support the work of state legislatures. From drafting bills to making statehouses accessible to the public to keeping computer networks secure, legislatures couldn’t function without you. During the week of May 5-9, NCSL celebrates your contributions and considers the importance of both gratitude and recognition in the legislative environment.
Consider these ideas to bring the celebration to your office.
Watch Party
Reserve a space to watch these NCSL programs with your team:
NCSL Town Hall
NCSL’s Webinars
Pop some popcorn for the show and stay after the programs to discuss the content as a group.
Shoutouts
Give a shoutout or two in recognition of a colleague’s or a team’s resilience, leadership, innovation or exceptional commitment to the legislature. You’ll both be entered into a daily drawing. Prizes include free registrations for NCSL Base Camp and NCSL swag bags. And for the state receiving the most shoutouts? Dessert is on us! NCSL will host an ice cream party for all legislative staff.
Submit and View Shoutouts
Years of Legislative Service Day
Choose a day of the week to celebrate the tenure of legislative staff by encouraging everyone to wear a color corresponding to their years of service:
- Less than 2 years of service: Wear green
- 3-5 years of service: Wear blue
- 6-10 years of service: Wear purple
- 11-15 years of service: Wear orange
- 16-plus years of service: Wear red
Staff Appreciation Meals
If circumstances allow, plan a staff coffee/breakfast/lunch/picnic/afternoon snack/candy bowl one day of the week.
Get Social and Get Moving
- Share a photo on social media that shows how you and your team are celebrating Staff Week. Just tag @NCSLorg or add #LegislativeStaff.
- Stretch break: Coordinate a morning group stretch.
- Walk break: Plan a time for a group walk around the block.
- Silent walk party: Gather for a walk around the Capitol while listening to the NCSL podcast episode “NCSL at 50: The Legislative Staff Story.”
- Game break: Plan some group games for indoor or outdoor fun (e.g., scavenger hunt, trivia, bingo).
- NCSL at 50: The Legislative Staff Story | OAS Episode 231