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Congrats! You’ve just been elected to what will hopefully be a rewarding, fulfilling career as a public servant. But it’ll also be a wild ride. NCSL, an organization you can count on for bipartisan research and information, is here to make sure you have the information you need to get a leg up. Don’t miss these virtual orientation events that are laser-focused on the skills you’ll need as a new legislator. 

All sessions are less than an hour and free of charge. Recordings will be available.  

These programs are for legislators and legislative staff only. 

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Moving from Campaigning to Governing: Four Ways to Become an Effective Legislator

Transitioning from campaigning to governing is critical to becoming an effective legislator. This session will cover four ideas for making the shift and finding success in your new role.

Speaker: Angela Andrews, professional development senior partner, NCSL Legislative Training Institute  

Watch Moving from Campaigning to Governing: Four Ways to Become an Effective Legislator

Navigating Media and Social Media

This session prepares members for the media blitz they might encounter and helps you bulk up your social media muscle. We'll highlight practical tips and sound advice for legislators new to the spotlight.

Speakers

  • Mick Bullock, director of public affairs and outreach, NCSL
  • Uyen Vong, associate director of public affairs and outreach, NCSL

Watch Navigating Media and Social Media

The Art of Legislative Negotiation

Traditional business and legal negotiation practices have centered on an oppositional, zero-sum game approach that seeks clear winners and losers. But negotiation in the legislative realm is different in many ways, with multiple stakeholders, complex interests and both policy and political considerations to balance. In this workshop, legislators will learn to identify their primary interests, and the interests of their negotiating partner, develop creative options to circumvent roadblocks, preserve relationships with their negotiating partners for future interactions and more. The goal of this training is to develop the skills and creativity necessary to engage in successful negotiation practices that produce more optimal outcomes. 

Speaker: Curt Stedron, director, NCSL Legislative Training Institute  

Watch The Art of Legislative Negotiation

Using Rules as Tools

Get a basic understanding of legislative rules of procedure, why you need to know about them, and why they are a building block of legislative institutions. Hear responses to frequently asked questions about the rules, who can answer them and where else you can turn for guidance.  

Speaker: Mari Henderson, senior policy specialist, NCSL Center for Legislative Strengthening 

Watch Using Rules as Tools

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