RACSS Newsletter Research and Committee Staff Section Spring 2014 IN THIS ISSUE: Chair s Column: It s Our Anniversary! By Sabrina N. Lewellen, Deputy Director, Arkansas Senate, and Assistant Secretary of the Senate RACSS Chair, 2013-2014 I feel that every year an organization can fulfill its mission and be of service is a special year. But 2014 is particularly noteworthy because we are taking time to truly pause and reflect on 35 incredible years as a staff section and all we have accomplished in our efforts to provide a professional supportive and informative forum for legislative research and committee staff to learn skills and receive useful training. This year holds exciting opportunities ahead including educational RACSS sessions at the upcoming Legislative Summit in Minneapolis and our Professional Development Seminar to be held jointly with the Legal Services Staff Section (LSSS) in Richmond. I hope to see as many of you who can attend at either or both! I cannot impress enough how vital your voice and participation is to the longevity of RACSS and our ability to be the best we can be as a staff section. I hope you enjoy this anniversary issue as we take a look back at our achievements to date and move further forward into another year of working to leave our footprint in the history of NCSL, the legislative process in our respective states, and this country. On behalf of the RACSS Executive Committee, a very Happy Anniversary! RACSS: Celebrating 35 Years of Service to Legislative Staff Chair s Column... 1 RACSS Beginnings... 2 Reflections from Chairs... 3 RACSS Facts... 4 2014 Elections... 5 Staff Awards... 5 Summit Plans... 6 Fall Seminar... 6 The RACSS Newsletter is published periodically by the Research and Committee Staff Section, a staff organization of the National Conference of State Legislatures. www.ncsl.org Denver: 303-364-7700 DC: 202-624-5400 RACSS Executive Committee 2013-2014 Chair: Sabrina N. Lewellen, Arkansas Vice-chair: Bryant Howe, Utah Immediate Past Chair: Walker Reagan, North Carolina Directors: Charlotte Carter-Yamauchi, Hawaii Cindy Ellison, Texas Susan Fox, Montana Sheila Mason, Kentucky Sandra Norman-Eady, Connecticut Sharon Wenger, Kansas Secretary: Jeanne Mejeur, NCSL
RACSS: From the Beginning By Jeanne Mejeur, RACSS secretary, NCSL NCSL is celebrating its 40 th anniversary this year. You ve probably noted the 40 th anniversary logo on our web page and read stories in State Legislatures magazine about our history. Coincidentally, RACSS is celebrating an anniversary this year, too, as we celebrate the 35 th anniversary of RACSS, which was established in 1979. So how did RACSS get its start? It s tied to NCSL s history. NCSL was formed by a merger of three organizations: the National Legislative Conference, the National Conference of State Legislative Leaders, and the National Society of State Legislators. Legislative staff played a key role in the merger negotiations to ensure that the new organization would serve as a source of support and professional development for staff. Early on in NCSL s history, legislative staff saw the importance of networking with their counterparts from other states. As staffing functions in state legislatures grew more specialized, so did the need for additional staff groups. The staff groups, called "sections," developed out of the need to share information and learn from colleagues doing similar work in other states. Staff Section Established RACSS was one of the earliest to form American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS)... 1943 after the establishment of NCSL. Legislative Research Librarians Staff Section (LRL)... 1972 The impetus for what is now RACSS came from legislative council and research National Legislative Services and Security Association (NLSSA)... 1973 agency directors, including Bonnie Reese National Legislative Program Evaluation Society (NLPES)... 1974 of Wisconsin, Serge Garrison of Iowa, Leadership Staff Section (LSS)... 1975 Dave Johnston of Ohio, Lyle Kyle of Colorado and Carl Frantz of Connecticut. National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices (NALFO)... 1977 These staff and others had been meeting informally at NCSL's meetings and, early Research and Committee Staff Section (RACSS)... 1979 on, saw the value of working with their Legal Services Staff Section (LSSS)... 1982 counterparts. RACSS was formally established in 1979, as the Research and Sub- Legislative Information and Communications Staff Section (LINCS)... 1999 stantive Committee Staff Section. Bylaws were adopted in 1979 and the staff section began presenting programs at NCSL meetings. Staff Section Trivia: Originally established for research and service agency managers, by 1987 staff section officers, including Joyce Honaker of Kentucky and the late Allan Green of Connecticut, agreed that they should include non-management staff, as well. As a result, RACSS began a concentrated effort to reach out to all legislative staff who were involved in research, policy analysis or committee staffing, and in 1988, changed its name to the Research and Committee Staff Section. Here are some of the milestones in our history. The staff section published the first RACSS Newsletter in 1988 and in 1991 began compiling an annual Directory of Key Research Contacts that listed legislative research agencies and directors. The printed version was discontinued in 2003, and was replaced by an online directory. In 1994, RACSS presented its first annual professional development seminar. Originally, the fall seminar targeted senior staff and managers, because there was a separate Skills Development Seminar for junior staff, presented jointly by RACSS, and the staff sections working with drafters, fiscal analysts and program evaluators. Once the Skills Seminar met its demise, due to budget cuts, the RACSS fall seminar expanded its focus to include all researchers, policy analysts and committee staffers. At approximately 1,300 members, RACSS is one of the largest of NCSL's staff sections, and one of the most diverse, with both partisan and nonpartisan research staff, committee staff, legislative attorneys, caucus staff and individual member staff. The staff section has continued to evolve, with a bigger web presence and e-learning projects, while continuing to present a fall seminar and sessions at the NCSL annual conference. National Association of Legislative Information Technology (NALIT)... 1978 ASLCS is the oldest staff section, founded in 1943. LINCS is the newest staff section, established in 1999. Leadership was the first staff section formed after the founding of NCSL. LRL is the smallest staff section. RACSS and LSSS are the two largest staff sections. Four staff sections ASLCS, LRL, NLSSA and NLPES are older than NCSL. Two staff sections ASLCS and NLSSA charge dues. 2 National Conference of State Legislatures
Reflections From Past RACSS Chairs My Memories of RACSS By Joyce Honaker, committee administrator, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky, retired, RACSS Chair, 1987-1988 RACSS (formerly the Research and Substantive Committee Staff Section) was established in 1979, and initially concentrated on the professional development needs of central research and service agency directors. That emphasis changed with the evolution of the legislative institution and staffing patterns. My notes from the 1987 NCSL Annual Meeting in Indianapolis begin: The Research and Committee Staff Section Steering Committee held a dinner meeting to discuss the future of the section. There was some sentiment for limiting the section to directors, who form the active core of the group, possibly because its activities have been concentrated in the annual meeting and one additional NCSL fall meeting each year. The consensus was, instead, to make a concerted outreach effort this year to identify the section s constituency within the states and determine their needs from NCSL, while maintaining the management and personnel programs of legislative branch staff directors and other administrators. As a result of that decision about its mission, RACSS s professional development opportunities grew and changed. A newsletter, first published in 1988, was one product of RACSS s effort to communicate about the section, and other professional development opportunities, to a broader range of staff professionals. One of its initial purposes was to disseminate summaries of Annual Meeting and Assembly on State Issues programs to the many legislative staffers who did not regularly attend. In 1993-4, RACSS planned and added an annual Senior Staff Professional Development Seminar for staff with five or more years of legislative staff experience. This program was developed to fill a gap between NCSL s Skills Development Seminar for staff with fewer than three years of legislative branch experience, and NCSL s Legislative Management Institute. RACSS attempted to provide annual meeting and fall meeting programs to address our diverse interests, from making effective presentations to legislators to personnel management to stress management. It also sponsored a Research Track for NCSL s Skills Development Seminar. What did RACSS mean to me? First of all, it meant great friendships with research and committee staffers across the U.S., as well as NCSL staffers. Second, it provided professional development opportunities for me and other Kentucky legislative staff folks with whom I worked. And finally, it gave me RACSS Happy 35th Anniversary! By Mary Janicki, director, Office of Legislative Research, Connecticut, retired RACSS Chair, 2005 Congratulations to NCSL and all RACSS members, present and former, who have made this association such a vibrant and helpful resource to legislative staff around the country. The staff section s first professional development seminar was held in Hartford, Conn. in the fall of 1994. Allan Green, then director of the Office of Legislative Research and one of the organizers of RACSS, planned the agenda with David Hite, deputy director of the Colorado Office of Legislative Services. Meetings were held in the Legislative Office Building. In addition to the training session, participants enjoyed social activities that set the bar for seminars to come. There was the Hartford Stage production of Richard III, starring Richard Thomas, with an optional postseminar bus trip to view New England fall foliage! Of course, no recognition of RACSS is complete without acknowledging Jeanne Mejeur as the dedicated section secretary. For years, Jeanne has assumed the responsibility for ensuring that conference calls are arranged, programs are planned, meetings are held, speakers are scheduled, buses are booked, and lunches are tasty! With her gentle guidance and encouragement, board chairs and directors have developed informative and relevant training sessions for professional development seminars and Legislative Summit sessions. She kept directors clued-in and focused. Jeanne s dedication to RACSS has been critical to its success. RACSS has been such a great resource and tool for professional legislative staff. The training it sponsors on relevant topics informs their work. Through it, members make contacts and friendships that support and enhance the important work they do. Happy Anniversary! Honaker, continued from previous column the opportunity to work with staff in newly developing democracies/republics in Namibia, Nigeria and Hong Kong as a consultant to staff on their needs. I was honored to receive one of the first Legislative Staff Achievement Awards given by our staff section. I hope you ll continue to support and develop RACSS. National Conference of State Legislatures 3
Past RACSS Chairs: 1983-2014 2014... Sabrina N. Lewellen, Deputy Director and Assistant Secretary of the Senate, Arkansas Senate 2013... Walker Reagan, Division Director, Research Division, North Carolina 2012... Mark Mitchell, Committee Staff Administrator, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky 2010-2011... Pepper Sturm, Chief Deputy Research Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau, Nevada 2009... Phil Price, Committee Staff Administrator, Bureau of Legislative Research, Arkansas 2008... E.M. Miller, Jr., Director, Division of Legislative Services, Virginia 2007... Patrick O'Grady, Executive Director, Legislative Research Unit, Illinois 2006... Jamie Franklin, Committee Administrator, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky 2005... Mary Janicki, Director, Office of Legislative Research, Connecticut 2004... Mike Nugent, Supervisor, Research and Legislation Section, Legislative Services Office, Idaho 2002-2003... David Sallach, Principal Research Analyst, Office of Legislative Services/CMU, New Jersey 2000-2001... Robert Erickson, Research Director, Legislative Counsel Bureau, Nevada 1999... Karl Aro, Executive Director, Department of Legislative Services, Maryland 1998... Diane Bolender, Director, Legislative Service Bureau, Iowa 1996-1997... Larry Barish, Director, Reference and Library Services, Legislative Reference Bureau, Wisconsin 1995... Darrell Jackson, Director, House Research Staff, Missouri 1994... David Hite, Deputy Director, Legislative Council, Colorado 1993... Richard Sims, Administrator, Office of Tax Research, Bureau of Legislative Research, Arkansas 1992... Pamela Burch Fort, Staff Director, Senate Insurance Committee, Florida 1991... Richard V. Strong, Director, Legislative Research and General Counsel, Utah 1989-1990... Allan Green, Director, Office of Legislative Research, Connecticut 1987-1988... Joyce Honaker, Committee Administrator, Legislative Research Commission, Kentucky 1985-1986... Carvel Payne, Director, Dept. of Legislative Reference, Maryland 1983-1984... Donald Rhodes, Director, Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau 1979-1982...?? Fast Facts: More than 1500 staff have attended RACSS fall professional development seminars since 1994. RACSS has presented approximately 450 training sessions for legislative staff since 1982, at NCSL annual meetings and staff section seminars. 56 legislative staff have served as RACSS officers or directors since 1991. RACSS has published more than 70 newsletters since 1989. RACSS Fall Seminars Location Year Location Year Denver, CO 2013 Portland, ME 2003 Madison, WI 2012 Sacramento, CA 2002 Portland, OR 2011 Richmond, VA 2001 No Meeting 2010 Austin, TX 2000 No Meeting 2009 Charleston, SC 1999 Tampa, FL 2008 St. Paul, MN 1998 Santa Fe, NM 2007 Washington, DC 1997 Burlington, VT 2006 Madison, WI 1996 Chicago, IL 2005 Denver, CO 1995 Annapolis, MD 2004 Hartford, CT 1994 4 National Conference of State Legislatures
RACSS 2014 Elections: Get Involved! Staff Achievement Awards 2014 Deadline: June 6, 2014 If you re interested in serving on the RACSS Executive Committee, here s your opportunity to become more involved. RACSS members will elect new officers at the staff section's annual Business Meeting, being held in conjunction with the NCSL Legislative Summit in Minneapolis, Minn. Below are details on the current openings: Vice-chair (one opening): The vice-chair is elected to a one-year term. After the oneyear term, he or she automatically becomes RACSS chair the following year and then continues on the Executive Committee as immediate past chair for the subsequent year. Candidates for vice-chair should have past experience in serving on the RACSS Executive Committee or have been active with the staff section or NCSL. Also, the vice-chair is expected to attend meetings of the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee, so travel support from your legislature is necessary. Directors (three openings): Directors serve a two-year term on the RACSS Executive Committee. Under the RACSS Bylaws, directors may serve two consecutive terms. RACSS has six directors in total and three are up for election each year. No prior RACSS service is required to run for director positions, although past participation in RACSS or NCSL activities is a plus. Criteria The Nominating Committee considers a candidate s legislative experience and past participation in RACSS, as well as geographic and diversity issues on the committee. Ability to travel is not required for directors but is necessary for the RACSS chair and vice-chair, who represent the staff section at the quarterly NCSL Executive Committee/LSCC meetings. Note that no travel stipends are provided, so be sure to check with your legislature for approval prior to submitting your nomination. Nominating Committee RACSS vice-chair Bryant Howe chairs this year s Nominating Committee and serves with immediate past chair Walker Reagan of North Carolina and RACSS executive committee member Cindy Ellison of Texas. How to Apply/Deadline If you re interested, please first seek the approval of your legislature or director. Then submit a letter of candidacy, via email, outlining your legislative experience and RACSS involvement. Nominations should be addressed to the RACSS Nominating Committee chair and emailed to jeanne.mejeur@ncsl.org by Friday, June 6, 2014. Deadline: May 23, 2014 Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 Legislative Staff Achievement Award, recognizing outstanding legislative staff. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 23. The award recognizes individual legislative staff, staff agencies or offices, or staff teams that have demonstrated excellence in their legislative careers and also contributed to the activities of the Research and Committee Staff Section. The Legislative Staff Achievement Award was instituted in 1997 by the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee, as a means for the NCSL staff sections and networks to annually recognize legislative staff for their outstanding work in support of a state legislature and contributions to the activities of their staff section. Former RACSS chair Pepper Sturm of Nevada will serve as this year's Awards Committee chair, assisted by Sheila Mason of Kentucky and Sharon Wenger of Kansas. The awards will be presented during the 2014 NCSL Legislative Summit, Aug. 19-22, in Minneapolis, Minn. RACSS Award Criteria The Legislative Staff Achievement Award recognizes RACSS members who have: Demonstrated exceptional professionalism, competence, and integrity in serving their state legislature; Improved the effectiveness of their legislative institution; and Contributed to the work of the Research and Committee Staff Section. How to Submit a Nomination/Deadline If you would like to nominate a legislative staff person, staff team or office for their outstanding work, please submit a letter of nomination, via email, outlining the nominee s legislative accomplishments and contributions to RACSS activities. Nominations should be addressed to the RACSS Awards Committee and emailed to RACSS secretary, Jeanne Mejeur, by Friday, May 23, 2014. For more information, contact Jeanne at (303) 856-1467 or jeanne.mejeur@ncsl.org. National Conference of State Legislatures 5
NCSL Legislative Summit Tuesday 8/19 Wednesday 8/20 Thursday 8/21 Friday 8/22 New Attendee Orientation 11:00 am-noon Opening 1:30 pm-2:45 pm Standing Committees 3:00 pm-5:00 pm 3:00 pm-5:00 pm Opening Reception Mill City Museum 6:00 pm-7:30 pm 7:45 am-8:45 am 9:00 am-10:15 am Standing Committees 10:30 am-12:30pm Standing Committees 12:30 pm-5:00 pm Legislative Staff University 3:30 pm-5:00 pm States Night 9:00 am-10:00 am 10:15 am-11:15 am 11:30 am-12:45 pm Legislative Staff-Luncheon 12:30 pm-2:00 pm 2:15 pm-3:30pm 3:45 pm-5:00 pm 3:45 pm-5:30 pm Nicollet Island Social Event 6:30 pm-9:00 pm 9:00 am-10:15 am NCSL Business Meeting 10:30 am-12:30 pm Luncheon 12:30 pm-2:00 pm Join your colleagues from around the states at the 2014 NCSL Legislative Summit in Minneapolis, Aug. 19-22. With more than 100 sessions, the Summit covers the latest issues and provides opportunities to make new connections with your counterparts in other states. For 40 years, the Legislative Summit is where legislators and staff come together to tackle critical problems and find solutions that work. RACSS sessions include: Legislators Roundtable: What Do We Need and Value From Staff? Building a Brand for Legislative Staff Agencies Conducting Hearings Through Remote Testimony Legislative Staff Ethics RACSS Business Meeting For more information, visit the Legislative Summit home page. RACSS Professional Development Seminar LSSS & RACSS Joint Professional Development Seminar Oct. 6-8, 2014 Richmond, Virginia Mark your calendars for the 2014 professional development seminar, Oct. 6-8, in Richmond, Va. The seminar is being sponsored jointly by RACSS and the Legal Services Staff Section (LSSS) to facilitate shared learning between researchers, committee staffers, drafters, and editors. Sharpen your professional skills, network with legislative colleagues from around the country, and participate in practical and informative sessions at the fall seminar. Enjoy learning while experiencing the beauty and history of Richmond, and see Virginia s restored Capitol and new visitors center. The list of potential sessions includes: witness testimony, U.S. Supreme Court decisions affecting the states, writing skills, multi-generational workplaces, managing biases, effective presentations, conducting 50-state research, evaluating resources, communications, and best practices in bill analyses. Announcements and an e-brochure will be sent out on the RACSS and LSSS listservs. More information, including a detailed agenda, will be available shortly on NCSL s web site. 6 National Conference of State Legislatures