Minutes - NLSSA Executive Board
Summer 2007
Spring 2007 (teleconference call)
Winter 2007
Spring 2006
Summer 2006
Fall 2006
(pending approval)
Welcome – Earnie Sumner, NLSSA President
Attendees:
President – Earnest Sumner, Florida
President – Earnest Sumner, Florida
Vice President – Clarence Russ, Louisiana
Secretary – Jimmetta Peoples, Alabama
1st Trustee – Donald Severance, Florida
Sergeant-at-Arms – Dennis Trimble, Ohio
Region 1 – Kevin Kuroda
Region 4 – Sam Smith, Alabama
Past President – Roderick Welsh, Texas
Rick Deleon, Texas
John Keller, Louisiana
Michael Kopinja, Connecticut
Michael Randle, Florida
Ava Penn, Virgin Islands
NCSL -
Kae Warnock - Denver
Brain Weberg - Denver
Opening Remarks -
President Sumner gave a summary of the 08/06/07 Board meeting.
Life membership approved (Donald Severance – motion, Kevin Kuroda – 2nd):
Michael Kopinja, Connecticut
Lou Gurule, New Mexico
Annual Training Conference – Montgomery, Alabama
Agenda
Budget report
Both reports given by Jimmetta Peoples: Agenda and Budget reports reviewed by the Board. The NLSSA Oversight Committee and the Alabama Host Committee has reviewed and approved both reports. Alabama Legislators and staff along with various organizations assisted with the membership and guest agenda development and will also assist during the conference. NCSL staff and NLSSA members responded well to all request for assistance. The conference hospitality suite will also be used as an information center and will be open throughout the day.
Treasurer's Report
NLSSA Treasury funds in the amount of $1,500.00 was approved to help cover the conference Awards and Banquet dinner expenses, (Sam Smith – motion, Dennis Trimble – 2nd).
NLSSA Treasury funds were allocated in the amount of $4,500.00 to purchase a NLSSA logo seal and new designed lapel pins (Dennis Trimble – motion, Clarence Russ – 2nd). The seal will be purchase from Robert Huff Designs, Memphis, Tennessee. The company specializes in state seals and is a frequent exhibitor at the NCSL conferences. Sam Smith will coordinate the purchase of the lapel pins.
Future Training Conferences
Annual Training Conference
President Sumner reports: Kae Warnock, NCSL liaison, has talked with Deborah Nielson, New Hampshire in reference to the 2008 conference regarding locations and budgets.
Kae Warnock, NCSL reports: bids from Concord and Manchester, New Hampshire will be obtained for possible hotel sites for the 2008 conference.
Report given by Jimmetta Peoples, chair, Oversight Committee: The committee communicated several times via email and a teleconference on 06/28/07. The committee also conducted one NLSSA list serv survey for recommendations on future conference sites. Survey results: Alaska, New York, Nevada.
The Board was given a revised draft for review and input, of the NLSSA Guidelines for Hosting the Annual Conference manual. NCSL will submit manual updates. The committee will submit a final draft at the conference in Alabama.
Tentative future annual conference sites (per state’s request):
2009 – Nevada (Carson City) – Region 1
2010 – Virgin Islands – Region 4
2011 – Louisiana – Region 3
Ava Penn, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands Legislative staff, attended the 08/07/07 Board meeting requested a membership application and offered to host the NLSSA annual conference. The Board and Oversight Committee will follow up to explain NCSL and NLSSA guidelines.
Regions
President Sumner encouraged all regions to attempt to conduct regional meetings (i.e. onsite, teleconference, list serv, email, etc.). The Technology and Professional Development Committee will continue to explore cost effective ways for regions to network.
2007 Nominations
Procedure:
Report given by Kevin Kuroda, chair, Nominations Committee: The committee will receive nominations from the floor for all NLSSA office to the Executive Board at the 2007 conference in Alabama.
The nominations procedures will be announced during the Opening ceremony at the 2007 conference in Alabama.
All members interested in submitting their nominations for office will be encouraged to attend the Nominations Committee meeting in Alabama scheduled Wednesday, 09/19/07, 4:15pm in the Alabama State House, 6th floor.
Newsletter
Report given by Jimmetta Peoples, chair, Newsletter and Publications Committee: Dina Hildago, past president, prepared the 2007 Spring/Summer edition and mailed copies to the membership at no cost to NLSSA. Dina Hildago is commended for a job well done. The newsletter website edition is now available online.
The committee will publish a 2007 Fall/Winter newsletter.
Other Business
Report given by Brain Weberg, NCSL: NLSSA has 3 options in response to the Tax ID Request:
Keep the dues account with NCSL
Secure an NLSSA Tax ID number
NLSSA get instrumental status
President Sumner reports: NLSSA check writing/signature authority issue is being investigated.
Bylaws
Report given by Clarence Russ, chair, Ad Hoc Committee on Procedures & Bylaws: A draft on bylaws recommended changes was submitted to the Board for review and input. A final draft of recommended changes for approval will be presented at the conference in Alabama.
NLSSA Logo
The Board discussed consideration of an NLSSA logo change.
President Sumner deferred discussion to a call meeting Wednesday, 08/08/07.
Meeting adjourned 12:30pm (Donald Severance – motion, Sam Smith – 2nd).
NLSSA Executive Board Meeting
August 6, 2007
Boston, Massachusetts
(pending approval)
Welcome – Earnie Sumner, NLSSA President
Attendees:
President – Earnest Sumner, Florida
Vice President – Clarence Russ, Louisiana
Secretary – Jimmetta Peoples, Alabama
1st Trustee – Donald Severance, Florida
Sergeant –at-Arms – Dennis Trimble, Ohio
Region 1 – Kevin Kuroda, Hawaii
Region 4 – Sam Smith, Alabama
David Henderson, Oregon
John Keller, Louisiana
Past Presidents -
Jim Melton, South Carolina
Roderick Welsh, Texas
NCSL –
Kae Warnock - Denver
Nithin Akuthota is no longer the NLSSA liaison due to his resignation. He accepted employment with a law firm. Kae Warnock and Brain Weberg of NCSL will continue as interim liaison. An NCSL internal search and a public search is underway for candidates.
Secretary's Report (v)
Minutes – Austin, Texas
Minutes reviewed and adopted. (Donald Severance – motion, Sam Smith – 2nd)
Executive Board Meeting via teleconference on 03/14/07 reviewed and adopted. (Kevin Kuroda – motion, Donald Severance – 2nd)
President Sumner reports: still waiting on feedback from Doug Webb of NCSL regarding agenda item II – NCSL Tax ID number.
Treasurer’s Report (v)
NLSSA treasury report
Report given by President Sumner: Bank ledger balance is $63,357.91. Reviewed and adopted Bank Ledger report forwarded by Glenda Smith, Treasurer (Dennis Trimble – motion, Kevin Kuroda – 2nd)
Membership Report:
Report given by President Sumner: 111 paid members as of 08/02/07. $5,550.00 in dues collected. Reviewed the membership and dues lists forward by Glenda Smith, Treasurer.(v - 45 min)
Note: All persons on the NLSSA list serv may not be NLSSA members but are legislative staff employees.
2007 Awards
Tony Beard
Oce Smith, West Virginia was nominated during the Boards’ teleconference on 03/14/07. No other nominations were received from the floor. Nominations closed (Sam Smith – motion, Donald Severance – 2nd). Oce Smith approved (Donald Severance – motion, Kevin Kuroda – 2nd)
Trooper Award
No nominations
Lifetime Achievement Award
No nominations
Both of the NLSSA Legislative Staff Achievement Awards recipients: Tony Beard, California and Sandra Dicke, Minnesota, are unable to attend the Awards Luncheon on 08/09/07. The awards will be presented in Alabama.
Committee Reports
Technology and Professional Development - Rod Welsh, Texas
Report given by Roderick Welsh, committee chair and President Sumner: The committee is investigating technological means for NLSSA regions to network. E-Learning guidelines will be made available to the membership. The committee is looking into incorporating E-Learning via the NLSSA website for the NLSSA annual conferences for members that are unable to attend.
Subcommittee on Legislative Support & Services Training - Deborah Nielson, New Hampshire
No report
Subcommittee on Legislative Security & Safety Training - Sam Smith, Alabama
The committee will meet during the NCSL conference in Boston
Annual Conference Oversight Committee - Jimmetta Peoples, Alabama (deferred to Tuesday)
Budget Committee - Glenda Smith, California
Report given by President Sumner: presented an index template of the developing NLSSA Policy Manual which includes all existing guidelines, bylaws, procedures, history, mission statement, etc., a total of 19 sections. A Policy Manual update will be given at the conference in Alabama.
Membership Committee - Dennis Trimble, Ohio
The committee will conduct the new member’s orientation session at the conference in Alabama. Presented the orientation session plans.
The committee is in the process of revising the NLSSA brochure.
Discussion of using another logo on the brochure was deferred to Tuesday.
The NLSSA list serv will be used for recruiting purposes. Recruitment information will be posted annually. Video taping will be done at the conference in Alabama for a recruitment video. The committee will investigate the possibility of a booth with other staff sections in the exhibit hall at the NCSL annual conferences.
President Sumner - Bob Milby, Nevada volunteered to assist in the printing and distribution of the membership roster.
Kae Warnock, NCSL – the online membership roster has been updated and will be available soon.
Newsletter and Publications Committee – Jimmetta Peoples, Louisiana (deferred to Tuesday)
International Relations and Protocol Committee - Dina Hidalgo, California
No report
Ad Hoc Committee on Procedures & Bylaws – Clarence Russ, Louisiana (deferred to Tuesday)
Report by President Sumner: A Risk & Liability language amendment as discussed in the Boards’ teleconference meeting on 03/14/07 indicating that NLSSA is a part of the Legislative Staff of NCSL, will be presented at the conference in Alabama.
Nominations Committee - Kevin Kuroda, Hawaii (deferred to Tuesday)
Regions
Region Reports - Region Chairs
Region 1 – Kevin Kuroda
Made contact with Region 1 members via the list serv. He is researching ideas on hosting a Region 1 meeting.
Region 2 – Roderick Welsh
Rick Deleon is the new Texas Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.
Region 3 – No report
Region 4 – Sam Smith
The region held a meeting at the Wampee Training & Conference Center in Pinopolis, South Carolina, June 22-24th. A roundtable discussion was conducted on mental illness.
Membership
No report
Life Memberships (Region 1 - Barbara Leong from Hawaii)
The Board approved the following recommendations:
Barbara Leong, Hawaii
Carlton Turner, Texas
Bill Morgan, Connecticut
George Mason, Virginia
Representative Howard “Crow” Dickinson, Jr., New Hampshire
Other Business
Meeting adjourned 10:34am (Dennis Trimble – motion, Donald Severance – 2nd)
Attendance:
Earnie Sumner
Donald Severance
Jeff Fleming
Kevin Kuroda
Jennifer Hodge
Jimmetta Peoples
Carl Barnhart
Sam Smith
Clarence Russ
Rod Welsh
Ted Blazel
NCSL -
Sarah Huber
Opening
Jimmetta Peoples gave an update on the progress of the upcoming training conference in Montgomery, AL. Jimmetta discussed the desire to utilize nationally recognized, high impact presenters for the conference. She stated that they do plan to use some local speakers from the Montgomery area for some of the training sessions, but acknowledged that using speakers with extreme expertise in subject areas being presented from around the U. S., could be used to draw attention to the conference and attract others to attend the conference. Jimmetta is looking for speakers of this type to present at sessions geared to both security and services. Jimmetta and Sarah are trying to get Allen Rosenthal as one potential speaker. Brian Weberg has agreed to conduct a “manager’s workshop” in both discipline areas. Another prospect mentioned was Mike Wismer from New Mexico who could present on security related topics or facilitate a round table discussion. Earnie recommended that cost proposals be gathered for these speakers and present the proposals to the executive board for approval.
Agenda item I
NCSL Insurance Coverage for Staff Sections and related liability risk exposure to NCSL:
Earnie Sumner shared the recommendation offered by Bill Pounds, NCSL Executive Director, that each Staff Section amend its bylaws to state that they are “are part of the Legislative Staff Division of NCSL”. This would bring NLSSA under the umbrella of insurance coverage provided through NCSL. Earnie assigned the responsibility of drafting an amendment to the NLSSA bylaws that would state, “NLSSA is part of the legislative staff division of NCSL,” to the Ad hoc Committee on Procedures and Bylaws. He suggested that the amendment be drafted in time for a vote at the fall meeting in Montgomery, AL at the General Business Meeting. Everyone agreed. Sarah Huber volunteered to notify Bill Pound that NLSSA is working on this issue.
Agenda item II
NCSL Tax ID Number:
Bill Pound has stated, “If Staff Sections use Tax ID number, staff sections’ accounts have to be within NCSL accounts”. Earnie recommended to the board that a formal request be submitted to Doug Webb, NCSL Director of Finance and Accounting, for written explanation and justification (why and what we must do) for requiring staff sections to establish their accounts within NCSL accounts. Sarah volunteered to contact Doug to make this formal request on behalf NLSSA. Another option for consideration was mentioned—NLSSA applying for its own Tax ID Number. It was pointed out that this would be quite time consuming and complex to undertake.
Agenda item III
Awards:
Earnie Sumner stated that he would like to make this process more open to all members. He recommends asking all Region Chairs and Vice Chairs to serve on a select committee on awards. Each region would nominate someone (as many as they wish or for an office) from their region for each award. A draft of the charge of the select committee on awards was reviewed, which provided the criteria for each of the awards. The criterion for each award is also found on the website. It was pointed out that an award did not necessarily have to be given. The list of candidates for each of the awards is to be submitted to the executive board by May 1. The list of candidates must include a written justification for nominated each individual.
Agenda item IV
NCSL Annual Meeting
August 4-9, 2007
Boston Massachusetts
A motion was passed unanimously that NLSSA co-join with the Legal Services staff section on the COOP presentation at one of the concurrent sessions. Sarah Huber will talk with Kae Warnock to see if the Monday or Thursday time slots will work for the Legal Services staff section.
Last year there were two Mega Sessions: Legislative Ethics and Diversity.
This year there will be three Mega Sessions: Ethics, Separation of Powers, and Managing Conflict/Change and Transition.
Earnie Sumner asked that everyone look over the suggested concurrent sessions that NLSSA would may want to co-sponsor to Sarah over the next couple of weeks.
Session suggestion: REAL ID (National Identification Card)
Agenda item V
Newsletter:
Jimmetta has been consulting with Tony Beard and Dina Hidalgo about the newsletter publication. There has been no clear indication on when they would put the newsletter together. Earnie asked that production of the newsletter get underway, and that members begin submitting articles they wished to have published to Jimmetta. The newsletter needs to be published and sent out well in advance of the Annual meeting in August.
Motion to adjourn and accepted at 3:15 p.m.
Executive Board Meeting
January 20, 2007
Austin, Texas
(pending approval)
Welcome - Earnie Sumner, President
Roll Call -
President – Earnest Sumner – Florida
Treasurer – Glenda Smith – California (Telephone)
Secretary – Jimmetta Peoples – Alabama
2nd Trustee – Carl Barnhart – Pennsylvania
3rd Trustee – Ted Blazel – Wisconsin
Sergeant-at-Arms – Dennis Trimble – Ohio
Region 1 Chair – Kevin Kuroda – Hawaii (Telephone)
Region 2 Chair – Jennifer Hodge – Indiana
Region 3 Chair – Deborah Nielsen – New Hampshire (Telephone)
Vice Chair Region 4 – Sam Smith – Alabama (Telephone)
NLSSA Member - Rick Deleon - Austin, Texas Senate
Past Presidents -
Rod Welsh – Texas
Tony Beard – California
NCSL -
Sarah Huber - Colorado
Brain Weberg – Colorado
Secretary's Report
Minutes – Columbus, Ohio
Minutes reviewed and adopted. (Jennifer Hodge - motion, Carl Barnhart - 2nd)
Treasurer's Report
NLSSA treasury report
NLSSA membership report
The report was given by Glenda Smith, treasurer.
Membership has not changed
Bank balance has not changed
Report approved. (Ted Blazel – motion, Jennifer Hodge – 2nd)(v – 45 min)
Wrap-up - 2006 Annual Training Conference
Budget report
Other comments
The report was given by Dennis Trimble, sergeant-at-arms and host state chair.
Still finalizing budget
$59,524.00 actual cost of conference. May have funds remaining to turn over to NLSSA account.
Sarah Huber advised $2300.00 remain in NCSL account and is available for future conferences to offset overhead cost. Also, NCSL profit $1500.00.
Committees
Review committee charges
Membership
Committee meeting time at fall meetings
Legislative Advisory Committee
The report was given by Earnest Sumner, president.
Want all committees to work
Named all committee chairs and co-chairs
Highlighted the charge for each committee
Tony Beard and Diana Hildago are still working on the final publication of the 2006 newsletter.
Rod Welsh, past president, reports he is still planning a visit to Australia representing the association's International Relations & Protocol Committee.
Ted Blazel suggested that more information is provided to new members on the purpose and membership advantage of NLSSA.
Dennis Trimble volunteered to video interviews of NLSSA member and their view on the benefits of NLSSA. The video sessions will take place at the 2007 fall conference in Alabama.
Regions
Region Reports
Membership
Clarence Russ, vice president, Tony Beard and Rod Welsh, past presidents serve as members of the NCSL Executive Committee. Jim Melton, past president appointed to serve on the Legislative Staff Coordinating Committee.
Region 1 - Kevin Kuroda continues to work on developing a region meeting.
Region 2 - Jennifer Hodge continues to work on a region meeting and will call each region member. She will work on developing a video for NLSSA advertisement.
Region 3 - Deborah Nielson working on plans for the 2008 fall conference and a region vice chair.
Region 4 - Sam Smith a region meeting will take place at the Wampee Training Center in South Carolina in June or July. All regions invited to attend.
2007 Annual Training Conference - Montgomery, Alabama
Schedule
Agenda Topics
Earnest Sumner, president, presented and discussed the Overhead Allocation Calculation for FY 2008 - Meeting Fall 2007 report. FY 2007 Overhead Costs, $15,632.00.
Sarah Huber, NCSL, presented the NCSL projected budget for the NLSSA 32nd Annual Training Conference. Corrections made: The overhead expenses subtotal changed from $4,551.00 to $5,213.00.
The report was given by Jimetta Peoples, secretary and host chair.
A 2007 conference tentative schedule was presented and discussed.
Upon further review by Earnest Sumner, President, the Oversight Committee and Host State Committee a revised agenda will be sent to the Executive Board.
Future Training Conferences
NCSL Annual Meeting - Boston, Massachusetts - Concurrent session ideas
2008 New Hampshire
Rod Welsh, past president, recommended the following topics for the Boston conference: (1) Public Trust, (2) Managing Change and (3) Ethics.
The report was given by Deborah Nielsen, Region 3 chair and host state chair.
New Hampshire leadership supports the 2008 fall conference.
Recommended membership recruitment by the NLSSA Membership Committee at the NCSL Boston 2007 conference.
Other Business
New Policy and Procedures Manual
Life Membership
Life Membership is granted to persons who have been long standing and active in the association.
Recommendation:
Carlton Turner, Texas - retirement
Bill Morgan, Connecticut - retirement
George Mason, Virginia - retirement
Representative Howard "Crow" Dickinson, Jr. - not returning
Sarah Huber, NCSL, can arrange conference call for committees.
Jim Melton, past president, expressed concern about the NCSL Overhead Cost Report. NLSSA members who sit on the NCSL committee will review the report for consideration of phasing out.
Meeting adjourned at 2:50 pm (Dennis Trimble - motion, Carl Barnhart - 2nd)
Executive Board Meeting
September 20, 2006
Columbus, Ohio
(Approved March, 2007)
Attendance
President-Dina Hidalgo, California
Vice President-Earnest Sumner, Florida
Secretary-Clarence Russ, Louisiana
Treasurer-Glenda Smith, California
Region 1 Vice-Chair-Linda Starr, California
Region 2 Vice-Chair-Ted Blazel, Wisconsin
Region 4, Chair-Jimmetta Peoples, Alabama
1st Trustee-Donald Severance, Florida
3rd Trustee-Carl Barnhart, Pennsylvania
George Mason, Virginia
Darrell Augustine
John Keller, North Carolina
Deborah Nielson, New Hampshire
Past Presidents –
Rod Welsh, Texas
Tony Beard, California
NSCL–
Sarah Huber, Colorado
Brian Weberg, Colorado
Joanne Stroud, Colorado
Opening Remarks – Dina Hidalgo, NLSSA President
Dina Hidalgo called the meeting to order.
Secretary's Report
Minutes were reviewed. Changes were made to the Nashville minutes and then minutes were adopted. (George Mason-motion, Carl Barnhart -2nd)
Treasurer's Report
There are 60 new members. $59,549.81 in the NLSSA treasury (California Host State 2004 donated $19,000). (Earnie Sumner-motion, Clarence Russ-2nd)
The board discussed the Proposed Expenditure Guidelines. Corrections were made to the original version. $750.00 allocated for region meetings will be used by regions or will go back to the treasury. Board members may use $1,000.00 a year for annual travel to recruit new members. Corrections were made to final version and will be finished and sent to board after meeting. (Clarence Russ-motion, Linda Starr-2nd)
Clarence said that Louisiana will hold the fall meeting within five years. Money raised for Louisiana meeting will stay in Louisiana for now.
Annual Training Conference, Columbus, Ohio
Dennis Trimble was not at the meeting. Sarah Huber reported that the preliminary numbers for the meeting show 51 attendees and 13 guests with a total of 64 people. (with these numbers meeting revenue would be @ $14,245.00)
Future Training Conferences
Alabama 2007
Jimmetta Peoples (host state chair) reported that the Alabama host committee is working on the schedule for next year and there are several exciting night events planned. She will have a preliminary budget at the spring board meeting in January and the hotel contract will be signed by that time.
2008 Conference
The 2008 conference was discussed. Maine, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire were all possible sites. Deborah Nielson from New Hampshire attended the board meeting to talk about her state as a possibility for 2008. It was decided that Deborah would give the board a formal proposal for the 2008 meeting in January in Austin.
Committee Reports
Annual Conference Oversight Committee
No report. (same information as 2008 conference report)
International Relations and Protocol Committee
The committee members would like to pursue more invites to international conferences and members would like to extend more invitations to the international delegates as well. The possibility of a joint Canadian/US conference was discussed for 2010. The committee will research this possibility. Earnie will write a draft letter to the international delegations.
Membership Committee
Committee members are wondering if Dennis should print a new brochure. The committee reported that there are 27 states not participating in the conferences. Those states are AZ, AR, DE, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, WY.
Newsletter Committee
There were four new attendees (Bob Milby, Andy Stapleton, Laura Zimmerman, and Marilyn Hall) at the committee meeting this year. They are all interested in being more involved. Members would like to see more participation from the region chairs in order to get more articles and more states represented overall. Bob Milby from Nevada said he would like to help by printing the next edition of the newsletter in Nevada. Andy Stapleton from Washington is also willing to help with printing. The group would like to ask the listserv if the membership would like to have a printed edition? They suggested having a letter from the chair of the committee to ask about this. Members suggested having promotions mentioned in the newsletter as well as including a new membership form in all newsletters and a list of all new members since last newsletter.
Technology and Professional Development Committee
The members expressed concern with the NLSSA website containing "legman" in the URL. They asked that the acronym be replaced. Sarah will talk to the IT Department at NCSL to see if this can be fixed. Bill Morgan and George Mason from the committee are retiring. Members also talked about personal messages being sent on the Listserv. It was mentioned that this has not been a problem in recent months but may have been in the past.
Bylaws Committee
Members discussed the executive board positions and whether those positions were term limited positions. They decided that technically there are no "term limits" on those positions. Also discussed was the use of "his" in the bylaws. That text was changed in the bylaws previously to be more gender sensitive.
Region Reports
Region 1
Linda Starr from California announced that she is retiring and she has enjoyed being the region 1 vice-chair over the past two years.
Region 2
Ted Blazel from Wisconsin said region chairs should be pushing members to be involved more than anyone else. Ted said they would produce a newsletter article about the conference for the next newsletter.
Region 3
Carl Barnhart from Pennsylvania said there is not a report from the region because most people have been very busy over the past few months.
Region 4
Jimmetta Peoples from Alabama said that Alabama will be hosting the 2007 conference and other than that there was not much to report. The region meeting was held in Wampee, South Carolina again this year. Jimmetta said she would write an article about the 2007 conference in Alabama for the next newsletter.
(approved 9/20/06)
Attendance
Vice President-Earnest Sumner, Florida
Secretary-Clarence Russ, Louisiana
1st Trustee-George Mason, Virginia
Sergeant at Arms-Dennis Trimble, Ohio
Region 4, Chair-Jimmetta Peoples, Alabama
Kevin Kuroda, Hawaii
Keshauna Murphy, Louisiana
Daniel Leming, Louisiana
Donald Severance, Florida
Brad Werner, Missouri
Keith Sappington, Missouri
Past Presidents –
Rod Welsh, Texas
Tony Beard, California
NSCL Liaison –
Sarah Huber, Colorado
Opening Remarks – Dina Hidalgo, NLSSA President
Dina Hidalgo called the meeting to order.
Secretary's Report
Minutes were reviewed and adopted from last board meeting in Santa Barbara, California. (George Mason-motion, Dennis Trimble -2nd) The minutes are now on-line and the board looked over the new on-line draft.
Treasurer's Report
The treasurer's report was given by Dina Hidalgo. Glenda Smith, treasurer, was not at the meeting. NLSSA currently has 142active members. The current balance in the NLSSA treasury (held in California) is $59,440.85. (Earnie Sumner-motion, George Mason -2nd)
Board discussed using seed money to cover cost for a meeting in Region 3 if host state cannot cover full costs. Rod said he had talked to the Speaker of the House in Maine and a meeting in Maine may be a possibility.
The board asked that Glenda Smith send the changes to the treasury guidelines (budget proposals) to the board for review at the fall meeting in Columbus.
Annual Training Conference, Columbus, Ohio
Dennis Trimble (host state chair) reported that the fall meeting schedule has changed since the brochure was sent. The group will now go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier on Tuesday, September 19 and will have dinner at the Indians baseball field. The dinner was previously planned for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This will put the group back in Columbus earlier in the evening. The executive board meeting will now be held on Wednesday from 4:00 - 6:00 not Tuesday as previously planned. Michael Chertoff has declined an invitation to speak at the meeting. Dennis said he would like to switch John Glen to the state dinner on Friday. He was previously scheduled for Wednesday morning. The general business meeting will be held on Friday morning as usual. Dennis and Sarah will send email to listserv with PDF of updated brochure and corrected agenda. The email will include travel dates and early registration times. Dina suggested moving new member registration to 8:00 - 8:30 (during continental breakfast) on Tuesday instead of 7:00. Another option would be to hold this at the same time as the committee meetings. Dennis distributed the spouse agenda. Dennis then reviewed his current budget and pledges for the meeting.
Future Training Conferences
Alabama 2007- Jimmetta said the dates of the 2007 conference in Montgomery have been confirmed. The Embassy Suites hotel has reserved rooms for the 17-22 of September. All meetings will be held at the capitol. Alabama will host a night in the hospitality suite on Thursday night in Ohio. Jimmetta would like a list of topics collected at the fall meeting in Ohio for the conference in Alabama. The board suggested a section for future conference topics on the 2006 evaluations
2008 - The board discussed a region 3 meeting again. They will ask Andrea Faber about hosting the conference in the region. Possibilities would be Pennsylvania and Maine.
The board said NLSSA needs to be better at marketing and outreach for the conferences overall. Need to work on getting Region 3 members active again.
Earnie, Rod, Clarence will work on a proposal for future meetings and funding for those meetings. How much money would be needed for seed money to host a conference? Rod and Clarence will give a report in Columbus on this.
Awards
The board elected two members to receive the 2006 Tony Beard Memorial Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) and John Everhardt "Trooper" Award.
George Mason - Tony Beard Memorial Award
Clarence Russ - John Everhardt "Trooper" Award
The Charter member Award was discussed. This award will not be given annually. Only when the board would like to recognize a significant charter member of the association.
2006 Nominations
Carleton will contact the nominated members to see if those people have leadership support and would like to hold a position on the board.
Times to nominate board members:
1) Nominations chair email
2) During region meetings
3) Region report form at fall meeting
The board discussed the president's term and whether it is limited to two years.
Newsletter
The possibility of a printing a glossy newsletter and changing design layout was discussed again. Sarah will work on more involvement from the members on this.
The board would like to include births and deaths in Newsletter.
Regions
Dina reported that in Region 1 Linda Starr is retiring.
Jimmetta reported that Region 4 held their region meeting in Wampee, South Carolina. They presented an award to George for his retirement.
Sandy Anderson emailed Sarah a region 3 report before the meeting. Region 3 would like brochures more than 2 months before meeting.
The board decided the brochure should not go out any earlier because people forget about it if isn't sent closer to the meeting. Information on meetings will be available earlier on the web site and sent out on the listserv.
The board would also like to have region chairs become more involved.
Other Business
The board will talk to Glenda Smith about lapel pens and if all new members are getting these.
The membership committee will work on getting contact in states where NLSSA does not have members.
Board will present retirees with award or resolution. (Motion - Clarence Russ, 2nd -Dennis Trimble) Dina will look in to what they should receive. Retirees will get this award or resolution only if they have been active and meet same criteria as life membership. Sarah will get a list of retirees with lifetime membership criteria.
The meeting was adjourned. (Motion - Don Severance, 2nd -Clarence Russ)
The board did not approve Jack Buckaloo for Life Membership.
(Approved 8/17/06)
Attendance
President-Dina Hidalgo, California
Vice President-Earnest Sumner, Florida
Secretary-Clarence Russ, Louisiana
Treasurer-Glenda Smith, California
1st Trustee-George Mason, Virginia (phone)
Sergeant at Arms-Dennis Trimble, Ohio
Region 1, Chair-Linda Starr, California
NSCL Liaison –
Sarah Huber, Denver
Past Presidents –
Rod Welsh, Texas
Opening Remarks – Dina Hidalgo, NLSSA President
Dina Hidalgo called the meeting to order. She welcomed everyone to Santa Barbara.
Secretary's Report
Minutes were reviewed and adopted from last board meeting in Seattle, Washington. (Clarence-motion, Dennis -2nd) Members agreed that the minutes should be on the NLSSA web-site. Sarah will draft the minutes from Santa Barbara and have them on the website.
Treasurer's Report
Glenda reported that NLSSA has $36,898.33. There are 26 new members and 155 members overall. Glenda will void checks given to Louisiana for the fall 2005 meeting that was canceled. Clarence will keep money from the region meeting to cover other cost incurred. Membership renewal forms will go out in February. The treasurer's report was adopted. (Earnie-motion, Dennis -2nd)
The board agreed to discuss the guidelines for the treasury more in Nashville. There was discussion about allocating funds for states that may not be financially able host a fall conference.
Region Reports
The board discussed holding the 2008 fall conference in Region 3. There was further discussion about contacting members from states not able to host conferences because of financial reasons. NLSSA could help fund conferences in states where members do not have the ability to raise enough money. Sarah will get a list of all locations of previous conference so the board can determine where to schedule future conferences. Regions will send $750.00 to Dennis for the fall conference in Ohio if they are not holding a region meeting this year. The board suggested region chairs work on contacting states not participating in NLSSA to get a list of people who may be interested in the staff section.
2006 Fall Meeting - Columbus, Ohio
Dennis reviewed the preliminary agenda for the fall conference in Columbus. He said conference sessions would focus on topics such as CPR/AED training, Code Adam training (missing child training) and tour guide training. He said he is still looking for other suggestions. Dina suggested taking topics from the Legislative Staff Management Institute conference this summer. Clarence suggested an evaluation of the hiring and firing process. Also of interest was the American Disabilities Act requirements. It would be good to have a session on this in Ohio. The $588.00 for seed money will need to be transferred to Ohio. The board also thought it would be good to recruit people from the Human Resources and Tour Guides meetings in Denver to attend the conference.
2006 NCSL Annual Meeting - Nashville, Tennessee
Sarah will send the list of concurrent sessions to the board in the spring. The board can review and pick sessions they would like to co-sponsor. She will also send the full schedule of events closer to the meeting. The Diversity Mega Session was approved by Legislative Staff Coordinating committee. Clarence Russ and Dina Hidalgo will help organize the meeting which all staff sections will co-sponsor with LSCC on Wednesday of Annual Meeting. A follow up session on diversity will take place on Thursday morning of Annual Meeting. Dina asked that all staff section chairs get the NLSSA diversity statement after the meeting. NLSSA will encourage all staff sections to adopt a diversity statement in their own bylaws. The board discussed the topic of gun safety for a concurrent in Nashville.
2006 Awards
LSCC Awards
Sarah will send an email with descriptions of the awards and past recipients to the board. The board will send nominations to Sarah over email after the meeting. Awards will be in the slide show at NCSL Annual Meeting in Nashville.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Rod mentioned the lifetime achievement award presented in Richmond to Oce Smith. The board needs to look at the status of the award. Will NLSSA still give lifetime achievement awards? Will the board nominate someone to receive the award in Ohio?
Tony Beard and Trooper Awards
The board will vote on these in Nashville. Sarah will bring award descriptions and past recipients.
Newsletter
Possible newsletter articles:
Article about Diversity session at Annual Meeting.
Brian Weberg - article about Legislative Staff Management Meeting.
Dennis Trimble - article about fall training conference in Ohio.
Include articles about Tony Beard.
Include summary of NCSL Annual Meeting in Nashville and session topics.
Include Dues reminder.
*The possibility of a printing a glossy newsletter and changing design layout was discussed. This will be put on the agenda for Nashville.
Other Business
Dina asked if NCSL uses a professional photographer for the Annual Meetings. Could we get this person to come to the NLSSA fall meeting?
The board will discuss Ted Goodson as a life member in Nashville.
Rod talked about having a LSCC alternate from NLSSA. The board will discuss this more in Nashville.
Sarah will get a list of cell phone numbers for board members and have that in Nashville.
The board suggested talking to Tony Beard about California disaster plan and emergency preparedness for fires, tornadoes, etc. This would be a good topic for future conferences whether NCSL Annual Meeting or a fall training conference.
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