mentoring new staff•intro to legislative process (lco perspective) ... the following slides...
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MENTORING NEW STAFF
Connecticut General Assembly
Legislative Commissioners’ OfficeLarry Shapiro
(Retired Director)
NCSL PDSSeptember 27, 2016
Legislative Commissioners’ Office (LCO)
Responsibilities:
• Bill drafting• Legislative procedural advising• Legal advising• Engrossing• Code revision• Regulations review• Law revision
(nonpartisan office)
Legislative Commissioners’ Office (LCO)
Permanent Staff:
• 2 Legis. Commissioners• 20 attorneys• 14 support staff
Sessional Staff:
• 3 attorneys• 5 support staff
Attorneys serve as counselto legislative committees
Elements of LCO Program for New Attorneys
1. Welcoming
2. Training program
3. One-on-one mentoring and support
4. Resources
5. Maximizing learning opportunities
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1. Welcoming
Before first day of work – invited to visit the office:• Meet with Director, introduced to supervisor, tour office, receive bill
drafting manual and sample bills
First day:• Office breakfast reception • Tour of Capitol, Legislative Office Building• Lunch with staff• Meet with Director re office goals, ground rules, performance
expectations
2. Training Program
A. Overview:
• About 20 sessions over first 2 to 3 weeks of employment• Training conducted by about 15 employees of LCO, other offices
2. Training Program (cont.)
B. Topics – LCO trainers:
• Bill drafting overview• Bill drafting manual – selected chapters• LCO bill review process – substantive and technical• How a bill becomes a law in CT• Intro to legislative process (LCO perspective)• Joint Rules of the House and Senate• Legislative committee procedure• DVD of House, Senate and committee proceedings, with commentary• Nonpartisanship• LCO computer system• Briefing by newer LCO attorneys on their first-year experiences
2. Training Program (cont.)
C. Topics – Trainers from other offices:
• General Assembly computer system (IT staff)• Legislative Library resources – (Legislative Librarians)• Assigned committee subject matter (Office of Legislative Research
analysts)
D. Subsequent training in first year:
• Legislative committee reporting out process• Preparing amendments for House and Senate action• Regulations review• Code revision
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3. One-on-One Mentoring and Support
A. Mentor:
• Preferably an attorney previously assigned to the new attorney’s legislative committee:
• Introduces new attorney to committee chairpersons and staff
• Accompanies new attorney to many committee meetings in first session
• Assists with committee procedural advising
• Alerts new attorney to possible procedural issues
• Serves as a resource, available for questions in all areas
3. One-on-One Mentoring and Support (cont.)
B. Substantive bill reviewer:
• An experienced attorney and
often a rehired, retired LCO attorney:• Critiques bill drafts
• Explains bill drafting requirements
• Helps solve drafting problems
C. Supervisor:
• Available for assistance in all areas
4. Resources
A. New Attorney Handbook – sampling of topics:
• LCO duties• LCO history• Article on legislative drafting• Who does what in LCO• Time and attendance procedures• Statement of nonpartisanship• Confidentiality• Examples of legislative documents• New employee FAQs• Things I wish someone had told me before I needed to know
4. Resources (cont.)
B. LCO attorney manuals:
• Bill drafting• Office procedures for bill processing (step-by-step for each type of bill,
resolution or amendment)• Joint Rules and legislative procedure• Constitutional considerations in bill drafting
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5. Maximizing Learning Opportunities
In first session:
• High level of responsibility from the start (helps with recruitment and retention)• Additional drafting and legal research assignments • Assist in reviewing bills drafted by other attorneys
After first session:
• Opportunities for larger committees and leadership on special drafting projects• Opportunities for leadership on interim office projects• Encouraged to:
• Pursue legal and other training opportunities• Write articles for publication• Participate in professional associations, including bar association, NCSL
Contact info for any questions on program for new attorneys:
Larry [email protected]
Connecticut General AssemblyLearning and Development Program
The following slides provide an overview of the on-going training program for Connecticut General Assembly employees (both nonpartisan and partisan) and legislators.
Partnering with Learning & Development
Molly McAllister, CPLPTraining & Staff Development CoordinatorOffice of Legislative Management
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Learning and Development Program
Features:
• Professional and personal development classes in 6 skill set categories• Classes taught by full-time Training & Staff Development Coordinator and
contract trainers• Participants earn certificates upon completing 8 classes and meeting other
requirements• Certificate subject areas -- professional development, personal development,
management, and leadership• Annual breakfast to award certificates
Skill Set Categories
6 Skill Sets
Leadership
Management
Communication
Personal Development
Professional Development
Specialized Skills
Division of Classes Across Skill Sets This is a sample of classes offered. Topics will continually change as needs develop.
Leadership Management CommunicationPersonal
Development
Professional
DevelopmentSpecialized Skills
360 Leadership:
Developing Your
Influence from Anywhere
in the Organization
Conducting Performance
AppraisalsListening Skills Managing Your Career Time Mastery Legislative Basics
Developing OthersGoal Setting for
Supervisors
Enhancing
Communication with
DiSC
Strengths Finder 2.0Grammar Skills
WorkshopJF Report Writing
The Basic PrinciplesCorrecting Performance
Problems
Applying DiSC
to Your Daily LifeEmotional Intelligence
Telephone Effectiveness:
Making Every Call A
Success
ITS Computer Classes
Exploring Team
Dynamics
Interviewing Skills: Hiring
the Right Candidate Negotiating Skills
Managing Change
and Stress
Customer Service
Excellence
Session Lessons(Available upon request
for office facilitation.)
Covey Leadership 1: The
Four Imperatives of Great
Leaders
Train-the-Trainer Critical Thinking:
Breaking Out of the BoxAssertiveness Skills
Effective Business
Writing
Covey Leadership 2:
Inspiring Trust
Talking Through
the Tough Stuff
Engaging and
Communicating with
Multiple Generations
Creative Problem
Solving
Networking: The Key to
Building Your Career
Covey Leadership 3:
Unleashing Talent
Creating A Culture of
Positive Accountability
“Feedback” is
NOT a Dirty Word
Interviewing Skills: Get
That Job!
Motivating, Energizing
and Recognizing Your
Employees
Conflict Management Personal Branding
Strategic Thinking
Updated May 2016
Mandatory Classes1 time requirement for all staff
Sexual Harassment
PreventionDiversity Awareness
Workplace Violence
Prevention
Bolded classes are not facilitated by Molly McAllister.
Please check the L&D web page for facilitator information.
Indicates a class that has not yet been offered at the CGA.
Indicates a class that has only been offered at the
CGA once or twice before.
Presentation Skills 3 consecutive classes culminating in a class presentation
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Certificate Options
1. The Charter Oak Certificate for Professional Excellence
2. The Prudence Crandall Certificate for Personal Development
3. The Gilded Dome Certificate for Capitol Enrichment
4. The Eagle Certificate for Presentation Skills
5. The Fundamental Orders Certificate of Management Development
6. The Nathan Hale Certificate for Leadership Development
7. The Genius of Connecticut Certificate for Leadership Mastery
Example of requirements for a certificate:
What is an Application Conversation?
It’s a conversation with your supervisor (or equivalent) about how you are going to apply a concept that was discussed in training.
You may hold this conversation at any time about any of the topics in the classes you take. After the conversation, complete the Application Conversation survey on the Learning & Development site to complete the process.
An application conversation is required in order to earn each certificate. It covers one of the 8 classes that you take for the certificate.
What is a Hot Topic Discussion?A Hot Topic Discussion is a one-hour participant led meeting around a topic that falls under one of the six Skill Set categories.
It’s a small meeting in a safe and supportive environment.
A Hot Topic Discussion (leading and/or attending) is required for the leadership certificates.
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Contact info for any questions on the Learning and Development Program:
Molly McAllister, CPLP
Training & Staff Development Coordinator
Office of Legislative Management
Connecticut General Assembly
[email protected] (860) 240-0100