Attention Freshman Legislators: Register for CSG University

CSG University is a four-part series to help new state policymakers jumpstart their time in legislative service and find success in their new roles. The program will introduce newly elected legislators to peers from around the country. In each session, seasoned state policymakers and senior staff will share their experiences and expertise to help equip them with best practices and resources on topics from communicating with constituents to leading a committee hearing as they begin their service in the legislature. The sessions are:

What Does Success Look Like – Feb. 8
The ABC’s of Communicating with Constituents – Feb. 22
Dream to Draft: How to Write Effective Legislation – March 8
Planning a Productive Committee Meeting – March 22

What Does Success Look Like – Feb. 8

As new members of the legislature set legislative goals and identify ways to grow their leadership experience, many will begin to define what their own personal success will look like during their service. This session will bring together legislative Chamber leaders — Senate Presidents and House Speakers — to share lessons learned during their tenures, choices made as they gained experience and leadership roles and guidance they provide to new members of their own Chambers as they impart in their new legislative journeys.

The ABC’s of Communicating with Constituents – Feb. 22

Veteran lawmakers will impart practices and protocols that have worked (and not worked) in their legislative service for communicating with constituents. Establishing norms for sharing the work of the legislature and your efforts as part of the process will be a cornerstone of your legislative service. Peers from around the country will share tips and tricks on managing your inbox, e-newsletters, social media and communicating with your constituents through traditional media.

Dream to Draft: How to Write Effective Legislation – March 8

Many new lawmakers run on issues that they plan to champion in the legislature. This session will bring together longtime senior staff and policymakers on best practices for drafting and championing successful legislation. In some states, thousands of pieces of legislation are introduced each year. These experts will share how effective legislation makes it into law.

Planning a Productive Committee Meeting – March 22

This session will ready new lawmakers who have been tapped to serve in committee leadership or prepare for their first meetings as a member. Hear from seasoned committee leaders and senior staff on the elements of planning a productive committee meeting.