9/22/2016

1

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

9/22/2016

2

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

9/22/2016

3

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

9/22/2016

4

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 Shapirolarryshap7@gmail.com

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

9/22/2016

5

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

9/22/2016

6

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.

9/22/2016

7

Certificate Examples

Annual Certificate Breakfast

9/22/2016

8

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

molly.mcallister@cga.ct.gov (860) 240-0100