Greetings from Richmond!

Susan and I are so looking forward to seeing you at the 2012 ASLCS Professional Development Seminar to be held October 2-7, 2012 here in beautiful, historic and just plain fun Richmond, VA. 

Being a new member of the Society and attending my first annual conference last year in Branson, I found the plenary and breakout sessions not only informative but really engaging.  Better still, the ability to network with impressive professionals like you has been a huge help to me as Clerk. 

This year, we’re going to provide another impressive and even more memorable PDS in Richmond. 

The Program Development Committee has put together another fantastic agenda, information about which y’all received last week from our society President Terry Spieler. 

We encourage everyone to register today.  The deadline to do so is September 21.

As the host state, Susan and I and our colleagues here are working not just hard but creatively to ensure everyone has a great time learning, socializing and experiencing what fine Virginia hospitality is all about. 

We’ve planned events that showcase our historically exquisite State Capitol that was renovated five years ago – just in time to host Queen Elizabeth II.  We also will be having a reception at the internationally recognized Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which brings to Richmond great art representing the span of world cultures.  And, we will be traveling to nearby St. John’s Church, a famous living memorial to American liberty where colonial leaders met, including Patrick Henry, who delivered his famous “Give me liberty or give me death” speech.

The 46^th Annual ASLCS Conference lasts only five days.  But, with so much else to see and do around metro Richmond and at other popular and nearby Virginia destinations like Williamsburg and Charlottesville, our mountains, beaches, and Civil War sites, you’ll surely want to come early and stay late. 

Virginia is for Lovers, and Susan and I are sure you’ll love your time in Virginia in the autumn when the leaves are ablaze with color.  We can’t wait to see you here October 2-7.

Paul

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G. Paul Nardo

Clerk of the Virginia House & Keeper of the Rolls of the Commonwealth

Associate Members – Apply Now for a Scholarship!

Attention Associate Members! Are you seeking trainings that can help you perform your job? Are you interested in connecting with other legislative staff across the country? Do you want to learn more about how other legislatures operate? The 2012 ASLCS Professional Development Seminar  in Richmond, Virginia can help!

Consider attending the PDS with the assistance of the Edward A. Burdick Memorial Scholarship. Due to a generous sponsorship by Thomson Reuters, ASLCS is able to offer two $750 scholarships to allow two Associate members to attend this year’s Professional Development Seminar. Interested Associate members may apply for this scholarship by submitting a letter outlining why they hope to be selected and how attending this year’s PDS will enrich their professional knowledge. Letters must be endorsed by their Principal and sent to Angela Andrews, NCSL liaison to ASLCS (via email at angela.andrews@ncsl.org) by Monday, July 16, 2012.

This scholarship was created in memory of Ed Burdick (1921-2011), former Chief Clerk of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Ed served as Chief Clerk for 38 years and was an employee of the Minnesota House for 62 years. He served as ASLCS President from 1971-1972, was the first recipient of the Joseph A. Beek Distinguished Service Award in 1983 and received NCSL’s Legislative Staff Achievement Award in 2002. You can read a thoughtful posting about Ed Burdick on NCSL’s blog, The Thicket.

46th ASLCS Professional Development Seminar

Welcome to the “Greetings from Richmond” blog. This blog is intended to provide more in-depth information about the 46^th annual ASLCS Professional Development Seminar in Richmond, Virginia (Oct 2-7, 2012). ASLCS is planning a great educational program, with Anna Post, of the Emily Post Institute, and David Witt, with The Ken Blanchard Companies, as the two headlining speakers. The Virginia host state is planning magnificent social events that show off Virginia, Richmond, and the recently renovated Capitol.  Attendees won’t want to miss the reception at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts or touring the restored and expanded Virginia State Capitol.

Follow this blog for all the latest updates regarding this meeting, including a lively invite from ASLCS President, Terry Spieler and cordial welcome from our gracious host state chairs, Susan Clarke Schaar and G. Paul Nardo, and their staff.

We hope to see you in Richmond!