- Mache - Legislative Training Days 2007 Session Wrap Up

Legislative Training Days 2007 Session Wrap Up

As in past years, LTD 2007 was a huge success. Despite the nippy Minnesota weather, 20 students and 16 parents attended the busy two-day event.

Representative Erickson Congratulating a Student

     Representative Sondra Erickson hosted the event this year, bringing greetings to the participants on Thursday morning, participating as chairman of the Mock Committee session, and awarding the students Certificates of Participation at the close of the event.

     Sarah Durenberger, Legislative Assistant to Representative Erickson, gave the students a brief, but informative glimpse into the career of Legislative Assistant at the Capitol.

     Our sincere thanks to both Representative Erickson and Ms. Durenberger for their assistance in planning this event, as well as their active participation with the participants.

     This marked the first year of having past LTD participants come and work with us as volunteers. These energetic individuals assisted or led tours, escorted families to meetings with their legislators, played the role of pages during our mock committee session, and eagerly ran errands for us if needed. Our thanks to Stephani Liesmaki, Michael J. Mullen, Jr., and Seth and Ian Willard for their helpful participation in this year’s event.

     During the event, we encourage visits from several different individuals at the Capitol, who come and share with the participants what they do at the Capitol, how they got involved in that particular line of work, and answer questions. We had several individuals greet the group this year, some of whom were Senator Gen Olson, Minority Leader Marty Siefert, and Representative Mary Ellen Otremba.

     We would be remiss if we did not extend a hearty thank you to all of the individuals who took time from their busy (often hectic) schedules to share with the participants their passion for their work at the Capitol.

Mock Committee Session

     The Mock Committee Session is always the highlight of the event and this year was no exception. Taking up H.F.106 ("the seatbelt law"), we changed the session by adding a review of the Rules of Committee, involving the parents in the roles of witnesses and constituents/lobbyists, and using our volunteers as pages. Representative Erickson engaged the students by reviewing the Rules of Committee at the start of the Committee and by encouraging the students as they moved through the process.

     Kathy Lytle was on hand again this year, helping John and I with preparations for the event and leading the students on the tour of the Capitol grounds. Our hearty thanks to Kathy; it is a pleasure to work with her.

     MACHE Board Chairman David Watkins also attended both days and willingly led the opening prayer each day; we are also thankful to him for his participation in the event.

     The event would not be a success without the students and parents who participate. We want to thank you all.

     We’ll see you next year at Legislative Training Days 2008!

Submitted by Wendy Tuma
February 28, 2007

2007 Students With Representative Erickson