By Collin Reischman
Jefferson City, MO — Leading a committee can be challenging for any Chair or vice chair. Roberts Rule of Order notwithstanding, the complexities or leading and
organizing a committee can be daunting. That’s why every year the assistant Chief Clerk’s office leads a training session, to help new and returning committee leadership master the art for themselves.
This year, assistant Chief Clerk Dana Miller distributed a publication: “Guide to Effective Committee Management,” during the January 17 training session in House Hearing Room 3.
“[The guide] was a collaboration between former committee chairs and House Research and Procedures staff,” Miller said. “We wanted something a little more substantial than our material from previous years.”
After a brief introduction from Speaker Tim Jones, Miller spoke along with General Counsel Alex Curchin, Chief Clerk Adam Crumbliss and Director of House Research, Bill Tucker. Current Senators Silvey and Parsons offered tips to the newcomers on running an effective committee and former state representative and senator Robert Thane Johnson was also present.
Approximately 86 legislators attended, and Miller told The Missouri Times the training was a success. Currently, the assistant Chief Clerk’s Office is considering adding optional training sessions on a weekly basis through the whole session.
“Government has lots of rules and tricks-of-the-trade, anything we can do to make it smoother, we’re going to do,” Miller said.
Collin Reischman can be reached by emailing him at collin@themissouritimes.com or on twitter at @CReischman.
Collin Reischman was the Managing Editor for The Missouri Times, and a graduate of Webster University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
