In these critical times for state government officials, the shifting federal-state relationship has forced them to shoulder an increasing burden of the decision-making process on crucial issues such as education and healthcare. Additionally, term-limited state officials are working to meet the needs of their constituents in difficult fiscal times and against the clock.

It was the implementation of term limits in five of the 15-member states, and recognition of the changing political landscape in the South, that moved the Executive Committee of SLC to approve the establishment of the Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS).

CALS embodies the Southern Legislative Conference of The Council of State Governments’ mission of championing excellence in state government and providing non-partisan forums for state officials to engage in analytical discussions on important policy issues. The program provides participants with a unique opportunity to gain region-specific information on issue trends and forecasts, as well as, leadership development from highly qualified professionals.

Additionally, CALS prepares emerging and mid-career legislative, executive and judicial branch state leaders for their future roles. This multi-branch program is valuable in that it creates a dialogue among state officials who might rarely cross paths. Particularly compelling is the need for leadership development in the five term-limited state legislatures in the Southern region.

In an effort to maintain a manageable program size, nominations are solicited from 10 of the region’s 15 states, on an alphabetically rotating schedule, thus ensuring that each class reflects a minimum of legislative participants from two, and most often three, of the region’s five term-limited legislatures. Each annual class should not exceed 30 participants and will accommodate two state legislators, one from each chamber, and one state official from either the executive or judicial branch, from each of the 10 states comprising the class. Scholarships are provided to participants to underwrite the costs of attending.

Ultimately, the Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills helps provide the public with highly skilled, educated, and confident state leaders equipped to be effective decision makers. Meeting state officials from around the region, sharing insights and ideas, and networking are key components of the program.  For more information, please contact Ms. Lori Jones-Rucker at the Southern Legislative Conference.

Southern Legislative Conference
Southern Office of The Council of State Governments
phone: (404) 633-1866 | fax: (404) 633-4896 | email: slc@csg.org
P.O. Box 98129, Atlanta, Georgia 30359