New, Veteran Governors Gather for Bipartisan Workshop
NGA Seminar Helps Governors-Elect Make the Transition from Campaigning to Governing
Newly elected governors from 10 states joined 13 veteran governors on Nov. 17-19 for the National Governors Association (NGA) Seminar for New Governors, an executive-style retreat to help governors-elect prepare for life as a state chief executive.
Hosted by West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, this biennial seminar brings together governors who are fresh off the campaign trail for a two-and-a-half day retreat during which they will focus on making the transition from running for office to governing their states. The seminar runs from Friday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Nov. 19.
“The Seminar for New Governors is a great chance for newly elected governors to meet with incumbent governors and talk about what is involved in setting up a new administration,” said Gov. Manchin. “I attended the seminar two years ago and found it to be an invaluable experience. I am honored West Virginia was asked to host again.”
“The Seminar for New Governors is a wonderful event that enables us to take off our partisan hats and get down to the business of governing,” said NGA Chair Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. “This is the perfect opportunity for veteran governors to share their experiences with their new colleagues—from setting up their offices to writing their budget. This seminar highlights the collegiality and bipartisanship that make NGA such an effective organization.”
“The Seminar for New Governors is a unique event, and it is valuable for all of us to come here to talk about our common challenges and goals” said NGA Vice Chair Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. “This weekend will help us—governors-elect and veteran governors alike—to be even more effective leaders and governors.”
NGA is a bipartisan organization for the governors of all 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. During the meeting, which occurs every two years following a general election, new governors attend sessions led by a bipartisan team of veteran governors. Governors-elect also are assigned a mentor from among their veteran colleagues who is available for consultation throughout the year.
The sessions during the weekend cover a wide range of topics, from “Organizing the Transition” and “Shaping Your Agenda” to “Emergency Preparedness” and “Strategic Scheduling and Communications.” The seminar also includes a full program for governors’ spouses, consisting of workshops with subjects such as “Defining and Balancing Your Role” and “Managing the Residence.” The NGA meeting also provides several sessions designed for key staff members of the newly elected governors.
Governors-elect attending the seminar include: Arkansas Gov-elect Mike Beebe; Colorado Gov.-elect Bill Ritter; Florida Gov.-elect Charlie Crist; Idaho Gov.-elect Butch Otter; Iowa Gov.-elect Chet Culver; Maryland Gov.-elect Martin O’Malley; Massachusetts Gov.-elect Deval Patrick; Nevada Gov.-elect Jim Gibbons; New York Gov.-elect Eliot Spitzer and Ohio Ted Strickland.
Sitting governors attending the seminar, in addition to Manchin, Napolitano and Pawlenty, include: Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue; Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius; Maine Gov. John Baldacci; Michigan Jennifer Granholm; South Carolina Mark Sanford; South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds; Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman; Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas; Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal.
