Annual program provides unique leadership opportunity for lawmakers
ANCHORAGE – Reps. Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak) and Matt Claman (D-Anchorage) were recognized for participation in The Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellowship during a graduation ceremony and luncheon. The event was held on Dec. 7 in conjunction with the CSG National Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Drawing participants from 33 states in 2019 with a wide array of backgrounds, the Henry Toll Fellowship is one of the nation’s premier leadership development programs for state government officials.
“The experience of working closely with a diverse group of leaders was a reminder that active listening is one of the most important tools a leader can possess,” Representative Claman said. “The Toll Fellowship was an opportunity to practice and improve our listening skills, gain insight into how those with political views that differ from our own see the world and think about their role as leaders, and reflect on how we can work together more effectively to find common ground.”
“Working together and focusing on the values we share is invaluable for the work we do as members of Alaska’s bipartisan House Majority Coalition,” Representative Stutes said. “At the end of the day, we all want the same thing—a better future for Alaskans. I’m excited to apply what I learned from the fellowship during the upcoming legislative session,” said Rep. Stutes.
The Toll Fellowship brings up to 48 of the nation’s top officials from all three branches of state government to the CSG national headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky for an intensive five-day “leadership boot camp” each year. The program’s sessions are designed to stimulate personal assessment and growth, while providing priceless networking and relationship-building opportunities.
Each year’s program is unique, but previous programs have included sessions on leadership personality assessment, media training, crisis management, appreciative inquiry and adaptive leadership. The program encourages participants to evaluate and adapt the way they interact with each other and the world around them, providing an opportunity unlike any other in the nation.
“The CSG Henry Toll Fellowship is designed to be a transformative experience,” CSG Chief Communications Officer Kelley Arnold said. “It’s an opportunity for participants to take a deep look at how they see themselves as public servants building skills that will advance them as leaders. Even better, they come away with a network of new relationships that will enrich their understanding of difficult policy issues and provide a continued resource for growth.”
2020 applications for the Toll Fellowship will be available on Jan. 10, 2020. For more information on the Toll Fellowship, visit: csg.org/leadership.aspx or email toll@csg.org.
About The Council of State Governments
The Council of State Governments is our nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.
For more information about The Council of State Governments, visit csg.org.
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CONTACT
Austin Baird
Communications Director
Alaska House Majority
(907) 465-6791
Austin.Baird@akleg.gov
