An Employee’s Perspective: Behind the Scenes at NBCSL
By: Charlene Vernon, Assistant to the Executive Director

I want to express my sincere gratitude for being afforded the opportunity to work for the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and to assist in impacting the constituents our members serve. During our 29th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., The NBCSL Legislative, Corporate and Labor members showcased their dedication to the organization’s mission, for which they provide a voice.

The NBCSL national office was the Host State of the 2005 Annual Legislative Conference. As a part of the Host State planning committee, I now understand why proper planning is so demanding. There is always the chance of an unavoidable mishap at any function. As staffers, it is our duty to make certain that everything runs smoothly and that the purpose of the event is always at the forefront of our minds. Very few people outside of NBCSL’s immediate staff are ever aware of these responsibilities.

Our duties were not limited to Host State responsibilities. They also included our regular day-to-day activities. The Host State’s duties require staffers to multi-task by keeping track of the progress of event tasks, this mean that sometimes doing the duty of more than one person is required. I have to admit that at the end of the day, working on the conference was a somewhat overwhelming, but very gratifying experience. I realize that there is a continuous responsibility as a staffer to go beyond the call of duty and to make sure that the conference yields results that will be beneficial to our membership and to us. Most importantly, in the end, the conference was a huge success!

Often I hear the question, “What does the national staff do in the office on a daily basis?” Aside from coordinating and planning for the annual conference, the national office works to ensure that information needed by our members is on hand. We collaborate with national organizations, hold symposiums to inform our members of ongoing issues in the country, update our Web site with the latest information, send correspondence to our members and interested individuals, and review legislation to make sure we are abreast of the issues. We are in constant contact with our members who we support through the national office and the constituents they serve. We know it is not enough to focus on our annual conference because each and every day people are being underserved in our communities.

Prior to joining NBCSL, I would have never envisioned the responsibility that comes with being the Assistant to the Executive Director of a national non-profit organization. My professional growth has prepared me to handle effectively complex situations with little supervision. The guidance of NBCSL’s Executive Director and the help of staff, have encouraged my growth from an apprehensive administrative assistant to a strong executive staff member.

It is an exceptional experience to travel with and be a part of NBCSL’s national activities. The hands-on experience that I have gained better prepares me for future endeavors. I look forward to playing a bigger role within the organization, and I now know that I am one of the key components to the success of the national office. Together, we are NBCSL.