Believe it or not, I will admit that I have three professional development opportunities taking place this month! I am finding that September is a great month to seize any opportunities that come your way for professional development, as many of us have returned back to work from vacations, the kids are likely back in school, and with three more months left in the year, it’s also a great time to add some more good stuff to your learning and connections hub!

My three professional development opportunities for September are all in-person events – which I love! There’s just something to be said about being in the room with a multitude of faces, stories, and experiences! The truth of the matter is, you never know who you may have the honor of chatting with during a professional development opportunity, so “carpe diem” at every chance! Also, have you ever considered attending a conference or other professional development event solely just to learn more about a different culture or group? No? Well, why not? I would argue that such an opportunity would be an awesome learning experience, and you’re likely to meet some people who would be more than happy to discover that you are open to the idea of embracing new and different networks!

I’m looking forward to attending the upcoming Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Annual Legislative Conference, the Women in Government Relations (WGR) Leadership & Advocacy Conference, as well as the Practising Law Institute (PLI) Corporate Political Activities 2024 Event! Attending any or all of these events? Look for me and let’s connect!

By the end of June, I will have experienced the pleasure of immersing myself in all things DEI twice during this month – first, while attending the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) 2023 Annual Conference and then later on in the month when I’ll be attending Women in Government Relations (WGR) 4th Annual DEI Summit!

I began attending SHRM’s Annual Conference last year, in an effort to “check-out” their DEI content track of which I had heard great things about – I was sold! Lots of great sessions with engaging speakers on a number of DEI topics, in addition to the Conference Bookstore which housed a plethora of resources and swag! As for WGR, well, let’s just say that I am all in for DEI, currently in my final month as the Chair of the DEI Committee – it’s been an awesome experience! The DEI Summit is one of a kind, and I can say from being on this year’s planning committee that this is an event you won’t want to miss!

I mention both the SHRM Conference and the WGR DEI Summit as examples of ways that I am continuing my learning, growth, and engagement as I move along in my DEI journey. Many have heard me proclaim that there are no “one and done efforts” when it comes to embracing DEI – this is lifelong! Finding professional development opportunities that focus on DEI content is just one way that you can get out of your comfort zone and begin to think about things, view (and embrace people) through a DEI lens…

What professional development opportunities are on your radar for this month? Look for me both virtually & in-person at the WGR DEI Summit here in Washington, DC! #StateandFedDEI

Women in Government Relations (WGR) held its 2019 Hill Day on Wednesday, May 1st.

I was among those “Storming The Hill” as a member of WGR’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

As a first-timer for Hill Day, I visited Senate offices along with members of WGR’s Health and Social Policies Task Force Team A.

We had the opportunity to speak to Senate staff about the mission and vision of WGR, and share ways that Members of Congress and their staff can support the organization.

WGR’s Health and Social Policies Task Force Team A met with staff from the offices of Senators Susan Collins (ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Kamala Harris (CA), Maggie Hassan (NH), and Debbie Stabenow (MI).

We’ve got a busy month of May planned. If you are attending any of these events, please say hello!

May 1   Book Forum – The Soul of the First Amendment, Washington, DC

May 2   Ohio Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Reception, Columbus, Ohio

May 3   Free Website Tour of State and Federal Communications Online Publications

May 4   Leadership in the 21st Century Program Alumni Event, Washington, DC

May 4   Public Affairs Council Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour, Washington, DC

May 9   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

May 11   Montgomery County Council – African Affairs Advisory Group Meeting, Silver Spring, Maryland

May 12   Advocacy Leaders Network: Advocacy on the Cheap: Changing the World on Any Budget, Washington, DC

May 18   17th Annual Omnikal Business Summit, New York, NY

May 23   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

May 24   2017 Advocacy Leaders Network Spring Happy Hour, Washington, DC

Women in Government Relations (WGR) recently completed its Leadership in the 21st Century program, Cohort 7, with leadership coach Paulette Pidcock. The program was billed as “an experiential, transformational leadership development program designed to expand leadership capabilities and to create and nurture personal and business relationships.”

Participating in this program was a great opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone and really take some time to think about how I view myself, and how others view me as well; particularly as it relates to a business environment.

It really taught me a great deal about myself, my leadership capabilities, and overall just what makes me “tick” in my personal and professional life. I would definitely recommend the program, especially for women who have been working for awhile, but might be wondering “am I truly living up to my full potential?”

Thank you so much to Elizabeth Bartz for encouraging me and allowing me to take this class! I would highly recommend this class because it makes you do some deep digging and sometimes there are some uncomfortable conversations, but in the end you come out on the other side with a greater perspective on everything!

Gamble Hayden (center) pictured with her fellow WGR leadership program classmates

Rebecca South, Federal Compliance Associate at State and Federal Communications, has been selected by Women in Government Relations (WGR) as its ‘2016 Distinguished Member of the Year.’

Ms. South attended the recent award ceremony held at the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C., along with her family members, and President and CEO of State and Federal Communications, Ms. Elizabeth Z. Bartz. The ceremony was the annual WGR Spring Reception, the organization’s premier event of the year that brings together members of Congress, congressional staffers and the government relations community to honor women leaders who embody the vision of WGR.

In addition to Ms. South, other honorees included Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA), Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA), and Ms. Catherine Knowles, Office of Representative John Culberson, 2016 Congressional Staffer. Ms. Bass and Ms. Comstock were recognized as outstanding women in Congress who have shown true leadership by exhibiting resilience in the face of adversity and who have worked to make America stronger.

According to WGR President Ms. Meredith Shue, this event has brought together the women of Washington to celebrate 41 years of advancing and empowering women. “This year we celebrated our legacy of leadership and the wisdom of our nearly 1,200 members,” she said. “Our honorees are paving the way for generations of future female leaders through their important work, proving that the glass ceiling can be broken.”

This reception saw more than 500 attendees from all corners of the government relations profession. As was the intent of the founder many years ago, all proceeds raised at the event will now be used to advance, empower and educate young female professionals who seek leadership roles in the government relations industry. WGR is the sole non-profit organization dedicated to this cause, and its members include women and men at all professional levels representing corporations, trade associations and professional societies, law firms, lobbying firms, non-profit groups and federal, state and local governments.

Ms. Elizabeth Z. Bartz is proud of the work that Rebecca South has done for WGR and its committees, especially in helping to plan out the future of the organization for leadership opportunities, mentoring, partnerships, networking and educational programming. “We believe strongly in the mission of Women in Government Relations and the entire State and Federal Communications organization has been solidly behind Rebecca in receiving this prestigious honor,” she states.

Here is our January calendar:

January 7-9   NCSL Executive Winter Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah

January 8-10   Women in Government State Directors’ Conference, Tampa, Florida

January 10-14   PAC Institute, Laguna Beach, California

January 12   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

January 20-22   United States Conference of Mayors, Washington, DC

January 25-28   PAC Grassroots Conference, Orlando, Florida

Here is our October calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello!

October 8   African Affairs Advisory Group Meeting, Silver Spring, Maryland

October 13   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

October 19   AGRP State Lobbying LCP Program, Washington, DC

October 23   National Press Club Lunch with Kevin Costner, Washington, DC

October 27   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

October 28-30   Public Affairs Council Fall Board Meeting, Scottsdale, Arizona

State and Federal Communications is excited to be a sponsor of the Women in Government Relations (WGR) Spring Reception: Celebrating 40 Years of Advancing and Empowering Women on May 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Connect with our compliance experts Nola Werren, Rebecca South, and Gamble Hayden at this premiere event.

We are always looking for ways to support the work of WGR, such as sponsoring the Friday Forecast and the WGR Empowerment Network.

Here is our April-May calendar. State and Federal Communications will be attending these events. If you plan to be there as well, be sure to say hello!

April 13   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

April 14   Ohio Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Legislative Reception, Columbus, Ohio

April 22-23   Public Affairs Council Spring Executive Meeting, Washington, DC

April 27   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

April 30   DiversityBusiness.com Annual Program, New York City, NY

May 14-16   Women in Government – Western Regional Conference, Denver, Colorado

June 4-6   NCSL Executive Committee Spring Meeting, Denver, Colorado

Here is our March – April calendar. If you are attending any of the coming events, please stop by and say hello!

March 4   Ohio Birthday Party, Washington, DC

March 9   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, DC

March 18-20   SGAC National Summit, Nashville, TN

March 23   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, D.C.

March 26-28   ACES National Conference, Pittsburgh, PA

March 29-31   NASPO How to Market to State Governments, Philadelphia, PA

April 9   WGR Politics, PACs and Grassroots Conference, Washington, D.C.

April 30   DiversityBusiness.com Annual Program, New York City

Here is our October-November calendar. If you are attending any of these events, please stop by and say hello!

October 8-10   PAC Fall Board Meeting, Santa Barbara, California

October 13   WGR Toastmasters, Washington, D.C.

October 21   WASRG Summit — Keynote Sponsor, Washington, D.C.

November 13-15   Women in Government Fifth Annual Healthcare Summit, Washington, D.C.

November 19-21   2014 Professional Women in Advocacy Conference, Washington, D.C.

November 22   SGAC Foundation’s Leaders’ Policy Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona

State and Federal Communications is proud to be a sponsor of the Women in Government Relations PACs, Politics & Grassroots Conference in Washington, D.C.!

WGR says this about the gathering: The PACs, Politics & Grassroots Conference brings together the government relations, PAC and advocacy communities for a day of learning.  This one-of-a-kind DC based conference includes fantastic speakers, engaging panel sessions and interactive conversations with leaders in the field of politics.

If you see State and Federal Communications Federal Compliance Associate Rebecca South at the conference, be sure to say hello!

State and Federal Communications is proud to be a sponsor of the 2014 Women in Government Relations (WGR) Spring Reception.

The event is being held today from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Columbus Club at Union Station in Washington, D.C.

State and Federal Communications Federal Compliance Associate Rebecca South shared this about the event: “This annual reception brings together women and men in the cause of advancing and empowering women within government relations.  Awards will be presented to recognize outstanding contributions to the mission of WGR.  It is always a packed house and a fun time.  Tonight, the organization will welcome the new 2014–2016 WGR leadership.  We are thrilled to be a sponsor!”

You can follow the Spring Reception Twitter conversations with the hashtag #WGRSpring14.