Representative Rozar Selected to Participate in Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development

Thursday, June 8th, 2023 -- 11:01 AM

Representative Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield) was selected, along with 39 other lawmakers, to participate in a training program that annually identifies and assists promising state leaders in the Midwest.

Representative Rozar will join fellow lawmakers from Wisconsin and 10 other Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces on August 18-22 in Madison, Wis., for The Council of State Governments’ 28th annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD).

“I am grateful to attend The Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development conference this summer,” said Rozar. “I look forward to learning alongside other legislators from the Midwest to hone our leadership skills through this educational experience.”

Since 1995, more than 900 lawmakers have graduated from the Bowhay Institute. State legislators from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin are chosen to participate through a competitive, nonpartisan selection process.

Members of the Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan legislative assemblies are selected by their caucuses to take part in the program. BILLD was founded in 1995 to help new legislators meet the demands of increased policy responsibility being shifted to the states and, in many states, term limits and high legislative turnover.

These two emerging forces highlight the shortage of training available for legislators, a void that BILLD aims to fill. A program of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office, the 2023 BILLD program will include courses and seminars conducted by policy experts, Midwestern legislative leaders, and professional development trainers.

In addition to a curriculum designed to develop leadership skills, the program analyzes a variety of public policy issues, including the economy, trade, and energy policy. The Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development is named in honor of the late James Bowhay, longtime director of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office.

The program is funded through grants from foundation and corporate sponsors and an in-kind contribution provided by The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Office. Founded in 1933, The Council of State Governments has national headquarters in Lexington, Ky., and regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago (Lombard, Ill.), New York City and Sacramento.

The goal of the national, nonpartisan organization is to assist and advance state government by providing research assistance, professional development opportunities, interstate consulting services, and suggested state legislation.

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