(Submitted by State Rep. Theresa Gavarone)
State Representative Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) recently was selected to participate in a training program that annually identifies and assists promising state leaders in the Midwest.
Gavarone will join lawmakers from Ohio and 10 other midwestern states and four Canadian provinces August 11-15 in Minneapolis, Minn., as part of the Council of State Governments’ 23rd Annual Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development (BILLD).
“I was thrilled just to find out that Speaker Rosenberger nominated me to go through the selection process, let alone actually being selected for the fellowship,” Gavarone said. “I look at this as yet another opportunity for me to learn what is working in other states so that I can be a better representative for the people of Wood County.”
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. These two emerging forces highlight the shortage of training available for legislators—a void that BILLD aims to fill. Courses and seminars will be conducted by faculty at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. In addition to courses designed to develop leadership skills, the program analyzes a variety of public policy issues, including the economy, health care and transportation 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.
Gavarone is serving her first term in the Ohio House, after being appointed in August of last year. She serves all of Wood County.
