Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two members of the Fono’s Legislative Reference bureau (LRB) participated in the National Conference of State Legislatures (“NCSL”), 2021 Legislative Staff Certificate Program. It took place every Friday during the month of October. 

Ms. Pearl Tuiasosopo and Ms. Jacinta Fuamatu-Ma’ilo completed 10 hours of learning covering five different topics: Ethics and NCSL’s Model Code of Conduct for Legislative Staff, Characteristics of American State Legislatures, Budgeting 101, Clear and Concise Communication Skills and Leadership within Legislatures.

The purpose of this program is to provide legislative staff with a broader context about legislatures and their role within them and to inspire them to continue their career in their legislature. 

A variety of staff roles were represented: fiscal, bill drafters, legal, research and committee staff, program evaluators, administrative staff, personal/partisan/leadership staff, a few staff in clerks and secretary offices, an internship coordinator, an IT specialist, a paralegal, an editor and a two legislative research librarians.

Ms. Pearl Tuiasosopo and Ms. Jacinta Fuamatu-Ma’ilo graduated Friday, November 12, 2021 with their certification as official NCSL trained legislative staff members.   More than 150 legislative staff applied and 104 legislative staff, representing 39 states, Washington, D.C. and American Samoa, were accepted into the program.  The American Samoa Fono is fortunate to have been given this golden opportunity.

Both LRB Staffers Tuiasosopo and Fuamatu-Ma’ilo found the training beneficial to what they do as legislative staffers.  They both shared their appreciation for the knowledge they gained and look forward to implementing the new skills they have learned into their jobs. 

They also both thanked the Senate President Tuaolo M. Fruean and Speaker of the House Savali T. Ale for their foresight and vision in providing this opportunity for them to expand their knowledge and skill set. 

(Source: Office of the Senate President)