A Message from the Director

Dear Members,

The Southern Office of The Council of State Governments (CSG) supports many services and programs available not only to its 15-member region, but also to all U.S. states and territories. While our identity often is perceived by many as synonymous with our high-profile SLC annual meetings, the scope of work and level of services performed by the Southern Office comprises much more than that.

While planning and executing the annual meeting requires a significant amount of our attention, the majority of staff activity throughout the year focuses on answering information requests for members; researching and analyzing information and data; writing issue briefs and special series reports; arranging and providing testimony before legislative committees; visiting a variety of elected officials during state visits; serving and speaking on task forces and panels; responding to media inquiries; and implementing an array of programs for member states, among other things.

As deputy executive director of The Council of State Government, and executive director of the Southern Legislative Conference, I take seriously my role as steward of the funding we receive as we strive to provide quality services and programs to our strong constituent base. Our small staff is extremely efficient and effective, and conscientious of the limited resources available.

The culture of our organization is similar to the culture that is both historic and synonymous with our region: provide the most you can with the least and ensure that those providing it do so at the highest degree of competency. That is precisely what the Southern Office and Southern Legislative Conference seek to accomplish.

As elected officials who face issues daily that are large and small, local and international, the resources available to you through the SLC and CSG are significant. With your participation and support, we will continue to serve our growing and diverse region in a manner that best suits the needs of our membership and states.

Thank you.

Colleen Cousineau
Executive Director