Creativity Applied to COVID Response is a Success for the House of Delegates Written by Sharon Crouch-Steidel, Deputy Clerk for Information Technology and Anna Mulvany, Help Desk Administrator
Beginning mid-March, Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn and Clerk of the House Suzette Denslow began addressing the continued function of the House of Delegates during what was then a potential health crisis. Staff members were given mobile devices to connect to their office computers so the legislation passed during session could make its way through the process of becoming law without missing a beat.
Jeannine Layell, Indexing/Enrolling Assistant Clerk, works from her home office connected to her office computer at the Capitol. Photo credit: Brooke Layell
Support and Finance staff still had to be on site to deliver mail and certify payrolls. Every precaution has been taken to protect these staff members and ensure a safe environment for them.
Virtual meeting applications including Teams and Zoom allowed the Clerk’s staff to meet at a moment’s notice, for any length of time, without thought to travel or risk to health.
Penelope Rose Pope attends a planning meeting with her Granny, Deputy Clerk for Information Technology Sharon Crouch-Steidel. Photo credit: Sharon CrouchSteidel
The House staff adapted to teleworking. Staff had to plan for the constitutionally-required Reconvened Session, knowing that we couldn’t have 100+ people in the House Chamber. This session occurs annually on the sixth Wednesday after the General Assembly adjourns and there was no option for postponing it, so we needed a plan and had about four weeks to devise it.
Dennis Maxey, observing all safety protocols, including social distancing. Photo Credit: Anna Mulvany
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With the health of staff and members as the top priority, Speaker Filler-Corn chose to hold the 2020 Reconvened Session outside on Capitol Square under a tent cover.
