Storch: The Importance of the House ‘Den Mother’

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A big room.
There are 100-members in the House of Delegates with one ortwo representatives from each of the state's 55 counties.

When newly elected delegates arrive at the West Virginia Capitol, they bring with them a mix of excitement, determination, and a healthy dose of nerves.

After all, the West Virginia House of Delegates is not just any workplace. It is a place where decisions are made impacting the lives of the state’s residents. For first-time legislators, this can feel like an overwhelming responsibility.

Imagine stepping into a world where everyone seems to speak a different language. Legislative terminology like committee of the whole, overriding a gubernatorial veto, and sine die (pronounced see-nay dee-ay except in the legislature where it is pronounced si-nee dye), flies through the air like second nature to seasoned delegates. The schedule is relentless, the deadlines unyielding, and the sheer volume of information to read and process will leave some questioning ‘why did I do this to myself.”.

Without someone to help navigate these early days, a freshman delegate might feel like a fish out of water.

Enter my freshman mentor, Delegate Larry Border to bridge that gap. Larry, a more experienced delegate, took on the role to serve as a guide, translator, and support system, ensuring that new members hit the ground running. While some institutions may rely on formalized training programs, nothing compares to the personalized touch of someone who has walked the halls, made the mistakes, and learned the ropes firsthand. This is exactly what Larry did and became affectionately known as the Den Mother, a title I proudly inherited in 2023.

The West Virginia House of Delegates operates under a unique set of rules and traditions. Understanding them is critical to any delegate’s success, or failure is inevitable. From the draft of bills to participating in committee meetings to casting votes on the floor, every action is governed by procedures that must be learned quickly. Even more importantly, are the actions not in the rule book.

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The soft skills, so to speak.

For instance, understanding how to build support for legislation often requires more than crafting a strong argument. It involves building relationships, gauging political climates, and knowing when to push and when to wait. This is what I remember most about lessons learned from Delegate Border and his wealth of information. His insight into these unwritten rules can made all the difference between frustration and success, not saying I did not experience frustration as a freshman.

Like the time I knew my amendment was necessary, lined up all crucial support, believed I had all the votes to later learn a mandate was given in the majority party’s caucus “no Republican amendments get through today,” we had a 35-member minority.

But live and learn, and when Republicans took the majority, that amendment became a caucus bill.

Another equally critical aspect of legislative work is relationship-building. In the House of Delegates, collaboration is key. Delegates must work with colleagues, committee chairs, and constituents to advance their bills. Freshman delegates may not immediately grasp how to navigate these dynamics, and without guidance, they risk alienating themselves or burning bridges. I have seen this happen, sadly, even recently.

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I hope the next “Den Mother” fully appreciates the role they play in the landscape of the West Virginia House. I hope he or she seeks out key players, on a multitude of topics, to offer advice on effective communication, and is willing to share the lessons learned from their own experiences. I hope they would consider providing context on the personalities and preferences of colleagues, which could help a freshman delegate build rapport and avoid missteps.

The life of a delegate is demanding, and for many freshmen, the transition from private citizen to public servant can be jarring.

Between the long hours, the stress of public scrutiny, and the weight of their responsibilities, it can be easy for newly elected delegates to feel overwhelmed. I viewed the role of “Den Mother” as the steadying presence, offering encouragement and perspective when the job feels particularly tough. I was dubbed “Momma Storch” (coincidentally by a younger colleague), and it carried over to the freshmen I met with my last session.

I LOVE being “Momma Storch”. It makes me so happy to hear that title ring out in the halls of our beautiful gold dome.

As I said above the transition from private citizen to public servant can come with challenges. The same can be said about the reverse. It can be equally challenging to fit back into the mold from which you came, especially after your first session. My “Den Mother” spoke with me and my family about how to accomplish this in the most seamless manner, which with his experience of first being elected in 1990, he did very well.

I recall Delegate “Den Mother” Border telling our new group of 12 Republican freshmen legislators, “Make sure you give one floor speech before the end of your first session, so you do not become intimidated by the mic.” What I heard was, make sure you speak once as a freshman and don’t get up with every wild hair idea that comes to your mind, which is how I truly believe it was meant.

His legacy of mentorship benefits everyone. It leads to better legislation, stronger relationships, and a more cohesive government that serves the people of West Virginia. In turn, those mentored today often go on to mentor others, perpetuating a culture of collaboration and mutual support. The state lost an incredible delegate, leader, and friend to many when Delegate Border passed in June 2011. Our group were the last of his “cubs”. For him, I am forever grateful.

I hope the House Leadership sees value in the role of Den Mother. There are only a few who remain in the House from my class of 2011. I know all of us hold a similar fondness for Delegate Border and what he taught each of us. For freshman delegates, having someone to guide them through the maze of procedures, politics, and pressures can mean the difference between floundering and flourishing, but it must be the right person.

In a state like West Virginia, where many of the decisions made during the sixty-day session have real and lasting impacts on the state’s 1.7 residents, it is essential that our representatives are prepared to succeed from day one.

Having a “Den Mother” to look for guidance ensures they have been equipped and the people they serve benefit from the rewards of thoughtful, informed leadership.

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