The Legislative process can be complex and confusing. But it doesn’t have to be. The ICSEW’s November meeting will have sessions on understanding the legislative process, how to track bills that are important to you and easy ways to engage with your legislators and make them work for you.
The meeting takes place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Washington State Department of Corrections’ Headquarters building (the Edna Lucille Goodrich building), 7345 Linderson Way SW in Tumwater. All regular ICSEW meetings are free and open to anyone, regardless of gender or employment status. An hour-long ICSEW executive board meeting immediately follows the regular meeting, which is also open for attendees to observe.
Parking:
Parking is limited. The DOC has a few visitor spaces and there are a few spaces on 78th Ave. However, we encourage carpooling or utilizing the Mountain View Church parking lot which is located at the corner of Linderson Way and Israel Road. Please make sure to have photo ID with you at check-in. InterCity Transit also provides free bus fare for state employees with a STAR pass. To receive your star pass, please contact your agency’s commute trip reduction coordinator.
Session Presenters
Nick Streuli, Legislative & Executive Operations Director, Employment Security Department Getting Involved in the 2019-20 Legislative Session
Nick was appointed as the Legislative & Executive Operations Director for the Washington State Employment Security Department in October 2016. Nick has served in a variety of roles most recently as Special Policy Assistant to the Commissioner and Federal Government Liaison.
As part of his role with ESD, Nick works with the legislature on unemployment insurance, workforce development, and Paid Family and Medical Leave issues. This includes providing technical assistance to legislators and stakeholders, advising the agency on legislative strateg, and advocating for legislation to develop the nation’s best and most future ready workforce with opportunities for all.
Former Washington State Sen. Karen Fraser, Legislature 101
Karen Fraser (born September 12, 1944) was a Washington State Senator (Democrat) and served 24 years in the Washington State Senate, representing the 22nd Legislative District, which includes Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and north Thurston County.
She held many senior leadership positions in the Senate including: Democratic Caucus Chair; Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee; Chair of the Capital Budget; Chair of the Senate’s administrative committee; and Chair of policy committees pertaining to environment, energy, water, parks and recreation, shorelines, Puget Sound and state employee pensions. She served on the Rules Committee and on many other policy committees.
Prior to serving in the Senate, she served four years as a state representative. She served as a local elected official for 15 years, including becoming the first woman mayor of Lacey, second woman Thurston County Commissioner, and the first woman president of the Washington State Association of Counties.
Paid Family Leave and BRG Roundtable
The meeting will also include a session on Paid Family Medical Leave, presented by April Amundson, a policy and rules manager for the Employment Security Department, as well as a lunchtime panel with a RAIN Business Resource Group representative. RAIN stands for Rainbow Alliance Inclusion Network. RAIN helps Washington state create safe and inclusive workplaces where every LGBTQ+ employee can bring their authentic self to work, enabling them to do their best work for Washingtonians. Ayanna Coleman will be leading the panel discussion.
Statewide business resource groups, BRGs, bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. A list of Business Resource Groups is on the Office of Financial Management’s website.
Registration
Sign up through Eventbrite for this incredible opportunity!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/icsew-meeting-november-19-2019-registration-76841122867
For more information about the difference ICSEW makes in the lives of Washingtonians visit our website at www.icsew.wa.gov
