May 1, 2024
Attend a Q&A for the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute
May 3 | Online
The Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute (WA-CELI) is a four-month, immersive training program that will provide small teams of city elected officials with the collaborative leadership skills needed to tackle the real-world challenges facing our cities and towns. Teams will learn and practice a broad range of strategies to embrace differing viewpoints and build consensus to maximize success. Attend a Q&A session this Friday, May 3, 2-3pm to learn more. Team applications are due by May 17.
Join a member listening session to dive into AWC Board districts and representation
May 2 | Online
The AWC Board of Directors has created the Ad Hoc Bylaws Review Committee to evaluate AWC’s 14 districts and representation on the AWC Board. The Committee is in the midst of its work and will hold a membership listening session tomorrow, May 2, to provide an overview of AWC Board districts, give updates on the committee’s work, answer questions, and listen to members’ feedback. AWC members are encouraged to attend. Register now!
2024 Annual Conference: Scholarships available for first-time attendees 
June 18-21 | Vancouver, WA
Let’s get together and celebrate our shared love of cities! AWC’s Annual Conference offers general sessions, concurrent sessions, small city sessions, mobile tours, and networking events designed to educate and inspire. Register now! Never been to Annual Conference? We are pleased to offer First-time Attendee Scholarships to help cover registration and travel costs for newly elected officials and first-time attendees. Scholarship funds are limited and preference will be given to cities with demonstrated financial need. Those interested are encouraged to apply by May 12.
Know of someone retiring? Honor them with AWC’s civic service recognition
Each year, AWC recognizes city officials retiring after 20 or more years of service to cities. Each retiring official will be recognized at AWC's Annual Conference, on the AWC website, and here in CityVoice. City officials who have retired since the 2023 AWC Annual Conference, or who will retire before the end of 2024, are eligible for the recognition. Please notify AWC of eligible city officials by June 1.
Win cycle 
The City of Pullman’s new mayor reflects on how losing an election made him better at governing. Francis Benjamin’s key takeaway after narrowly winning one of the most competitive City of Pullman mayoral races in decades: Every elected official should lose an election. Read (or listen to) this story from Cityvision magazine.
Get involved! Apply to serve on an AWC committee, state board or advisory committee
AWC is currently recruiting city officials and select staff to serve on numerous AWC committees, state boards, and advisory committees. View all opportunities or click on individual committees below for details. Apply by May 13.
AWC committees:
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Cabinet (three city elected officials)
- Small City Advisory Committee (city elected officials and senior staff members)
State boards and advisory committees:
- Bridge Replacement Advisory Committee (senior staff member)
- Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety (city elected official)
- E911 Advisory Committee (city elected official or senior staff member)
- Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (city representative)
- Public Health Advisory Board (city elected official or senior staff member)
- Public Works Board (public works director)
- Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordinating Board (city elected official)
- Select Committee on Pension Policy (city manager or finance director)
- Shorelines Hearings Board (city elected officials and senior staff)
- State Board of Health (city elected official)
- Transportation Improvement Board (city planning director)
Other news & resources
May is Mental Health Month—Download the WA Health Care Authority (HCA) toolkit with resources and strategies to support your community’s mental health. More
Final call for input on AWC’s 2025 legislative agenda: Complete this survey by May 3 to share ideas for the Legislative Priorities Committee to consider. More
Public Service Recognition Week is coming up May 5-11—a time to celebrate the countless municipal workers who keep our cities running effectively. Check out this SGR blog post and start planning how you can recognize your city workforce. More
Find out how the Clean Buildings Incentive Program could help you comply with state law: Attend an update through Commerce on May 9. More
Attorney General’s Office announces new opioid settlement with Kroger for $47.5 million. As a reminder to eligible cities, the deadline for the recent Johnson & Johnson opioid settlement is May 11. More
Help improve the Safe Medication Return program: Complete this survey by May 15 to provide input on awareness and use of this program, advocated for by AWC. More
Submit your city’s required annual reporting on 2023 lodging tax expenditures by May 17 to the Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee (JLARC) lodging tax reporting system. More
Department of Commerce funding is available to law enforcement agencies for vehicle pursuit technology. Apply by May 27. More
The JLARC Public Records Reporting System is open through July 1 for reporting 2023 data—AWC uses this data to advocate for cities in the Legislature. More
A new performance audit on civil asset forfeiture found that police agencies in Washington are following the law in seizing property suspected of being involved in a crime and included recommendations for local law enforcement departments to improve transparency. More
Check out this NLC blog on community violence intervention funding opportunities for local leaders. More
Check out AWC's new report: State of the Cities: Municipal workforce
In case you missed it: AWC recently released our first State of the Cities report focused on city HR and labor relations issues: State of the Cities: Municipal workforce—The foundation of city services. The report looks at the changing demands on cities and city workers, examines personnel-related cost-drivers, analyzes retirement and survey data related to recruitment and retention, and offers resources for cities looking to build their own team. Check it out!
AWC trainings & events
AWC: Labor Relations Institute | May 8-10 | Yakima
AWC: Small City Connector | May 9 | Medical Lake
RMSA: Public Records Act—What you need to know | May 14 | Online
AWC: Elected Officials Essentials webinar series | 2024 dates | Online
- May 16: Finance 101
- September 12: Social media 101
- October 17: Tribal government relations 101
- November 7: Human resources 101
AWC: Annual Conference | June 18-21 | Vancouver, WA
Exhibit registration is open! Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with our city audience, introduce your products and services, and foster relationships with municipal officials long after the conference is over. Register to exhibit today.
Other trainings & events
Ruckelshaus: Housing security workshop: Coordinated pathways and person-centered navigation | May 14 | Online
NLC: Communicating effectively about race and equity | May 9 – June 27 (Thursdays) | Online
Jurassic Parliament: Mastering public comment and public hearings | May 9 | Online
MRSC: Successfully managing change in the workplace | May 16 | Online
Good Group Decisions: How to prevent and manage conflict in groups | May 22 | Online
MRSC: Resources for implementing the new HB 1181 climate requirements | May 23 | Online
MRSC: Implementing apprentice utilization requirements (AUR Series – Part 2) | May 30 | Online
State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online
State Archives: Escape room records management training | On-demand
NLC: Webinars and events | Multiple dates | Online
Check out this quick video to see how AWC JobNet connects you with the most qualified job seekers for public service!
Featured jobs:
Town of Twisp | Police Chief
City of Sunnyside | City Manager
City of Lakewood | Public Works Engineering Director
AWC’s mission is to serve our members through advocacy, education, and services.
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