August 14, 2024

HomeWACELI City elected officials launch effort to improve civic discourse
Nearly 50 city elected officials from around the state recently gathered in Spokane for the first session of the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute (WA-CELI). The immersive training program is creating a network of elected leaders skilled in collaborative leadership and ready to tackle real-world challenges in Washington cities and towns. Over two days, the group explored concepts such as collaborative vs. hierarchical leadership, the chaordic path, appreciative inquiry, engaging limiting beliefs, and moving from conflict to collaboration. Learn more about these approaches to collaborative leadership.

Feedback-graphic City leaders: AWC wants to hear from you!
AWC is currently conducting a membership survey, offering the opportunity for you to help shape the future of our association. Your participation will ensure that your city’s unique perspective is considered as we develop AWC’s next strategic plan and set the course for the coming years. City elected officials and city staff who engage with AWC on a regular basis are encouraged to complete the brief survey, which is open until 5 pm on Friday, August 23.

Learn about AWC’s new grant for energy audits of city-owned buildings
Does your city own a Tier 1 or Tier 2 building in need of an energy audit? AWC has funding to help. We’ve received $3.8 million to assist cities in conducting energy audits of their qualifying buildings and to gather data on the estimated costs for cities to comply with state’s Clean Buildings Performance Standard. AWC’s grant program will open in September. Attend an online information session on Wednesday, August 28, to learn about the funding, how to apply, and what resources are available to assist your city through the process. Register now.

tacomaconvcenter AWC’s Candidate Forum: Spotlight on statewide races
September 12 | Tacoma
While national elections may be center stage this year, a number of important statewide races are also on the ballot. AWC invites city elected officials and staff to hear directly from candidates for the offices of Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor, and Commissioner of Public Lands. Learn more about each candidate’s vision for our state and hear how they see cities and the state working together to benefit all of Washington’s residents. Former Governor Christine Gregoire will join us for a lunchtime presentation about leadership, civil discourse, and civic engagement. Register now.

raised-hands-square Deadline extended: Apply to serve on a state board or advisory committee
AWC is recruiting city officials to serve on several state boards and advisory committees. View all opportunities or click on individual committees below for details. Apply by August 29.

Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety (city elected official)
Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordinating Board (city elected official)
Shorelines Hearings Board (city elected official)

Other news & resources

Show your community pride by posting a #CityHallSelfie on Thursday, August 15! More

New and updated facts sheets on legislative initiatives available. More

MRSC’s 2025 Budget Suggestions is available—don’t miss this valuable resource for local governments drafting their upcoming budgets. More

Now accepting applications: WCMA and UW Evans School partner to offer a Building Resilient Local Governments graduate certificate program to train professional staff in organizational resilience. More

Interested in serving cities at the national level? Apply for NLC leadership opportunities including the NLC Board, federal advocacy committees, member councils, and constituency groups. Applications are due September 9. More

Commerce seeks public comment on draft Construction and Lead Service Line Project Funding Guidelines through September 16 and encourages you to apply for funding by November 30. More

Culvert funding opportunity: Federal program offers competitive grants to support fish passage improvements. Apply by September 23. More

Commerce opens grant funding cycle for Energy Efficiency Retrofits with reduced matching funds requirement. Apply by September 25. More

Save the date: Washington Supreme Court’s public hearing on proposed indigent defense standards is set for September 25. More

Looking-past-future-photo Looking to the past, for the future
For 90 years, AWC has provided local electeds with practical tools, information, and support to manage the daily responsibilities of governing, while lifting up their visions for the future. Check out this Cityvision story to read about how AWC’s Institute for New Mayors and Councilmen of the 1950s has evolved into today’s Elected Officials Essentials Workshop—which in 2023 welcomed 400 attendees representing 65% of Washington’s cities.

AWC trainings & events

AWC and Governor’s Office: Local and state response to asylum seeker and migrant arrivals in Washington (exclusively for AWC city members) | August 22 | Online

AWC: Candidate Forum | September 12 | Tacoma

AWC: Elected Officials Essentials webinar series | Multiple dates | Online

September 18: Social media 101
October 17: Tribal government relations 101
November 7: Human resources 101

Trust: Wellness Planning Workshops | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

D&A: Supervisor training | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

AWC: Mayors Exchange | October 3-4 | Ellensburg

Other trainings & events

MRSC: Ethical considerations for local government policy makers | August 29 | Online

MRSC: PRA deep dive: Law enforcement records | September 11 | Online

WSU: 2024 Road & Street Maintenance Conference | September 16-18 | Wenatchee

MRSC: Embracing AI: Opportunities, challenges, and implementation | September 17 | Online

State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online

NLC: City Summit 2024: A Century of Strengthening Cities | November 13-16 | Tampa Bay, FL

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