October 30, 2024

Nominate a student in your community for a CQC scholarship!
The AWC Center for Quality Communities (CQC) is now accepting 2025 scholarship nominations for civic-minded young leaders in Washington's cities and towns. Up to three $3,000 scholarships may be awarded in Spring 2025 to graduating high school students. Visit the scholarship page for more information and outreach resources, and register for a Q&A session on November 20 to learn more about the nomination process and get tips for identifying talented and engaged students in your community. City nominations are due to the CQC by January 27, 2025.

Supreme Court releases indigent defense standards hearing details—written comments due Oct. 31
The Washington Supreme Court has released details on how to participate in the second public hearing on the proposed indigent defense standards, scheduled for November 13. If you want to participate, you must register in advance and can testify either remotely or in person at the hearing in Olympia. Written comments are due October 31. Read AWC's comment letter and learn more.

Apply to serve on AWC’s Board Nominating Committee
AWC is recruiting city elected officials to serve on the 2025 Nominating Committee for the AWC Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee recruits, interviews, and selects a list of potential candidates for election to the AWC Board of Directors at AWC’s Annual Conference in June. Learn more about eligibility and responsibilities and apply by November 20. Several other opportunities to serve on committees and advisory boards are open as well—view all open opportunities.

EOE webinar series: Promoting a positive workplace
New date: December 18 | Online
A workplace free of discrimination and harassment is crucial to a positive and productive work environment and to avoiding costly claims. Join us for the latest webinar of our Elected Officials Essentials series to explore how to promote a healthy and lawful workplace from the top down. Discover how elected and appointed leaders can create and enforce sound policies to ensure a workplace free of harassment and retaliation. Register now.

2024 Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference: Housing for tomorrow’s Cascadia
November 18-19 | Portland, OR
AWC members are invited to the 2024 Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference, an event that brings together leaders from across Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia to discuss issues of regional importance. This year’s conference focuses on ideas to increase housing supply and use public-private partnerships to support housing production. Connect with elected officials, policymakers, business leaders, developers, and housing advocates to find solutions to our housing crisis. Reach out to event staff with any questions and register today.

Other news & resources

Read MRSC’s advice on managing unexpected post-election issues. More

Employment Security Department announces that Paid Family & Medical Leave rates are set to increase to 0.92% in 2025. More

What value does the National League of Cities offer local leaders? Listen to the latest episode of NLC’s CitiesSpeak podcast to find out. More

Commerce launches three free resources to access federal clean energy and climate funding. More

Commerce is requesting input on its new Federal Funds Grant Writing Assistance Program. Complete this survey to let them know how the program can best help your city or town. More

Attend a virtual information session on November 4 to learn how WSDOT is working to support street lighting improvements across the state. More

Advance your community resilience goals by hosting a CivicSpark Fellow—watch this recorded information session to learn more and apply by November 8. More

The first major deadline for ARPA is December 31, 2024—cities must have all their ARPA-SLFRF funds properly obligated by that date or risk returning this critical federal funding. More

Apply by January 31 for AWC’s new grant for energy audits of city-owned buildings. More

Apply now for additional grant funding through the Office of Public Defense SPAR Program to address impacts of new Blake drug possession caseload through June 30, 2025. More

Election to determine fate of four initiatives
Four initiatives will appear on the November ballot for voters to consider. All have the potential to impact cities and towns. Some city councils have opted to take a position on one or more of the proposals. Learn more about the initiatives and how they could impact your community. And as always, make sure you're aware of PDC guidelines as you communicate with constituents about the initiatives.

AWC trainings & events

AWC: AWC Board district meetings | Multiple dates | Multiple locations

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

AWC: 2025 legislative session preview | December 5 | Online

AWC: EOE webinar series: Promoting a positive workplace | December 18 | Online

Other trainings & events

LGLC: U.S. Supreme Court preview for local governments: 2024-2025 term | October 31 | Online

PSRC: Preventing commercial displacement near transit | November 1 |Online

MRSC: Lessons learned from GMA housing element updates | November 14 | Online

MRSC: Digging into public works fundamentals | November 14 | Bellingham

State Archives: Records management workshops | Multiple dates | Online

NLC: Webinars and events | Multiple dates | Online

Did you know? 1,200+ individuals have alerts set so they can view your new posting the moment it goes live. Post your jobs on AWC JobNet today!

Featured jobs:
AWC | Facilities & Office Specialist
City of Covington | Fiscal & Tax Analyst I or II
City of Spokane | Labor Relations Manager

AWC’s mission is to serve our members through advocacy, education, and services.
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