December 4, 2024

Expanding opportunity for women in city leadership
December 6 | Online
Join AWC and the Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy (NWWLA) for an interactive online session to learn more about NWWLA, the work they’re doing to expand the pipeline of women in government service, and how you can support these efforts. The session will include a breakout session to share ideas on how elected officials and other city leaders can support the work of NWWLA and build the bench of qualified city staff. Register now.

AWC listening session: New transportation funding options
December 10 | Online
Join AWC for a listening session to learn about two transportation funding sources under consideration by the Legislature: a retail delivery fee and a road usage charge. Hear insights and information from AWC, researchers for the Joint Transportation Committee, Washington State Transportation Commission staff, and Sen. Marko Liias, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. Come ready to learn as well as share your questions and comments during a robust Q&A session. Register now.

2025 EOE webinar series: Recognizing implicit bias
January 15 | Online
AWC is kicking off our 2025 five-part series of Elected Officials Essentials (EOE) webinars, created specifically for city elected officials. Studies have shown that, while implicit or unconscious bias is part of the human condition, these biases aren’t permanent—they can be changed. Join this webinar to deepen your understanding of implicit bias, how it influences decision-making, and what resources are available to address and reduce the negative impact of implicit bias. Register now.

Calling all mayors! Register for the winter Mayors Exchange
January 24 | Olympia
Join us in Olympia for AWC's winter Mayors Exchange, your opportunity to connect with mayors from across the state during the legislative session. Hear the latest updates on legislation that impacts cities, discuss your local legislative agendas and how they intersect with AWC's priorities, and share updates on issues from your city. Join us the evening before for an opportunity to connect with peers from across the state. Register now. This event is strictly limited to mayors.

Apply for the Building Resilient Local Governments certificate program
Have you heard about the new Building Resilient Local Governments graduate certificate program offered by the Evans School at UW in partnership with WCMA? The program is designed to equip local government officials with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to build organizational resilience and respond to the increasingly complex challenges cities face. While this exciting professional development opportunity was initially developed with city staff in mind, the opportunity is now open to AWC elected officials as well! Learn more and apply by December 30.  

Other news & resources

Deadline extended: Apply by December 13 to serve on AWC’s Board Nominating Committee or Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Cabinet. More

Have you adopted your city’s 2025 legislative agenda? If so, be sure to share it with AWC and your local legislators—check out these tips and examples. More

Washington Secretary of State’s office is kicking off the 2025-26 Local Records Grants cycle with informational webinars beginning in December. Learn more and get ready to apply in February. More

Check out the Washington State Legislature’s redesigned website, updated to create a more accessible, user-friendly experience. More

The National Civic League is now accepting applications for the 2025 All-America City Award—this year’s theme is Strengthening environmental sustainability through inclusive community engagement. Letters of intent are due December 30. More

Department of Ecology’s Flood Control Assistance Account Program is preparing to open the 2025-27 grant funding cycle. Application opens January 1—submit a Notice of Intent to Apply by December 31. More

Time is running out to obligate remaining ARPA funds! The first major deadline for ARPA is December 31—the date by which cities must have all their ARPA-SLFRF funds properly obligated. More

Reminder: Be sure nominate a local graduating senior for a $3,000 AWC Center for Quality Communities scholarship by January 27! More

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

State Broadband Office opens application for $1.2 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding. More

Kudos to Port Angeles for being featured in NPR’s Seeking Common Ground series as an example of a community working to bridge divides and work through their differences. More

Civil discourse: Finding common ground, for the common good
While we see partisan divides at the federal and state level, city leaders are seeking ways to bridge the divides in their communities—divides in understanding and empathy that have driven wedges not just between parties, but between family members and friends. Read more in this article from Cityvision magazine.

AWC trainings & events

AWC: 2025 legislative session preview | December 5 | Online

AWC/NWWLA: Expanding opportunities for women in city leadership | December 6 | Online

AWC: Listening session—New transportation funding options | December 10 | Online

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

AWC: EOE webinar series: Recognizing implicit bias | January 15 | Online

AWC: Mayors Exchange | January 24 | Olympia

AWC: 2025 City Action Days | February 19-20 | Lacey

Other trainings & events

GFOA: Rethinking budgeting in action—Part Two | December 6 | Online

MRSC: Land use case law update—Winter 2024 | December 12 | Online

MRSC: Work-life harmony (not balance!) | December 17 | Online

DOJ: Public Defense Resource Hub—Federal grant funding opportunities | December 17 | Online

MRSC: PRA case law highlights 2025 | January 9 | Online

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:
AWC | Government Relations Advocate
City of Yakima | City Engineer
City of Wenatchee | Parks Superintendent

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