P O Box 2543
Olympia, WA 98507
August 25, 2020
Dear Washington State Chapter Member;
This has been a year of considerable change, for our organization.
At the beginning of this year, your Executive Board, experienced a transition. We wish to thank Kathy Gundlach of the Department of Corrections (DOC) for her role as President in 2019. Since that time, I have been humbled and honored to serve in this role as Interim and Chapter President with the benefit of advice, guidance, and support from each Board Member.
Our board would like to recognize the work you have engaged in – in service to our fellow Washingtonians – throughout COVID-19. A period of dynamic social, cultural, and political change. We are essential workers.
Many of you, have come out of retirement and/or have volunteered in your communities. No gift of your time has been too small. From wearing a mask to making masks, donating your time, to serving as a technical expert in your career fields and beyond. Some of you, have worked overtime; giving up vacations and all celebrations of life. Others of you, have joined critical social movements; advancing our understanding of culture and race. Many have cared for loved ones and some of us, have borne the burden of loss or catastrophic illness.
Within the history of our Washington State Chapter, this period will be remembered as an unprecedented time. A time where your sacrifice for the health, wellness, and the economic future of our great State has been tested. We have met this test. As you know, we are a strong International organization with roots stretching back to 1913. We are not the first to experience these trials, and we will not be the last. From my heart, I thank you for your service to Washingtonians and to each other.
We were lucky to have some time together in March (2020), at the Southwest Subchapter Winter Institute and Crab Feed. For some, this may have been the last large-scale social gathering. It was a great way to start our year together! Special thanks to the entire Southwest Subchapter, for making this event successful and meaningful. Your State Chapter thanks the organizations that supported this event, to include Loretta Gutierrez of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE); Debbie Carter-Bowhay of Aflac; and Michele Snider of Generations-A Division of Community 1st Credit Union. We value these long-term relationships.
With safety and budget in mind, we discussed options for our annual State Chapter meeting and Conference. After much reflection and time, we decided to postpone plans for our Washington State Workforce Conference. Ideas have been shared, much like the upcoming virtual International Workforce Development 2020 Conference. Some of us, will attend the first virtual IAWP International Conference. This is a year of firsts.
Throughout this time, we have worked to provide resources and family activities on our new Washington State Chapter website. There have been many upgrades to include the membership page. Today, we offer new opportunities for membership to include Young Workforce Professionals; curated resources; a stronger connection to International with a Virtual Social Hour and webinars; and enhanced options for paying membership dues. Please thank Esther Ramos of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), your Marketing Chair, for this extraordinary work.
Your Executive Board has utilized new project management resources, such as Trello. As we acknowledge our current social environment, we rise to meet this occasion: Revisiting policies and procedures; implementing new approaches to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion); and creating new opportunities for professional development. Together, as Team, we have begun the process of leveraging Social Media, responding to trends and innovation in workforce development in this virtual world.
Recently, I made a request of your Executive Board, on the topic of elections. Three options were provided: 1) Call for elections; 2) Cancel elections; and 3) Appoint the Executive Board to their current positions for another year. The caveat to option three (3): If you do not desire to remain in your current position/role, please respond. Without hesitation, your Executive Board selected the third option, which provides the current Team the opportunity to perform the role they were appointed too. Please note, that there are leadership and project opportunities available. Thank you to Judy Johnson, Cheryl Brown, Sheila Johnson-Teeter, and Suzanne Nichols for advising on this unprecedented procedural change.
Now we come to the subject of budget and membership. Your Washington State Chapter successfully entered into a contract with International, to meet our membership obligations. Washington thanks Steve Bent, Executive Director of IAWP and the entire team in Texas for their unwavering support and guidance. As we look to the future, we are reviewing scholarships to attend virtual events and identifying creative solutions for fund raising. The Board is working on ways to expand membership while improving how information is stored and shared. Your Treasurer and Marketing Chair have made significant contributions to the future of our organization, modernizing business operations. Change is no longer on the horizon, it is here. Cheryl Martin, representing Girl Scouts of Western Washington (GSWW), has taken us to new levels of accountability with grace and a strong measure of valued coaching.
Another first for Washington, we have two individuals serving in the role of Director at Large: Donna Glacken and Rebekah Wilkes. Thank you both for your contributions on a State and International level. During Public Service Recognition Week, Rebekah Wilkes was awarded the Extra Mile Award for her outstanding customers service; work with military spouses; and Veterans by your Washington State Chapter Leadership. IAWP also nominated the Employment Security Department (ESD), with Cami Feek named, for ESD’s support and partnership with the Washington State Chapter. Several of your chapter members served on the ESD Employee Engagement and Advisory Committee (EEAT) to include Sarah Wilson, myself, and others.
In writing this letter, I am overwhelmed by the many contributions from our Executive Board, Membership, and our colleagues in workforce development. Each of you, are valued.
Speaking of firsts, we are excited to welcome the new East Central Subchapter President, Jessica Gomez, of Labor and Industries (L&I) and the Northwest Subchapter President, Laura Westergard, of ESD. Our chapter has been gifted with two Veterans serving as our Veteran Co-Chairs: Clint Hede and Kevin Sullivan. IAWP also welcomed a dynamic and accomplished Secretary, Cheryl Flynn. Our organization continues to shine, for the work of our many past presidents: Donna Glacken, Cheryl Brown, Sheila Johnson Teeter, and Suzanne Nichols, to name a few.
In partnership, we have been honored to support Veterans, working with ESD and the Washington Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG). Our organization has benefited from the generous and unwavering support of the Combined Fund Drive. Of mention, we acknowledge Jeanne Lenz, Leah Perez-Wolfe, Kolleen Anderson, Sandi Williams, Ann Hartman and the generosity of other supporters. There are too many to people and organizations to mention; nevertheless, they are all essential.
For their additional coaching and significant contributions to our organization, I would like to thank Albert Garza, Suzanne Nichols, Cheryl Brown, Cheryl Martin, Leah Wolfe, Donna Glacken, Rebekah Wilkes and Esther Ramos. These individuals took significant time, out of their schedules, to help our organization evolve, throughout this period of dynamic change.
As I close today, I turn to our Membership at large. You are the heart and soul of this organization.
Be safe. Be healthy. We love you.
Sincerely,
Olympia, WA 98507
August 25, 2020
Dear Washington State Chapter Member;
This has been a year of considerable change, for our organization.
At the beginning of this year, your Executive Board, experienced a transition. We wish to thank Kathy Gundlach of the Department of Corrections (DOC) for her role as President in 2019. Since that time, I have been humbled and honored to serve in this role as Interim and Chapter President with the benefit of advice, guidance, and support from each Board Member.
Our board would like to recognize the work you have engaged in – in service to our fellow Washingtonians – throughout COVID-19. A period of dynamic social, cultural, and political change. We are essential workers.
Many of you, have come out of retirement and/or have volunteered in your communities. No gift of your time has been too small. From wearing a mask to making masks, donating your time, to serving as a technical expert in your career fields and beyond. Some of you, have worked overtime; giving up vacations and all celebrations of life. Others of you, have joined critical social movements; advancing our understanding of culture and race. Many have cared for loved ones and some of us, have borne the burden of loss or catastrophic illness.
Within the history of our Washington State Chapter, this period will be remembered as an unprecedented time. A time where your sacrifice for the health, wellness, and the economic future of our great State has been tested. We have met this test. As you know, we are a strong International organization with roots stretching back to 1913. We are not the first to experience these trials, and we will not be the last. From my heart, I thank you for your service to Washingtonians and to each other.
We were lucky to have some time together in March (2020), at the Southwest Subchapter Winter Institute and Crab Feed. For some, this may have been the last large-scale social gathering. It was a great way to start our year together! Special thanks to the entire Southwest Subchapter, for making this event successful and meaningful. Your State Chapter thanks the organizations that supported this event, to include Loretta Gutierrez of the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE); Debbie Carter-Bowhay of Aflac; and Michele Snider of Generations-A Division of Community 1st Credit Union. We value these long-term relationships.
With safety and budget in mind, we discussed options for our annual State Chapter meeting and Conference. After much reflection and time, we decided to postpone plans for our Washington State Workforce Conference. Ideas have been shared, much like the upcoming virtual International Workforce Development 2020 Conference. Some of us, will attend the first virtual IAWP International Conference. This is a year of firsts.
Throughout this time, we have worked to provide resources and family activities on our new Washington State Chapter website. There have been many upgrades to include the membership page. Today, we offer new opportunities for membership to include Young Workforce Professionals; curated resources; a stronger connection to International with a Virtual Social Hour and webinars; and enhanced options for paying membership dues. Please thank Esther Ramos of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), your Marketing Chair, for this extraordinary work.
Your Executive Board has utilized new project management resources, such as Trello. As we acknowledge our current social environment, we rise to meet this occasion: Revisiting policies and procedures; implementing new approaches to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion); and creating new opportunities for professional development. Together, as Team, we have begun the process of leveraging Social Media, responding to trends and innovation in workforce development in this virtual world.
Recently, I made a request of your Executive Board, on the topic of elections. Three options were provided: 1) Call for elections; 2) Cancel elections; and 3) Appoint the Executive Board to their current positions for another year. The caveat to option three (3): If you do not desire to remain in your current position/role, please respond. Without hesitation, your Executive Board selected the third option, which provides the current Team the opportunity to perform the role they were appointed too. Please note, that there are leadership and project opportunities available. Thank you to Judy Johnson, Cheryl Brown, Sheila Johnson-Teeter, and Suzanne Nichols for advising on this unprecedented procedural change.
Now we come to the subject of budget and membership. Your Washington State Chapter successfully entered into a contract with International, to meet our membership obligations. Washington thanks Steve Bent, Executive Director of IAWP and the entire team in Texas for their unwavering support and guidance. As we look to the future, we are reviewing scholarships to attend virtual events and identifying creative solutions for fund raising. The Board is working on ways to expand membership while improving how information is stored and shared. Your Treasurer and Marketing Chair have made significant contributions to the future of our organization, modernizing business operations. Change is no longer on the horizon, it is here. Cheryl Martin, representing Girl Scouts of Western Washington (GSWW), has taken us to new levels of accountability with grace and a strong measure of valued coaching.
Another first for Washington, we have two individuals serving in the role of Director at Large: Donna Glacken and Rebekah Wilkes. Thank you both for your contributions on a State and International level. During Public Service Recognition Week, Rebekah Wilkes was awarded the Extra Mile Award for her outstanding customers service; work with military spouses; and Veterans by your Washington State Chapter Leadership. IAWP also nominated the Employment Security Department (ESD), with Cami Feek named, for ESD’s support and partnership with the Washington State Chapter. Several of your chapter members served on the ESD Employee Engagement and Advisory Committee (EEAT) to include Sarah Wilson, myself, and others.
In writing this letter, I am overwhelmed by the many contributions from our Executive Board, Membership, and our colleagues in workforce development. Each of you, are valued.
Speaking of firsts, we are excited to welcome the new East Central Subchapter President, Jessica Gomez, of Labor and Industries (L&I) and the Northwest Subchapter President, Laura Westergard, of ESD. Our chapter has been gifted with two Veterans serving as our Veteran Co-Chairs: Clint Hede and Kevin Sullivan. IAWP also welcomed a dynamic and accomplished Secretary, Cheryl Flynn. Our organization continues to shine, for the work of our many past presidents: Donna Glacken, Cheryl Brown, Sheila Johnson Teeter, and Suzanne Nichols, to name a few.
In partnership, we have been honored to support Veterans, working with ESD and the Washington Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG). Our organization has benefited from the generous and unwavering support of the Combined Fund Drive. Of mention, we acknowledge Jeanne Lenz, Leah Perez-Wolfe, Kolleen Anderson, Sandi Williams, Ann Hartman and the generosity of other supporters. There are too many to people and organizations to mention; nevertheless, they are all essential.
For their additional coaching and significant contributions to our organization, I would like to thank Albert Garza, Suzanne Nichols, Cheryl Brown, Cheryl Martin, Leah Wolfe, Donna Glacken, Rebekah Wilkes and Esther Ramos. These individuals took significant time, out of their schedules, to help our organization evolve, throughout this period of dynamic change.
As I close today, I turn to our Membership at large. You are the heart and soul of this organization.
Be safe. Be healthy. We love you.
Sincerely,
Washington State Chapter President
WorkSource Thurston County, Washington State Employment Security Department
WorkSource Thurston County, Washington State Employment Security Department