Last round of AWB regional meetings, candidate interviews this week
This is the last week AWB Government Affairs staff will be touring the state conducting regional meetings and candidate interviews. This week, staff will be in Everett (Tuesday, Sept. 16) and Bellevue (Wednesday, Sept. 17) for more regional meetings and additional candidate interviews. The tour will conclude Thursday, Sept. 18 with candidate interviews in Gig Harbor and Puyallup. Visit the AWB Web site for the full schedule and details or contact Bonnie Millikan at (360) 943-1600 to register for the remaining events.

 

Time running out to submit questions for AWB’s 19th Annual Policy Summit
With Policy Summit just a week away, now’s the time to submit your questions for the candidate debates. Send us your questions for the debates for governor, attorney general, superintendent of public instruction and lands commissioner. All questions must include the name, title and organization of the individual submitting the question. Send your questions for the debate to AWB’s director of communications, Jocelyn McCabe. The gubernatorial debate starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25. Debates for other key elected positions, including superintendent of public instruction, attorney general and public lands commissioner are also scheduled. For a full agenda and to register, click here.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Registration for Policy Summit is now full!
For placement on a waiting list, contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.

 

Hear from the candidates themselves on AWB’s Elections Web site
What do the candidates for lands commissioner have to say about climate change? How would the candidates for state auditor ensure an efficient and effective use of public resources? Find out this week when you visit AWB’s Decision 2008 Web site. These brief videos give voters a quick glimpse of the candidates discussing issues of importance to Washington’s business community. Next week, we’ll add videos from the candidates for OSPI and treasurer.

 

Register to vote and cast your ballot!
Remember the 2000 election where it came down to a few hundred votes in Florida and then the U.S. Supreme Court had to decide that George Bush won the presidency? Remember the three — count them — THREE recounts in the Washington governor’s election before Chris Gregoire was declared the winner? Now think about how important your vote is! The presidential election will be predictably close this year and the 2008 gubernatorial election in Washington is a rematch between Gregoire and Dino Rossi. Register to vote by Oct. 4.  For more information, go to the Secretary of State’s office. Whatever you do, vote this year!

 

AWB member needed to represent agriculture on WISHA Advisory Committee
AWB is searching for a member to represent agriculture industry issues on the WISHA Advisory Committee. The Department of Labor & Industries administers WISHA, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, passed in 1973. The WISHA Advisory Committee, formed in 1997, has four representatives from labor and four representatives from business. The committee discusses, debates, and advises the department on issues addressing workplace safety. The next quarterly meeting of the WISHA Advisory Committee is Wednesday, Nov. 12. For more information, contact AWB’s Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.

 

AWB’s annual Manufacturing Summit postponed
The annual Manufacturing Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 29, has been postponed. This event will be rescheduled at a future date to be determined. Questions? Contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.

 

September is National Disaster Preparedness and Weather Radio Awareness Month in Washington
Special events and promotions are on the calendar for the month of September across Washington to observe National Disaster Preparedness and Weather Radio Awareness Month. Special materials, including drill instructions for the Sept. 24 statewide Drop, Cover and Hold earthquake drill and 72-hour comfort kit fact sheets are available online from the Washington Emergency Management Division. Several NOAA weather radio sale events will be held at retail stores in Pacific, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Clallam counties. For more information, contact Rosanne Garrand, EMD public education program coordinator, at (253) 512-7419.

 

Supreme Court extends smoking ban. Read about it this week in Olympia Business Watch!
Last week, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld the state’s voter-approved ban on indoor smoking and places of employment. To learn more, visit AWB’s blog, Olympia Business Watch. You can also get to the latest take on Washington politics and related news from around the country.

 

Climate Change Subcommittee meeting on Sept. 29
The next AWB Climate Change Subcommittee meeting will be Monday, Sept. 29 in the AWB large conference room from 10 a.m. - noon. The main item on the agenda will be to hear from the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Janice Adair and Matt Steuerwalt from the governor’s office regarding the Western Climate Initiative’s final design of the regional cap and trade program (scheduled for release on Sept. 23) and the agreement that awaits WCI partners’ signatures. For more information, contact Grant Nelson at (360) 943-1600.

 

OSHA 10-hour certification course
Get current on the latest in safety training and OSHA standards. Classes will be held Oct. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Tacoma. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Click here for additional information and to register. For more information, please contact AWB’s Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600.

 

Army Reserve program helps employers find qualified candidates
Employers looking for new hires with specific training and skills may want to consider the new Employer Outreach Program developed by the Army Reserve. Shortages of trained workers in both the civilian and military sectors prompted the innovative new program. The military can offer a labor pool of background security-screened applicants with specific skills across all industries (e.g., medical, automotive and logistics). This unique partnership agreement between businesses and the Reserve provides opportunities for skilled soldiers and businesses that need experienced employees. For more information, contact Col. Lee Kirby, chief of staff, at (206) 301.2015. Or, visit the Army Reserve Web site.

 

Applications now being accepted for Don Brunell Scholarship
AWB members with children or grandchildren in college or planning to attend college in 2009 are encouraged to apply for the 2009 Don Brunell Scholarship for Future Business Leaders. The AWB Board established the scholarship, funded by AWB members in honor of Don to inspire and aid Washington’s future business leaders. Recipients may receive up to $2,000. The scholarship targets undergraduate, graduate or career/vocational students currently pursuing or who intend to pursue a course of education that will lead to a degree or certification in business from any public or private university, community or technical college or private career school. In 2008, AWB awarded four scholarships for a total of $2,500.

The deadline for submitting applications for the 2009 school year is Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. Scholarships will be announced and awarded on or about Jan. 15, 2009. For complete details on eligibility, application packet and instructions to complete the application, please contact the scholarship administrator, Mike Hudson.

 

Coming soon: AWB’s 2008 election preview in Washington Business magazine
Get AWB’s take on the 2008 presidential and statewide elections. Our September/October issue will soon be out with an array of stories on this fall’s big races and election issues. Not receiving the magazine? Contact J-Anne Nepomuceno at (360) 943-1600 to request a copy.

Member news: New COO at SEL
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc., recently announced the appointment of Nancy Hindman as chief operating officer. Hindman will lead the day-to-day activities of the organization based on the goals and objectives established by SEL’s president and its board of directors. SEL designs, manufactures and services complete solutions for the protection, control, automation, and metering of electric power systems worldwide.  The Pullman-based company employs 1,800 people in more than 70 locations around the world and sells products in 124 countries.

 

Healthy Worksite Summit
As the direct and indirect costs of poor employee health continue to grow, employers must develop strategies and utilize tools to reverse this trend. The 22nd Annual Healthy Worksite Summit will help your organization develop new programs, revitalize an existing program and share best practices that will motivate and sustain a healthy and productive work environment. The summit is set for Oct. 1-2 at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue and on Oct. 3 at the Deaconess Health and Education Center in Spokane. For more information, visit the Association of Washington Cities online.

 

Improve your knowledge and skills in the field of safety
AWB and Sedgwick CMS have jointed together to sponsor a Safety Academy for all AWB members at no charge. This program offers an opportunity for you to obtain Certified Safety Coordinator status upon completion of seven required classes and five electives. Click here for more information and to download a brochure and view the schedule of classes nearest to you. Or, contact Bob Meyer with any additional questions.

 

Remain competitive with current compensation data
In today’s changing economy, HR professionals face the challenge of cutting costs while still retaining their best employees. That’s why AWB has partnered with Compdata Surveys to offer Compensation Data - Pacific Northwest, the largest pay and benefits survey in the region. This resource includes data on benefits, pay practices and salaries for more than 600 job titles.

Significant savings are available when you order a two-year subscription! Receive the 2008 results now for $489 and the 2009 results next summer for only $349. Note: Participation in the 2009 survey is required. As a member of AWB, you’ll also receive an additional $20 off your order. To order the Compensation Data - Pacific Northwest survey results, contact Compdata Surveys at (800) 300-9570. Mention the promo code AWB to receive your full discount.