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Community Involvement Commission Annual Report

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Members of the Community Involvement Commission at the January 22 event

The City of Seattle’s Community Involvement Commission (CIC) recently published their first annual report in which they highlighted commission members’ efforts to stand up the commission and get to work advising City departments and staff.

They shared this report at a successful launch event on January 22. The event was attended by City staff, as well as dozens of commissioners from other City Commissions. CIC members presented about their work and then hosted breakout discussions aimed at helping City Commissioners highlight best practices, build connections, share resources, and apply a race and social justice lens to their outreach work.

The Community Involvement Commission advises City of Seattle departments and staff on coordinated, citywide outreach and engagement activities.

If you want to learn more about the commission or are interested in attending an upcoming meeting, go to seattle.gov/neighborhoods/community-involvement-commission.

If you have questions or would like to contact the commission, send an email to CommunityInvolvementCommission@seattle.gov.

Bill to Protect Kids from Lead-Contaminated Drinking Water in WA Schools Introduced finds elevated lead levels in Seattle schools

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A state bill to protect kids from lead in school drinking water has been introduced in Olympia by Rep. Gerry Pollet.  HB 1860 would require schools to notify parents when tests detect lead levels at 1 part per billion (ppb), and to fix water outlets where lead levels reach 5 ppb or higher.

“Here in the 21st century, it is astounding that the water our children drink is sometimes laced with lead – a toxic substance that damages our children’s health, learning, and development,” said Bruce Speight, Environment Washington Director.  “We thank Rep. Pollet for introducing this important bill to put our schools on track to get the lead out.”

 

Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that causes chronic problems: it lowers IQ and causes behavioral problems.  Lead is especially damaging to kids – impairing how they learn, grow, and behave.  Medical literature cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shows more than 24 million children in America are at risk of losing IQ points due to low levels of lead.

 

“Schools should be safe places for our kids to learn and play, but Washington is failing to protect our kids from lead in drinking water” said Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT, INND (Institute of Neurotoxicology & Neurological Disorders). “Kids’ developing brains are especially susceptible to highly toxic lead so it’s time to get the lead out.”

 

Lead contamination of school’s drinking water is widespread. A story in Sunday’s Seattle Times found that even in North Seattle’s more affluent neighborhoods “elevated lead levels appeared in tests at 36 percent of schools.”

 

The AAP has said no level of lead is safe for children and has called for an action level no higher than 1 ppb.  The Pediatricians’ recommendation to reduce the action level to 1 ppb is based on medical research showing that levels of lead above 1 ppb will reduce children’s IQ.

 

“Inaction on lead exposure to our children is inexcusable,” said Rep. Pollet, who is on the UW School of Public Health faculty. “We need to test school water and adopt standards based on protecting our children, especially those in the poorest of schools.”

 

Over the past two years, Environment Washington has released analysis in 2017 of Washington State’s efforts to address lead drinking water contamination, which gave Washington State a failing grade; has worked with state legislators to improve Washington state statutes regarding lead in school drinking water; has issued a toolkit for parents to address local lead issues; and we are currently preparing an analysis of testing data that will show even more of a problem.

 

“Lead has been banned in paint since 1977 and in gasoline for nearly as long; it’s about time we ‘get the lead out’ of our drinking water systems too. Rep. Pollet’s bill is a key step toward assuring safe drinking water for Washington children at school,” concluded Speight.

 

Come Celebrate Walker Chapel A.M.E Church New Location

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Rev. Dr. Anna L. Clark-Jones

Walker Chapel A.M.E Church, Pastor, Officers and Members are devoted to spreading Jesus Christ’s liberating gospel, advancing social justice, and following the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We are a loving and welcoming church. Our Pastor, The Rev. Dr. Anna L. Clark-Jones is a visionary, innovator and a powerful woman of God.

 Come join us as we advance the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Church Office is open Tuesday-Friday 10am-3pm
Sunday: 9-10:15am Church School 10:30am Worship Service
Wednesday: 11am-1pm Prayer Meeting and Bible Study Thursday: 6pm Bible Study Conference Call. We utilize Zoom Video Conferencing for our Thursday evening sessions. To access it please go to: https://zoom.us/j/629286776 Meeting ID: 629 286 776

2400 East Valley Road Renton, WA 98057
(425)226-2014  wcamechurch@yahoo.com

 

Train the Trainer

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Nonprofit people are busy and don’t have time to spare. That’s why Washington Nonprofits supports those who teach nonprofit people to make every learning event excellent and action-focused.

PLAN A WORKSHOP or WEBINAR

We have created a few resources to help presenters get ready for a workshop or webinar.

  • Tips for Delivering a Great Workshop – We have pulled together a few ideas that every trainer or presenter might consider.
  • Workshop Planner -Download this worksheet to sketch out a learning experience that is engaging and action-focused.
  • Evaluation – We updated our evaluation form to improve what we learn about attendees and presenters. Our goal is to close the gap between what they knew coming into the workshop and what they know when leaving. The evaluation form is a helpful document for presenters to read in advance to get ideas on how to help people with a range of prior knowledge, how to move those people to action, and what to look for afterwards to know if we were successful.
  • “So You’ve Been Selected” – Guila Muir provides excellent tips for people who are planning a conference workshop.

In addition, we recommend trainers follow the kite method described in the book Instructional Design That Soars: Shaping What You Know Into Classes That Inspire by Guila Muir. Washington Nonprofits delivers regular “Train the Trainer” workshops.

 

MORE ON WASHINGTON NONPROFIT WEBINARS

Over the past few years, we have been inspired by experts (like Eureka) pushing on the webinar format for better learning experiences. Typical Washington Nonprofit webinars now have:

  • Priming opportunities – We invite people to think about the topic or do some advanced work prior to the webinar.
  • Webinar “Place Mat” – Reflection is as important to people learning in person as it is in e-learning experiences. That’s why we created a “place mat” to center ideas and reflections as a webinar unfolds. Here is one example.
  • Post event action – We want people to do something differently because they attended a webinar. We ask for an action update immediately after and then 4 weeks later (for longer series)

 

LEARN MORE FROM OTHERS

Mark Nilles at Humentum has put together two helpful (short) videos on how to create an engage workshop and how to determine what kind of session to offer.

And for a quick video on how people learn, we appreciate Ulrich Boser’s work in this area. Click here for his recent TEDx Talk on how we learn.

If you are interested in being a part of our growing community of trainers who spend time thinking about adult learning and effective presenting, let us know! We will add you to our list so you hear about upcoming events.

 

In Loving Memory of Frank Fields, Jr.

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Frank Fields Jr.

Frank Fields, Jr. of Seattle and Oklahoma City passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 28, 2019, at age 88, in his home in Renton, Washington.

Known for his friendly, open manner and giant smile, Frank was born in Osceola, Arkansas on February 4, 1930 as the only child to the union of Ophelia Willis and Frank Fields, Sr. He lived in Osceola with his aunt and uncle, whom he fondly called “Aunt Tinny” and “Uncle Britches” until he went to the Woodstock Training School in Memphis, Tennessee. As a high schooler, he came to Seattle to be with his mother and graduated from Garfield High School.

After high school, he joined the Merchant Marines and traveled the world for several years before returning to Seattle and taking a job as a meter reader for the Seattle Water Department in 1953. This proved to be an important job, as Frank created a career at the Water Department. He remained there, rising through various positions until he retired in 1983 as the Director for Customer Service.

While working at the Water Department, Frank discovered golf. He played golf with a passion until he was no longer able. He was active in the Fir State Golf Club, (the first African American golf

Frank was an active the Fir State Golf Club, (the first African American golf club in Seattle), the Eastside Golf Club and the Eastern Golf Club (OK).

club in Seattle), the Eastside Golf Club and the Eastern Golf Club (OK).

He married Joyce Dugat in 1951 and they had two children, Frank Michael, and Michelle Marie.

In 1973, Frank married Lilliantyne (Tyna) Hooks and became stepfather to her two children, Laneyse and Quinton Hooks. Frank and Tyna celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary in July 2018.

He was a member of First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Seattle and Avery AME in Oklahoma City. Frank will be remembered for his love of golf and playing chess with his friend Morris Byrd.

Surviving family include his spouse, Tyna; son, Frank Michael; daughter, Michelle; granddaughter, La’Shelle Chandler, her husband, Mike Chandler and grandson, Benjamin; stepchildren, Quinton and Laneyse Hooks and her husband Richard Marchi; cousin, Marion Winbush; nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, February 8 at 11:00 a.m. at First AME Church, 1522 14th Avenue, Seattle. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 6 at First AME from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Men’s Ministry, FAME South, 1522 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122.

 

 

Our heartfelt condolences to the family of  Frank Fields, Jr.
Please Sign, Leave a Comment or Memory for the family to cherish

Motivated Employees May Not Create Motivated Businesses

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There are tons of self-help and qualified experts giving advice on how to motivate employees – but is motivating a business the same thing?  Not necessarily.
“A business is made up of employees, so the assumption is that if you motivate employees, you will motivate the business,” says Dr. Bobby Grossi, a motivational speaker and author of the book Destiny is Not Hereditary: How Becoming A Better You Impacts Others (www.drbobbyjgrossi.com). “That is not necessarily the case.’’
For example, if employees are motivated for the wrong reasons – such as focused only on money to the detriment of the overall health of the company – that can be a problem, Dr. Grossi says.
Plus, many surveys have found that employees (once they are given a living wage) are not primarily motivated by more money.
Psychology Today noted recently that most raises need to be at least 5 to 7% to truly motivate employees, and most raises are below that threshold.  This is especially true if the employer wants to impact daily behavior.
But other perks – meaningful work, good colleagues and prestigious work – in many situations can be primary motivators for employees.
Dr. Grossi says there are several ways employers can create motivated employees that really will impact the bottom line;
  • Trust your employees. You get trust by giving it. Trust your employees with more responsibility and see if it impacts their performance and attitude.
  • Treat your employees like people, not things. Don’t treat your employees like they are machines.  Enhance the social aspects of your workplace so employees feel they are part of a lively, energetic and positive team. The result will be increased productivity, reduced conflict and better problem-solving.
  • Respect your employees. Respect is a two-way street. If you respect employees, they will respect you and your business.  How do you show respect?  Most importantly, by listening to them. Look them in the eye and don’t be distracted. Your employees are your most important asset, so treat them that way.
  • Be transparent. The more transparency your company has, the easier it will be to get employees to pull together when times are challenging.  Plus, they will also feel they are more a part of the victory when accomplishments are achieved.
  • Give employees authority. Employees need to feel like they’re in control of their careers and have a say in what they do. This breeds confidence and encourages professional growth.

“It is not always about the money; sometimes it is about making employees feel their lives will be enriched by the work experience,”  Dr. Grossi says. “While these things don’t cost money, they do require the employer to consciously make investments in employees.”
About Dr. Grossi
Dr. Bobby Grossi is a motivational speaker and author of the book Destiny is Not Hereditary: How Becoming A Better You Impacts Others (www.drbobbyjgrossi.com). Dr. Grossi owns and operates two dental practices and is the co-owner of Great Lakes Dental Design. He founded the Grossi Institute for Dental Assisting in 2016, where he currently teaches.  Dr. Grossi received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan in 1998, and graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in 2003 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. He lives in Linden, Mich., with his wife, Sabrina, and their three children: son Brayden, and daughters Andelina and Zandria. He enjoys motivational speaking and writing.

Thanking firefighters and first responders for working the front lines

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Gov. Jay Inslee thanked a room of firefighters and emergency responders Tuesday for their hard work, saying he’ll continue fighting for collective bargaining, worker’s rights and worker’s compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder.

“We must take care of those who do the hard work of taking care of us,” Inslee said.

The governor said fire fighters understand and see the challenges associated with mental health and homelessness as they work throughout the state. Last year, Inslee signed a bill that allows fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical technicians who experience PTSD to make a claim for workers’ compensation.

The governor spoke as part of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters’ Annual Conference.

Hundreds of clean energy supporters rally in Olympia

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The push for legislators to support 100% clean energy got a boost this week when hundreds of Washingtonians came to Olympia this week to rally for climate action.

“We have many things we need to work on – saving our orcas and reducing oil spills – but I also want to address the central existential threat to the state of Washington, and that’s climate change,” Gov. Jay Inslee said during the rally with supporters. “We will rise to defeat the peril climate change and to maximize the promise of clean energy jobs in the state of Washington.”

Inslee also spoke to members of the CleanTech Alliance during their annual Clean Tech day in Olympia. The Alliance shared their experiences about how the governor’s Clean Energy Fund is helping unleash innovation in the clean tech sector, and Inslee encouraged them to share their creative solutions with their legislators.

“Talking to the right legislator with the right story can change the legislative course,” Inslee said during Monday’s meeting. “I’ve seen it on many occasions.”

The governor’s 100 percent clean energy bill passed out of a Senate committee this week, and the companion bill is scheduled for a House committee vote next week along with his clean buildings legislation.

I have an exciting announcement! I’m running to represent South Seattle on the Seattle City Council for District 2.

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As a community organizer and educator, I have worked directly on issues such as public safety, economic growth, and getting at-risk youth back on track in the greater Rainier Valley and beyond. I plan on taking my experience of relationship building with policy-making straight to the City Council to make sure that District 2 is getting the representation and attention it deserves. District 2 is one of the most diverse and culturally rich communities in the city and state. This is a fact that we can all be proud and excited about. I am running to represent District 2 on the City Council because it needs an effective leader who is well skilled at representing and listening to ALL communities. I have a deep understanding and experience with the community on the issues that needs to be resolved for the communities that call District 2 home. I am passionate about the community and will work at making meaningful and effective policy. I will not only support the people and businesses of South Seattle, but add to the tapestry of policy for everyone in Seattle. Being a Council Member is hard work and to make sure that Seattle and District 2  remains the “GEM of the City”, it will require a leader dedicated to the progress of the city, its businesses, and the lives of its people. We have to make sure that this community is a place where all people of all backgrounds and socioeconomic status can live and thrive.

“The Times Are A’ Changin”, and District 2 deserves a leader that has faced the same trials and tribulations as the residents who live here. We need more affordable housing for residents that are at risk of being pushed out, safer roads that don’t put our children and seniors at risk, and better transportation infrastructure so our residents have a reliable way to get to work and around their community. I have partnered, volunteered, and fought for the causes of numerous organizations, nonprofits, and community groups in South Seattle. If elected, I will continue to take these issues head on and give them  exposure at the highest levels of government with your help as a representative on the Seattle City Council.

I will work every day to make sure that Seattle is a place that continues to better itself and doesn’t leave anybody behind in the process. Please join my campaign as we fight to keep Seattle District 2 the Gem that we know it is.

We are currently working on getting the 150 qualifying donations for the democracy voucher campaign and we cannot do this without your help! Will you please contribute $10 or more today to start this campaign in the right direction? 

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I look forward to this campaign and hearing what issues matter the most to you!

Sincerely,
Phyllis Porter

Black History Month panel discussion on “Fighting Racism on the Job”

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Black History Month panel discussion on “Fighting Racism on the Job” Featuring a panel of workers, feminists and union activists who are standing up against harassment and discrimination on their jobs.  An open discussion will follow the speaker’s presentations. Saturday, February 23, 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:00pm. $2-5 door donation, dinner available for $8-10 donation. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave., S., Seattle. Hosted by Radical Women and Freedom Socialist Party. For more info or to reserve childcare: 206-722-2453, RWseattle@mindspring.com. Wheelchair accessible.