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Our voice is BUILDing |
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 Hello RAIN Community,
Please see the below message from our friends at the Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity (BUILD) BRG. RAIN’s leadership joins with BUILD in expressing our love and support for all of those affected and suffering due to the tragedy in Buffalo, NY over the weekend. We specifically hold members of the LGBTQ+ community, who have faced discrimination and abuse, in our thoughts and encourage our community to seek ways to uplift and support those and other marginalized voices in this conflict. In Solidarity, Taja Blackhorn, Co-Chair Ryan Douglas, Co-Chair Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network (RAIN) Original message from RAIN  A message from Blacks United In Leadership and Diversity (BUILD):
With a heavy heart, we are forced to reconcile, yet again, that there is still much work to do in America when it comes to racism, hate, and supremacy-mindedness. The tragedy of Buffalo, NY is senseless and disheartening. We at BUILD, stand with the families affected and mourn the lives lost. We encourage you all to be vigilant about your safety, hold those you love a little tighter, and keep making space for change and justice for our people. For more information on this tragedy, we invite you to visit the Anti-Defamation League blog. We also invite you, as state workers, to use the Washington State Employee Assistance Program. Sincerely, Build Leadership The Washington State DEI Summit is June 7, 14, 21, and 28. This event is virtual. This year's theme this: Acknowledging Our Past, Transforming Our Future  Interviews about the Summit moderated by BUILD's very own, Sharon Armstrong! Check out more interviews! Juneteenth is a state holiday! Watch this space for more info as it becomes available. This event also serves as BUILD's June General Membership Meeting.   Tacoma, WA – Cultural documentarian, author and photographer Candacy Taylor is the number one person you’d want to ask about the Green Book. She crisscrossed tens of thousands of miles in the United States to research and write The Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America. The 2020 book became the basis for The Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition, created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and co-curated by Taylor. The exhibition is on view at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma through June 12. The Black Heritage Society of Washington State has partnered with the History Museum and invites the community to meet Candacy Taylor at a free author talk and book signing on Thursday, May 19 at 6:00 PM.
May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People. To learn more on how you can take action, you are invited to visit: Tai Simpson’s essay in Cosmopolitan on the MMIW Crisis Morning Star Gali’s podcast interview with Alicia Garza on Indigenous resistance.  THE CITY OF OLYMPIA’S COMMUNITY WORKGROUP ON REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU!4/20/2022
From the City of Olympia to BUILD:
The City has launched a community-led process to ensure our public safety system works for everyone. This process is being led by a Community Work Group who is hosting a series of Listening-and-Learning Sessions during April and May. We invite you BUILD and members of your community to join us on the evening of April 28, 2022, between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. PST for an in-person conversation on:
The City of Olympia is dedicated to deeper exploration of racism, and specifically anti-Black racism. Marginalized communities such as people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community and specifically people who are transgender or non-binary, immigrants, people in poverty, and many others also have important concerns. Together, we’re committed to a better understanding of these to ensure that everyone in our community feels that the public safety system works for them. To do that, we need to hear from People of Color community members. The listening-and-learning sessions are brave spaces for honest sharing and conversation about what’s important to you, your experiences, and your ideas for reimagining public safety for our community. Together, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone in our community feels that the public safety system works for them. To do that, we need to hear from you. The listening-and-learning sessions are brave spaces for honest sharing and conversation about what’s important to you, your experiences, and your ideas for reimagining public safety for our community. Background While recognizing that many far-reaching societal factors (education, housing access, racism, etc.) can influence public safety, this process takes a closer look at specifically the City’s public safety system, which includes areas like policing, crisis response, corrections, prosecution, defense, courts, and medical and fire response. This effort is being led by a Community Work Group made up of nine community members who represent a cross-section of Olympia’s demographics, expertise, and experiences. The members are dedicated to listening carefully to community members, with an emphasis on voices of people that have often been excluded from decision-making. Using what they learn, they will work together to prepare recommendations for the Olympia City Council that represent the needs of our community. The work group’s intention is to provide a facilitated opportunity for safe, intimate discussion. However, please share this invitation with specific members of your community who you feel would be an asset to this important conversation. To learn more about this process, including how to register for the listening-and-learning session, and view helpful pre-discussion materials, visit engage.olympiawa.gov/publicsafety. Fellow BUILD members, It is time for new leadership to continue expanding on what we've built, bringing new ideas and a fresh perspective to lead BUILD forward in 2022-2023! Serving on our Executive Leadership Team is considered part of your regular duties. Leave is never required; you just need your supervisor’s approval to spend some of your work time doing this important and meaningful work. Talk with your supervisor about your capacity to serve! There are two positions available: Co-Chair and Executive Assistant - each position description is attached. These are professional development opportunities leading a statewide program. No specific experience is required - just a few key competencies and a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion are all we need. Note, candidates must be public service employees with the state or at a state higher education institution. These are truly unique opportunities to expand your network, grow personally and professionally, serve your fellow state employees and the Black community, and inspire, influence, and impact the direction of EDI work in Washington State. Put that on your resume! Nominations are open now through April 30, 2022. Any BUILD member can nominate or be nominated. In May, our current leadership will meet with all nominees to discuss the opportunity. No one will be announced as a candidate without their consent. We will present leadership roles and more information at our April General Membership Meeting. Be sure to save the date, Thursday, April 21st, from 9 am to noon. Are you interested? Nominate yourself! Do you know someone who might be interested? Nominate them! Do you know someone who would benefit from this opportunity? Nominate them! Do you know a great leader who would benefit BUILD? Nominate them! Please email nominee names to BUILD at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov MORE INFORMATION Below and attached is more information about these positions and the key competencies needed. You can also find this information and more on our website here. BUILD is an all-volunteer organization of state employees, led by state employees for state employees. Our current Executive Leadership Team has led BUILD from inception in June 2019 to where we are today. We are one of six Business Resource Groups (BRGs) sponsored by the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and sanctioned to operate as official state business by our Governor. There is no specific time required to serve, but you can expect to spend 4 to 8 hours per week connecting, communicating, organizing, planning, presenting, etc. BUILD's foundation is solid, we have processes in place, and we have a strong team of subcommittee leaders committed to our mission, vision, and values. Our current leadership will ensure a smooth transition and is committed to providing all the training and support our new leaders need to be successful. No one will be announced as a candidate without their consent, so nominate today! Email nominee names to BUILD at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov 
 Proposed rules filed: public comment period now open
Approved proposed rulemaking (CR 102) regarding amendments to existing rules and a new rule section that would establish the Social Equity in Cannabis Program in response to recommendations of the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force, and other statutory requirements. The proposal creates a regulatory framework for the distribution of licenses that are currently available from cannabis retailer licenses that have been subject to forfeiture, revocation or cancellation by the Board, or cannabis retailer licenses that were not previously issued by the Board, but could have been issued without exceeding the limit on the statewide number of cannabis retailer licenses established by the Board before January 1, 2020.  The Disability Inclusion Network is NOW accepting nominations for the Respect, Acceptance, and Dignity for Persons with Disabilities (RADD) Award.
Do you know a state agency/division/higher education that has made significant changes in Disability Inclusion, awareness, and acceptance? Is there someone you know who has made an outstanding contribution by being a strong advocate to Disability justice, inclusion, accessibility, and acceptance, by going above and beyond? If YES, DIN needs YOU to nominate your team, person, higher education, and agency/division! Submit your nomination by COB May 16, 2022. Award Ceremony will be held on July 27th, 2022, from 12:00pm-1:00pm and will be virtual.  2022_dad_panel_application_final.docxRegister here to join us for this free online event! Please join us for our 4th-annual Washington Fatherhood Summit! This three-day event starts Tuesday, May 24, and concludes Thursday, May 26. We’ll start each day with a welcome message at 8:30 a.m. and our activities will conclude a little after 1 p.m. We’ve got presentations, forums and panels scheduled with leadership from Washington state agencies, experts in the education field, and advocates for fathers everywhere. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in our 2022 Fatherhood Photo Contest! You can submit photos until 5 p.m. on May 9. The Summit Award winner will receive a $200 gift certificate and the next five vote getters will receive $100 gift certificates. Click here for the photo submission form and instructions. We’re still looking for dads to take part in our Dads Panel roundtable discussions and service providers to take part in our fatherhood program showcase discussion. 
Women, Interagency Committee of State Employed (ICSEW) has teamed up with Amy Leneker to sponsor a few events throughout the year and wants to share these opportunities for learning and development with BUILD! These events are open to all but registration for each event will be capped at 950 participants so register as soon as possible to reserve a seat. Attached is the flyer. Find more information on Amy's website.  
 na-admin.eventscloud.com/eSites/670086/HomepageSubmit a workshop proposal for the 2022 Opioid Summit by Friday, April 8th, 5pm. The Region 10 Opioid Summit Planning Committee invites you to submit a workshop proposal to present at the 2022 Opioid Summit. Workshop proposals should fit into one of the highlighted topics, and address the conference theme We are the Foundation: Improving the Workforce Pillars for Opioid Prevention, treatment, Recovery, and Intervention. Highlighted Tracks
Visit the Region 10 Opioid Topics of Interest for more information and submit your workshop proposal.
About the Conference The Region 10 Opioid Summit is an opportunity for professionals from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Indian Nations, urban Indian health programs, and recognized American Indian organizations to meet and explore ways to address the opioid crisis. We invite you to attend the virtual summit!  The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is hosting a Listen and Learn session about conceptual draft rules on the Social Equity in Cannabis Program. The session is designed to get public and licensee feedback on rule concepts before the agency moves toward a rule proposal.
In late October 2021, while awaiting recommendations from the Social Equity in Cannabis Task Force (Task Force), the LCB began to consider amendments to existing rule and new rules that would both support and establish the Social Equity in Cannabis program. The CR 101, or Statement of Inquiry, was filed as WSR 21-22-042 on October 27, 2021. The 2022 National Women’s History Theme: “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”  Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
The 2022 Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”, is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. This year, in particular, we are reminded of the importance of healers and caregivers who are helping to promote and sustain hope for the future. The NWHA encourages communities throughout the country to honor local women who bring and have historically brought these priceless gifts to their families, workplaces, and neighborhoods, sometimes at great sacrifice. These are the women who, as counselors and clerics, artists and teachers, doctors, nurses, mothers, and grandmothers listen, ease suffering, restore dignity, and make decisions for our general as well as our personal welfare.
2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a landmark piece of legislation for gender equity. The law ensures that all education programs and activities receiving federal funding must protect students and employees from sex-based discrimination and bans many aspects of gender inequality that had previously been tolerated or overlooked in education. Despite consistent attempts through legislation, executive actions, and lawsuits to diminish its effectiveness, Title IX continues to provide these protections today. The 2022 National Women’s History Theme Women's History Month.gov Women’s History Month 2022: Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX International Women's Day.com Compiled by BUILD for Women's History Month, 2022.   Message of Solidarity Today, we express solidarity with the people impacted and suffering because of the Russian and Ukrainian conflict in Europe. We mourn with those who have lost family and friends, and we sympathize with the refugees that have been displaced.
Our thoughts are with all of them in these darkest hours, and we call on the world community to provide them with practical support, aid, and refuge. The civilians and their families and friends have the right to go about their daily lives in peace. Washington Immigrant Network’s leadership team is committed to supporting our state employees impacted by this conflict. We stand in solidarity with all peaceful efforts to commit to providing a platform for dialogue among diverse groups about this crisis. WIN will be hosting a Solidarity Gathering on Thursday, March 3rd from 12 pm-1 pm. You can download the calendar - Solidarity Gathering.ics You can also visit our website for additional information here. We’ve also included some resources from the Employee Assistance Program for your reference. You can also contact EAP at (877) 313-4455 for support. In Solidarity, Washington Immigrant Network Leadership Team  There is a new platform created for everyone to engage in honest dialogue to foster understanding about racial equity, justice, and belonging so we can co-create a state government system that works for everyone. The Office of Equity is holding monthly conversations called “Real Talk”. This was created for state agency employees to lean in, be curious, and become open to exploring experiences different from their own. You can register HERE for the first conversation in this series.  L-R: Megan Matthews, Kendrick Stewart, Dr. Karen A. Johnson Seriously, like, this is AMAZING! Check it out as a webpage. The pdf is simply too cool, you need to see this!
The RAIN employee business resource group will be hosting a special guest speaker to celebrate Black History Month. Register here. Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter is the Scott Waugh endowed chair in the Division of the Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at UCLA, coined the term #BlackLivesMatter, and author of four books. His research, activism and commentary have been featured in various journals, social media platforms, and news media. Join us as we have a conversation with Dr. Hunter as he discusses the quest for systemic racial equality in America. Auto live captions will be enabled and ASL services provided for this event. Please email rain@ofm.wa.gov for any additional accommodation requests.  Register for the 2nd annual Black Girl Freedom Week**, February 14-20, 2022. Black Girl Freedom Week 2022 Registration (google.com)
This week of celebration and action is hosted by the #1Billion4BlackGirls campaign, and Black Girl Freedom Fund (BGFF), an initiative of Grantmakers for Girls* of Color (G4GC). Black Girl Freedom Week uplifts what is possible when we invest abundantly in the dreams, power and leadership of Black girls, femmes and gender-expansive youth, and work together to co-create a future where they are safe, free, and thriving. An additional interactive space for those 25 and younger will be held on Friday, February 18. Participants can register on Hopin The Northwest Naturals Expo Fri, Feb 18, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Feb 20, 2022, 5:00 PM PST Renton, WA https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northwest-naturals-expo-tickets-188858198957 Content compiled by The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA).
Despite their constant presence in even the earliest iterations of the nation’s armed forces, the service of a Black individual has only recently been measured equally against that of a white servicemember. Though more visceral and violent acts of discrimination may have greatly diminished in our modern era, there’s still advancement to be made.
Around 9,000 Black soldiers served during the Revolutionary War, many of whom were slaves enticed to enlist with the promise of freedom, only to find themselves forced back into bondage after the close of the conflict. During the Civil War, the Black servicemen of the Union were treated in different wards than the white soldiers. These wards were poorly staffed and undersupplied, leading to many Black soldiers dying from wounds that white soldiers would survive. The Confederate Army used both free and enslaved Black people for labor and menial tasks but refused to enlist them as combat infantry. BUILD recommends the following resource as we celebrate Black History Month, 2022. From the video description: "It's February, so many teachers and schools are taking time to celebrate Black History Month. According to Stanford historian Michael Hines, there are still misunderstandings and misconceptions about the past, present, and future of the celebration. In this installment of Tiny Lectures, Hines talks about the beginnings and evolution of Black History Month. Michael Hines is an assistant professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. He teaches courses on the history of education, and specifically the history of African American education, in the United States."  Tacoma, WA – Black History Month is an opportunity to explore the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in our past and honor those in our present. You can explore stories and make connections through online and in-person activities with the Washington State Historical Society (WSHS), including:
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