HomeMy WebLinkAbout042325 - National County Government Month! – Week 4!ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
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April is National County Government Month!
All of April we've been celebrating the vital role counties play in shaping strong, thriving communities across Washington State. From delivering essential services to championing innovative
solutions, counties are on the front lines every day. This year’s theme, "Voices of Impact," highlights the power of clear, strategic communication—both within county teams and with
the public—to drive meaningful change.
To mark the occasion, we sat down with the Presidents of the Washington Association of County Commissioners/Council Clerks and the Washington State Emergency Management Association,
where they shared their unique perspectives on serving in county government and what it means to be an affiliate member of the Washington State Association of Counties.
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Get to Know the WACCC President
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We reached out to the President of the Washington Association of County Commissioners/Council Clerks, to learn more about the affiliate group, what it does, and why it's important!
Carlye Baity
Clerk of the Board, CMC
Douglas County Commissioners
Tell us a little about what brought you to your current county role:
When I stumbled upon my role as the Clerk of the Board to the County Commissioners, I was looking for a good work/life balance. I immediately became intrigued with Local Government
and enjoyed helping the public connect with their Elected Officials. As the Clerk of the Board you are the intersection of multiple departments, gaining exposure to a wide range of
county operations. I gained most of my experience at Chelan County where I began working for the Chelan County Commissioners in June of 2011. During that time I served seven different
Commissioners. In 2023, I made the move across the river to Douglas County, where I was born and raised and have served a new board of Commissioners since. During my 14 years, I have
advanced in my career through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) and have obtained my Certified Municipal Clerks Certification (CMC). I am currently serving my second
year as President of the Washington Association of County Commission/Council Clerks.
What do you see as the most valuable aspect of your affiliate group?
The most valuable aspect of being a part of WACCC is the peer support and shared knowledge. Our association is in constant contact – We share best practices, upcoming legislation, technology
rollouts and everyday challenges. There is so much to learn in local government and everything is always changing. Even though we are one of the smaller affiliate groups, our collective
expertise gives us access to real-world solutions from those who have already faced similar issues.
What has been your favorite part of being President?
Serving as President of WACCC has been a rewarding experience. It has given me the opportunity to expand my professional network and build strong, lasting relationships with clerks and
staff from counties across the state. Collaborating with others who understand the challenges of our work has strengthened my leadership and reinforced the value of connection.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Having grown up in Waterville, which is the County seat, I feel like I’m back home again. I love working for a smaller County, especially one that holds the same values as me.
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Get to Know the WSEMA President
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We reached out to the President of the Washington State Emergency Management Association, to learn more about the affiliate group, what it does, and why it's important!
Alysha Kaplan
Deputy Director of Emergency Management
King County
Tell us a little about what brought you to your current county role:
I worked at WA EMD for many years, and while I loved my role and my team, I often felt removed from the ability to make a direct impact on our communities. Over time, I realized that
a role at the local level would allow me to make a much greater difference on a day-to-day basis. After 13 years at the state, I took the leap and joined King County Emergency Management
as the Deputy Director in October 2019—just in time for COVID!
I found my way into emergency management somewhat unexpectedly after working in the private sector. At the time, I was fortunate enough to take six months each year to focus on community
work. During that period, I engaged in initiatives like running Weed & Seed Grant programs for at-risk children and youth in the summer.
One day, someone sent me an announcement for a six-month disaster recovery project with Washington State that they thought I might enjoy. It sounded like a perfect fit for my interests
and schedule, so I decided to give it a try. That marked the beginning of my incredibly rewarding career in emergency management. I started in early 2007, working in disaster recovery.
I quickly progressed to a supervisory role and later took on a promotion to executive leadership. I had the privilege of serving as the Governor’s Authorized Representative and State
Coordinating Officer for Washington State, playing a significant role in responding to numerous federally declared disasters. These leadership positions allowed me to shape disaster
recovery efforts and make critical decisions to support communities during challenging times.
What do you see as the most valuable aspect of your affiliate group?
To me, being part of WSEMA means having a voice to help shape our industry and amplify the concerns of our members across the state as part of the larger emergency management community.
While we’ve always had a fantastic conference, I believe in creating value every single day. That’s what the WSEMA Executive Board and I are dedicated to—whether it’s enhancing professional
development resources, building strong partnerships with affiliate associations, fostering relationships with elected officials on behalf of our members, or advocating for legislation
that creates meaningful impacts for our communities.
What has been your favorite part of being President?
I have to say, it’s the relationships with the other WSEMA Executive Board members that mean the most to me. I never expected to feel such a strong bond with a group of peers, but they
truly are the heart and soul of this organization. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything on track for our members, and their dedication inspires me every day.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Before joining the WSEMA Executive Board, I had built strong connections with peers across the state. However, what truly surprised me was the breadth and depth of the emergency management
community in Washington State across various sectors. We are fortunate to have a remarkable network of professionals, each with an incredible heart for serving their communities. Being
part of this community is genuinely inspiring and motivates me every day.
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How Your County Can Participate!
Voices of Impact puts a special focus on the importance of effective and strategic communication, and the impact of communication, both internally and externally. Throughout April, WSAC
will be highlighting the outstanding voices of our partners and affiliates. Be on the lookout for weekly emails, new podcast episodes, and even awesome SWAG boxes coming to each county
across our state!
What can your county do? We want you to use your voice to engage your communities and staff to share their amazing stories of impact! Share them on social media, in your publications,
and at events! Then, share those with WSAC so we can help amplify your voices across the state!
Looking for some ideas? We have some great resources available for you with even more on the way throughout the month!
* NACo's National County Government Month page <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTg0NzM3LTdmMjFlN0tIMzY5Sg==/4/jpn---plus---R8sS0ze76OGxI0Ohmah---slash---KeQKXOqVoEgb6Cf---sla
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* WSAC's National County Government Month page <https://members.wsac.org/admin-portal/email-engine/link/MTg0NzM3LTdmMjFlN0tIMzY5Sg==/5/RJKmuzQUUU6DRtiovigoPzdLy6MCt6VYq66XfUWBkbpGp6i0gwMPDXUM0u---plu
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