Frequently asked questions about the AWC Board of Directors
What is the AWC Board of Directors?
The Board is the governing body of the Association of Washington Cities, a private nonprofit corporation, and is responsible for providing continuing guidance and direction to the Association's CEO and staff.
The AWC Board provides specific guidance regarding legislative proposals on the basis of the AWC Statement of Policy and Resolutions adopted at the annual business meeting by delegates from the Association of Washington Cities’ member cities and towns. The Board also reviews and adopts the Association's annual operating budget, establishes membership fees, and provides policy direction regarding other issues of concern to the Association.
Some AWC Board members also serve on the governing board of the Association of Washington Cities Employee Benefits Trust.
Who is on the AWC Board?
The AWC Board is comprised of 25 members, as follows:
- A President, Vice-President, Immediate Past President and Past President
- One local elected official from each of the 14 AWC districts statewide, except for the City of Seattle which has 2 seats on the board
- 2 local elected officials representing Western Washington at-large
- 2 local elected officials representing Eastern Washington at-large
- The President and Past President of the Washington City/County Management Association
AWC Board Legislative Steering Committee roster
What are the qualifications for board members?
The AWC Bylaws require Board members to be elected city officials, or appointed city/county managers, in the case of the representatives of the Washington City/County Management Association. In the case of Board members elected from districts, the official must be from a city or town located within the respective AWC district.
As far as the at-large positions are concerned, the western positions are filled by city officials from a city or town located west of the crest of the Cascade Mountain range and the eastern positions are filled by city officials from a city or town located east of the crest of the Cascade Mountain range. The western at-large position number two and the eastern at-large position number four must represent a city or town of less than 5,000 population.
What other qualifications or experience are beneficial for a city official considering serving on the AWC Board?
Board members have generally found it helpful to be acquainted with the Association of Washington Cities and its purposes, policies and programs. Knowing area legislators, the ability to attend full-day Board meetings and special meetings as needed, and to be generally interested in taking an active part in AWC activities throughout the year, are all beneficial.
How are board members elected?
Prior to the annual business meeting, a Nominating Committee appointed by the AWC President solicits local officials interested in being considered for election to the AWC Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee is responsible for nominating local officials to be submitted to city delegates during the AWC annual business meeting. Nominating may also be made from the floor of the annual business meeting. The voting delegates from each city and town represented at the business meeting cast ballots to elect members of the Board of Directors.
When are the board members elected?
Board members are elected during the business meeting at the AWC annual conference. District positions are two-year terms (even-numbered districts are up for election in even years and odd-numbered districts in odd years) and the at-large and officer positions are one-year terms. The Board is authorized by the AWC Bylaws to appoint elected city officials to fill the remainder of unexpired terms when vacancies on the Board occur.
Who pays a board member's expenses?
AWC is responsible for reimbursing Board members for lodging, travel, and incidental expenses incurred in conjunction with attendance at AWC Board meetings.
What is the AWC Employee Benefits Trust?
The AWC Employee Benefits Trust is a multi-employer benefit Trust created by the Association of Washington Cities to make available affordable employee benefit plans to Washington cities and their employees. The AWC Trust is an entity separate from AWC, but some members of the AWC Board also serve as trustees of the AWC Trust.
The AWC Trust makes available medical, dental, vision, life, long term disability, long term care and EAP coverage to more than 280 cities and other public entities, and covers more than 15,000 employees statewide.
What is the AWC Risk Management Service Agency?
The AWC Risk Management Service Agency (AWC RMSA) is a public, member-owned, property and liability self-insurance pool. Like the AWC Trust, AWC RMSA is a separate entity from AWC, but members of the AWC Board serve as members of the AWC RMSA Board. AWC RMSA currently provides liability and property insurance to over 84 cities.
What is the AWC Workers’ Compensation Retrospective Pool?
Retro provides cities/towns the opportunity to receive refunds of their state L&I premiums in proportion to the programs total claims experience. An advisory committee composed of eight geographically dispersed cities assists the Retro Board of Directors to develop polices, operating procedures and member underwriting. AWC's Retro Program currently includes 79 cities and towns.
How may I obtain additional information regarding the AWC Board of Directors?
This website has extensive information about the programs and organization of the association. You may also contact Gayla Gjersten or DeAnn Hartman in the Association's office in Olympia, 1076 Franklin Street SE, Olympia, WA 98501, or call toll-free 1-800-562-8981 or (360) 753-4137.