CEG Calendar

Coming events (Put them on your calendar):

  • TBD

Future Events (Save the dates):

  • See 8/19 Agenda below

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NOTICE               NOTICE                NOTICE


New Location for CEG Meetings           Tahoma Room in OT

  
Agenda CEG Meeting – Fri, Aug 19, 2022 – 4:00 p.m. Tahoma Rm & Zoom

Katherine Graubard, Facilitator
Rick Baugh, Minutes 
 Report on Past events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTRECORDING
July 28, Thurs – 3:30 p.m.            Candidate Soap Box – Host: Steve Ellis, Timer: Mary Jane Francis No

 Description of Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPLACE
Sept 16, Fri – 4:00 p.m. CEG Meeting Tahoma & Zoom
Sept 21, Wed – TBDAttorney General Bob Ferguson TBD
Oct 12, Wed – TBDVoting Systems Tutorial by Skyline Residents TBD
Oct 19, Wed – 7:30 p.m. Voting Systems Advocates Mt. B, Zoom & 370
Oct 26, Wed – 7:30 p.m. King County Prosecutor Forum          TBD
Nov 3, Thur – 3:00 p.m. General Election Skyline Soapbox TBD

Discussion on Future Activities 
Ideas on topics and speakers: 
Marc Dones, CEO, King County Regional Homelessness Authority (kcrha.org) – Kathy Bainbridge 
Dow Constantine, King County Executive – Katherine Graubard 
Possible Election Forums in October – Jim Sanders – Volunteers Needed
Secretary of State Candidate Forum
Decriminalization of Possession of Controlled Substances Forum 


Interview of Individuals Involved in Civic Activities
Bob Plotnick – Board Member of the Seattle Zoo 
 
Next CEG Meeting 
Fri., Sept 16, 2022 at 4:00 Tahoma Room (OT)

NOTE THE NEW LOCATION for Meetings
 
CEG Coordinators
Rick Baugh 
Katherine Graubard

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Quick Link to PDF of Minutes

                              Minutes CEG Meeting – June 17, 2022
Rick Baugh, Facilitator
Rick Baugh, Minutes 
Action items are in red
Report on Past events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTRecording
May 21, Sat – 10:30 a.m. One Seattle Day of Service – citywide volunteer event – First Hill Improvement Assoc. – Rick BaughNO
June 3, Fri, 11:00 a.m. Tina Podlodowski, Chair, Washington State Democrats – Katherine Graubard NO

 Description of Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
June 30, Thurs – 11:00 a.m. Ann Davison, Seattle City Attorney – Put Barber Performance Hall, Zoom & 370
July 12, Tues Voter Pamphlets mailed to voters  
July 13, Wed Ballots mailed to voters          
July 15, Fri – 4:00 p.m. CEG Meeting Mt. B & Zoom
July 24, Sun Last Day to mail Voter Registration / Change of Registration Form  
July 28, Thurs – 3:30 p.m. Candidate Soap Box – Host: Steve Ellis, Timer: Put Barber Mt. B & Zoom & 370
Aug 2, Tues Seattle Primary Election Day 
Ballots must be Postmarked by 8:00 p.m., Tues., Aug 2. 		Mail-in Ballot Deadline

Discussion on Future Activities
Ideas on topics and speakers: 

  • Marc Dones, CEO, King County Regional Homelessness Authority (kcrha.org) – Kathy Bainbridge – delayed. 
  • Dow Constantine, King County Executive – Katherine Graubard 
  • Possible Election Forums in October – Jim Sanders (If you would like to help please contact Jim Sanders at jimsanders1947.gmail.com.) 
  • Secretary of State Candidate Forum 
  • King County Prosecutor Candidate Forum 
  • Seattle Approval Voting Issue Forum 
  • Decriminalization of Possession of Controlled Substances Forum 
  • Changing the year in which County Officials are elected 

Other Reports of Civic Activities
Sign up for Representative Pramila Jayapal emails. She is now our Representative in Congress instead of Adam Smith.   

Interview of Individuals Involved in Civic Activities
Ed Marcuse on the board of the Burke Museum   

Next CEG Meeting
                    Fri., July 15, 2022 at 4:00 Mt. Baker


CEG Coordinators
Rick Baugh 
Katherine Graubard

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Agenda CEG Meeting – June 17, 2022


4:00 pm Mount Baker & Zoom
Rick Baugh, Facilitator
Rick Baugh, Minutes


Report on Past events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTRecording
May 21, Sat – 10:30 a.m.One Seattle Day of Service– citywide volunteer event – First Hill Improvement Assoc. – Rick BaughNO
June 3, Fri, 11:00 a.m.Tina Podlodowski, Chair, Washington State Democrats – Katherine Graubard??

Description of Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
June 30, Thurs – 11:00 a.m.Ann Davison, Seattle City Attorney – Put BarberMt. B & Zoom & 370
July 12, TuesVoter Pamphlets mailed to voters
July 13, WedBallots mailed to voters
July 15, Fri – 4:00 p.m.CEG MeetingMt. B & Zoom
July 24, SunLast Day to mail Voter Registration / Change of Registration Form
July 28, Thurs – 3:30 p.m.Candidate Soap Box – Host: Steve Ellis, Timer: Put BarberMt. B & Zoom & 370
Aug 2, TuesSeattle Primary Election Day
Ballots must be Postmarked by 8:00 p.m., Tues., Aug 2.		Mail-in Ballot Deadline

Discussion on Future Activities
Ideas on topics and speakers:

  • Marc Dones, CEO, King County Regional Homelessness Authority (kcrha.org) – Kathy Bainbridge
  • Dow Constantine, King County Executive – Katherine Graubard
  • Possible Election Forums in October – Jim Sanders
  • Secretary of State Candidate Forum
  • King County Prosecutor Candidate Forum
  • Seattle Approval Voting Issue Forum
  • Decriminalization of Possession of Controlled Substances Forum

Other Reports of Civic Activities
Sign up for Representative Pramila Jayapal emails. She is now our Representative in Congress instead of Adam Smith.


Interview of Individuals Involved in Civic Activities
Ed Marcuse on the board of the Burke Museum


Next CEG Meeting  
               Fri., July 15, 2022 at 4:00 Mt. Baker


CEG Coordinators
Rick Baugh
Katherine Graubard

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CEG Agena: May 20, Friday

4:00 pm Mount Baker & Zoom

Katherine Graubard, Facilitator
Rick Baugh, Minutes


Report on Past events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTRecording
April 21, Thurs – 7:30 p.m.Tim Burgess, Mayor’s Office – Director of Strategic Initiatives – Briefing by Jim Sanders??
May 15, SundayCal Anderson Park Rally – Abortion Rights

No

 
Description of Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
May 19, Thurs – 7:30 p.m.Webinar with Mayor HarrellTahoma Room & Mt. B & https://youtu.be/tZSxGF2Jap4       
May 20, Fri – 4:00 p.m.CEG MeetingMt. B & Zoom
May 21, Sat – 10:30 a.m.Mayor’s ‘One Seattle Day of Service’ – citywide volunteer event – First Hill Improvement Assoc.Freeway Park
June 3, Fri, 11:00 a.m.Tina Podlodowski, Chair, Washington State Democrats – Katherine GraubardMt. B & Zoom & 370
June 30, Thurs – 11:00 a.m.Ann Davison, Seattle City Attorney – Put BarberMt. B & Zoom & 370

 Report on Next Round of Voting – Jim Sanders
-Who registered to run for office and will be on the ballot
-Seattle City “Approval Voting” change

 Discussion on Future Activities
    Ideas on topics and speakers:
..Marc Dones, CEO, King County Regional Homelessness Authority (kcrha.org) – Kathy Bainbridge
..Dow Constantine, King County Executive – Katherine Graubard
..November – Secretary of State Candidate Forum – Jim Sanders
..November – King County Prosecutor Candidates Forum – Jim Sanders, Put Barber, Kim Street
Other Reports of Civic Activities
– First Hill Improvement Association – Bob Terrell – Proposed building on the west side of 9th Ave. between Marion and Columbia
– One Seattle Day of Service citywide volunteer event at Freeway Park – Bob Terrell


Interview of Individuals Involved in Civic Activities
None


Next CEG Meeting  (3rd Friday)               

Fri., June 17, 2022 at 4:00 Mt. Baker


CEG Coordinators
Rick Baugh
Katherine Graubard

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   Minutes of CEG Meeting – April 15, 2022                            4:00 pm Mount Baker & Zoom
Katherine Graubard, Facilitator 
Rick Baugh, Minutes 


Report on Past events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTRecording
Mar. 23, Wed, 3:00 p.m. Judge Cecily Hazelrigg, Division 1, Position 5, Washington State Court of Appeals – Jim Sanders facilitating reporting No

 Description of Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
April 21, Thurs – 7:30 p.m. Tim Burgess, Mayor’s Office – Director of Strategic Initiatives – Briefing by Jim Sanders Mt. B & Zoom & 370
May 20, Fri – 4:00 p.m. CEG Meeting Mt. B & Zoom
July 27, Wed – 7:30 p.m. King County Prosecutor Candidate Forum – Jim Sanders, Put Barber, Kim Street Mt. B & Zoom & 370

 Discussion on Future Activities
      Ideas on topics and speakers:
 Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State – Put Barber
 Marc Dones, CEO, King County Regional Homelessness Authority (kcrha.org) – Kathy Bainbridge
 Dow Constantine, King County Executive – Katherine Graubard
 Ann Davison, Seattle City Attorney – Put Barber
 Tina Podlodowski, Chair, Washington State Democrats – Katherine Graubard 


Other Reports of Civic Activities
First Hill Improvement Association – Bob Terrell
– Westbank purchase of the entire 9th Ave half-block across 9th Avenue from Skyline. It is the same organization that is building the twin-tower, high-rise apartment building on the other half-block. Bob mentioned that Westbank is a high-end developer. 
Mary Jane Francis suggested that the regular newsletter that Doug Holtom (Ex. Dir. of  FHIA) sends out is a great resource for what’s happening on First Hill.  Email doug@firsthill.org and ask to be added to the newsletter list. 
WACCRA – Rick Baugh – Reported on the Legislature passing a budget item to have the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) deliver a report on recommendations for oversight of CCRCs to the Senate and House Health committees by Dec 1, 2022. See the April, 15 WACCRA News-Mail, or the ‘725 Blog’, for more details. 
Support Democracy – Actions an individual can take – Diane Caplow – She asked if there was any way to get comprehensive information of actions a citizen can take to ensure our democracy so that it is not eroded.  Put Barber mentioned the David Harrison Blog (Our Unfinished Work) with associated action items that he respects.  This has a clearly Democratic Party perspective, however, might still be of interest to other folks as it seems to want to work across the aisle. The Blog address, with options of subscribing, is www.ourunfinishedwork.com/2022/04/
League of Women Voters – Barb Williams – The LWV published a summary of legislation of interest to the LWV that passed during the 2022 WA legislative session. The multiple page summary is included in these minutes. 
Individuals Involved in Civic ActivitiesInterview of Doug Clarke: His years of involvement with Museum of Flight. 


Next CEG Meeting  3rd Fridays

Fri., May 20, 2022 at 4:00 Mt. Baker


CEG Coordinators
Rick Baugh
Katherine Graubard 

Attachment: From Barb Williams
2022 LEGISLATIVE REPORT – KAISER SENIOR CAUCUS 
By Cynthia Stewart, Social & Economic Justice Team Coordinator, League of Women Voters of WA 
The 2022 legislative session resulted in a very large number of health care and behavioral health bills 
being passed.  However, some notable ones did not make it.  The following is a list of many that the 
League of Women Voters Lobby Team was following. This summary is supported by League status 
reports from the Health Care Issue Chair, Kim Abbey. 

One big change in 2023 will be the retirement of Rep. Eileen Cody, who was a long-standing employee of 
Group Health/Kaiser, and who chaired the House Health Care & Wellness Committee for many years.  
There will be many other changes as well next year in committee assignments, so it is hard to know at 
this time how various bills of interest will fare. 

Bills that Passed in 2022 
HB 1616,Concerning the charity care act. Sponsor: Rep. Tarra Simmons (LD 23) 
This bill was new in 2022.  It addresses how charity care is provided in hospitals and how 
affected patients are informated.  It requires the Department of Health to monitor the 
distribution of charity care among hospitals. It provides that: 
No hospital may adopt or maintain practices or policies which would deny access to 
emergency care based on ability to pay. 
No hospital which maintains an emergency department may transfer a patient with an 
emergency medical condition or who is in active labor unless the transfer is performed 
at the request of the patient or is due to the limited medical resources of the 
transferring hospital.   
Each hospital must post and prominently display notice of charity care availability.   
It provides that charity care eligibility is determined by calculating family income based on the 
federal poverty level (FPL): if under 300% of FPL receives 100% discounted health services bill; 
under 350% receives 75% discount; under 400% FPL receives 50% discount. 

HB 1622, Increasing the availability of sexual assault nurse examiner education in rural and 
underserved areas. Sponsor: Rep. Gina Mosbrucker (LD 14) 
This bill, also new in 2022, authorizes the Washington State University College of Nursing to 
establish a program to increase the availability of qualified sexual assault nurse examiners in 
eastern Washington. The program will develop and train lead sexual assault nurse examiners.  
HB 1646, Continuing the work of the dementia action collaborative. Sponsor: Rep. Jessica Bateman (LD 
22) 
In January 2016, Washington state released a State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and 
Other Dementias. The State Plan identifies goals, strategies, and recommendations as a 
blueprint for action. This bill re-established the formal dementia action collaborative to update 
the state plan and make recommendations. 
HB 1860, Preventing homelessness among persons discharging from inpatient behavioral health 
settings.  Sponsor: Rep. Lauren Davis (LD 32) 
Based on a legislative finding that social determinants of health, particularly housing, are highly 
correlated with long-term recovery from behavioral health conditions, this bill establishes a 
number of requirements. It requires the Performance Measures Coordinating Committee to 
convene a work group of stakeholders to establish performance measures that track rates of 
homelessness and housing instability among medical assistance clients. It also requires the 
 Health Care Authority to include in any contract with a managed care organization (MCO) a 
requirement to provide housing-related care coordination services to enrollees being discharged 
from inpatient behavioral health settings. It further requires psychiatric hospitals to inform the 
MCO in which the person is enrolled of the discharge. 

HB 1866 Assisting persons receiving community support services through medical assistance
programs to receive supportive housing. Sponsor: Rep. Frank Chopp (LD 43) 
This bill is intended to enable treatment of chronic homelessness as a medical condition and 
address the needs of chronically homeless individuals by pairing a health care problem with a 
health care solution. It established the Apple Health and Homes Program (Program) to provide a 
permanent supportive housing benefit and a community support services benefit to persons 
who meet eligibility criteria related to income, medical risk factors and barriers to finding stable 
housing. It also established the Office of Apple Health and Homes (Office) within the 
Department of Commerce to allocate funding for permanent supportive  housing units to fulfill 
the needs of persons enrolled in the Program and establish metrics related to the effects of the 
Program. It further established the Apple Health and Homes Account to be used for permanent 
supportive housing programs administered by the Office. 
SB 5518, Concerning the occupational therapy licensure compact.  Sponsor: Sen. Ron Muzzall (LD 10) 
The effect of this bill is to facilitate interstate practice of occupational therapy with the goal of 
improving public access to occupational therapy services, primarily in rural areas. The compact 
member states will create and establish a joint public agency known as the occupational therapy 
compact commission. That will allow OTs and COTAs (Certified Assistants) to work in other 
states under their home state licenses. 

SB 5532, Establishing a prescription drug affordability board. Sponsor: Sen. Karen Keiser (LD 33) 
This bill established a five-member Prescription Drug Affordability Board to coordinate and 
collaborate with the Health Care Authority, other boards, work groups, and commissions related 
to prescription drug costs and emerging therapies, including the Health Care Cost Transparency 
Board and the Universal Health Care Commission, to conduct affordability reviews of any 
prescription drug with excessive price rises in a 12-month period. The board must establish a 
methodology for setting upper payment limits for prescription drugs. 
The Board members must be individuals with expertise in health care economics or clinical 
medicine and will serve five-year terms. 
SB 5546, Concerning insulin affordability. Sponsor: Sen. Karen Keiser (LD 33) 
In 2020, the Legislature directed health plans, beginning January 1, 2021, to limit an enrollee’s 
out-of-pocket expenses for insulin to $100 for a 30-day supply.  The out-of-pocket limit is set to 
expire on January 1, 2023. This bill requires that beginning January 1, 2023, health plans must 
cap the total amount an enrollee is required to pay for a covered insulin drug at an amount not 
to exceed $35 per 30-day supply.  This limit expires on January 1, 2024. 
SB 5589, Concerning statewide spending on primary care. Sponsor: Sen. June Robinson (LD 38) 
In 2020, the Legislature directed the Health Care Authority to establish the Health Care Cost 
Transparency Board (Board).  The Board must annually calculate the total health care 
expenditures in Washington and establish a health care cost growth benchmark.  This bill 
requires the Board to measure and report on primary care expenditures in Washington and the 
progress towards increasing it to 12 percent of total health care expenditures and sets up some 
reporting requirements to further inform how primary care can be increased as a share of total 
health care costs.    

Bills that Did Not Pass 
HB 1047Requiring coverage for hearing instruments for children and adolescents. Sponsor: Rep. Emily 
Wicks (LD 38) 
This bill would have required health carriers offering a health plan issued or renewed on or after 
January 1, 2023, to include coverage for hearing instruments, including bone conduction hearing 
devices, for persons who are 18 years of age or younger. Mandated coverage would have 
included the hearing instrument, the initial assessment, fitting, adjustment, auditory training, 
and ear molds as necessary to maintain optimal fit. 
This bill was introduced in 2021 but did not get a public hearing in the Health Care & Wellness 
Committee.  However, a budget proviso was approved that funded a cost analysis by the Office 
of Insurance Commissioner, as support for the bill in 2022.  During the process of the cost 
analysis, there were concerns about segregating populations and not covering all people with 
hearing loss.  As a result, a new bill was introduced in 2022 to replace this one.      

HB 1854, Requiring coverage for hearing instruments, would have expanded the coverage to all 
individuals with hearing loss.  This bill got a public hearing on the last day of committee work 
and was not moved out of committee.  Rep. Wicks, who sponsored both bills, unfortunately has 
decided not to run for re-election and will not be reintroducing this legislation in 2023. 
 
HB 1141, Increasing access to the death with dignity act. Sponsor: Rep. Skyler Rude (LD 16) 
This bill would have made changes to the 2009 Death with Dignity Act, such as changing 
“physician” to “qualified medical provider and reducing  the 15-day waiting period to 72 hours. 
provider.’ Because hospice care is increasingly provided by advanced registered nurse 
practitioners and physician assistants, especially in rural areas, this would have increased access 
to the death with dignity opportunity 
This bill was carried over from the 2021 legislative session.  In 2021, it passed the House and 
died in the Senate Rules Committee. In 2022, it passed the House again and died in the Senate 
Health & Long-Term Care Committee. In order to be considered next year, it will have to be 
reintroduced and will get a new number assigned to it. 
HB 1885, Establishing the profession of dental therapist. Sponsor: Rep. Eileen Cody (LD 34) 
This bill included these findings: Good oral health is an integral piece of overall health and well- 
being. Without treatment, dental disease compromises overall health and requires increasingly 
costly interventions. However, most dental disease can be prevented at little cost through 
routine dental care and disease prevention. Dental-related issues are a leading reason that 
Washingtonians seek care in hospital emergency departments, which has become the source of 
care for many, especially uninsured and low-income populations. It then would have created a 
new profession of dental therapist, analogous to a physician’s assistant, to provide lower-cost 
dental care and increase access to that care. This bill is one of many that have failed to establish 
that para-professional category of dental practitioner in more than 10 years of efforts to do so. 

SB 5335, Concerning the acquisition of health care facilities. Sponsor: Sen. Emily Randall (LD 26) 
If passed, this bill would have required an independent health care impact statement by the WA 
State Department of Health prior to any merger of hospitals with 50 or more acute care beds or 
health care corporations in Washington State. The impact statement would assess effects on 
emergency services, reproductive health care, end-of-life and gender-affirming health care 
services as well as charity care. This bill was never given a public hearing in either 2021 or 2022. 

SB 5688 Concerning material changes to the operations and governance structure of
participants in the health care marketplace. Sponsor: Sen. Emily Randall (LD 26) 
This bill would have modified reporting requirements for mergers, acquisitions, or contracting 
affiliations between hospitals, hospital systems, or provider organizations (parties). It would also 
have required parties to submit additional documentation related to charity care; access to care, 
including reproductive, gender-affirming, emergency, and end-of-life care; all current policies 
and procedures; and explanations of how any of these areas would be affected by the proposed 
transaction. It would further have required the attorney general to determine, through a public 
process, if the transaction would detrimentally affect the continued existence of accessible, 
affordable health care in the state for at least ten years after the transaction occurs and given 
the attorney general authority to place conditions or modifications on the transaction, or 
disapprove of the transaction if the transaction will be detrimental to accessible, affordable 
health care.   
Neither this bill nor its House companion bill, HB 1809, sponsored by Rep. Tarra Simmons, 
moved at all this session.

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Agenda CEG Meeting – April 15, 2022                        4:00 pm Mount Baker & Zoom

Katherine Graubard, Facilitator
Rick Baugh, Minutes

Report on Past events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTRecording
Mar. 23, Wed, 3:00 p.m.Judge Cecily Hazelrigg, Division 1, Position 5, Washington State Court of Appeals – Jim Sanders or Patricia Kiaser reportingNo

Description of Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
April 21, Thurs – 7:30 p.m.Tim Burgess, Mayor’s Office – Director of Strategic Initiatives – Briefing by Jim SandersMt. B & Zoom & 370
May 20, Fri – 4:00 p.m.CEG MeetingMt. B & Zoom

Discussion on Future Activities
Ideas on topics and speakers:
-King County Prosecutor Pre-primary Candidate Forum in late July, Jim Sanders coordinating with Put Barber and Kim Street
-Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State – ??
-Marc Dones, CEO, King County Regional Homelessness Authority                 (kcrha.org) – Kathy Bainbridge
-Dow Constantine, King County Executive – Katherine Graubarb
-Ann Davison, Seattle City Attorney – Put Barber-Tina Podlodowski, Chair, Washington State Democrats – Katherine Graubarb


Other Reports of Civic Activities
First Hill Improvement Association – Bob Terrell – Purchase of 9th Ave land                                                                                   across from Skyline

Individuals Involved in Civic Activities 
Interview of Doug Clark: His years of involvement with Museum of Flight.


Next CEG Meeting   (3rd Fridays)
Fri., May 20, 2022 at 4:00 Mt. Baker, (If there are items on the agenda)


CEG Coordinators
Rick Baugh
Katherine Graubard

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MINUTES, 3/18/22

Minutes CEG Meeting – March 18, 20224:00 pm Mount Baker & Zoom
Rick Baugh, Facilitator 
Rick Baugh, Minutes 
Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
Mar. 23, Wed, 3:00 p.m. Judge Ceciley Hazelrigg, Division 1, Position 5, Washington State Court of Appeals Mt. B & Zoom & 370
Apr. 15, Fri – 4:00 p.m. CEG Meeting Mt. B & Zoom

Updates on Involvements in Civic Organizations:WACCRA – Legislation to Support in 2022 Session: Rick Baugh      State of Bill as of Mon., 3/14/2022 

  1. SB 5247: Multistate Reciprocity Nurse Licensure – DEAD
  2. HB 1616: The Charity Care Act – Awaiting Governor’s Signature
  3. HB 1732: Relates to the Washington Cares Act – Signed
  4. HB 1802: “Nothing About Us Without Us Bill” – DEAD
  5. HB 1646: Continuing the work of the dementia action collaborative – Awaiting Governor’s Signature
  6. HB 1854: Relating to requiring coverage for hearing instruments – DEAD

Discussion on Future Activities
Ideas on topics and speakers:
     Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State – ??
     Tim Burgess, Director, Seattle Mayor’s Strategic Initiatives – Jim Sanders
     Marc Dones, CEO, King County Regional Homelessness Authority (kcrha.org) –                                 Kathy Bainbridge 
    Dow Constantine, King County Executive – Katherine Graubard
     Ann Davison, Seattle City Attorney – Put Barber
     Tina Podlowski, Chair, Washington State Democrats – Katherine Graubard 

Other Reports of Civic Activities
None reported 

Individuals Involved in Civic Activities
Interview of Jim Sanders: His years of involvement with Interest in Politics and Government. 

Next CEG Meeting (New Meeting Date – 3rd Friday of the Month)
                  Fri., April 15, 2022 at 4:00 Mt. Baker, (If there are agenda items) 

CEG Coordinators
Rick Baugh 
Katherine Graubard 

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Agenda CEG Meeting – March 18, 2022                         4:00 pm Skyclub Lounge (24th Floor), Zoom & Channel 370
Rick Baugh, FacilitatorRick Baugh, Minutes
Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
Mar. 18, Fri – 4:00 p.m.CEG MeetingSkyclub Lounge (24th Floor) & Zoom
Mar. 23, Wed, 3:00 p.m.Judge Ceciley Hazelrigg, Division 1, Position 5, Washington State Court of AppealsMt. B & Zoom & 370

Updates on Involvements in Civic Organizations:
WACCRA – Legislation to Support in 2022 Session: Rick Baugh

      State of Bill as of Mon., 3/14/2022

  1. SB 5247: Multistate Reciprocity Nurse Licensure – DEAD
  2. HB 1616: The Charity Care Act – Awaiting Governor’s Signature
  3. HB 1732: Relates to the Washington Cares Act – Signed
  4. HB 1802: “Nothing About Us Without Us Bill” – DEAD
  5. HB 1646: Continuing the work of the dementia action collaborative – Awaiting Governor’s Signature
  6. HB 1854: Relating to requiring coverage for hearing instruments – DEAD

Discussion on Future Activities
Ideas on topics and speakers:
      Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State
      Tim Burgess, Director, Seattle Mayor’s Strategic Initiatives,
      Marc Dones, CEO, King County Regional Homelessness Authority (kcrha.org)

Other Reports of Civic Activities
Individuals Involved in Civic Activities
Interview of Jim Sanders: His years of involvement with Interest in Politics and Government.

Next CEG Meeting (New Meeting Date – 3rd Friday of the Month)
Fri., April 15, 2022 at 4:00 Mt. Baker, If needed.

CEG Coordinators
Rick Baugh
Katherine Graubard

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                      Agenda CEG Meeting – February 18, 2022                                                          4:00 pm Mount Baker & Zoom 
Katherine Graubard, FacilitatorRick Baugh, Minutes
Report on CEG being a part of SRA
Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
Feb. 19, 1:00 p.m.43rd District Town Hall, Sen Pedersen, Reps Macri and Chopp – Individuals can join ZoomSky Club Lounge, Individuals’ Zoom 
Feb. 26, 10:30 a.m.Congressman Adam Smith – Registration Provides Zoom informationSky Club Lounge, Individuals’ Zoom
Mar. 18, Fri – 4:00 p.m.CEG MeetingMt. B & Zoom

Updates on Involvements in Civic Organizations:   WACCRA – Legislation to Support in 2022 Session: Rick Baugh      State of Bill as of Sun., 2/13/2022

  1. SB 5247: Multistate Reciprocity Nurse Licensure – DEAD
  2. HB 1616: The Charity Care Act – Passed House in Senate
  3. HB 1732: Relates to the Washington Cares Act – Signed
  4. HB 1802: “Nothing About Us Without Us Bill” – Active in House
  5. HB 1646: Continuing the work of the dementia action collaborative – Passed House in Senate
  6. HB 1854: Relating to requiring coverage for hearing instruments – DEAD

Discussion on Future Activities   Ideas on topics and speakers for future meetings.        Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State
       Marc Dones joins King County Regional Homelessness Authority as Chief Executive Officer (kcrha.org)
        Judge Hazelrigg from the judiciary to explain the judicial system


Other Reports of Civic Activities
Individuals Involved in the Community     

Interview of Jim Sanders: His years of involvement with elected officials.


Next CEG Meeting (New Meeting Date – 3rd Friday of the Month)

Fri., March 18, 2022 at 4:00pm Mt. Baker.
CEG CoordinatorsRick BaughKatherine Graubard

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We Are In – Ending Homelessness

Hi Friend,

If you’re new to the We Are In community, welcome! My name is Felicia Salcedo, the Founding Director of We Are In. I am so glad that you are a part of the fight to end homelessness in our region. 

We are kicking off 2022 with a big push at the legislative level to make investments in affordable housing and services for residents experiencing homelessness a priority. Read more below about how you can get involved today. 

In partnership, 

Felicia Salcedo

Tell your legislators to invest in ending homelessness!

Washington state will be finalizing its 2022 budget soon. Last month, House Washington, a coalition of over 100 business and organizational leaders from across the state, delivered a message to the state legislature: make homelessness and affordable housing a top priority. House Washington supports Governor Inslee’s approach that prioritizes funds for emergency and affordable housing through increased funding for the Rapid Housing Acquisition Fund and the Housing Trust Fund and increases in funding for behavioral and mental health services. However, the coalition demands a need to increase housing options AND pair them with the right services to be effective. 

House Washington needs the full We Are In community’s support! Add your name to this petition to let state leaders know that they must make addressing the crisis of homelessness a top priority this legislative session.

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Agenda CEG Meeting – January 21, 2022
4:00 pm Mount Baker & Zoom
-Rick Baugh, Facilitator
 -Rick Baugh, Minutes 


Report of Last Month’s Activities – Past events:
-David Domke Talks (Peggy Newsom) 


Coming events:

DATE/TIMEEVENTPlace
Feb 18, Fri – 4:00 p.m. CEG Meeting Mt. Baker & Zoom
Pros & Cons of CEG being an SRA committee 
Status of Important Legislation 

Updates on Involvements in Civic Organizations:-WACCRA – Legislation to Support in 2022 Session: Rick Baugh 

  1. SB 5247: Multistate Reciprocity Nurse Licensure
  2. HB 1616: The Charity Care Act
  3. HB 1732: Relates to the Washington Cares Act,
  4. HB 1802: “Nothing About Us Without Us Bill”
  5. HB 1646: Continuing the work of the dementia action collaborative
  6. HB 1854: Relating to requiring coverage for hearing instruments

Discussion on Future Activities-Ideas on topics and speakers for future meetings. -Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State 
Other Reports of Civic Activities
Individuals Involved in the Community-Interview of Mary Ann Hagan: Her years of music Involvement -Interview of Jim Sanders: His years of involvement with elected officials. (Time permitting) 


Next CEG Meeting (New Meeting Date – 3rd Friday of the Month)
 Fri., Feb 18, 2022 at 4:00 Mt. Baker.


CEG Coordinators

Rick Baugh

Katherine Graubard 

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CEG Meeting Minutes – June 11, 2021

Attending:  Jim Sanders, Put Barber, Valerie Lynch, Mary Jane Francis, Joan Horner, Katherine Graubard, Jim Tanner, Rick Baugh, Karen Knudson, Steve Ellis, Sue Van Leuven, Al MacRae, Suzanne Hittman, Diane Stevens, Kim Street  

Report of Last Month’s Activities – 

May 19 th     Sawant Recall Petition Signing Opportunity (Jim Sanders) 

We filled one petition and approximately fifty percent of the slots on two others (approximately 24   signatures); some residents did their own and submitted.  (See below for June 17 event.) 

We do not have any information on how many signatures have been collected.  [Jim clarified after the meeting that supporters will need to gather 10,739 signatures.] 

We have more blank petitions. 

May 20 th     How to Use Democracy Vouchers – Update (Jim Sanders) This event was held on Zoom and lightly attended. A significant number of Seattle residents donated Democracy Vouchers to candidates who subsequently formally withdrew, or simply failed to file to run.    

Update Democracy Vouchers.  Jim noted that the following candidates have qualified to redeem vouchers, and are likely to be able to use them before the Primary election:     

Mayoral Candidates Lorena Gonzalez, Jessyn Farrell and Bruce Harrell and possibly Casey Sixkiller;  

City Attorney Candidates Pete Holmes and Nicole Thomas-Kennedy and  

City Council candidates Teresa Mosqueda and Briana Thomas.     

Mayoral candidates Andrew Grant Houston and Colleen Echohawk and City Council candidate Nikkita Oliver have received more contributions than they can spend in the primary and are not eligible to redeem vouchers at this time.  The other candidates appear to be unlikely to reach a point of demonstrated support necessary to redeem vouchers.   

Unless you have a candidate you really are committed to supporting, Jim suggests that you wait until after the Primary to donate your vouchers.   

Jessyn Farrell Emails.  There was discussion that many residents have received multiple emails from Jessyn Farrell.  Jim indicated that the Jessyn Farrell for Mayor campaign, or possibly someone in their fundraising consultant’s operation, obtained a large block of data, including email addresses from a third party, not through the Democracy Voucher program.  They then began sending email blasts to those residents who were donating Democracy Vouchers, asking them to send vouchers to Farrell.      

Coming events:  

June 17 – 10:00 amCollection of signatures for Sawant Recall Petition, Sky Lounge   

June 29 – 10:30 a.m.   Stuart Elway “Washington’s Changing Political Landscape.”  Put noted that Stuart has been a political polster for 30 years in Washington; he is actively doing polls for Crosscut and KCTS.   

 July 14 – 3:00 p.m.     Skyline Soapbox moderated by Steve Ellis.  Steve strongly encourages residents to show up for the Soapbox and to let him know if you know any of those running.  The primary is in August and the general election in November.  He emphasized that these are very important elections in the light of both exciting and disturbing events, that people are disappointed by the response of the City.  Close to home, he emphasized that the quality of life in downtown Seattle is key and that concern about it is the most plausible reason that the rate of occupancy at Skyline has declined in the same measure as the rate of occupancy at Parkshore has gone up.   

Mary Jane mentioned the CityClub’s Civic Cocktail.  [Its website notes, “Civic Cocktail offers a lively look at big events and important issues facing the Puget Sound region, connecting community leaders with residents for engaging conversation. The program’s conversational format features elected officials, community organization leaders, journalists, political pundits, news-makers, and local residents. Co-produced by Seattle CityClub and  Seattle Channel, Civic Cocktails are held each month from February to June and from October to November.”] Past discussions are available online..    

Early Sept (TBD)                    Presentation on TVW by Renee Radcliff Sinclair; TVW broadcasts hearing during sessions of the legislature.   

October 12 – 11:00 a.m. Knute Berger (KCTS Crosscut commentator), aka “Mossback.”  This one will be entertaining, and no doubt the speaker will love questions!   

Election Forums – Late September to Mid-October   TBD (Jim Sanders)  We may try to conduct up to four forums: 

Mayoral Candidates; Council Position 9 Candidates; Charter Amendment 29 – Compassion Seattle Issue forum – for and against; and the Sawant Recall (If it qualifies for the ballot).  Alternatives could include either one of the competitive Port Commission races, or the District 5 Seattle School Board race. The Mayoral and City Council Position 9 races are likely to be hotly contested.  Compassion Seattle is likely to be on the ballot; Jim mentioned that he finds much of it unclear and notes that there will be opposition to it. 

These forums will require support, particularly people to help formulate questions for the candidates or running for office or representatives of the supporting and opposing ballot issues.  If you are interested in helping, please contact Jim Sanders at  jimsanders1947@gmail.com

Skyline Civic Engagement Group – Future 

Mary Jane Francis led a discussion of CEG’s future, using as a basis the outline below of the roles.  Strong support for CEG’s continuation was voiced by Joan Horner and by others.  Jim indicated that although he is willing to help with a lot of the work, it is key that we have a group of people willing to spend time to come up with good questions for the presenters.  Joan volunteered to help work the coordination with Carmen.  As the discussion continued, it appeared that the most likely road to success is to use rotating groups of folks in each of the roles, and that those people should then feel free to ask other residents for help for various projects.  Mary Jane is collecting the names of volunteers during Put’s absence.  NOTE:   THE TIME IS NOW TO VOLUNTEER AND TO PUT YOUR NAME INTO THE RING; IF YOU PREFER NOT TO TAKE ON 100% OF A PARTICULAR JOB, PLEASE AGREE TO JOIN A ROTATING GROUP TO GET THE JOB DONE.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND WILLING TO PARTICIPATE, LET JIM AND PUT KNOW ASAP.  WE WILL LIKELY MAKE A DECISION AT OUR NEXT MEETING IN JULY AS TO WHETHER CEG CAN AND WILL GO FORWARD.                                             

NEXT MEETING  Friday, July 9,  4:00pm

  Katherine Graubard has agreed to be the facilitator for the July 9 th CEG meeting 

Skyline Civic Engagement Group – Roles (also available on CEG Main Page)

The following activities, which might in some cases be combined, are needed for a successful Civic Engagement Group (CEG) program at Skyline. The Business Meetings have routinely been scheduled for 4 pm on the 2 nd Friday of each month (with occasional adjustment). 

  • Program Manager – maintains a schedule of upcoming events and prepares an agenda (showing past/upcoming events, and subjects for discussion) for email distribution approximately a week before the monthly business meeting.  (Upon request, helps Event Organizers in preparing reminder announcements for upcoming events)
  • Facilitator – moderates the Business Meetings; s/he can sign up in advance, on a monthly schedule, to serve in this role one or more times.
  • Note Taker(s) – develops the notes into minutes immediately after each Business Meeting.  (The minutes serve as a report of any discussion at the meeting, briefly summarize the events that have occurred since the last meeting, and provide details of future programs.  They may enlist assistant note takers to help with coverage of the meeting.)
  • Event Organizers (different people covering particular events) – submit a Lifestyle Activity Request to the Lifestyle office.  (They can call upon the Liaison with Lifestyle person [see below] and with the Program Manager for help with the Lifestyle Activity Request, and with developing information for announcements and reminder notices.)

     There are several different responsibilities depending on the type of event: 

For events with outside speakers:

contact the potential speaker(s)

collect and draft publicity materials for the Caremerge Live Calendar and other announcements (Lifestyle folks will create the final copies)

welcome the speaker(s) to the building (when in person) or arrange for other resident(s) to do so; assure that someone is available to escort at exit

schedule small-group luncheons, etc. as appropriate

send a thank-you note (may be co-signed by the Program Manager and/or other residents)

emcee an event for which she or he recruited presenter(s) or identify another resident who will perform that task

For forums, candidate appearances, discussion sessions

describe the format

develop or revise procedures as needed

provide the details of the event to Lifestyle for use in the Caremerge Live Calendar and other announcements

circulate procedures as a memo to expected presenters or speakers

secure greeters, timekeeper, mike runners, chat-box reader, etc., as needed

Jim Sanders will continue to organize some events of this kind.

Liaison with Lifestyle Staff – assists Event Organizers by working with the Lifestyle staff to identify dates for programs, arrange for broadcast as necessary, and to assure facilities for the monthly Business Meetings.

Gatekeeper – reviews for clarity and appropriateness proposed email distributions to the CEG mailing list.  Maintains the email list of participants.  (Mary Jane Francis will continue doing this in the future.)

Mailing-list manager – Circulates announcements of upcoming CEG events and other matters of potential interest to the participants after approval by the Gatekeeper. (Rick Baugh arranges for the distribution of CEG notices

Anyone who is interested in engaging with the CEG program in any of the above roles should contact one of these people:

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CEG Meeting Notes – May 14, 2021

The meeting was held in the Mount Baker Room with a Zoom option. 

Stepping back.  Put Barber said that he has two reasons for stepping back from the central role he has been playing recently in the CEG program – his new responsibilities as SRA Treasurer are time consuming and the program would be stronger if there were more people involved in its details and direction.  He showed a list of roles which others could play in the program (see page 3). 

Past events. 

“The Social Dilemma” (a movie) was shown for residents on April 11 and followed by an open discussion in the Skyline Zoom Chat Room.  Mary Jane Francis said she had found the movie very informative and disturbing because it demonstrated the way her online activities can be tracked.  Put Barber said he and Valerie Lynch had recently watched (on Netflix) an amusing animated movie on the dominance of tech industries – called “The Mitchels vs. the Machines” – which, while often very funny, conveyed a similar message about the darker possibilities of artificial intelligence. 

Representative Nicole Macri talked via Zoom on May 5 th to report on the recent legislative session.  She described the financial decisions made by the legislature in detail and explained how the significant sums provided by the federal government were being used to offset some of the damage done by the pandemic. 

Seattle Times columnist Naomi Ishisaka made a Zoom presentation for Skyline on May 11. Her topic was race and justice in Seattle.  Mary Jane Francis quoted her powerful description: “Racism is the water we swim in.” 

Coming events. 

Jim Sanders said he had arranged for personal use of the Sky Club Lounge on May 19 th (10 to 12 in the morning) and May 26 th (2 to 4 in the afternoon) for people to have an opportunity to sign the petitions for a recall of Councilmember Sawant from the Seattle City Council.  If 10,000+ residents of Council District 3 sign the petitions, there will be an opportunity for residents of the district to vote on her recall and, if a majority votes in favor, remove her.  He described the three things the petitions cite as reasons for removal: her use of office funds to support an initiative (“tax Amazon”); her leadership of a march to the home of Mayor Durkan, which is undisclosed because of her former role as a prosecutor; and the opening of the door at City Hall for a rally inside when the building was closed as a precaution during the pandemic.  He said that he would have copies of the petition document on those days for anyone to sign and that he also had more copies he could provide to anyone who wanted to collect additional signatures. 

There will be a discussion on “How to Use Democracy Vouchers” at 3 PM May 20 th in the Mount Baker Room.  Jim Sanders said there are some important considerations about the way people can use these vouchers for maximum effect that will be talked about then.  He also said there might be time for comparing the qualifications of the candidates whose campaigns are soliciting vouchers from the public. 

Stuart Elway will talk via Zoom at 10:30 AM on June 29 th on “Washington’s Changing Political Landscape”.  Elway has operated a polling business in Washington state since the 1970s.  His clients have included political campaigns, businesses, municipalities, and news media.  He currently conducts polls for KCTS and Crosscut. His talk will also be broadcast in the Mount Baker Room. 

There will be a Skyline Soapbox before the primary election on July 14 th at 3 PM.  Steve Lewis will moderate. 

Crosscut columnist and KCTS “Mossback” presenter Knute “Skip” Berger will speak to Skyline on October 12 th at 11 AM.  The details of his appearance are yet to be determined. 

There will also be a Skyline General Election Soapbox  in October at a date and time to be determined.  Jim Sanders added that there were some upcoming races where it might be possible to arrange for candidate appearances at Skyline and asked that anyone who might be interested in helping to design questions for those events to get in touch with him. 

Peggy Newsom said that David Domke will give a lecture via the internet on May 25th from 5 to 7 PM; there is a cost (you can choose to pay $10 or $25; the money will support the Common Power project).  His topic is “EVEN LIZ CHENEY: How Donald Trump Turned the Republican Party into A Political Cult.”  Information and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/even-liz-cheney-how-donald-trump-turned-republicans-into-a-political-cult-tickets-154597179325  (People who sign up will also be able to view the lecture at a later time if they wish.)  Common Power will offer other online events later in the summer. 

Mary Jane Francis reported that the Seattle Channel ( www.seattlechannel.org and channel 21 on Comcast) broadcasts a recording of City Club’s “Civic Cocktail” events a few days after each monthly program.  https://www.seattlechannel.org/CivicCocktail/episodes holds an archive of past recordings – including the May 5 th presentation titled “Downtown Seattle: Rebuilding a Troubled Superstar”.

 Unscheduled possibilities. 

Renee Sinclair, the CEO of TVW, the state government’s public affairs network, has said she would be willing to give a talk for Skyline.  No arrangements have been made yet.  (Put Barber said this would be one clear opportunity for someone interested to organize an event; he can provide contact information.) 

We have also talked in the past about several other possibilities:  A presentation on redistricting (which will take place in Washington for the US Congress, the legislature, and municipal offices later this year); inviting Scott McClellan, who is now a vice president at Seattle U and was G. W. Bush’s press secretary,  for a talk here; and contacting former Seattle Times columnist Jerry Large about possibly speaking with us.  These and other events provide further opportunities for people to engage with making arrangements for events here at Skyline. 

Discussion. 

Katherine Graubard has agreed to be the facilitator for the July CEG meeting (on the 10 th).  Put Barber will facilitate the June session. 

The final slide in the presentation for the May 14 th CEG meeting read: Reminder…. “we” are the CEG. No-one else will take on these roles if we don’t.  (See the next page.) 

Next meeting: June 11th, 4 PM – details to be announced 

================================================================
================================================================

Skyline Civic Engagement Group – Roles

The following activities, which might in some cases be combined, are needed for a successful Civic Engagement Group (CEG) program at Skyline. The Business Meetings have routinely been scheduled for 4 pm on the 2 nd Friday of each month (with an occasional adjustment – or omission – in light of public holidays) 

  • Program Manager – maintains a schedule of upcoming events and prepares an agenda (showing past and upcoming events) for email distribution approximately a week before the monthly business meeting and assists Organizers in preparing reminder email announcements for upcoming events.
  • Facilitator – moderates the Business Meetings; participants can sign up in advance, on a monthly schedule, to serve in this role one or more times.
  • Note Taker(s) – develop the notes into minutes immediately after each Business Meeting. The minutes serve as a report of any discussion at the meeting, briefly summarize the events that have occurred since the last meeting, and provide details of future programs. There may be assistant note takers who help out with coverage of the meeting.
  • Event Organizer – submits a Lifestyle Activity Request to the Lifestyle office.

There are several different responsibilities depending on the type of event: 

  • For events with outside speakers: 
    • contact the potential speaker(s)
    • identify a mutually convenient date and time in consultation with the Lifestyle staff and the speaker
    • collect and draft publicity materials for the Caremerge Live Calendar and other announcements
    • arrange for someone to escort the speaker(s) upon arrival and at the end of the event
    • schedule small-group luncheons, etc., as appropriate
    • send a thank-you note (may be co-signed by the facilitator and/or other residents)
    • facilitate the event for which she or he recruited presenter(s) or identify another resident who will perform that task
  • For forums, candidate appearances, discussion sessions, etc.: 
    • describe the format
    • confirm a date and time with the Lifestyle staff
    • develop or revise procedures as needed
    • provide the details of the event to Lifestyle for use in the Caremerge Live Calendar and other announcements
    • circulate procedures as memo to expected presenters or speakers
    • secure facilitators, greeters, timekeeper, mike runners, chat-box reader, etc., as needed

Anyone who is interested in engaging with the CEG program in any of the above roles should contact one of these people:

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Naomi Ishisaka on Tuesday, May 11th at 2:00 p.m.

for a  presentation and discussion on

Racial Justice in Seattle

“What are the ways racial inequality show up in our city? What are some of the efforts people are taking to address it?

Naomi Ishisaka is the Assistant Managing Editor for Diversity, Inclusion and Staff Development, and the Social Justice Columnist for The Seattle Times. 
She is a Seattle native. Prior to her current role, she had previously served for eight years as Editor in Chief of the award-winning ColorsNW Magazine. She has also worked at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the News Tribune and the Bremerton Sun.  

SIGNUP SHEET NOW AVAILABLE

Zoom Link will be available on Caremerge Live Calendar.

THIS PROGRAM IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON CHANNEL 370

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CEG Meeting – AGENDA for 4 PM, Friday 5/14/21

Mt. Baker Room

sign-up in Lifestyle Binder on the 5th floor

Also via Skyline Zoom for those who prefer not to come to the 4th floor – Link available on Caremerge in the Live Calendar

  • Welcome – Put Barber, Moderator

PAST EVENTS

  • Showing of “The Social Dilemma” as a Skyline movie – 3:30 and 7 PM Sunday, 4/11; CEG-hosted discussion of the movie, 5:10 PM Sunday, 4/11, in the Skyline Zoom Chat Room
  • Nicole Macri, “End of Session Report” – 3:30 PM Wednesday, May 5, Mt. Baker Room and Zoom
  • Naomi Ishisaka, “Race and Justice in Seattle” – 2:00 PM Tuesday, May 11, Mt. Baker Room and Zoom
  • Is there anything else to report?

COMING EVENTS

  • Opportunity to sign “Sawant Recall” recall petitions – 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 19, Sky Club
  • Discussion: “How to Use Democracy Vouchers” – 3:00 PM Thursday, May 20, Mt. Baker Room
  • Opportunity to sign “Sawant Recall” recall petitions – 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 26, Sky Club
  • Stuart Elway, “The Pollster’s Art” (tentative title) – 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 29, Mt. Baker Room and Zoom (tentative location)
  • Skyline Pre-primary Soapbox – 3:00 PM Wednesday, July 14, (location to be announced)
  • Knute Berger, Crosscut columnist – October 12, 11:00 AM, (location to be announced)
  • Skyline General Election Soapbox – Mid-to-late October
  • Is there anything else to announce?

UNSCHEDULED POSSIBILITIES

  • Renee Radcliff Sinclair – President & CEO, TVW (Washington state’s public-affairs television service) – May or later (date to be determined), via Skyline Zoom with an in-person option
  • Redistricting discussion
  • Inquiry sent to – no response – Bill Bryant – GOP candidate for governor, 2016
  • Possible additional speakers (can anyone help with an invitation?): 
    • Scott McClellan, Vice President for University Affairs, Seattle U (White House Press Secretary for G. W. Bush, 2003-06)
    • Jerry Large – Seattle Times columnist (retired)
    • Others?
  • Other suggestions, ideas, comments, and initiatives….

DISCUSSIONS

  • Status of the CEG Program – Short term. Long term. 
    • Katherine Graubard to lead CEG meeting July 10, 4:00 pm
    • Need for volunteers – see below for a list of roles needed to facilitate the working of CEG
    • Sign-up sheets to volunteer will be available at the meeting and/or by contacting Put (putnam.barber@gmail.com)
    • A REMINDER – ‘we’ are the CEG. No one else is going to take on these roles if we don’t.

                        Next Meeting – Fri., June 11 at 4 PM

Skyline Civic Engagement Group – Roles

The following activities, which might in some cases be combined, are needed for a successful Civic Engagement Group (CEG) program at Skyline. The Business Meetings have routinely been scheduled for 4 pm on the 2 nd Friday of each month (with occasional adjustment).   

  • Program Manager – maintains a schedule of upcoming events and prepares an agenda (showing past and upcoming events) for email distribution approximately a week before the monthly business meeting and assists Event Organizers in preparing reminder announcements for emailing upcoming events.
  • Facilitator – moderates the Business Meetings; participants can sign up in advance, on a monthly schedule, to serve in this role one or more times.
  • Note Taker(s) – develop the notes into minutes immediately after each Business Meeting. The minutes serve as a report of any discussion at the meeting, briefly summarize the events that have occurred since the last meeting, and provide details of future programs. There may be assistant note takers who help out with coverage of the meeting.
  • Liaison with Lifestyle Staff – assists Event Organizers by coordinating with the Lifestyle staff. Lifestyle staff will identify dates for programs and arrange for broadcast as necessary and will assure facilities for the monthly Business Meetings.
  • Event Organizer – submits a Lifestyle Activity Request to the Lifestyle office. There are several different responsibilities depending on the type of event: 
    • For events with outside speakers: 
      • contact the potential speaker(s)
      • collect and draft publicity materials for the Caremerge Live Calendar and other announcements
      • welcome the speaker(s) to the building (when in person) or arrange for other resident(s) to do so; assure that someone is available to escort at exit
      • schedule small-group luncheons, etc. as appropriate
      • send a thank-you note (may be co-signed by the Program Manager and/or other residents)
      • emcee an event for which she or he recruited presenter(s) or identify another resident who will perform that task
    • For forums, candidate appearances, discussion sessions 
      • describe the format
      • develop or revise procedures as needed
      • provide the details of the event to Lifestyle for use in the Caremerge Live Calendar and other announcements
      • circulate procedures as a memo to expected presenters or speakers
      • secure greeters, timekeeper, mike runners, chat-box reader, etc., as needed 
        • Jim Sanders will continue to organize some events of this kind.
      • Interacts with the Liaison with Lifestyle person and with the Program Manager for help with developing information for announcements and reminder notices.
    • Gatekeeper – reviews for clarity and appropriateness proposed email distributions to the CEG mailing list. Maintains the email list of participants.  (Mary Jane Francis will continue doing this in the future.)
    • Mailing-list manager – Circulates announcements of upcoming CEG events and other matters of potential interest to the participants after approval by the Gatekeeper. (Rick Baugh arranges for the distribution of CEG notices.)
    • Revised 5/9/21, v6 – PB

==============================================================

State Representative Nicole Macri

Report on the 2021 State Legislative Session
Wednesday, May 5th at 3:00 p.m.

This event will be in the Mount Baker Room (Sign-Up Required) on Channel 370, and on Zoom via CareMerge. 

Please plan to join State Representative Nicole Macri on Wednesday, May 5 th at 3:00 p.m. for a presentation on and discussion of the 2021 State Legislative Session – what got done, how it was it different, and what remains to be accomplished. 

If you have any topics, questions or issues you would like Representative Macri to address in her presentation please send them to Jim Sanders at  jimsanders1947@gmail.com no later than Wednesday, April 28 th.

==============================================================

Minutes from CEG Meeting Friday 4/9/21

  • Please note new dates and times below for May 11 and May 20; Under COMING EVENTS

WELCOME  by Put Barber, Moderator 

ATTENDING

Mary Jane Francis, Dick Dion, Joan and Wayne Horner, Jim Sanders, Steve Ellis, Peggy Newsom, Benneth Morrow, Don Clark, Eileen Huggins, Frank Conlon, Lou Damborg, Michael and Diana Caplow, Peg Haggerty, Pat Haggerty, Rhoda McLauchlan, Steve Ellis, Sue VanLeuven, Ellen Wohl, Berta Beveridge, Val Lynch, Sandra Johanson, Katherine Graubard, Kim Street

PAST EVENTS

  • Put mentioned that he had watched the Town Hall presentation by Cass Sunstein in which he suggested that maybe there needs to be some constraint on the spreading of misinformation online.  This is remarkable because he has in the past been pretty adamant that censorship is unnecessary.  It is difficult, he said, to figure out how it might be done

COMING EVENTS

  • Showing of “The Social Dilemma” as a Skyline movie – 3:30 and 7 PM Sunday, 4/11; CEG-hosted discussion of the movie, 5:10 PM Sunday, 4/11, in the Skyline Zoom Chat Room
  • Naomi Ishisaka, Seattle Times columnist – (New date and time) Tuesday, May 11 – 2:30 pm, via Skyline Zoom with an in-person option
  • Discussion: How to Use Democracy Vouchers – 3:00 PM (New date) Thursday, May 20, Location to be announced
  • Alison McCaffree, LWV redistricting lead – May or later (date to be determined), via Skyline Zoom with an in-person option
  • Representative Nicole Macri, End-of-Session Report – May (date to be determined), via Skyline Zoom with an in-person option
  • Knute Berger, Crosscut columnist – October (date to be determined), details to come

The comment was made that we likely won’t want to schedule speakers too close together.

UNSCHEDULED POSSIBILITIES

  • Put has sent inquiries sent to the following folks, and commented that calls by other residents to reinforce the invitation might help get a positive response):
    • Pollster Stuart Elway
    • Renee Radcliff Sinclair – President & CEO, TVW (Washington state’s public-affairs television service) [After the meeting, Put Reported that she has responded and is willing to come at a date to be determined.]
    • Bill Bryant – GOP candidate for governor, 2016
  • Possible additional speakers (can anyone help with an invitation?): 
    • Scott McClellan, Vice President for University Affairs, Seattle U (White House Press Secretary for G. W. Bush, 2003-06)
    • Jerry Large – Seattle Times columnist (retired)
  • Possible events: 
    • Skyline Primary Soapbox – Mid-July
    • Skyline General Election Soapbox – Mid-October

DISCUSSIONS

  • Sawant Recall.  Mike Caplow asked about having an event concerned with the Sawant recall.  It was noted that signature collection for the recall will last 180 days, so the time may not yet be ripe.  Jim Sanders has copies of the recall petitions.  The recall vote will be a simple majority.  If she is recalled, the City Council would select her replacement.
  • WACCRA –
    • Put reported that Rick Baugh was out of town but had reported that WACCRA is working to implement the Commitment to Continuing Care Retirement Community Practices at the other 22 CCRCs across the state who had signed it, noting that it is reasonable to expect that implementation may be a bit slow.  The plan is to have Leading Age and one of the CCRC Executive Directors who was involved in mediation on the subject take part in a (virtual) road show as to how to implement the Commitment across the state.  Our WACCRA Liaison Committee will take the leading oar at Skyline.  It was reported that some CCRCs have encountered resistance from management.
    • Rick has a copy of, and Mary Jane will circulate, a list of the proposals before the legislature in which WACCRA is interested, with the hope that folks may be interested enough to contact their representatives.
  • Status of the CEG Program – Put noted that his first SRA meeting, following his recent election to the Executive Committee, has confirmed his realization that the SRA job is daunting and emphasized that he will simply not be able to do as thorough a job on CEG has he has in the past.  He expressed the hope and concern that some present at the meeting, and other CEG members not able to be present at the meeting, will take an active role so that his participation can be lessened.
    • First, he noted the need for volunteers to run the CEG meetings, scheduled for the 2nd Friday of each month at 4pm.  When asked if those who run the meetings need to be “computer literate,” such as whether they would need to know how to screen share, etc., he said “no.”  The agenda can be emailed in advance, and Jensen sets up the Zoom aspect.  After discussion, there was consensus to have future CEG meetings in the Mount Baker room (maximum attendance 32), but with the meeting still available by Zoom.  To improve the Zoom experience, there will be two cameras, one on the speaker and one of those in the audience.
    • Second, volunteers are very much needed to contact and schedule potential speakers, running the interface between the speaker and Jensen (who has a handle on the Skyline calendar), in order to find mutually agreeable dates.  Michael and Diana Caplow offered to assist with this task.
    • Last, volunteers are needed for taking notes of the meetings.  Put asked that a volunteer to take the notes of the upcoming May 14th meeting contact him before the meeting.

Next Meeting – May 14, 4 PM

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CEG Meeting – AGENDA for 4 PM, Friday 4/9/21

Via Skyline Zoom – Link available on Caremerge in the Live Calendar

Mt. Baker Room connection will be available for those who lack access to Zoom; sign-up in Lifestyle Binder on the 5th floor

Welcome – Put Barber, Moderator


PAST EVENTS
Is there anything to report?


COMING EVENTS

  • Showing of “The Social Dilemma” as a Skyline movie – 3:30 and 7 PM Sunday, 4/11; CEG-hosted discussion of the movie, 5:10 PM Sunday, 4/11, in the Skyline Zoom Chat Room
  • Discussion: How to Use Democracy Vouchers – 3:00 PM Monday, May 12, Location to be announced
  • Naomi Ishisaka, Seattle Times columnist – May (date to be determined), via Skyline Zoom with an in-person option
  • Alison McCaffree, LWV redistricting lead – May (date to be determined), via Skyline Zoom with an in-person option
  • Representative Nicole Macri, End-of-Session Report – May (date to be determined), via Skyline Zoom with an in-person option
  • Knute Berger, Crosscut columnist – October (date to be determined), details to come
  • Is there anything else to announce?

UNSCHEDULED POSSIBILITIES

  • Inquiries have been sent to (reinforcement of the idea might help with response):
    • Pollster Stuart Grover
    • Renee Radcliff Sinclair – President & CEO, TVW (Washington state’s public-affairs television service)
    • Bill Bryant – GOP candidate for governor, 2016
  • Possible additional speakers (can anyone help with an invitation?):
    • Scott McClellan, Vice President for University Affairs, Seattle U (White House Press Secretary for G. W. Bush, 2003-06)
    • Jerry Large – Seattle Times columnist (retired)
    • Others?
  • Possible events:
    • Skyline Primary Soapbox – Mid-July
    • Skyline General Election Soapbox – Mid-October
  • Other suggestions, ideas, comments, and initiatives….

DISCUSSIONS

  • Status of the CEG Program – Short term. Long term.
    • Need for volunteers – note taking & distribution; facilitator(s)

Next Meeting – May 14, 4 PM

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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT GROUP (CEG) SPECIAL PROGRAM FILM SHOWING

           The Social Dilemma

SUNDAY APRIL 11 at 3:30 p.m. on ZOOM and 370 

…………………………………………….     

To be followed by Public Discussion in the Skyline Chat Room — Beginning at 5:05 p.m. (Link can be found on CareMerge)

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The Social Dilemma (2020, Netflix streaming)  94 min. – Subtitles.   That social media can be addictive and creepy isn’t a revelation to anyone who uses Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like. But in Jeff Orlowski’s documentary “The Social Dilemma,” conscientious defectors from these companies explain that the perniciousness of social networking platforms is a feature, not a bug.  They claim that the manipulation of human behavior for profit is coded into these companies with Machiavellian precision: Infinite scrolling and push notifications keep users constantly engaged; personalized recommendations use data not just to predict but also to influence our actions, turning users into easy prey for advertisers and propagandists.

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Here’s an update from our State Senator Jamie Pedersen on bills related to police accountability….   as of April 9 

As chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee, I have been working closely over the last nine months with my counterpart chairs of the House Public Safety Committee and the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on a package of bills to increase police accountability and combat systemic racism in policing. Nine of those bills have passed their chamber of origin and my committee has passed all five of the House bills: 

E2SSB 5051 (strengthening the ability of the Criminal Justice Training Commission to discipline and remove officers who violate professional standards) — passed the Senate and the House; I am the prime sponsor of the bill 

SSB 5066 (establishing for law enforcement a duty to intervene and a duty to report when they witness excessive force) — passed the Senate and the House 

SSB 5259 (requiring collection of data about law enforcement use of force) — passed the Senate and the House 

ESSB 5263 (removing the felony bar to lawsuits against police who kill or injure people) – passed the Senate and the House 

SHB 1054 (banning police tactics such as chokeholds, no-knock warrants, and tear gas) — passed the House and the Senate 

SHB 1088 (standardizing the process for impeachment disclosures of law enforcement officers) — passed the House and the Senate 

E2SHB 1089 (permitting the state auditor to review deadly force investigations by local law enforcement) — passed the House and the Senate 

ESHB 1267 (establishing a new state office to conduct investigations after a police use of deadly force) – passed the House and the Senate 

E2SHB 1310 (establishing a statewide standard for use of force) – passed the House and the Senate 

1310 passed the Senate just a few minutes ago.  Over the next week or so, each chamber will be considering the amendments made by the other.  I think that we will be able to get all of these bills to the Governor’s desk for signature. 

Best wishes, Jamie  

Senator Jamie Pedersen
43rd Legislative District
jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov
pronouns:  he, him, his 

Olympia Office
JAC 235
P.O. Box 40443
Olympia, WA 98504-0443
(360) 786-7628 

District Office
1200 12th Ave. S., Ste. 801
Seattle, WA 98144
(206) 729-3206 

Legislative AssistantSam Hendrickson
sam.hendrickson@leg.wa.gov 

To subscribe to my online newsletter, please e-mail me. To send any comments, or to learn more please visit my website.

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CEG March 12 Meeting – Minutes

The meeting was available via Skyline Zoom and in the Sky Club Lounge.

After some technological confusion (he was not at Skyline), Put Barber welcomed the participants.

Past Events

Attorney General Bob Ferguson spoke with Skyline and Fred Lind residents via Zoom on February 18 th. Put Barber gave a brief summary of some of his key points. (AG Ferguson’s talk was recorded and is available as one of the February videos on Caremerge.) Ferguson said that during the recent presidential term his office participated in 97 lawsuits challenging federal actions. Many of these court cases will continue in spite of the change of administrations. He mentioned as an example the effort to prevent removing the branch of the National Archives from Seattle; Judge John C. Coughenour has granted an injunction that prevents the move until a full trial can be held. He suggested writing to Rep. Adam Smith (our Member of Congress) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (the branch is located in her district) if you share his view that it’s wrong to move these records out of the region. Of those 97 lawsuits, 42 have been decided – 30 in the plaintiffs’ favor (“a pretty good trach record” he called it).

He also spoke about his office’s proposals that are being considered in the present session of the legislature. One would ban high-capacity magazines on guns – he called it “sensible gun control)”. Another would raise the penalty for violations of the Consumer Protection Act to track the rate of inflation – doing so would increase the rate (set in the 1970s) from $2,000 to $13,000. He pointed out that the AG’s office can propose legislation but any proposal must go through the regular legislative process: approval by both houses and a signature from the governor. In this session, his office has proposed fewer bills and the legislature is doing all it’s business remotely.

After his brief remarks, he asked for questions. One was “Is it illegal to threaten an elected official?” His answer was that it is, but there are strong protections for free speech, so just saying something like “go hang yourself” – a message he has been sent – would not attract attention from law enforcement. Only immediate and credible threats of harm to the official or family members lead automatically to follow-up.

He talked about the difficulty the Postal Service had with the large number of mail-in ballots in the recent election. Washington and several other states sued to require that the Post Office search for, and deliver, any delayed ballots. This lawsuit was successful. Ferguson said the AG of Michigan had told him that the resulting sweep of post officed in that state might have influenced the outcome, since quite a few delayed ballots were found after the lawsuit was won.

He was asked how many attorneys work in the AG’s office. He answered by saying that the office is the largest law firm in the state, with 640 lawyers and about the same number of other staff. The office provides legal advice to more than 200 state agencies through 13 regional offices. Only a small part of its work is public facing like the consumer protection program.

The final question: “Are you running for Mayor of Seattle?” His answer was an emphatic “no”.

Future Events

There were no currently scheduled future events to announce. The group considered a list of possible future speakers: Pollster Stuart Grover; Renee Radcliff Sinclair – President & CEO, TVW (Washington state’s public-affairs television service); Bill Bryant – GOP candidate for governor, 2016; Alison McCaffree – LWV redistricting lead; Jerry Large – Seattle Times columnist (retired); and Naomi Ishisaka – Seattle Times columnist. All of these ideas met with approval. Put Barber asked that anyone who could assist in extending the invitation let him know of their interest.

Frank Conlon suggested inviting UW professor Quintard Taylor but emphasized that it should not be during February. Inviting a Black historian to speak during Black History Month is a little too obvious.

A participant in the Sky Club encouraged everyone to watch the Netflix movie “Social Distance,” which documents the way social media have distorted civic discourse. Don Clark said the Film Committee has already scheduled that movie for April 11 and that they would work out details for a post-film discussion among the viewers if possible.

Mary Jane Francis added that she has found the website of the Black Lives Matter Alliance (Washington) very useful – https://blmalliancewa.org/. It lists the proposals before the current session of the legislature that the organization supports, with up-to-date reports on their status.

Jim Sanders asked if there would be interest in a round-table discussion of the best strategic use of the city of Seattle’s “Democracy Vouchers.” It has been tentatively scheduled for May 12 at 3 pm, since filing for the Fall 2021 elections will end on May 14 th. Several participants expressed interest in having such a discussion.

Other possible future events include an End-of-Session report with Rep. Nicole Macri; a Skyline primary Soapbox in mid-July; and a Skyline general election Soapbox in Mid-October. Jim Sanders said he would talk with Lifestyle about suitable dates and would like help in organizing these events.

Discussion

Put Barber asked whether announcements for the 43 rd legislative district (where we live) should be circulated to the CEG list. For example, he said, there will be a Town Hall on Saturday March 13. The consensus was that forwarding word of these events to subscribers would be a good idea. Question: Will the event on Saturday be virtual or in-person. Answer: It is scheduled for Facebook Live and YouTube. Put Barber said he had found the instructions for access Facebook live events on the Facebook website very clear and helpful.

Put Barber noted that there had been quite a few months recently when CEG has been completely inactive. He asked whether participants believe it would be a good idea to restart the tradition of regular monthly CEG “business meetings.” The participants in the March 12 meeting were quite clear that continuing the regular meetings would be a good idea. He then asked for volunteers for a smaller group to consider how best to assure the future of the program and (he said frankly) reduce its dependence on him. Quite a few participants said they would be glad to join such a group: Frank Conlon, Mary Jane Francis; Diana Caplow, Sue VanLeuven; Katherine Graubard; Jim Sanders, Kim Street, and possibly others. (If you would like to be included in this group, please let Put Barber know at putnam.barber@gmail.com.)

Joan Horner said that she feels it is very important that future CEG meetings take place in a face-to-face setting, that engaging with the kinds of questions CEG discusses is much more helpful and (in a good way) challenging when the participants are in a room together. Earlier in the meeting, Dave O’Hara noted how much easier it is to get speakers to agree when their presence is virtual. Put Barber suggested that in the future CEG should arrange to have the meetings in an “hybrid” fashion – with both an in-person setting (like the Sky Club) and Zoom.

Next “business” meeting: April 9, 4 pm. It is scheduled for the Mt. Baker Room (with up to 30 participants) and will be on the Skyline Zoom (see the Live Calendar in Caremerge) and Channel 370 as well.

Organizing group meeting to be arranged. Anyone interested in participating should let Put Barber know.

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