Education Day: Goverment and Public Policy in Snohomish County

As I reflect back on the last Education Day, "Government and Public Policy" I wanted to express my appreciation to the Leadership Snohomish County Education Day chairs for both providing informative and interesting speakers. I have worked for the City of Everett for many years and appreciated learning the "bigger picture" in regards to Snohomish County government. I realized how little I knew about many of the County's functions and I was amazed with the information shared by Tracie Stevens regarding the Tulalip Tribes. As was the case after the first Education Day, I walked away with a much better understanding of our County and the many types of government operations.

Homeless Shelter Room Renovation Project Update

Happy New Year! On behalf of the THSRRP, ("Team Homeless Shelter Room Renovation Project"), I wanted to update you on our project. As a reminder our project is to renovate some, the number is currently undetermined at this time and dependent on donations, of the rooms used by families at the Interfaith Family Shelter in Everett. The shelter provides 90-120 days of emergency shelter for families. It survives on an extremely limited budget. Homelessness continues to increase, with the largest population being that of single women and two-parent families with children. When families are homeless it threatens the overall health of our community. In Snohomish County the lack of affordable housing is one of many reasons families become homeless. At the Interfaith Family Shelter they strive to go beyond providing a place to stay. They strive to break the cycle of homelessness, and rebuild lives. Families participate in life skills classes as well as children's educational, developmental and recreational programs.

Our team has spent time with the Interfaith Shelter staff identifying and prioritizing their needs as well as time as a team brainstorming and planning. We have learned that their greatest need is for beds and mattresses. The more beds we can fit in to a room, comfortably, the better! We have the potential to expand the number of families the shelter serves if we can maximize the number of beds in each room. That would be so exciting to actually contribute to increasing the number of homeless families served in Snohomish County. We hope to add some additional improvements to the project scope such as sink/vanities, carpeting and paint, depending on our fundraising and product donation efforts. We have developed a draft project scope we hope to finalize the first week of January. Our fundraising and product donation efforts will kick off in early January.

How can you help? You'll be hearing from us soon as we launch our fundraising and volunteer recruitment efforts. We want your ideas, names of contacts that could be helpful, donations, connections you have with organizations who may be interested in assisting us, etc. This is a project that many can participate in and make a direct difference on homeless families in Snohomish County.

For more information about our project or the Interfaith Family Shelter you can contact anyone from our project team. Our team members are: Stacy Vance, Keith Kubie, Heather Coleman, Robert Waddle and myself.

Lori Cummings

Let's make 2009 an Awesome Leadership Year

As I prepare for our next LSC Education Day on Business and Economic Development in Snohomish County, I cannot help but think about the current issues facing the country and our own area. The call for leadership is screaming across the headlines throughout our country. With the mortgage crisis, the national bailout of select financial institutions, the auto makers crisis, and the continued Wall Street roller coaster, it is easy to find yourself overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness. In such times we tend to look for a savior - one individual, or a small group of individuals, who will ride in valiantly on a white horse and rescue us from our current reality. Let me snap you back to reality!!! The time for sitting back and passively hoping for someone else to change the world is often a losing proposition and not a viable option.

These are both scary as well as exciting times. Ghandi said, " Be the change you want to see in the world." That quote means to me that it is not up to one leader to change the world. The time has come for all leaders throughout our nation to step up. The New Year brings with it endless possibilities for positive change. While the country's economic crisis might feel overwhelming on a grand scale, there are small steps that every individual can take on a daily basis to make a positive impact. While you might not be able to make a substantial impact at the national level, everyone can make a difference locally. From volunteering at your local shelter a few hours per month to mentoring underprivileged youth to running for a local council seat, every individual can help to create positive change for the future within their own community. One of the things I will be asking myself is this, "What can I do to make a difference in 2009?

Leaders take action. Anyone can sit back waiting for someone else to make a difference. Step up and take the lead.

Great Public Policy Day

Having worked for elected officials in the past, I was very anxious to see how the Washington process works. The speakers shared a lot of great information with us. It was fascinating to hear about things from the Native American point of view because it is clear to me that there are a lot of opportunities for improvement in that area.

I was very impressed with the great questions posed by all my fellow classmates. They are very informed on the issues. I came there to listen and learn because I am still trying to figure out how things really work around Snohomish County. Having lived in 3 states in the past 4 years, I find myself comparing the way things are there to the way things are here. To me this is an advantage in some aspects but a marked disadvantage in other ways. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that it really makes a difference when you do not live directly in the state capital of any state. I feel so out of the loop. I know that I have a lot of learning to do because if I plan to be a strong leader and agent of change then I need to know about the current issues and the way this government works so I can be an informed citizen.

Thank you Leadership Snohomish County for providing such great speakers.

Expressing Gratitude

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this week!!! As Thanksgiving approaches my thoughts turn to the things that I am thankful for this year. I feel it is important to express gratitude to others. One thing I have learned from my experience in LSC so far is that leaders should let those around them know that they and their contributions are appreciated. I thought about some simple ways that I show appreciation. Here are five simple ways to express your gratitude this Thanksgiving:
1. Say "Thank You." When a colleague goes above and beyond, when your spouse completes a chore that he/she isn't usually assigned, when a friend lends a helping hand, show that you appreciate their efforts. Saying "thank you" is an often overlooked, but powerful, expression of gratitude that allows the recipient to know that they are valued. Two simple words that are worth so much.
2. Pick up the telephone. Do you have team members, friends or family sprinkled all over the country? A simple phone call this week wishing them a very happy Thanksgiving will go along way to letting them know that you value their presence in your life.
3. Extend a dinner invitation. Are you having a large gathering this Thanksgiving? Do you know a colleague or friend who might be alone for the holiday? Express your gratitude by inviting him/her to join you.
4. Offer to cover. Do you work in an industry that needs people to work over the upcoming holiday weekend? Or, do you know someone who is travelling for the holiday? If you don't already have established plans, show you appreciate the contributions of others by offering to cover holiday shifts. If you have plans but are not traveling, offer to cover for a few hours on Wednesday afternoon so that those traveling can hit the road a bit early.
5. Be present. If you are lucky enough to be spending Thanksgiving with those who are most important to you, the best way to show them that you are grateful for their presence in your life is to be fully present throughout the holiday. Leave the Blackberry in your briefcase, put the laptop away, turn off any unnecessary television and enjoy the company of your loved ones. Sharing your whole self with others, whether watching the football game together, engaging in meaningful conversation over dinner, or playing on the floor with the young ones, is the best method to show your gratitude this Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for this great program and I am very thankful that I was selected to be part of such a wonderful team of leaders. Happy Thanksgiving.

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."

The recent education day was very enlightening for me on multiple levels. Prior to my work at Boeing, I spent 7 years working for the Oklahoma State Department of Education in different capacities from School Auditor to Special Education Compliance. I will always have a special spot in my heart for all teachers because their job is truly one that requires a great degree of self-sacrifice. The examples we saw made it very clear to me that it truly does take a village to raise a child. Parents need to take an active role in all facets of education. Everyone needs to take a participatory role in education in one form or another. Life is not a spectator sport. One of my favorite quotes comes from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, " Knowing is not enough; We must apply. Willing is not enough; We must do." This experience in LSC will touch us all in different ways, I challenge each one of my co-leaders to pay it forward and apply their special talents in a way that will leave a lasting legacy. Looking forward to the next education day!!!

Education Day -informative and inspiring

Thank you to the Leadership Snohomish County Education Committee for the high quality program provided last Thursday November 6th, 2008. Although I enjoyed the entire day I found the site visit to Quilceda Elementary especially informative and inspiring. I also enjoyed the panel session held late in the day. It was impressive to hear so may leaders within our community speak about their passion....and inspire us to contribute more to our community.