Rockford Town Council Hosts AWC Risk Management Education, October 5, 2011

Rockford, Wash., government officials scheduled a Association of Washington Cities (AWC) training and education session, October 5, 2011, to follow their regular Town Council meeting, which convenes at 6:00 p.m.in Rockford Town Hall, W. 20 Emma St.

AWC sponsors several excellent training programs tailored to meet the needs of local government officials. AWC's Risk Management Service Agency (RMSA) conducts training workshops.

Association of Washington Cities is a private, non-profit, non-partisan corporation. Founded in 1933 that represents Washington's cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch and with regulatory agencies. AWC consistently maintains 100% voluntary participation from Washington's 281 cities and towns.

Roger Neal, Loss Control Coordinator, AWC RMSA will present right after the regular meeting. Information on AWC's website says sign in and on-site registration begins at 6:45 p.m.; training begins at 7 pm and ends at 9 pm. However, Darlene LaShaw, Rockford Town Clerk, said pre-registration [at AWC] is required because seating is limited.

AWC says, "The separation of power between the mayor and council needs to be clearly understood to allow for efficient operation of your city. This workshop covers the basic powers of government, the statutory duties of the mayor and council and reviews the different types of council meetings. Taught by a former elected official, the workshop also will provide practical advice and tips to help you in your role as a mayor or council member."

Registration and fees are free for Risk Management Service Agency (RMSA) members. $95 per person for non-members. A fee of $25 will be charged for cancellations made more than one week prior to the meeting for which you are registered. Cancellations made less than seven days prior to the meeting for which you are registered will require full payment. Contact Joe Alvord, joea@awcnet.org about workshop information.

Mayor Micki Harnois (mayor@rockfordwa.com) said government officials from Rockford, Fairfield, Latah, Waverly, and Spangle plan to attend.

AWC focuses on:

• Legislative representation
• Educational training
• Publications and resources
• Technical assistance in personnel and labor relations, energy, transportation, budgeting, planning, risk management and employee wellness
• Member programs, such as municipal liability and property insurance, employee drug and alcohol testing, and employee benefits.

AWC is a highly respected voice of cities and towns before the Legislature, Congress, government agencies and others. The organization takes pride in being a catalyst for promoting communication between cities and towns and for developing a broad public understanding of the important roles of cities and towns across the state.

The organization provides members information on issues such as what local government officials need to know about Washington’s Public Records Act and Open Public Meeting Act.

• The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA),
• The Public Records Act (PRA) , the legal framework for citizen access. While most violations of these laws are unintentional, a single misstep can be costly and erode public confidence.

AWC has Associate members  and Affiliate members.  A 24-member Board of Directors oversees the association's activities.