2018 AWB Annual Report | Page 18

AWB partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to host the first-ever Early Childhood Learning event in April. “It has been a very rewarding experience. You feel that you’ve been heard. We actually made a difference.” stephanie swanberg, government affairs manager, tri-cities regional chamber of commerce, said of her participation in awb’s legislative day and hill climb pg. 18 the grassroots voice The AWB – Local Chamber Grassroots Alliance, which grew to include more than 80 chambers of commerce throughout Washington state, proved to be a tremendous asset again in 2018. As the new statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave program geared up, members of the Grassroots Alliance attended AWB webinars explaining the program and encouraged their members to do the same throughout the year. They also disseminated AWB issue briefs on the program to ensure their member employers had a quality resource to prepare their business and employees for the first phase of the program. of Labor and Industries on new Executive, Administrative and Professional Overtime Rulemaking that begin in April. A seat at the table — and encouraging their member businesses to offer feedback — has kept the employer voice front and center. Many of them also participated in AWB’s events throughout the year, testified before the Legislature and advocated alongside AWB for policies to improve their communities and support job creation. Whether a local chamber with a volunteer staff, an ethnic chamber, or a large chamber with a wealth of resources, AWB’s Grassroots The same can be said for the Alliance’s work to Alliance proves the strength of AWB comes engage with AWB and the state Department from the people it serves.