#CLC2015: Comprehensive Tracks and Sessions
Our attendee driven agenda features comprehensive tracks to drill down on the hottest topics in County Government, with sessions structured to help you create a customized agenda based on your role, level of experience, and key focus.

Check out some of our exciting sessions!

Cyber Security: New Threats, New Tactics:

Informative session discussing about new developments and trends in cyber security and how it applies to consumers and companies.

Speaker Brian Seely is a world famous cyber security expert, ethical hacker, author and former U.S. Marine. Seely is known for intercepting calls to the United States Secret Service and FBI by hacking Google Maps in early 2014, but rather than spending time in prison he was called a hero and moved on to bigger and better things. A few months later, he found an exploit in LinkedIn.com and helped the company resolve it.

Mapping County Data: Introduction to NACo's County Explorer:

County Explorer is NACo's one-stop shop for county data, maps, profiles, and county research. Launched at the 2014 NACo annual conference, this online interactive tool now hosts over 100 datasets, close to 800 maps, and 11 county PDF profiles.

NACo Research Analyst Brian Knudsen will provide a step-by-step introduction to County Explorer, and demonstrate its value for benchmarking, advocacy, and communication.


Stepping Up: A Discussion on Reducing Mental Illness in Jails:

Counties across the country struggle with high numbers of people with mental illnesses cycling through their jails. Despite efforts to reduce these numbers, counties often face policy and funding barriers that keep them from making a real impact.

In this workshop, Nastassia Walsh, Program Manager with the National Association of Counties, will describe “Stepping Up”, a national initiative to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails.

Get all the details about #CLC2015 including conference workshops and the full agenda here.
 

New from WSAC: Webinar Wednesdays!
Looking for a way to reach a broader audience? Have a presentation perfect for county leaders? We have the perfect platform for you!

Beginning in January 2016, WSAC will host a series of training and informational webinars for our members. From infrastructure, to workforce development, to a myriad of other topics this webinar series is sure to have something for everyone!

Interested in having WSAC host a webinar for your organization? Click here to sign up!

Join us the second Wednesday of the month for exciting sessions from our business partners and other affiliate organizations.

WSAC Welcomes New Staff
WSAC is pleased to announce the appointment of Axel Swanson to the position of Director of Research with the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC).

Mr. Swanson brings to WSAC his experience as a Senior Policy Analyst for Clark County, Cowlitz County Commissioner, member of WSAC's Legislative Steering Committee and Board of Directors, and an intern at the Washington State Senate and Attorney General’s Office. He is a graduate of Gonzaga University and the Vermont Law School.

His expertise in county issues and budget, legislative advocacy, and collaboration on a variety of statewide and local boards are valuable assets to our Association members.

Mr. Swanson will play a critical role in developing a research program to support WSAC’s policy objectives.

We are excited to welcome Axel to his new role in the "County Family"! 
 

It's almost time to vote!
The WSAC Annual Elections are well-underway! Here are the 2016 WSAC Board Candidates:

President
Stephanie Wright, Snohomish
  
Vice President
Obie O'Brien, Kittitas
  
Secretary/Treasurer
Blair Brady, Wahkiakum
Robert Gelder, Kitsap
Jamie Stephens, San Juan
Derek Young, Pierce
  
Eastern Region Rep
Al French, Spokane
Bob Koch, Franklin
Mike Manus, Pend Oreille
Dale Snyder, Douglas
Carolann Swartz, Grant
  
Eastern Region Alternate
Scott Hutsell, Lincoln
Jim Johnson, Walla Walla
  
Western Region Rep
Kenneth Dahlstedt, Skagit
Edna Fund, Lewis
Frank Gordon, Grays Harbor
Ken Klein Snohomish
Jim McEntire, Clallam
  
Western Region Alternate
Blair Brady, Wahkiakum
Dennis Weber, Cowlitz

Polls open at 10a on Tues., Nov. 3. Please look for see an email from Rachel Baldwin with online voting instructions on Monday.

We will also have a voting station at the County Leaders Conference in the event you prefer to cast your votes there. 

Voting will close at 5p on Wed., Nov. 18, and the results will be announced during the General Membership meeting at the County Leaders Conference.
 

57th Annual WACO Conference Recap

The 57th Annual Washington Association of County Officials Conference 2015 was held in Tacoma, Wash. at the beautiful Hotel Murano. WACO membership elected a new Board of Trustees, including newly-elected President, Tim Davidson. The Conference received overwhelmingly positive feedback from WACO membership, invited guests, and exhibitors. The WACO conference was a training oriented conference with a focus on ethics and leadership. WACO looks forward to carrying this theme forward throughout the next year and into the 58th Annual Conference to be held at the Davenport Grand in Spokane, Wash. in September 2016.

Skamania Lodge is Full!
We are continuing to work to fit in everyone who wants to attend.

If you are still looking for a room, please sign up on the waitlist, or contact our Member Services Coordinator, Sarah Langley directly at (360) 489-3022.

Need a guaranteed room? Contact Best Western Plus - Columbia River Inn located just across the Washington/Oregon border.