Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 14, 2016 to jessica.hansen@yvcog.org for the Grandview Library Location

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
311 N. 4^th Street, Ste 204
Yakima, WA 98901
www.yvcog.org
509-574-1550

WHAT: Yakima Valley Homeless Program: Project Funding Workshops

Many cities throughout the Yakima Valley have questions about current and potential services available for those who are homeless within their communities. Recent events have emphasized the need to improve communication and collaboration between city leaders and staff from those agencies who serve the homeless. To bridge that gap and bring those parties together, the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments will be hosting their first Yakima Valley Homeless Program: Project Funding Workshop. 

We will release the request for proposals (RFP) for new contracts to serve and house the homeless on March 20^th, for the next funding cycle that begins July 1^st. To better prepare both city leaders and agency staff for the RFP, YVCOG is providing city councilmembers and their staff with the opportunity to learn more about the types of services available in their communities. These workshops will also help service agencies learn more about what solutions city leaders would like to see in their communities.

The goals of the workshops are two-fold:

• To improve communication and foster the exchange of ideas in order to consider new approaches to the problem of homelessness, and;
• To enhance city/service agency awareness and collaboration on project(s) within their cities, prior to the submittal of RFPs this spring.

WHEN/WHERE:

We have scheduled two workshops, one in the Lower Valley and one in the Upper Valley.  Dates, locations and times are as follows:

February 16^th – Grandview Public Library 1:30 – 4:30 pm
(Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 14, 2016)

February 22^nd – ESD 105, 2^nd Street in Yakima, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
(Please RSVP by Monday, February 20, 2016)

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Staff members from local service agencies will give a brief overview of current services provided in Valley communities. City representatives can then meet directly with those staff members to ask questions and discuss ideas about reducing homelessness within their communities. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments will also discuss the new funding cycle and the pending release of the request for proposal (RFP) application. Interested members of the community are welcome to attend.

In fulfilling it’s role as a convener, catalyst, and resource, the YVCOG looks forward to bringing city leaders and  service providers together in order to improve understanding and develop long-term solutions to reducing homelessness. Long-term solutions will require ongoing communication and coordination between elected officials, the business community, service agencies, and the faith community.

CONTACT: Crystal Testerman, YVCOG Homeless Program Manager at 509-574-1550 or visit the YVCOG website at www.yvcog.org

Please RSVP by Monday, February 20, 2016 to jessica.hansen@yvcog.org for the ESD 105 – Yakima Location

MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
311 N. 4^th Street, Ste 204
Yakima, WA 98901
www.yvcog.org
509-574-1550

WHAT: Yakima Valley Homeless Program: Project Funding Workshops

Many cities throughout the Yakima Valley have questions about current and potential services available for those who are homeless within their communities. Recent events have emphasized the need to improve communication and collaboration between city leaders and staff from those agencies who serve the homeless. To bridge that gap and bring those parties together, the Yakima Valley Conference of Governments will be hosting their first Yakima Valley Homeless Program: Project Funding Workshop. 

We will release the request for proposals (RFP) for new contracts to serve and house the homeless on March 20^th, for the next funding cycle that begins July 1^st. To better prepare both city leaders and agency staff for the RFP, YVCOG is providing city council members and their staff with the opportunity to learn more about the types of services available in their communities. These workshops will also help service agencies learn more about what solutions city leaders would like to see in their communities.

The goals of the workshops are two-fold:

• To improve communication and foster the exchange of ideas in order to consider new approaches to the problem of homelessness, and;
• To enhance city/service agency awareness and collaboration on project(s) within their cities, prior to the submittal of RFPs this spring.

WHEN/WHERE:

We have scheduled two workshops, one in the Lower Valley and one in the Upper Valley.  Dates, locations and times are as follows:

February 16^th – Grandview Public Library 1:30 – 4:30 pm
(Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 14, 2016)

 February 22^nd – ESD 105, 2^nd Street in Yakima, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
(Please RSVP by Monday, February 20, 2016)

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Staff members from local service agencies will give a brief overview of current services provided in Valley communities. City representatives can then meet directly with those staff members to ask questions and discuss ideas about reducing homelessness within their communities. Yakima Valley Conference of Governments will also discuss the new funding cycle and the pending release of the request for proposal (RFP) application. Interested members of the community are welcome to attend.

In fulfilling it’s role as a convener, catalyst, and resource, the YVCOG looks forward to bringing city leaders and  service providers together in order to improve understanding and develop long-term solutions to reducing homelessness. Long-term solutions will require ongoing communication and coordination between elected officials, the business community, service agencies, and the faith community.

CONTACT: Crystal Testerman, YVCOG Homeless Program Manager at 509-574-1550 or visit the YVCOG website at www.yvcog.org

YVCOG General Membership Meeting
March 15, 2017
Bon Vino’s Bistro
122 N 16th St, Sunnyside, WA 98944

6:30 PM – Social Half-Hour
7:00 PM – Dinner – $20.00
7:30 PM – Program

Please make checks payable to:
Bon Vino’s Bistro for $20

Speakers: Joe Schmitt, YCDA; Jacki Skaught, CERB; Jay Hester, Port of Sunnyside

Menu:  Beef & Chicken Ragu served with Pasta,
Green Salad with Dressing, Rolls & Dessert

RSVPs due to info@yvcog.org prior to noon on Friday, March 10, 2017.

How do you recognize and respond to the effect trauma has on the people you work with every day?

Trauma-Informed Service is a best practice in the provision of both victim services and homeless services. Trauma-Informed Service is an approach to engaging people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives.

Come learn the basic principles of Trauma-Informed Services and how to apply it to your daily work with people experiencing homelessness.

FAQs

Who should go to this event?

This training is for homeless housing service providers in Walla Walla, Benton-Franklin, Yakima, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties. We encourage direct service providers and their supervisors to attend. Consolidated Homeless Grant grantees and subgrantees will be given priority if there is a waitlist.

What are my parking options for this event?

There is a free parking at the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management.

What can I bring to the event?

Feel free to bring drinks, snacks and lunch to the event. There are also several restaurants nearby. We will have one hour for lunch.

Peabody Communications presents “Plain Talk” Documents

WRITING DOCUMENTS IN PLAIN TALK

Course Length: 9:00am-12:00pm
This course will cover the general principles and seven guidelines of Plain Talk as it applies to writing instructions, announcements, publications, and other documents.

As a writer or editor for a state agency you should write and design your documents for easy use and customer understanding. In order to do so, you need to use plain language or writing that the typical customer can act upon after a single reading. Writing in Plain Talk allows government to excel at what it does best – serve the public.

For more in-depth information about the Governor’s Initiative on Plain Talk go to: http://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/efficient-government/plain-talk

Note: This course helps you get your documents to the point of usability, but does not include training on usability testing.
• Understand customer needs.
• Use simple language.
• Include only important information.
• Keep sentences and paragraphs short.
• Use active sentences.
• Use key personal pronouns such as “we” and “you.”
• Design clear pages.

1. Spend less time writing.
2. Unlock the power of “active” writing.
3. Understand the importance of context in your writing.
4. Learn how to test your writing with a readability tool.

Class Fee: $75.00 per person
Register by Friday, April 14, 2017

Contact Jessica Hansen at 509574-1550
or email info@yvcog.org to register.

Please mail your course fee to:
YVCOG
311 N. 4th Street, Ste. 204
Yakima, WA 98901

Please make checks out to: YVCOG

Robert’s Rules of Order

Robert’s Rules of Order have a bad reputation. Few people realize that these rules contain vital principles and guidelines that are essential for efficient, effective and fair meetings.

The original Robert was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He published his “pocket manual” in 1876. The book rapidly spread all across the U.S. Everyone was happy to have a common understanding of how to run their meetings.

Over the years, however, Robert’s Rules of Order became more and more complicated and confusing. The current version, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11^th edition, has more than 800 pages. It is not an easy read.

It is also true, however, that these rules contain some simple guidelines that can transform your meetings.

We encourage every civic body, board of directors, council or commission to adopt Robert’s Rules of Order and learn the essentials of how it functions.

For more information on Jurassic Parliament please visit www.jurassicparliament.com

Class Fee: $75.00 per person
Register by Friday, April 14, 2017

Contact Jessica Hansen at 509 574-1550
or email info@yvcog.org to register.

Please mail your course fee to:
YVCOG
311 N. 4th Street, Ste. 204
Yakima, WA 98901

Please make checks out to: YVCOG

Tools for Funding Future Infrastructure Projects – YVCOG – Yakima Valley Conference of Governments

FREE TRAINING!

Tools for Funding Future Infrastructure Projects
April 20, 2017
Best Western Plus – Zillah, WA
911 Vintage Valley Pkwy, Zillah, WA 98953

Staff from the Departments of Health, Ecology, and Commerce, USDA Rural Development, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, Community Development Block Grant, Transportation Improvement Board, Public Works Board, and other funding programs will be available to explore your community’s infrastructure needs!

5 CML Credits and .5 CEU credits are offered!

Training Sessions:

8:30 am – Registration, coffee and pastries

9:00 am – General Session: State & Federal Funding Program Panel

10:00 am – Project Planning and Cost Effectiveness – David Dunn PE, Department of Ecology

11:00 am – Complimentary Lunch

11:45 am – Asset Management – Karen Klocke, Department of Health, and Heather Cannon, Rural Community Assistance Corp (RCAC)

2:00 pm – Rate Setting – Angie Sanchez Virnoche, FCS Group

3:30 pm – Wrap up

For more information, and session descriptions: www.pwb.wa.gov/Resource-Center/Training/

FAQs

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Barbara Smith: (360) 725-2744, barbara.smith@commerce.wa.gov

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, you do not. We will have a list of registered participants at the registration table.

Can I update my registration information?

Yes. You can do that here on Event Brite. If you have any problems, please contact Barbara Smith to make any changes: (360) 725-2744, barbara.smith@commerce.wa.gov

Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

Yes. If you cannot make the training, and wish to send someone else, please just let us know.
Contact Barbara Smith to make any changes: (360) 725-2744, barbara.smith@commerce.wa.gov

To register for this class please visit the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tools-for-funding-future-infrastructure-projects-yakima-04202017-registration-32706608346

YVCOG’s May General Membership Meeting

(General Membership meetings are open to the public – must RSVP)

May 17, 2017
Nana Kate’s
432 E Goodlander Rd, Selah, WA 98942
6:30 p.m. – Social
7:00 p.m. – Dinner
Please make checks payable to:
Nana Kate’s for $20

RSVPs due to info@yvcog.org prior to noon on May 12, 2017.

Speaker: Washington State Treasurer Duane Davidson
Presentation: The ‘LOCAL Program’
The LOCAL PROGRAM offers local governments a way to finance essential real estate and equipment over a multi-year period.
The major benefits of LOCAL are (1) simplicity and (2) low cost financing. Participants will benefit from the current program rating of Moody’s Aa2, low fees and expenses, and access to the public bond markets.
The LOCAL PROGRAM is administered by the Office of the State Treasurer (OST). Legal and administrative costs for each participating local government are minimized through the use of standardized documentation. Once financing documents have been completed and borrowing rates set by the market, each local government receives a detailed schedule of semi-annual payments due on its outstanding leases. Funds are either distributed directly to vendors or made available on a reimbursement basis upon receipt of detailed invoices and proof of payment.
http://www.tre.wa.gov/LOCAL/index.shtml

Menu: Roasted Red Pepper Mousse with house made crackers
Tapas Appetizer Tray
Baby Spring Mix Salad with pears, candied hazelnuts & Balsamic Vinaigrette
Asparagus Spears with almonds and Hollandaise Sauce
Beef Burgundy over Puff Pastry with rosemary roasted red potatoes
Fresh Fruit Tarts with Ceme Angalise
Wine and Beer available for purchase
(Vegetarian, Gluten, Allergy Free – available upon request)

RSVPs due to info@yvcog.org prior to noon on May 12, 2017.