Check out this WIN BRG-produced video that raises awareness about Washington State as an employer of choice for immigrant communities, showcases the diversity of the state workforce, and promotes the State as a welcoming environment where immigrants can feel valued and appreciated.
WIN's Mentoring Program Now Accepting New Mentees
Are you new to state service?
Are you seeking guidance on how to manage your career goals?
Do you need someone to talk to and share ideas with?
If yes, then WIN's Mentoring Program maybe a good resource for you. We have mentors from several state agencies from various ethnic backgrounds with varied expertise and experiences, including multilingual. You can view WIN's list of eligible mentors to see if there is someone whose career experience and background would be a good match. After reviewing the mentor's profiles, you can submit your mentoring request here.
Questions about the Mentor Program? Please reach out to Christina Pourarien, Chair & Mentoring Program Administrator at Washington Immigrant Network, at win@ofm.wa.gov.
Featured Immigrant Story:
Indira Melgarejo
Office of Financial Management (OFM)
Indira Melgarejo (She/Her/Ella) works for the Office of Financial Management (OFM) as the Business Resource Group Coordinator. Indira moved to the US in 2018 and started working with the state in 2019.
Indira is originally from Venezuela, where she was a tenured professor and a clinical child psychologist.
After moving to the US, Indira started learning about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) matters, first as a volunteer in a non-profit in Olympia, then while working at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) and serving on the Latino Leadership Network board. The DEI path allowed her to gain her second state job with Department of Enterprise Services (DES) in supplier diversity and later into OFM.
Her hobbies include dancing to Caribbean music, aerial acrobatics, reading, and outdoor activities with her spouse and child.
The Membership Outreach Subcommittee oversees and manages WIN BRG outreach efforts through various agencies and communities. The team is responsible for coordinating outreach events and oversees all immigrant and allies’ membership outreach and retention.
WIN June 2023 Annual Event Planning Committee Volunteers
We are looking for members to participate in planning for WIN BRG June annual event. Please contact Sally Elliott, WIN co-chair at YOUS235@lni.wa.gov if you would like more information or would like to volunteer as part of the WIN 2023 annual planning committee.
Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) Hiring Event
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
9am-5pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm
Your Washington State VERG is excited to announce that we are preparing to launch the Inaugural Washington State Agency Hiring Event on Joint Base Lewis McChord on March 28, from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. This event is open to current Washington State National Guard, transitioning Service Members, and their families. Your VERG is partnering with various state agencies, Hiring Our Heroes, Washington State National Guard, and other organizations to provide transitioning Service Members and their families an opportunity to speak with Recruiters, Hiring Managers, and current Veteran state employees and gain insight to the various roles and benefits within state government.
If your agency would like to reserve a spot or if you would like to volunteer, please contact VERG at VERGInformation@dva.wa.gov
Blacks United In Leadership and Diversity invites you!
Please join us for a Fireside Chat and Panel discussion centering our sister, queen, Matriarch – the Black Woman – as we continue on our quest to explore Black Identity and Interests. The Black woman has played a pivotal role in the survival of black people, and yet, her contributions more often than not go unrecognized, following the pattern of patriarchy in the society. The Black Woman provides an example for us all as she continues raise challenges in every way to the racism and misogyny in the world.
This is a great opportunity to venture into an important Washington State Government workforce demographic, the Black Women, to learn and celebrate Black employee community diversity while amplifying multiple perspectives.
BUILD Fireside Chat – A place for grounding and exploring the richness of diversity in the black space through the sharing of the many stories and perspectives in order to develop knowledge on the meaning of being black, as well as the interests of Black People.
Title:Black Magic Woman – Centering our Black Feminine Humanity and Critique facilitated by the BUILD Policy & Data Subcommittee
Purpose: A presentation and panel discussion focused on the perspectives and experiences of Black Women as we continue to explore identity and interests in the Black space.
Panelists:
Megan Matthews - | Office of Equity | Assistant Director, Shared Power Design
Abeba Teferi - | Department of Social and Health Services | Public Benefits Specialist 4, Community Service Division
When: March 29 from 12pm – 1pm
We are looking for one additional panelist, BUILD (woman) member/state employee that identifies as Black and female, to participate in this event. If you are interested in participating, please email us at BUILD@ofm.wa.gov .
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RAIN Transgender Day of Visibility Panel
You are invited to the Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) panel hosted by RAIN! TDOV is an annual day meant to celebrate, bring awareness, and elevate the visibility and voices of trans folks. Join us for this information packed panel where folks will share their stories and talk about what TDOV means to them. This event is one time only, we do not record our events to respect the privacy and personal stories shared by our panelists. Automated closed captioning will be available throughout the event, for all other accommodation requests please email:
*You must use your state email address to register for the event. If you do not have a zoom login with that email, make sure to create one (it’s free) before attempting to register. The panel is only open to Washington state employees and employees of Washington Institutions of Higher Education. Personal emails will be denied access.
General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.
First time coming to a WIN General Membership Meeting?
The WIN Business Resource Group (BRG) welcomes all members and allies. Our BRG serve as a resource for all immigrants who are state employees to connect, share and educate each other and Washington state agencies on the skills, expertise and cultural value of a diverse workforce. (Note: WIN defines as "immigrant" as a person born in a foreign country or having a foreign-born parent.
If you would like more information or want to volunteer for WIN, please consider joining our sub-committees. Please reach out to the WIN chair, Christina Pourarien and WIN vice-chair, Sally Elliott at win@ofm.wa.gov to chat about what our subcommittees are working on and ways to get involved.
WIN strives provide accessible for all people. Please email win@ofm.wa.gov for any accommodation requests.
WIN, VERG, & HAPPEN BRG Career Development Workshop
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
11:00 am to 1 pm
Hosts: TBD
The Professional Development Subcommittee provides tools and resources for WIN BRG members to grow professionally through training, webinars, conferences, books, articles, and mentorship. The Professional Development Subcommittee strives to serve WIN's members through accessible conference programming to help them grow.
The schedule will depend on the number of people we have registered to attend this workshop.
The first week of May is for recognizing the great work and service public employees provide for Washingtonians. This year, in-person cross-agency events are back — join us in celebrating state employees at the Capitol Campus, in Spokane, in the Tri-Cities and at T-Mobile Park.
Olympia celebration | Wednesday, May 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us on the East Lawn of the Capitol Campus May 10, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for our first in-person Olympia PSRW celebration since 2019! Pick up a hot dog, visit vendor booths, chat with fellow state employees and kick back to the DJ and live band.
Spokane celebration | Wednesday, May 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Join us at the National Guard Readiness Center, Bldg. G, Wednesday, May 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Spokane PSRW Celebration! We will have lunches, vendor booths, activities and prizes.
Tri-Cities celebration | Thursday, May 11, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate with us at the Southridge Sports Complex in Kennewick. Hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages will be provided— you can choose between outdoor or indoor seating. Enjoy rides on the Gesa Carousel from 5:45 – 6:45 p.m.
Seattle Mariners game| May 6, 6:40 p.m.
Join us at the ballpark for a celebration of Washington State Employees Night Saturday, May 6, at 6:40 p.m. The Seattle Mariners are proud to recognize the work you do to make our communities stronger across the Pacific Northwest. Take advantage of specially priced tickets and bring your co-workers, friends and family to watch the Seattle Mariners take on the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park!
Public Service Recognition Awards
In the spirit of recognizing public service, the Office of Financial Management opened nominations earlier this year for the Excellence in Washington State Government Leadership Award, and the Extra Mile Award. OFM will announce recipients during PSRW.
Please join us in a guided conversation about the challenges children from immigrant backgrounds face growing up in a household of parents and elders unfamiliar with the American school system.
Statewide business resource groups (BRGs) bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. All BRGs have a charter, mission, goals and bylaws and contribute to an overall statewide business strategy. BRG members bring their unique knowledge and perspectives, making them an asset to state business needs, such as recruitment and retention. (OFM.wa.gov/BRGs)
Support the professional development of immigrant state employees. Recommend strategies to advance recruitment, retention, career progression and leadership development. Educate state agencies on the experience, skills and knowledge of immigrants and the value of a diverse workforce.
WHAT WE DO:
Provide a support structure, educational resources and leadership assistance for immigrant state employees. Encourage immigrants to consider the state as an employer of choice through inter-agency and external outreach activities. Serve as a resource for the Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources division and state agencies in creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.
