**UPDATED LINK** WIN Newsletter January 2025

**The newsletter has been updated with a corrected link in the "Your Voice Matters" article below**

Washington Immigrant Network Logo - You Belong Here

WIN membership is open to all current and former Washington State Employees

win-brg.wa.gov/

You Belong!

Click to Watch Video

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 Video Project - YouTube

Screen shot of WIN's YouTube video featuring a group of WIN members at the Immigrant Celebration event

We are excited to share two videos taken during our annual Immigrant Heritage Event celebrations held at the L&I Auditorium on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The videos gave our members a chance to be seen and share their feelings about appreciation and belonging. Our courageous WIN members opened their hearts to step in front of a camera to say hello, their name, and why they joined WIN in their language. 

We are grateful to the videography and editing provided by Vince Ynzunza, Steven Jones, and Bradley Farrar from L&I’s DOSH Outreach Program. They volunteered their time and energy to highlight WIN, our members, and our immigrant communities.

Thanks also go to Project Leads Christina Pourarien, Employment Security Department (Korea/USA); Roy Salonga, Department of Transportation (Philippines); and Rokaih Vansot, Department of Transportation (Cambodia).

Please enjoy and share these videos with members of immigrant communities and refugees to show them they belong.

WIN Video Project YouTube Links:

WIN Project – Hello, My Name (1:33)

WIN Project – Why I Joined WIN (4:55)


Cami Feek to Continue as WIN's Executive Sponsor!

Cami Feek, ESD Commissioner wearing a yellow blouse

WIN is delighted that Cami Feek will continue as WIN's Executive Sponsor in 2025. Governor Ferguson recently reappointed Cami to her role as Commissioner of the Employment Security Department. Cami said, "I’m honored to serve in the role of commissioner and continue the critical work of serving Washingtonians.”

WIN's founder and initial executive sponsor, Lorraine Lee, introduced Cami to WIN when it was first created in 2018. When Lorraine announced her retirement in 2023, she handpicked Cami to take on her role. Lorraine's decision was based not only on Cami's years of experience and numerous achievements in state government, but also her genuine belief in WIN's mission.

“I could see immediately how the group was being developed and just how important it was,” said Cami. “I saw how this BRG was designed to expand opportunities for immigrants within state government, not only for current employees, but future employees as well. That was especially appealing to me because, in my experience, the diversity and richness, culture and thought that it brings to our workplace is significant.

“It's important to me to help us create a culture where there's genuine belonging and pathways for all people to have access to opportunities at state agencies and at the state enterprise level. I'm excited about bringing those things together; they are very much connected for me.”

Congratulations, Cami, and thank you for your continuing sponsorship of WIN! 


Celebrating Indira Melgarejo

Indira Melgarejo

Please join us in congratulating Indira Melgarejo as she transitions from OFM State HR as our Business Resource Group (BRG) Coordinator to her dream job of being a Mental Health Therapist in the private sector.

Over the last three years Indira has positively impacted thousands of lives through her work with State HR and the Business Resource Groups. She will undoubtedly impact many more lives in her new role.  

WIN has benefited tremendously from her efforts, and she will be missed.  Thank you, Indira! Good luck in your next adventure. 


ICSEW Logo

The Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW) is looking for a Co-Executive Secretary.

Here’s a great leadership and career building opportunity, especially for emerging leaders.  The Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW) is looking for a two Co-Executive Secretaries. Below are the tasks and benefits of this role for your kind consideration.

Executive Co-Secretary Tasks 

  • The executive secretary is the recording officer of the ICSEW.  
  • The executive secretary keeps a record of general membership and executive board meetings.
  • The minutes are published to Teams and ICSEW website.
  • Monitor ICSEW inbox, by reviewing and replying to general emails; or distributing to the appropriate board member for follow up.  
  • Schedule and update general, board and sub-committee meetings on ICSEW Outlook Calendar.

Skills gained from being in this role. 

  • Participate in board meetings and discussions to learn about the great work that ICSEW is doing.
  • Allowance to be part of the bigger picture without the requirement of a larger time commitment (but also can increase task load if one so chooses).
  • Improve listening skills to accurately transcribe notes for the executive board meeting.
  • Learn more in depth knowledge of each subcommittee.
  • Coordinate with other board members and sub-committee chairs to offer assistance in various capacities when the need arises.
    • (ie assist with the conference, table events, provide back up to emails/newsletters sent out)
  • Collaborate with co-secretary to provide back up to one another, share methods for effective note taking, and literally compare notes.
  • Gain confidence to participate in the conversation (aka have a voice on topic up for discussion).
  • Confidence and preparation to move into a sub-committee chair role J
  • Learn very basic website upkeep and organizational skills managing email for entire committee.

For more information, please contact: Janet McIntosh at DNR or Alyssa Woods (DOL).


Your Voice Matters!

Workshop Survey from WIN's Career and Professional Development Subcommittee

The Career & Professional Development Subcommittee is working on organizing activities that will help our community grow this year. With that purpose, we are asking that you please take a moment to fill out this short survey so that we can gauge your interests, needs, and availability to participate.

LINK HAS BEEN UPDATED!

Sorry for any confusion.  Please take the survey and share your input!

Click here to take the survey!

We value your time and feedback.

It’s an honor and a privilege to growing together and share this journey with you.


DES Logo

Free Professional Development Workshops

The Department of Enterprise Services offers a number of professional development workshops at no cost to state employees. Click on any of the links below to learn more about each workshop and how to register.


EAP Services available to all state employees!

Employee Assistance Program Logo

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential program created to promote the health, safety and well-being of public service employees. 

EAP services for employees and their household adult family members help address work and personal concerns, including counseling and work/life (legal and financial) resources

EAP services for supervisors, managers, and HR leaders, include organizational consultations, referrals, critical incident response, and tools for personal and professional development.

Financial Counseling and Education FAQ

If you have questions about a financial issue, speaking with a financial expert can help. Your employee assistance program provides you with free consultations with financial experts on everything from credit and debt, to purchasing a home, or saving for retirement. Experts are available without an appointment during regular work hours, and by appointment on Saturdays. We also offer a full selection of financial articles, tip sheets, financial calculators, and other tools to help you get the answers you need.

Legal Services

If your life or the life of a family member has been impacted by a legal issue, you may need the expert counsel of an attorney. Your employee assistance program can help with free legal advice from a qualified attorney. Online support is also available with legal forms, a library of legal articles, and even a simple will.

Click the link below to visit the EAP website and learn more about all the available services.

Employee Assistance Program | Department of Enterprise Services (DES)


WIN General Membership Meeting (Zoom)

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WIN General Meeting Logo

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.

Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 867 8744 7524

Passcode: 312248


WIN Mentoring Program

WIN Mentoring Program

Washington Immigrant Network Business Resource Group Mentoring Program mentors are current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors are ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees.

The program’s goals are to facilitate a more culturally and ethnically diverse state workforce which, in turn, will allow us to serve our customers better, and to retain and support immigrant state employees in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive and advance their careers, as well as recruit new employees from the immigrant community.

Research shows that a good mentor inspires, motivates, stretches, connects, and helps develop your Emotional Intelligence. They also open your mind to your potential and opportunities. A good mentor can also provide a safe space to learn, experiment, and ask questions.

Become a WIN mentee

  • 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?

Get support from a WIN mentor. Become a WIN mentee.

  1. Start by meeting our mentors. Review their bios and see if there is someone you would feel comfortable connecting with. 
  2. Establish a formal mentoring relationship by completing our online Mentoring Request Form

Become a WIN Mentor

Mentors must be current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors must be ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees. Submit a Mentor Application Form if you are interested in being a WIN Mentor.

Questions? Contact win@ofm.wa.gov.


Your Story Matters

Share Your Immigrant Story

We are collecting Immigrant Stories to highlight in our newsletter, social media, YouTube and website. Fill out our online form to share your Immigrant Story with us and submit a release form.

Thank you! We are looking forward to amplifying your story! 


UPCOMING EVENTS

WIN Membership Networking Event Flyer

Celebrate the New Year with WIN. Join us for a WIN Membership Networking New Year's Potluck! Bring your favorite dish and a friend! Office of Administrative Hearings, Large Hearing Room, 1st Floor, 2420 Bristol Ct. SW, Olympia, WA 98504, January 23, 2025, 11:00am to 1:00pm.

Please let us know if you will be attending the January 23, 2025, WIN Membership Networking potluck by responding to this survey. 

SURVEY LINK

We'll see you there!


Just for Fun - Word Search Puzzle

Former WIN Executive Sponsor Lorraine Lee has provided a bit of fun and a thoughtful message for readers of this newsletter. Lorraine is creating a book of Word Search Puzzles with an American theme, and she has shared one based on Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.  Below, you will find the text of that speech followed by the puzzle and a list of words related to the speech.  

“I Have a Dream” (excerpt) by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.”

"I Have a Dream" Word Search Puzzle

The objective of this puzzle is to find and mark all the words listed at the bottom hidden inside the box. The words may be placed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. They may be written forward or backward. 

You can print out this portion of the newsletter to use a pen or highlighter to mark the words you find, or you can just look at the screen and try to spot each word.  

Word puzzle

Careers website logo

Working for Washington State is work that matters!

For a complete listing of Washington State career opportunities, go to:

careers.wa.gov - Find a Job 


Get Involved with a BRG

BRG Logos

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)

See Business Resource Group Events Calendar