What's Happening in HAPPEN!
HAPPEN's Amended Bylaws are available for membership to review here at this link until 08/18/2025, 11:59 PM.
2025 Proposed Bylaws Changes
Click here to vote for 2025 Proposed Bylaws Changes
(Voting will close on 08/18/2025, 11:59 PM)
General Meeting
HAPPEN general membership meetings are scheduled the second Wednesday of the month from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 810 6147 0109 Passcode: 571168
One tap mobile +12532158782,,81061470109#,,,,*571168# US (Tacoma) +16699009128,,81061470109#,,,,*571168# US (San Jose)
Note: For next month, we'll have a new Zoom link available. And it will be provided in website, calendar and newsletter.
Special Elections: Co-Chair and Special Projects Lead
The following positions are up for special election on the HAPPEN Executive Leadership Team (ELT):
Nomination
Nominate yourself or someone else by completing our nomination form between:
- Nominations form opens: 08/05/2025, 12:00 AM
- Nominations form closes: 08/18/2025, 11:59 PM
Election
The nominees listed below are eligible for election. HAPPEN members, as defined in Article IV, Section I in our bylaws, are encouraged to vote for their preferred candidate(s).
Members may vote by completing the election form once nominations have closed and election polls open.
The Asia Pacific Cultural Center will have their new building grand opening on Aug 29th.
For more information, Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Preventing Veteran Suicide by Combating Stigma: Building Awareness and Support
September is Suicide Prevention Month. In honor of that, the Washington State Office of Equity is excited to announce that we have partnered with Nicole Vreeland, the Suicide Prevention Program Manager with Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. Together we felt this was a perfect opportunity for another Equity Learning Series webinar: Preventing Veteran Suicide by Combating Stigma: Building Awareness and Support.
This session will explore the critical issue of stigma surrounding mental health and suicide within the Service Member, Veteran, and Family (SMVF) community. Stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help, contributing to isolation, misinformation, and lack of access to essential mental health services.
Webinar Details
Webinar Description
This training focuses on understanding the types of stigmas – self, public, and institutional. We work through how stigma impacts mental health and practical steps to reduce its presence. Participants will engage in meaningful discussion to challenge and address stigma, foster supportive peer networks, and promote help-seeking behavior.
Through interactive breakout sessions and guided discussions, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the emotional and cultural factors that contribute to stigma. Attendees will walk away able to identify barriers to mental health care within the military community, Finally, they will be able to develop actionable strategies for creating a more supportive and empathetic environment.
Preventing Veteran Suicide by Combating Stigma: Building Awareness and Support aims to empower participants to take an active role in reducing stigma and supporting suicide prevention efforts in their communities. The goal is to foster resilience, normalize conversations about mental health, and reduce the risk of suicide by promoting early intervention and a strong network of support.
Disability in the Court System Webinar Series
The Washington State Office of Equity is proud to present a 6-part series on Disability Justice as part of the Equity Learning Series. This series is led by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Helen Whitener and Joslyn Nelson, Senior Court Program Analyst for the Disability Justice Task Force.
Disability in the Court System explores how ableism and intersecting inequities impacts people within Washington’s court systems. This series does not shy away from the criminalization of disability.
Topics within this series include: the school-to-prison pipeline, autism and court access, accommodation requests, and the compounded barriers faced by marginalized communities. Each session offers practical insights and strategies to support more inclusive, equitable, and disability-just practices across the legal system.
October Sessions Details
Click here to register for the October sessions.
We are excited to announce that every Wednesday in the month of October there is an opportunity for you to plug in and learn about Disability in the Court System. All of these sessions will be hosted on Zoom. Here are the details for each event in the month of October:
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Special Education Pipeline in Prison: October 1, 2025 – 10:00am - 11:30am PT
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Autism in the Courts: October 8, 2025 – 10:00am - 11:30am PT
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How Marginalized People Experience Injustice: October 15, 2025 – 10:00am - 11:30am PT
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Focus on the Courts & Requesting Access Service: October 22, 2025 – 10:00am - 11:30am PT
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Domestic Violence within Disabled Communities: October 29, 2025 – 10:00am - 11:30am PT
For more information about each October webinar, please click here to read more.
November Session Details
Click here to register to the November Session.
As a finale for this series, we have one Disability in the Court System webinar for November. This webinar will be hosted on Zoom. Here is our offering for the month of November:
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Criminalization of Disabilities: November 12, 2025 – 10:00 am - 11:30am PT
For more information about the November webinar, please click here to read more.
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Equity Learning Series Frequently Asked Questions
How do I participate in the Equity Learning Series if I have [insert access need here]?
The Washington State Office of Equity is committed to hosting accessible events that promote belonging, justice, and dignity. To request communication services (interpreters, written information in other languages, or other services) or accommodations, please call 360.902.3355 or 711 (Telephone Relay Service) or email Access@equity.wa.gov. The Office of Equity strongly encourages participants to make requests at least 14 days before the event to allow time to make the proper arrangements.
What is the Equity Learning Series?
The Equity Learning Series is a series of webinars put on by Washington State Office of Equity leaders and their collaborators. These events are here to support the everyday state employee with the tools to support Washington State residents, who are the main customers and clients we serve.
Who is the Equity Learning Series meant for?
The Equity Learning Series is open to all state employees. These webinars are not open to the public at this time. If you are not a state employee and would like to be involved in events put on by the Office of Equity, you can sign up for our Community of Practice newsletter through this link and come to our monthly meetings.
When are the Equity Learning Series webinars happening?
Check our website for more information on Equity Learning Series.
I know someone who should be at the Equity Learning Series. How can they learn more?
These events are open to Washington State Employees only. If you would like to invite your coworkers to join these events, forward them this newsletter to register at the links provided and have them sign up for our newsletters for more information.
For any other questions, please email Melissa.Davis@equity.wa.gov for assistance.
For additional resources, visit .
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Have Something to Share?
We try our best to curate meaningful and relevant content, opportunities, news, etc., we think will be of interest for our members and allies. Representing over 100 countries and more than 50 communities makes it difficult to stay apprised of everything HAPPENing related to our collective community. We greatly appreciate when opportunities are shared from our members.
This is your bulletin. Feel free to send articles, resources, event information, etc., to be included in future bulletins, and eventually, our website and social media.
Process:
- Submit items by emailing them to HAPPEN@ofm.wa.gov by Thursday morning for the following week's bulletin.
- Time sensitive items submitted will be reviewed and included in the next bulletin.
- Non-time sensitive submissions will be added to the list to be included in future bulletins when we may be looking for content to share.
- Bulletins will usually be distributed on Mondays. Special bulletins will be sent only as needed to provide an update on something already shared or of an urgent nature.
Thank you in advance for sharing, uplifting, and elevating our voices, culture, and opportunities! This is what community looks like.
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Follow us on Social Media
Stay connected with the community and get the most up to date information by following HAPPEN on social media.
 
The Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting an Empowering Network (HAPPEN) Business Resource Group exists to improve lives by increasing Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (ANHPI) representation in leadership and general state employment and advocating for policies that promote anti-racism, equity, inclusion, diversity, and belonging in the workplace. We work to build a culture of inclusion and belonging that gives voice to the ANHPI experience.
Please share this information and encourage your colleagues, state-employed family, and friends to attend and get involved! We are a formal, enterprise-wide resource group conducting official state business. Participants are not required to take leave to participate per State HR's policy. If you experience any challenges in participating, please let us know.
Join our mailing list: Click here to subscribe!
Email: HAPPEN@ofm.wa.gov
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