Training Spotlight: Building Change Management and Effectiveness and Basic Data Visualization
Building Change Management and Effectiveness, Nov. 5: In this 2-day program and learning lab for change agents and teams responsible for stewarding a change initiative or program for their department or division, we will focus on the tools and processes necessary to produce change acceptance and help the initiative make progress. Designed for teams and team leaders responsible for making a change be successful, we will work through the Change Acceptance Process Model (CAP) and each team will directly apply the tools to their change project, thus making actual team progress over the two days. Rather than spending time learning the theory behind the CAP model, we will spend our time applying it and learning from the application to the real projects and challenges we face with building stakeholder commitment. Learn more and register.
Basic Data Visualization, Nov. 7: Our ability to gather and collect data has steadily increased over the past decade. But data alone is not information and does not easily convey a compelling story. This half-day introductory course will allow participants to understand why data visualization is important, explore ways to tell a story with data and mock up data visualizations in whiteboard exercises, using tips explored in class. Learn more and register.
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SNOM phones replacement project
KCIT is completing the SNOM phone replacement project that began at the beginning of this year. Since January, more than 1,200 devices manufactured by SNOM have been replaced.
There may still more SNOM phones around King County yet to be found, and KCIT needs help locating them. Employees are asked to check their workspaces, and if any of these phones are found in service or sitting around as a spare, contact KCIT at the number below or send an email to ZZGrp, KCIT Production Ops UCM with subject line “SNOM REPLACEMENT.” KCIT will arrange for the replacement of phones still in use and pick up any that are unused. Thanks for your help.
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Pet of the Week: Hershey
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
We have a sweet one for Pet of the Week: meet Hershey!
This young girl was brought in by her previous owner because they had too many cats. Hershey can be pretty shy at first, but when she knows that she can trust you she will melt in your arms! Her personality color is “Bashful Blue,” meaning she is a gentle and loving cat who likes to take things slow.
Read more at Tails from RASKC
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Kudos! Water Taxi receives rave from Seattle Times readers
This piece was featured at the top of the Seattle Times’ Rant and Raves list for October 20, 2018. Kudos to our efficient King County Water Taxi!
“RAVE I’ve had many opportunities to interact with the King County Water Taxi crews this year, mostly going to and from Sounders and Mariners games. They are always efficient, polite, and have a great way of making sure everyone gets aboard before taking off — and yet are never late!”
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King County tax transparency tool helps residents estimate the impact of proposed taxes on their property
Recently profiled in The Seattle Times, this new tool offered by the King County Department of Assessments allows for property owners and renters to see exactly how much in tax they would have to pay on their individual properties.
The Tax Transparency Tool is useful because it is more personal and precise in its calculations. Assessor John Wilson explained this as an essential part of its design.
“The intent here isn’t to take sides one way or another,” Wilson said. “You just want people to understand.”
Read more in the original article at The Seattle Times.
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Launch of Professional Development Scholarship Fund
In support of Executive Constantine’s commitment to Investing in YOU, King County and the Coalition of Unions are pleased to launch the Professional Development Scholarship Fund Program. Scholarship funds will be awarded to eligible employees for training that occurs in 2019. The intent of the scholarship is to support employees in achieving their career goals at King County or enhance their work related skills. The maximum total amount an eligible employee can receive for the year in training funds is $2,500.
Applications are now being accepted for training that will begin anytime between January 1, 2019 – March 31, 2019. Additional application periods will be occur on a quarterly basis.
Apply: Eligible employees may apply online at the County’s job page at the posting titled, “Professional Development Scholarship Fund.” The current application period closes November 4, 2018. The goal is to notify scholarship award recipients prior to Thanksgiving.
For more information visit the Professional Development Scholarship Fund Program webpage or email ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov.
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Considering KingCare Select? Hear what your co-workers think
Open Enrollment is just around the corner. Are you considering the newest health plan option, KingCare Select? Watch the video below to learn what a few King County employees think about this plan.
Note: At this time, the KingCare Select medical plan is not available to Deputy Sheriffs, Sheriff Captains, and TEA-Transit employees.
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Employees practice “Drop, cover and hold”
On Thursday, October 18 King County participated in the Great Washington Shake Out, an earthquake drill to help residents prepare for the next possible earthquake.
This even included the Senior Leadership Team, who dropped, covered, and held on until the drill ended. Pictured here are Labor Relations Manager Bob Railton, Chief Operating Officer Casey Sixkiller, Director of Labor Relations Megan Pederson and Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams.
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Q&A with our Elections translators: Signe Chan, Chinese
Crosposted from Election Connection
We’re highlighting the great work our translators do helping make our elections and services accessible to every member of the community. Here we sit down for a brief Q&A with Signe Chan, our Chinese language translator.
What is your background and what brought you to working in local government at King County?
My family immigrated to the United States when I was a teenager. Often times I have to interpret for my parents and elderly friends who speak limited English. Helping people is one of my specialties; I started helping others when I was in grade school by tutoring my neighbor’s kid who was in kindergarten. I taught “English as a Second Language” and “Become a citizen” classes as a volunteer. I also worked as a Chinese translator and secretary in an over 500 member nonprofit organization.
Read more at Election Connection
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The many ways to vote in King County
King County Elections makes it simple and convenient for voters throughout the county to make their voice heard. In addition to offering prepaid postage, Elections also provides accessible voting centers and an online ballot marking program for people who need assistance completing their ballot.
Pictured: An Elections employee helping a voter use an accessible voting unit.
The accessible voting centers are operated by trained staff and have special equipment available to help voters with disabilities cast a private, independent ballot. The equipment is a special machine called an Accessible Voting Unit (AVU). It has a touch screen and audio ballots to accommodate voters. These centers guarantee all King County voters have the opportunity to vote.
For the upcoming General Election on Tuesday, November 6, accessible voting will be available at:
- King County Elections in Renton and Elections Annex in downtown Seattle: Weekdays, October 17 – November 5 from 8:30 – 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, November 6 from 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Bellevue Library: Monday, November 5 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Tuesday, November 6 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Kent Library: Thursday, November 1 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL): Friday, November 2 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
King County Elections also allows voters to use an online ballot marking program. This method is designed to enable blind or vision-impaired voters to cast a private ballot. When finished, it requires voters to print out their ballot and return envelope, which can then be returned via USPS mail or at one of the many drop boxes throughout King County.
Through creative, inclusive programs like these, King County Elections ensures that everyone’s vote counts, making it an easy and accessible process for all.
To learn more about accessible voting centers, the ballot marking program, or other ways King County is helping citizens exercise their right to vote, visit www.kingcounty.com/elections.
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