Katrina Zitnik

Costco Wholesale Corp.
President, WSIA

August 2010 Report

Hopefully you’ve all had a chance to enjoy some time off during our rather mild summer.  For WSIA’s new Board of Directors, and Executive Committee members, we’ve been busy implementing the structural changes adopted by the membership at the May 2010 Annual Conference, and focusing on the key substantive issues we’d like to make progress on during the coming year.

My comments this month will focus on the Board reorganization, and what it means for our members.  In next month’s column I’ll focus on our key substantive areas that we’re putting our energies into on your behalf.

After passage of the Bylaws changes at the Annual Conference, the new Board of Directors met at the Board Transition meeting in late June 2010.  At that meeting we talked about the importance of consistent communications of our priorities, and how we’ll go about communicating those priorities to the membership and entire workers’ compensation community.

On policy issues, our Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee Representative Rebecca Forrestor of Group Health and Vice President at Large – Service Company Lisa Vivian of Eberle Vivian have already met with the Department’s Self-Insurance Program Manager AnnaLisa Gellerman about our priorities and policy focus.  Past President Glenn Hansen of Multicare Health System will be meeting with the Department regarding Continuing Education and Certification Testing issues, as well as issues concerning electronic exchange of claims information.  Liaison Committee Representatives Brian Earl of Puget Sound WCT and Kim Tallarida of Sedgwick CMS have done the same at the July 2010 Liaison Committee meeting with the Department.

On legislative and legal issues, our Vice President for Legislation Donna Egeland of Alaska Airlines has already held one Legislative Committee meeting to review and refine our legislative agenda for next January 2011, and our Legal Representative Kathy Eims of Eims & Flynn, PS is chairing a meeting of the Legal Subcommittee to review the language that will be part of our agenda.

On educational issues, Vice President for Education Grace Casey of Valley Medical Center has already held coordination and planning meetings with Conference Coordinator Patrick Koenig of City of Redmond, IIU Board of Regents Chair Carol Widell of Safeway, and Regional Coordinator Hiller Payne of Community Transit.  Their efforts will go a long way to providing consistent messaging and training opportunities to our membership.

On representational issues, Vice President at Large – Associates Jan Donley of J. Donley Associates, in coordination with our Vocational Representative Corey Turner of Vocational Connections, Inc. and Medical Representative Noreen Olson will be holding a meeting open to all of our Associate members on August 18th.  This begins a new era of soliciting the input and tapping into the energy of our Associate members.  Having more Associate members on our Board of Directors, including two voting positions, was an important addition to ensure all of our members’ inclusion in the decision-making process.

As you can see, our Board has been very busy gearing up for the 2010-11 year.  Please take advantage of the opportunities to hear what’s happening with the Association, and what we’re pursuing on your behalf.  Watch your emails and here at the website for upcoming meetings, and information on the issues you care about most.

Thank you!

Updated 12 August 2010

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