DIN Charter

Purpose

The Disability Inclusion Network (DIN) exists to promote universal access and create a culture where people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of the workplace. DIN collaborates with Washington state Executive Branch Agencies and Offices and their employees, as well as other interested and invested parties.

DIN welcomes Administrative Office of the Court’s (AOC) employee participation. AOC employees should ensure they adhere to AOC policies and procedures when participating in DIN BRG events and activities.

Vision

To engage the experience, values, and knowledge of people with disabilities to make the Washington state Executive Branch Agencies and Offices an employer of choice for people with disabilities by ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resources through the entire employment life cycle including:

  • Recruitment
  • Hiring
  • Training
  • Development
  • Retention
  • Promotion

Enable Washington state government to equitably interact with and serve people with disabilities, with improved state government business outcomes in support of state infrastructure advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Mission

Engage state employees who have disabilities, have family members with disabilities, are caregivers for people with disabilities, and allies of the disability community to:

  • Promote universal access and disability justice in Executive Branch Agencies and Offices.
  • Enable Washington state government to equitably interact with and serve people with disabilities.
  • Create a culture of pro-equity and inclusion for people with disabilities, where people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of the workplace – digitally and offline.  
  • Support and guide state agencies on best practices regarding people with disabilities -their employees, the people they do business with and the customers they serve.
  • Provide education, guidance, and support to WA state Executive Branch employers and employees, and other interested and invested parties and WA State Offices as requested, about disability topics.
  • Educate on the history of disability, ableism, and the intersectionality of identities, helping identify where systemic barriers and oppression continue.
  • Inform on the unique benefits and advantages to employing, promoting, and accommodating (whether formally or informally) people with disabilities, including those who interact with state government.

Values

We are firmly committed to:

  • Diversity and Inclusion – Recognizing, accommodating and celebrating the intersectionality of identities
  • Education – Encouraging courageous curiosity to learn more about disabilities and disability topics, expanding access to disability resources and materials in the process
  • Leadership – Providing leadership opportunities for employees with disabilities in Washington state employment, and leading by example in our disability inclusion efforts
  • Equity – Supporting the efforts across the state enterprise in ensuring all Washington state employees have the support they need to equitably engage in all aspects of the workplace
  • Allyship – Creating partnerships within Washington state Agencies, Offices, and Business Resource Groups to advocate inclusive workplaces providing inclusive state government services

By-Laws

Meetings

Re-occurring meetings

  • General Membership – second Thursday of odd-numbered months: January, March, May, July, September, November from 9-11am
    • Open to current State of Washington Executive Branch employees, DIN leadership invited or approved speakers and guests, and other employees of WA State branches as allowed by those agencies’ policies and procedures.
  • Subcommittees – second Thursday of even-numbered months: February, April, June, August, October from 9-11am
    • There are no DIN membership meetings for the month of December.
    • Subcommittees may have additional meetings outside of the alternating months’ time, depending on their needs.
  • DIN Executive Board – Closed meeting for Executive Board members and invited guests occurring at least quarterly. Any member of the DIN Executive Board may request a meeting.
  • DIN Leadership team – Closed meeting for Leadership Team members and invited guests occurring, at a minimum, monthly. The Leadership Team may have additional meetings outside of the monthly scheduled time, depending on their needs.
Additional meeting information
  • All meetings are subject to cancellation/change due to extraordinary circumstances or state holidays.
  • DIN hosts special events throughout the year including guest speakers, panel discussions, the DIN RADD award ceremonies, and others. The dates, times, and locations of these events depend on speaker availability.
    • DIN Events are open to:
      •  Current State of Washington Executive Branch employees
      • DIN leadership invited or approved speakers and guests
      • Other employees of WA State branches as allowed by those agencies’ policies and procedures.
  • All DIN meetings and events will provide American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) transcription services.
  • For additional accommodations contact din@ofm.wa.gov.

Roles and Responsibilities

DIN Executive Board

The DIN Executive Board consists of elected DIN officials, DIN’s executive sponsor, and representatives from agencies who provide executive level support to the DIN BRG.

The Executive Board’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the DIN operates in compliance with all relevant state and federal laws while collaborating to promote the DIN BRG and its initiatives at the statewide level.

OFM/SHR employees acting in the OFM/SHR representative role on the Executive Board do not possess voting rights within the DIN, unless they also participate in DIN meetings and events as an active member.

Members

  • 2 Co-Chairs
  • 2 Vice Chairs
  • Executive Assistant
  • Treasurer
  • Project and SharePoint Manager
  • Website and Digital Accessibility Manager
  • Public Relations and Training Coordinator (1-2 people)
  • Technical Support Lead
  • Executive Sponsor
  • Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE) Advisor
  • Representative from Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources (OFM/SHR)
    • This can include:
      • Administrative Specialist
      • Disability and Accessibility Strategist
      • Others as requested and/or assigned to assist the DIN BRG

General Expectations

The Executive Sponsor, GCDE Advisor, and OFM/SHR representatives are responsible for:

  • Providing overall guidance and direction to the DIN Leadership team.
  • Consults on general operating procedures as requested by the DIN Leadership team.

Executive Sponsor Expectations

Ideally, this position is filled by an individual at the level of state Agency or Office director, who provides executive-level guidance and leadership to members of the DIN BRG leadership team.

  1. Provide executive-level guidance, mentoring, and coaching to the DIN Leadership team.
  2. Facilitate dispute resolution among DIN members, and/or the DIN Leadership team, at the request of the Co-Chairs.
  3. Promote DIN activities by collaborating with leadership across state agencies to enhance their commitment and support.
  4. Assist DIN in identifying and leveraging available resources to execute action plans and activities.
  5. Support DIN in securing funding sponsorships.
  6. Vote on DIN matters and participate in the DIN general elections.
  7. Confirm a majority vote for each elected Leadership position prior to formal announcement.
  8. Attend DIN Leadership meetings as schedule allows.
  9. Act as a DIN representative for statewide projects and initiatives as needed
  10. Assist with the DIN Respect, Acceptance and Dignity of persons with Disabilities (RADD) Awards.
    1. Assist with scrubbing award nominations for any Personally Identifying Information (PII) or Personal Health Information (PHI).
    2. Coordinate with the Governor’s Office as needed.
    3. Assist in securing RADD Award ceremony speakers.
    4. Ensure winners and runners-up chosen by the RADD Award scoring committee continue to be eligible to receive the RADD Award.
    5. Inform award winners and runners-ups, and their leadership of their nomination.
  11. Has access to the DIN@ofm.wa.gov email inbox.

In the event the Executive Sponsor is unable to continue in the role, the incumbent shall provide a list of potential candidates to DIN Leadership. The DIN Executive Board, which may include the current Executive Sponsor if willing and able, will work collaboratively to appoint a successor.

GCDE Advisor Expectations

  1. Inform DIN Executive Board of GCDE legislative work and other relevant information on laws and policies pertaining to people with disabilities in Washington state, as needed or requested from DIN leadership.
    1. Does not provide guidance on DIN compliance with laws, policies, or procedures (see OFM/SHR Representative for this responsibility.)
  2. Primary responsibility for securing ASL interpreters, Tactile interpreters, and/or CART transcriptionists for DIN meetings and events, liaising with OFM/SHR as needed or requested by DIN leadership.
  3. Attend Executive Board meetings.

OFM/SHR Representative(s) Expectations

  1. Provide guidance to DIN Leadership on matters related to policy and procedure to ensure DIN is in compliance with all laws, policies, and procedures.
    1. Such guidance can include facilitating state attorney review of planned DIN communications or resources intended for the state enterprise, as needed.
  2. Act as a liaison to promote information sharing among OMF/SHR, interested and invested parties, and other vested parties. 
  3. Liaises with GCDE to assist in securing ASL interpreters, Tactile interpreters, and/or CART transcriptionist for DIN meetings and events as requested by DIN leadership or GCDE.
  4. Does not have voting rights in DIN elections.
  5. Assist in securing virtual platforms for DIN meetings and events as requested.
  6. Create and provide access and technical assistance for the DIN@ofm.wa.gov and the DINawards@ofm.wa.gov inboxes.

DIN Leadership team

The Leadership team, consisting of elected officials and the Executive Sponsor, is responsible for upholding the mission, vision, and goals of the DIN Business Resource Group (BRG).

All members of the DIN Leadership team have the right to vote in general elections.

Members

  • 2 Co-Chairs
  • 2 Vice Chairs
  • Executive Assistant
  • Treasurer
  • Project and SharePoint Manager
  • Website and Digital Accessibility Manager
  • Public Relations and Training Coordinator(s) (1-2 persons)
  • Technical Support Lead

General Expectations

All Leadership members have the following responsibilities:

  1. Serves as a champion of the disability community for state workforce inclusion.
  2. Advocates for individuals with disabilities.
  3. Suggests, and at times invites, speakers to DIN events and meetings to provide insights related to benefits, entitlements, and other disability and inclusion topics. 
  4. Handles DIN emails forwarded by the Executive Assistant and collaborates with other members of the DIN Leadership team as relevant or necessary.
  5. Participates in events, guest speaking engagements, and training sessions organized by or requested of the DIN.
  6. Collaborates on the development and distribution of GovDelivery announcements.
  7. Conducts verification and vetting of potential presenting organizations to ensure alignment with the principles and values of the DIN.
  8. In consultation with the OFM/SHR Representative(s), conduct verification and vetting of potential donating organizations to ensure alignment with the principles and values of DIN.

The executive sponsor may contribute to these duties as they are able and willing, but their involvement is not required as a member of the Executive Board.

Co-Chair Expectations

  1. Serve a term of twelve (12) months as Co-Chair.
    • Serve up to 3 months as Advisor to Co-Chairs after their term as Co-Chair ends.
    • Serve 9 months as Past Chair after their role as Advisor to Co-Chairs ends.
  2. Primary facilitators for all general, leadership, and executive board DIN meetings.
  3. Develop monthly general and subcommittee meeting agendas in collaboration with the DIN leadership team.
  4. Guide the key initiatives or projects DIN is leading or facilitating for the state, towards accomplishing DIN’s mission and goals.
  5. Ensure the timely completion of deliverables, including any as-needed validation of materials for accuracy and alignment with DIN’s mission.
  6. Escalates pertinent matters to the Executive Sponsor and BRG Coordinator as necessary. 
  7. Official representatives of the DIN BRG at the for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc.
  8. Designates official appointed representatives of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc.
  9. One Co-Chair is the designated voting member of the Washington State Digital Equity Forum (DEF) and ensures voting membership duties are performed as required.
    • May appoint an official representative from DIN to act in this capacity.
  10. Prepare the Vice Chairs to assume the role of Co-Chairs after the 12-month term.
  11. Collaborate with the in-coming Co-Chairs to prepare the annual report.
  12. Has access to the DIN@ofm.wa.gov email inbox.

Co-Vice Chair Expectations

  1. The Vice Chairs will serve a term of twelve (12) months, after which they will assume the positions of Co-Chairs.
  2. Collaborate with DIN leadership to develop meeting agendas, events, and activities.
  3. Perform duties as assigned by the Co-Chairs.
  4. Assumes the responsibilities of Co-Chairs in their absence.
  5. Supports the Co-Chairs in fulfilling their responsibilities.
  6. May serve as an ad-hoc member or interim lead on subcommittees.
  7. Facilitates the election of officers by accepting nominations, preparing ballots, and overseeing the election process.
  8. May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.
  9. Other duties as requested by the DIN Executive Sponsor, Co-Chairs, and/or the BRG Coordinator.
  10. Has access to the DIN@ofm.wa.gov email inbox.

Executive Assistant Expectations

  1. Serves a term of Twelve (12) months
  2. Serves up to 3 months as Advisor to Executive Assistant after their term as Executive Assistant ends.
  3. Maintains comprehensive meeting notes and documentation associated with the DIN Business Resource Group (BRG). 
  4. Manages the DIN email correspondence in the DIN@ofm.wa.gov inbox, ensuring timely responses, appropriate archiving, forwarding to appropriate DIN Leadership Team members, and deletion in accordance with records retention policies. 
  5. Coordinates with the Co-Chairs and/or Vice Chairs to distribute GovDelivery announcements on behalf of the DIN.
  6. Manages membership and attendance records. 
  7. Coordinates the scheduling of facilities or meeting spaces for DIN-sponsored or managed presentations, training, event-tabling, panels, etc., when in-person or hybrid, with the assistance of the BRG Coordinator as needed.  
    • Request ASL interpreters and CART transcriptions for DIN-sponsored or -managed trainings, presentations, panels, etc., coordinated.
  8. Assist the Technical Support Lead as needed with coordinating the scheduling of virtual meeting spaces for DIN-sponsored events, meetings, presentations etc.
  9. Acts as the Leadership Team Sponsor of the Disability Justice Subcommittee
    • Attends bi-monthly subcommittee meetings
    • Acts as liaison between subcommittee lead(s) and leadership
    • Tracks subcommittee projects and deliverables
    • Acts as subcommittee lead in the absence of other lead(s)
  10. May represent the DIN in instances where both the Co-Chairs and Vice Chairs are unavailable.
  11. May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.
  12. Other duties as requested by the DIN Executive Sponsor, Co-Chairs, and/or the BRG Coordinator.

Treasurer Expectations

  1. Serves a minimum 12-month term.
    • Serve up to 3 months as Advisor to the new Treasurer after their 12-month term has ended.
  2. Develops and oversees the annual budget for DIN, including the verification of invoices and payments, as well as budget reconciliation.
  3. Manages and maintains documentation of DIN expenditures.
  4. Collaborate with the BRG Coordinator under the direction of the Co-Chairs to effectively manage and allocate funds available to the DIN BRG.
  5. After obtaining final approval from the Co-Chairs, submit payment requests to OFM/SHR.
  6. Attends state BRG Finance Committee meetings.
  7. May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.
  8. Other duties as requested by the DIN Executive Sponsor, Co-Chairs, (Vice Chairs in the event of Co-Chair absence), or the BRG Coordinator.

Project and SharePoint Manager

  1. Serves a minimum commitment of twelve (12) months.
    • Has the option of extending their term for an additional 12-month commitment at the end of their first 12 months.
    • Serves up to 3 months as Advisor to the new Project and SharePoint Manager after their 12 or 24-month term has ended.
  2. Acts as the Leadership Team Sponsor of the Resources, Education, and Policy Subcommittee
    • Attends bi-monthly subcommittee meetings
    • Acts as liaison between subcommittee lead(s) and leadership
    • Tracks subcommittee projects and deliverables
    • Acts as subcommittee lead in the absence of other lead(s)
  3. Manages the DIN SharePoint(s) and MS Teams Channel(s) for the DIN BRG.
  4. Supports the Website and Digital Accessibility Manager with Digital Accessibility compliance on the DIN SharePoint(s) and MS Teams Channel(s) for DIN BRG. 
  5. Monitors and tracks the deliverables of ongoing projects led or managed by DIN leadership and DIN subcommittees. 
  6. Creates and maintains project dashboards visualizing the project tracking data (e.g., percent complete, percent on track, number of deliverables completed, etc.).
  7. May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.
  8. Other duties as requested by the DIN Executive Sponsor, Co-Chairs, and/or the BRG Coordinator.

Website and Digital Accessibility Manager Expectations

  1. Serves a minimum commitment of twelve (12) months.
    • Has the option of extending their term for an additional 12-month commitment at the end of their first 12 months.
    • Serves up to 3 months as Advisor to the new Website and Digital Accessibility Manager after their 12 or 24-month term has ended.
  2. Updates content, creates new pages, and ensures Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA compliance for the DINBRG.org website, and adherence to the State’s Washington Technology Solutions Digital Accessibility Policy (USER-01) and Standard (USER-01-01-S).
    • Encouraged to obtain technical training for applying WCAG standards and processes to websites and digital content withing the first three months of appointment unless previously obtained. This technical training must specifically address compliance at the current state Digital Accessibility Standard’s level.
  3. Ensures all documents, web content, and other media created and published by DIN on the DIN website and on the DIN SharePoint site(s) meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA requirements.
  4. Responsible for the DINBRG.org website records retention, in accordance with the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56).
  5. May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.
  6. Other duties as requested by the DIN Executive Sponsor, Co-Chairs, and/or the BRG Coordinator.

Public Relations and Training Coordinator(s)

  1. If more than 1 candidate runs, this role will be offered to the two candidates with the most votes to work as Co-Public Relations and Training Coordinators.
  2. Serves a minimum commitment of twelve (12) months.
    • Has the option of extending their term for an additional 12-month commitment at the end of their first 12 months.
    • Serves up to 3 months as Advisor to the new Training Leads after their 12 or 24-month term has ended.
  3. Coordinates requests of DIN for presentations, training, event-tabling, participation in panels, and other similar public relations and information-sharing requests.
  4. May Create and deliver trainings, presentations, workshops, and guest speaking engagements on behalf of DIN, for DIN Leadership-approved materials.
  5. Establishes a training cadence for offering consistent DIN-based training around key disability community, disability inclusion, and disability justice topics.
  1. Acts as the Leadership Team Sponsor of the Communications Subcommittee
    • Attends bi-monthly subcommittee meetings
    • Acts as liaison between subcommittee lead(s) and leadership
    • Tracks subcommittee projects and deliverables
    • Acts as subcommittee lead in the absence of other lead(s)
  1. Validates, with assistance from the Website and Digital Accessibility Manager, that all digital public relations or communication materials or resources owned or managed by DIN are accessible at the state Digital Accessibility Policy (WaTech USER-01) and Standard (WaTech USER-01-01-S) level, which meets state and federal requirements for digital accessibility.
  2. Recommends to DIN Co-Chairs the topic areas for developing additional training and related resource materials.
  3. May be asked to host DIN informational tables at in-person events.
  4. Stores all materials for DIN tabling events and coordinates delivery if not hosting the table.
  5. May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.
  6. Other duties as requested by the DIN Executive Sponsor, Co-Chairs, and/or the BRG Coordinator.

Technical Support Lead Expectations

  1. Serves a minimum commitment of twelve (12) months.
    • Has the option to extend for an additional twelve (12) month commitment at the end of their first 12 months.
    • Serves up to 3 months as Advisor to the new Technical Support Lead at after their 12–24-month term has ended
  2. Supports updates and maintenance of the DIN Website, as requested by the Website and Digital Accessibility Manager.
  3. Subject matter expert (SME) for technical issues, offering guidance to the DIN Leadership team.
  4. Coordinate the scheduling of virtual spaces for DIN-sponsored meetings, events, training, presentations etc. with assistance from the Executive Assistant as requested. 
  5. Provide technical support for DIN-sponsored events, meetings, training, presentations etc. on virtual platforms.
  6. Provide technical support for audio and visual equipment for DIN meetings and events held in-person and/or hybrid.
  7. May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.
  8. Other duties as requested by the DIN Executive Sponsor, Co-Chairs, or the BRG Coordinator.

Past Co-Chair Expectations

  1. Serves 3 months as Advisor to new Co-Chairs and then 9 months as Past Chair for a total of 12 months.
  2. Consults with DIN Leadership to provide continuity for direction of the DIN, as requested.
  3. Assists current Co-Chairs in the preparation of the DIN Annual Report, as requested.
  4. Creates and deliver training, presentations, workshops, and guest speaking engagements on behalf of DIN, as requested and available.
  5. Assists  with coordination of the DIN RADD Awards, as requested.
  6. May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.  

DIN Members

Membership in the DIN is open to all Washington state Employees in the Executive Branch (Cabinet Agencies or Offices) and at the Administrative Office of the Courts.

You do not need to have a disability, have a family member with a disability, or care for someone with a disability to join DIN.

Unless stated in the event information, attendance is limited to invited guests of DIN, WA state Executive Branch, and Administration Office of the Courts employees. All other attendees may be asked to leave a meeting or event at any time.

An active member is defined as: A member who is or has been in the last 12 months:

  • Active in attending and participating in DIN-sponsored or -managed meetings, events, or activities, or
  • Previously attended at least one DIN General or Subcommittee meeting, or
  • performed as an active participant of a DIN subcommittee’s meetings outside of the regular Subcommittee meetings, and
  • Is a current state employee for WA state and has approval from their agency or office to attend and participate in DIN meetings in accordance with their agency or office policies and procedures.

Membership Agreements

These Agreements apply to all attendees/participants at DIN meetings and events.  

  • Conduct themselves according to the DIN Code of Conduct Agreement at all DIN meetings and events.
    • The full Code of Conduct Agreement is available in DIN’s Policy and Procedures Manual.
  • Obtain supervisor approval before attending or participating in DIN meetings, events, and activities.
  • Unless stated otherwise, DIN-sponsored and DIN-managed meetings, events, and activities are considered work-related and count towards an employee’s work time for WA State Executive Branch Agency’s and Office’s employees. (For more information for Executive Branch employees, reference Governor Executive Order 21-01.
  • Employees outside of WA State Executive Branch agencies and offices must adhere to their workplace policies and procedures.

Membership Benefits

  • Nominate Active Members for Leadership roles (including  self-nomination).
  • Run for DIN Leadership positions.
    • DIN Leadership team members are considered executive-level management, providing access to gaining valuable executive-level management experience.
  • Lead/Co-Lead DIN Subcommittees.
  • Vote on DIN matters and in Elections.
  • Provide input, feedback, and guidance, as requested by DIN Leadership.
  • Suggest topics for discussions, presentations, panels, trainings, and workshops to DIN Leadership.
  • Actively participate in DIN General and Subcommittee meetings.
  • Attend General and Subcommittee meetings as desired.
  • Amply the voices of people with disabilities.
  • Volunteer to assist with DIN events, meetings, and activities.
  • May act as an appointed representative of DIN for non-DIN workgroups, committees etc. with approval from Co-Chairs or Executive Sponsor.

Subcommittees

Subcommittees may be established at any time to address the needs of the DIN BRG.

Subcommittees may be long term and exist until the DIN determines there is no longer a need, or short term with a finite end date. 

Subcommittee Expectations

  • Subcommittees meet every other month on the even months (February, April, June, August, October), with the exception of the month of December. No DIN-sponsored meetings occur during December.
  • Subcommittees may choose to meet for additional time outside of the every-other -month meetings.
    • Subcommittee Leads should submit a request for accommodations to DIN Leadership no less than two weeks before the scheduled meeting time.
  • Subcommittees will submit all work to DIN Leadership prior to sharing beyond the subcommittee. 
  • Subcommittees should have one to three Leads.
    • Leads are selected by subcommittee members.
    • Lead selection can be made by a majority vote within the subcommittee.
      • The subcommittee can request DIN Leadership to create an anonymous voting survey.
    • In the event of temporary absence of subcommittee Lead(s) for regularly-scheduled Subcommittee meetings, the DIN Leadership Team Sponsor will act as a lead.

Subcommittee Lead Expectations

  • There is no required time for a Lead to be in the role -- however a minimum of 12 months is recommended.
    • Subcommittee Leads are encouraged to reach out to the Leadership Team Sponsor for assistance and guidance when needed.
    • Members are encouraged to ask to shadow, or trial, being a Lead if they are unsure the role is right for them.
  • Leads act as the liaison between DIN Leadership Team Sponsor and the subcommittee.
  • Leads are responsible for taking attendance at each subcommittee meeting, either using the DIN Meeting Attendance MS Form, or by sending a list to the Executive Assistant within two business days of the conclusion of a subcommittee meeting.
  • Leads are responsible for informing DIN Leadership of any members who assist the subcommittee but are unable to attend the meetings.
  • DIN Leadership reserves the right to assign projects to the appropriate subcommittee(s), in support of DIN goals and/or as requested of DIN by state executive leadership, aligned with DIN’s mission.

DIN RADD Awards

The Disability Inclusion Network Respect, Acceptance, and Dignity for Persons with Disabilities (RADD) Awards are given annually in July of each year, to coincide with the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

  • One or both past DIN Co-Chairs may be requested to organize the Awards for the year in which they are acting as Past Chair.
    • In the event both past Co-Chairs are unable to perform this duty, the current Co-Chairs may appoint a DIN Leadership team or DIN Active member to fulfill this duty.
  • The Executive Sponsor shall assist in coordination with the Governor’s Office, securing keynote speakers, and scrubbing nominations of Personally-Identifying Information (PII) and any Personal Health Information (PHI) before  nominations are passed on to the scoring committee.
  • The Past Co-Chairs shall convene the scoring committee – composed of volunteers from the DIN Leadership team and Active members.

For a detailed outline of the DIN RADD Award process, refer to DIN’s Policy and Procedures Manual.

Decision-Making Model

Leadership Elections

  1. Active members of the DIN BRG, along with members of the DIN Leadership team, are designated as voting members.
  2. Active members of the DIN may run for an elected position, contingent upon obtaining supervisor approval.
  3. Active members may nominate others, and themselves, for leadership positions during the election cycle.
    • Self-nomination is heavily encouraged.
  4. Current Leadership team members are permitted to run for the same or other elected positions concurrently to holding a Leadership position.
    • Leadership team members may only hold one Leadership office at a time, as elected.
  5. Leadership will be formally appointed to their roles on January 1 of each calendar year.
  6. Any person who was removed from the DIN Leadership team or as an active member through formal means prior to the end of their elected term is ineligible to run for any elected position in the first election cycle following their removal.
    • Details of the formal removal process can be found in DIN’s Policy and Procedures Manual.

A detailed outline of the Leadership Election Cycle can be found in DIN’s Policy and Procedures Manual.

Leadership Team Vacancy

  • In the event both Co-Chair positions become vacant, the Vice Chairs will assume the role of Acting Co-Chairs, until January 1st when they will be formally appointed as Co-Chairs.
    • In the event only one Co-Chair position becomes vacant, the Co-Chair may request one of the Vice Chairs to become an Acting Co-Chair, as needed.
  • Elected and Acting Co-Chairs have the authority to appoint Acting Vice Co-Chairs, in the event either or both Vice Chair positions become vacant. These acting Vice Co-Chairs may remain in their appointed leadership role through December 31 of that same calendar year.
    • Acting Vice Chairs are eligible to run for formal election in the next election cycle, and if successful, would become an elected Vice Chair on January 1of the following calendar year.
  • In the event of a vacancy of any other Leadership team member, the Elected or Acting (Co-) Chair(s) may appoint any active member of DIN to act in the vacant role through December 31 of that same calendar year.
  • Should all Co-Chair and Vice Co-Chair positions become vacant, the remaining DIN Leadership team members may appoint a member from the DIN Leadership team as Acting Chair through December 31 of that same calendar year.
    • The Acting Chair may then appoint acting Vice Chairs.
    • The DIN Leadership team as a whole determines which DIN Leadership team member to appoint as an Acting Chair.
  • Additional details and scenarios are detailed in the DIN Policy and Procedures Manual.

Removal of DIN Leadership from an Elected Position

Any elected member of the DIN Leadership team may be removed from their leadership position through a majority vote of Active Members or in instances of gross employee misconduct, as determined by OFM/SHR representative(s).

A detailed outline of this process can be found in DIN’s Policy and Procedures Manual.

By-Law Amendments

  1. Any active member of the DIN BRG has the ability to propose an amendment to the DIN Charter.
    • For amendments to be considered at the next General Membership meeting, any proposal for changes to the DIN Charter must be distributed to the DIN membership at least two weeks prior to the next General Membership meeting.
      • Members should contact the DIN email inbox, DIN@ofm.wa.gov, to submit amendment proposals. The amendment proposal is considered a “primary motion” for consideration by active DIN members.
  2. The Active member proposing the amendment will have the opportunity to present their proposal at the next General Membership meeting, for proposals which were distributed to the general membership at least two weeks prior to that meeting.
  3. After a primary motion to propose an amendment to the Charter, a second motion is required, verbally, in writing, or through an interpreter or translator on an active member’s behalf. The second motion is required for indicating that at least one other active member wishes the motion to be considered by the group.
    • A participant in the General Membership meeting who has not been involved in any prior DIN meetings, events, or activities in the last 12 months is not yet considered an active member and is unable to second the motion.
    • A DIN Leadership team member may make the primary or secondary motion to propose an amendment.
  4. The DIN Executive Board will then convene to discuss the proposed change(s), taking into consideration any feedback or concerns raised by the General Membership during the meeting where the proposal is presented or received by DIN Leadership team during the two weeks’ advance notification of the proposal.

For a detailed outline of the process of finalizing proposed amendments see DIN’s Policy and Procedures Manual.

In the event the DIN Leadership team has drafted amendments to the DIN Charter they will discuss changes with the DIN Executive Board and then proceed as outlined in DIN’s Policy and Procedures Manual. 

Conflict Resolution Process

Differences in opinion and communication styles are inherent in any inclusive group working collaboratively. When differences of opinion and communication styles leading to conflict arise, this must be addressed to maintain the group’s overall effectiveness.

The DIN BRG is dedicated to resolving any disputes, conflicts, or disagreements among its members and/or the Leadership team promptly and fairly, aiming to do so at the lowest level possible (directly with the disputing employees, where possible).

While some issues can be resolved through informal discussions, others may require a structured process for effective resolution and emotional safety for all.

A detailed outline of this process can be found in DIN’s Policy and Procedures Manual.

Operational Costs

  • The DIN Leadership team will utilize a majority vote to approve expenditures.
  • The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining all records pertaining to financial matters, with the assistance of the OFM/SHR BRG Coordinator.
    • In the event of a vacancy in the Treasurer position, the Co-Chairs may appoint another member of the DIN Leadership team to fulfill this duty.
  • Costs associated with ASL, CART, Tactile Interpreters, and other accommodations for DIN organized or sponsored meetings, events, and activities will be paid for from DIN funds.
  • Costs associated with ASL, CART, Tactile Interpreters or other accommodations for events DIN has been invited to attend are expected to be covered by the organizing entity.
    • DIN Leadership team can vote to approve use of funds for these on an as needed basis.
  • Costs incurred by State Agencies in accordance with Executive Orders 21-01, 24-04, and 24-05 may include, but are not limited to:
    • Reasonable Accommodations for employees to participate in DIN meetings, events, and activities when DIN is not providing, or is unable to provide, such accommodations
    • Office supplies
    • Distribution capabilities
    • Meeting spaces
    • Facilities
    • Reasonable storage space for promotional and physical resource materials
    • Teleconference technologies
    • Use of state email and other digital tools available to state staff for purposes of conducting state business
    • Transportation to and from DIN events, activities, and meetings
    • Employee time.