WHEREAS it has been the policy of state government to provide equal opportunities to all employees in state government.

Women employed in state government have unique and special issues with working conditions and accessing employment and leadership opportunities.

The Interagency Committee of State Employed Women ("Committee") has provided leadership, mentoring and networking opportunities for women in state government and has identified the continuing needs of state employed women.

It is good public policy to enhance the opportunities that allow women to fully participate in the workforce of state government.

Executive Order 89-09 established the Committee and contained certain restrictions that limit the participation of women in certain small agencies in the work of the Committee.

I reaffirm my support of the Interagency Committee of State Employed Women, and recognize the need for greater representation of women in state government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of Washington State, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby supersede Executive Order 89-09 with this Executive Order and reaffirm the establishment of and need for the Interagency Committee of State Employed Women.

A.

DUTIES

1.	The Committee shall examine and define issues pertaining to the rights and needs of women employed in state government and make policy recommendations to the Governor and state agencies with respect to desirable changes in program and law especially in the area of education, training, career development, and other conditions of employment.
2.	The Committee shall also advise state agencies on the development and implementation of comprehensive and coordinated policies, plans and programs focusing on the special issues and needs of women in state government.
3.	Each state department or agency shall provide appropriate and reasonable resources to the Committee as needed in order that the Committee may carry out the purposes of this Executive Order. Appropriate and reasonable resources shall include but not be limited to each department or agency designating at least one person to serve on the Committee as its representative; granting that representative reasonable accommodation to attend Committee meetings and events; providing, as necessary and available, office supplies, distribution capabilities, and meeting facilities for Committee work.
4.	A simple majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.

B.	COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

1.	Membership shall consist of a diverse group of state department and agency representatives with a maximum number of 60 members.
2.	Persons appointed to serve on the Committee shall serve two-year terms, except in the case of a vacancy in which event appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term for which the vacancy occurs.
3.	The reasonable expenses incurred by a person designated by a department or agency as its representative to the Committee shall be borne by that representative's employing department or agency.
4.	The Chair of the Committee shall be appointed by the Governor and serve at the Governor's pleasure. Committee meetings shall be at the call of the Chair or a majority of the members of the Committee.

C.

STAFF

1.	The Governor's Office shall designate one of the Governor's Executive Policy Advisors as its Committee liaison and staff person.
2.	The Committee shall have the authority to receive such gifts, grants and endowments from public or private sources as may be made from time to time or otherwise for the use and benefit or the purposes of the Committee and to expend the same, including any income generated from them according to the terms of those gifts, grants or endowments.

Signed and sealed with the official seal of the State of Washington, on this 1st day of February 2006, at Olympia, Washington.

		By:
		Christine O. Gregoire
		Governor
BY THE GOVERNOR:
Sam Reed
Secretary of State

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office