Washington State Leadership Board. The Washington State Leadership Board (WSLB), formerly the Association of Washington Generals, is a service organization formed in 1970 by Lieutenant Governor John Cherberg. The WSLB was recognized in statute by the Legislature in 2005 as a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation. The purpose of the WSLB is to provide leadership opportunities for youth, veterans, and people with disabilities; recognizing outstanding service to the state; and bringing individuals together to serve as ambassadors of trade, tourism, and international goodwill. The WSLB may conduct activities in support of their mission.
The WSLB is governed by a board of directors. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and four legislative members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House serve on the board of directors as ex officio non-voting members. The board of directors adopts bylaws and establishes governance and transparency policies for the WSLB.
The WSLB receives some funding from the proceeds of special license plates as follows:
Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor (LTG) may provide technical and financial assistance for the WSLB where the work of the board aligns with the mission of the office and includes, but may not be limited to the Sports Mentoring Program, Boundless Washington, and the Washington World Fellows Program.
Sports Mentoring Program. The Sports Mentoring program was established by the Legislature in 2019 to enable eligible nonprofit community-based organizations to provide opportunities for underserved youth to join sports teams or otherwise participate in area sports. The LTG collaborates with the WSLB to issue competitive grants to eligible organizations. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds from the Seattle Mariners special license plate goes to the LTG solely for the purpose of administering the Sports Mentoring program to encourage youth who have economic needs or face adversities to experience spectator sports or get involved in youth sports. At least 90 percent of the amounts received must be applied towards services directly provided to youth participants.
Boundless Washington. Boundless Washington is an outdoor leadership program for young people with disabilities. Under the statute, the Boundless Washington program will satisfy the terms of the sports mentoring program if approved by the board. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the Seattle NHL Hockey special license plate goes to the LTG solely to administer the program to facilitate opportunities for young people with physical and sensory disabilities to enjoy and experience the outdoors.
Washington World Fellows Program. The Washington World Fellows program is a college readiness and study abroad fellowship administered by the LTG in collaboration with WSLB. Up to 25 percent of the proceeds from the Seattle Seahawks special license plate goes to the LTG solely to administer the program. At least 90 percent of the amounts received must be provided as fellowships under the program. In addition, up to 25 percent of the proceeds from the Seattle Mariners special license plate goes to the LTG solely to administer the program.
The LTG may assist WSLB with the compilation of a yearly financial report, which must be made available to the Legislature by January 15th of each year, detailing the revenues and expenditures associated with the Washington World Fellows and Sports Mentoring programs. The LTG must post on its website detailed information on all revenues and expenditures of the WSLB.
Special License Plate Fees. The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues special vehicle license plates that may be used in lieu of standard plates. A fee of $40 is charged for an original issue of the special license plate, and a $30 fee is charged upon renewal. DOL collects special license plate fees, and for administrative expenses, deducts an amount not to exceed $12 for new plate issuance and $2 for renewal. After the costs associated with establishing the special license plates are recovered, all remaining proceeds are distributed to the appropriate special license plate account. Funds are disbursed under contract between DOL and qualified nonprofit organizations, subject to the conditions outlined in the statute. Funds from the Seattle Seahawks Account and the Seattle Mariners Account may be provided to the LTG. The accounts are subject to allotment procedures, but an appropriation is not required.
Washington State Leadership Board. The WSLB is designated a trustee for the state of Washington. The WSLB will appoint an executive director with the consent of the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor may remove the executive director for cause if majority of the WSLB votes for removal.
The purpose of the WSLB is updated as follows:
The WSLB will administer the Washington World Fellows, Sports Mentoring, Boundless Washington, and Compassion Scholars programs. The board of directors may approve Boundless Washington as satisfying the terms of the Sports Mentoring program.
The WSLB account is created which may be spent only after appropriations. The WSLB must post on its website detailed information on all revenues and expenditures of the board.
Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The LTG may provide facilities and administrative support for WSLB where the work of the board aligns with the mission of the office, which may include, but is not limited to collaboration with WSLB on the Washington World Fellows and Sports Mentoring programs.
Special License Plates. Special license plate funds previously provided to the LTG from the Seattle Seahawks Account, the Seattle Mariners Account, and the Seattle NHL Hockey Account now go to the WSLB to administer the Washington World Fellows, Sports Mentoring and Boundless Washington programs.
The WSLB Special License Plate Account is created. Funds received from special license plates must be deposited into the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures but an appropriation is not required for expenditures. Expenditures from the account may be authorized by the WSLB executive director or their designee. The WSLB special license plate account may accept gifts, grants, or endowments made from public and private sources.
PRO: This organization goes back to 1970 with a wonderful record to have scholars involved in government. The bill helps realign the board to continue the mission to reach out to future leaders of underrepresented communities. The bill designates WSLB as a trustee of the state which is the same status as our two state historical societies, while they are entrusted with artifacts of our past, the board is entrusted with our greatest treasure, our young people. This bill came about as a result of events that occurred last year where inappropriate financial arrangements were made. The issue was submitted to the executive ethics board who investigated and found probable cause that senior staff committed violations of the Ethics in Public Service Act. The case continues to be adjudicated. The bill attempts to correct this so that it does not occur in the future. It is important that an organization so focused on the development of our youth takes integrity seriously and instills those lessons in our young people and young leaders. Leadership is about holding power to account. This bill implements safeguards for the board moving forward.
The Washington World Fellows Program helped me gain confidence to achieve things in the future and encouraged me to go to college. Growing up in generational poverty and domestic violence, this program has been an introduction to the world and what is possible. The World Fellows Program provides a community filled with acceptance and friendships that allow individuals to be a part of something. The WSLB uplifts youth, rather than directing them. Students excel in this program during and after their participation. This will provide stability to the organization and help the board complete its mission.