Dear Cultural Advocates,
Our cultural dreams are about to take flight in King County! After months of passionate advocacy and increasing momentum, our campaign to implement the Doors Open program is coming to an end with three final votes.
1st Vote, passed with 8 yeas and 0 nays: On Monday the 27th, the Regional Policy Committee (RPC) voted unanimously in favor of the Doors Open legislation after working diligently through a list of proposed amendments by members (please find a list of those amendments at the bottom of this email). This was a wonderful achievement that sets us up for success by requiring only five votes for final passage from the Full King County Council, rather than six. Committee members represented a broad list of King County communities including Auburn, Bellevue, Federal Way, Kent, Redmond, Renton, Shoreline/Lake Forest Park, and Seattle to name a few.
2nd Vote, passed with 9 yeas and 0 nays: Yesterday, King County Council's Committee of the Whole (COW) took public comment and reviewed the RPC's proposed amendments. They were adopted and the COW voted unanimously in favor of moving our transformative, cultural legislation out of committee for final passage at the next Full Council meeting. No additional amendments were introduced. We now have final legislation!
3rd Vote: On Tuesday, December 5th at 1:30pm, King County Council will conduct a review of the amended legislation with discussion. They will then have the option to vote for final passage. If our momentum holds, Doors Open will be authorized with a unanimous vote. That would broadcast a mandate, an unambiguous championing of science, heritage, and arts programs throughout King County. Please consider joining us in Council Chambers on December 5th at 1:30pm for the our final vote. You don't want to miss this historic event!
We aren’t ready to celebrate just yet but we have every reason to be optimistic about next week's vote. Our campaign's success is the culmination of nearly two decades of hard work and advocacy from a broad and diverse coalition of amazing partners. Thank you for being part of this incredible effort.
In order to take Doors Open across the finish line,
we need a few important things from you:
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It's not too late to advocate! If you haven’t yet, please send an email to your Councilmember urging Final Passage of Doors Open by clicking here. And, forward this Action Alert email to your networks of cultural supporters and encourage them to send an emails too.
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Join us on December 5th at 1:30pm in Council Chambers to witness the final vote. Let's show our gratitude for the work of Councilmembers, their staff, and the respectful and thoughtful process they’ve undertaken to get this done. King County Council Chambers are located on the 10th floor of the King County Courthouse at 516 3rd Ave in Seattle. Please enter through security entrance on 3rd Avenue. Not able to join us in-person? Watch the livestream by clicking here.
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If all goes well, raise a glass with us on Tuesday, Dec 5th at 7pm at the Paramount Theatre lobby in downtown Seattle to honor the occasion. We realize this is last minute and on a weekday during the busy holiday season, so (fingers crossed!) we will plan a celebration in January to bring together everyone in the county to revel in the validation that our work is important and worthy of this transformative support! Again, assuming all goes as planned, we will share more details in the coming weeks regarding the county-wide celebration in January.
QUESTIONS?
We imagine you may have lots of questions and we want to bring you up to speed. Join us for a briefing of the Doors Open program and an opportunity to ask anything of the Inspire WA team. To ensure good communications, our next Open Office Hour, will be on Tuesday, Dec 12th at 12:30-1:30 pm. Click here to register! And feel free to share this invitation with members of your team and community that need more information.
With optimism,
The Inspire WA Team
Manny Cawaling, Executive Director
Jessi Wasson, Programs and Operations Manager
Madeline Dalton, Advocacy Coordinator
Anna Tatelman, Annual Fund Manager
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