Workgroup Wrapup

Meet Reporting Requirements

Many common parts of running a workgroup include having annual or post-workgroup reporting requirements that are legally mandated by legislation and/or executive orders. There are also some steps you should take after concluding your workgroup that are simply best practices, even if not legally mandate.

Your work may require you to report to the Governor, the Legislature, the Office of Equity, or other agencies. If your workgroup was legislatively mandated (meaning that it was created by the legislature passing a bill), read the legislation over carefully to make sure you know when, and to whom, you must report.

Some common reporting requirements for workgroups include:

  • 22SSB 5793 regarding Community Compensation, which requires agencies that compensate workgroup members to report to the Office of Equity annually regarding how any community compensation dollars were distributed. Learn more about agency reporting requirements.
    • If you received funds from the statewide Community Compensation Fund, you are required to report on specifics regarding dollar amount allocation.
    • If you didn’t receive supplemental funds, but still distributed community compensation from your general budget, you may still be required to report to the Office of Equity.

  • E2SHB 1541, or the “Nothing About Us Without Us Act,” which requires certain workgroups to report to the Office of Equity annually regarding the purpose, makeup, and inclusion of members with lived experience.
    • This requirement only applies to workgroups that are legislatively mandated (meaning they were created by passing a bill in the legislature) and which are also required to report to the legislature annually.
    • This reporting requirement does not apply to workgroups that are created voluntarily by agencies without a legislative mandate.
    • Consult the legislation for specific reporting requirements and email your report to livedexperience@equity.wa.gov.
  • Report to your Agency’s Impact Team regarding management and outcomes of the workgroup.
  • Other reporting requirements may exist for your workgroup that are not specified here – be sure to check with your management to make sure you submit all reports on time.

Close the Loop with Members

Your relationship to the members of your workgroup should not end abruptly when your meetings have concluded.

  • Create a schedule for following up with your workgroup Members about the outcomes of their work after the meetings have concluded.
  • Think about how their input will impact legislation or other government work, and plan to send them updates about the body of work when important milestones happen.

  • Send a Letter of Impact that:
    • Communicates your appreciation for their work and summarizes the positive outcomes of the project.
    • Can be used as a letter of reference or recommendation in the future.

Example Letter of Impact

Example Letter of Impact

Create a Workgroup Summary/Report

A report or summary is sometimes required in the establishing Executive Order or Legislation. Oftentimes, those reports are required on a quarterly or annual basis.

  • If a regular report is required in statute, follow the requirements dictated therein.
  • If there is no underlying EO or Legislation and your workgroup was created independently, you should still consider writing an annual report on your progress. Drafting a report that summarizes your process will help communicate your progress internally and will also contribute to the content in your Letter of Impact (see above).