Purpose and Philosophy

Why Do the "Community Compensation Guidelines" Exist?  

This document is intended to provide guidance to Washington State Agencies that establish Class One groups, 
such as boards, commissions, task forces, committees, and workgroups, in the executive, legislative, or judicial 
branches of Washington State government on compliance with Second Substitute Senate Bill (2SSB) 5793
which states:

“The legislature finds that equitable public policy discussions should include individuals directly impacted by that policy. In order to do so, the legislature supports removing barriers to that participation. The legislature finds that asking community members with lower financial means to volunteer their time and expertise while state employees and representatives of advocacy organizations receive compensation from their respective agency or organization for their time and experience ultimately hinders full and open public participation. As a result, the legislature finds that removing financial barriers for those individuals fosters increased access to government and enriches public policy discussions and decisions, ultimately leading to more equitable and sustainable policy outcomes.”

“Subject to available funding, agencies may provide a stipend to individuals who are low income OR have lived experience to support their participation in class one groups when the agency determines such participation is desirable in order to implement the principles of equity described in RCW 43.06D.020, provided that the individuals are not otherwise compensated for their attendance at meetings.”

Public policy discussions should involve the individuals who are being or have been impacted by that policy or 
subject matter. By embracing co-creation, we advance a reality where community members are the experts of 
their own lives and are co-creators in the government decisions that impact them.
The intent of these guidelines is to remove barriers to participation in government actions, discussions, and 
decision-making, and to recognize the value and expertise that community members contribute to state policy 
by way of participation in government workgroups. For the sustained success of promoting equitable policy 
development, state agencies must establish, sustain, and grow relational partnerships. Moving from a 
transactional culture to a relational one is critical to developing the trust needed to meet the unique challenges 
of the 21st century.

Embedding Shared Power Principles into Community Engagement Structures

The shift from a transactional to a relational culture occurs when community members that have been 
impacted by specific policies can share their lived experiences and provide feedback that is utilized to influence 
government decisions. This movement emphasizes making decisions “with” community members instead of 
“for” community members and introduces the principle of “Shared Power” as a prerequisite for community 
engagement. According to the Centre for Public Impact, “The Shared Power Principle locates power within the 
lowest appropriate entities both across and within organizations and creates the environment for this shared 
power to be used to develop effective and legitimate solutions.” Within this approach, “power” is referred to as 
the ability to participate in making decisions that are crucial for specific outcomes as true co-creators.

There are four patterns that characterize the Shared Power Principle:
1. Communities as our guiding light
2. Relationships first
3. Accountability
4. Continuous learning
We highly encourage folks from agencies that are setting up workgroups that involve community members to 
embed these four principles. For more tangible practices to incorporate shared power principles and other 
equitable guidance on workgroup management, see the Equity Community Engagement Toolkit. 

Nothing About Us Without Us Act

During the 2024 legislative session, the legislature passed E2SHB 1541, commonly known as the “Nothing 
About Us Without Us” act. This Act implements membership requirements for statutory entities, including 
multimember task forces, work groups, and temporary advisory committees that are established for the specific 
purpose of examining a particular issue impacting underrepresented populations. The Nothing About Us 
Without Us Act requires task forces, workgroups, and temporary advisory committees to include representation 
from the communities and groups directly impacted by the specific issues that those entities are tasked with 
examining. This bill plays a crucial role in supporting 2SSB 5793 (community compensation) by emphasizing 
the importance of including community members in the decision-making process. These individuals, who have 
firsthand experience are strongly positioned to provide valuable insights and solutions. Their proximity to the 
challenges ensures that the decisions made are both relevant and effective. Given that these community 
members are sharing their lived experiences and dedicating their time to improve the situation, it is only fair 
and just to offer appropriate compensation for their contributions. This approach not only respects their 
expertise but also fosters a more equitable and inclusive decision-making process.