Happy NEW YEAR! Updates
HAPPY NEW YEAR COSMETOLOGISTS OF WASHINGTON UNITED!
We want to collectively compliment all of you for the tremendous strength, resilience, tenacity, endurance and professional diligence we have seen from the Personal Services industry in our state in the wake of the COVID19 fallout in our public and private lives.
COWU weathered shutdown, applying for loans, applying for unemployment and integrating new protocols in teamwork WITH YOU. It has NOT been easy and has incorporated tremendous stress and financial burden that no one could have prepared for. Faced with the first time our businesses have ever been mandated by the government to shutdown– we swayed with the force of unforeseen winds of change as a TEAM. Stressful is an understatement… however- working together as a collective is more effective than struggling as a lone individual. This is the true power of consolidating resources and our voices to create solidarity and surmount obstacles.
COWU sincerely thanks every enrolled advocate, supporter, leader, government representative and partner who assisted in shepherding us all through this DIFFICULT time. From sharing updates on protocols, to insight on where to purchase PPE and disinfectants reliably, to supporting business pivots when unable to provide services. You deserve APPLAUSE and PRAISE for all your efforts to protect yourself, your coworkers, clients, friends and family. Your professionalism reflects positively on our industry as a whole and shows our tremendous passion for not only delivering a quality service but the sincere and heartfelt care it takes to do so. We have had three updates to our Personal Services Protocol in WA state thus far and continue to work with regulatory agencies to gain clarification and common sense changes to standards of protocol inside our businesses.
COWU is committed to supporting safety and disinfection measures to prevent virus transmission while simultaneously providing high quality services to our communities. As we move into 2021 WA state legislative session- stay updated through our FB groups and website for alerts or action plans.
COWU welcomes ALL PERSONAL SERVICE providers in Washington State — WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER! Make sure to attend our free virtual legislative day on Jan 25 (details below)
We welcome the following updated list of professionals we aim to serve:
- Cosmetologists
- Estheticians
- Barbers
- Nail Technicians
- Hair Designers
- Instructors
- Schools
- Salon, Spa or Shop Owners
- School Owners
- Permanent Makeup
- Tattoo Artists
- Massage Therapists
- Students
- …………. To Enroll as an ADVOCATE you don’t have to commit time just “skin in the game” to receive exclusive benefit via discounts, free swag, all updates FIRST and more! For $79 a year you can join other SAVVY Personal Services Industry pros who know that investing in this organization is KEY to fighting back against harmful legislation in Olympia…..enroll HERE
JOIN US FOR OUR FREE! LIVE! VIRTUAL! LEGISLATIVE DAY on JAN 25 @10am at this Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/144524504016578
After indications from our many connections in Olympia, our advocacy and community outreach continues to be STRONG and leadership has opted to table hiring a lobbyist for 2021 WA State Legislative session. We do not anticipate our industry being targeted this session. We, however, remain alert and ready to fight at a moment’s notice. Moving forward our goals are to:
- Continue to save for a lobbyist for Jan 2022
- Search for a lobbyist with the understanding that aggressive fundraising needs to be achieved in order to afford a lobbyist either for session only or year-round
OTHER UPDATES:
- The Interim Board of Directors and the Strategic Planning Committee are meeting regularly as a joint effort to align overall goals and review task items
- We have OVER 250 ENROLLED ADVOCATES so far and over $17k in our accounts! HUZZAH!
- We have reviewed candidates and selected legal representation for applying for 501C6 tax exempt status. (IN PROCESS )
- The Interim Board of Directors intends to stay on for an additional 1 yr as we build Strategic Planning Committee Membership to assist in board candidate training
- We have a LOGO!
- We have developed LEADS for the Strategic Planning Committee:
Michelle Sterling- Regulatory Outreach Lead
D’Arcy Harrison- Advocacy Lead (Western WA)
Samantha Knowles- Membership Lead
Raeana Rader- Business + Financial Lead
Opal Pitzler- Marketing + Outreach Lead
Meg White- Legislative Lead (Eastern WA)
** WE NEED MORE HANDS ON DECK!**
Strategic Planning Committee Membership is now OPEN for expansion and can include non-industry supporters and leaders.
** You do NOT have to be enrolled as an advocate to be considered but it is required/expected to enroll if you are selected for the the COWU SPC.
SEEKING: Barbers, Estheticians, Salon Owners, Instructors, Hair Designers, Cosmetologists, Nail Techs, Tattoo artists, Permanent Makeup Artists, School Owners/Administrators,, Lobbyists, Business Owners, Partner Associations Representatives and more! These members would serve under our SPC LEADS as subcommittees once established.
FOR CONSIDERATION:
We will be sharing a form to fill out soon! Stay tuned!
JOIN US FOR OUR FREE! LIVE! VIRTUAL! LEGISLATIVE DAY on JAN 25 @10am at this Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/144524504016578
Legislative Session for 2021 began on January 11, 2021 in Olympia. For insights into session — read our recent post on our website here.
*** HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? EMAIL US at teamcowu@gmail.com ***
FOLLOW US ON:
#cosmetologistsunited
#WACosmos
One Comment
Opal Pitzler
Awesome news all around!