Category Archives: Pierce County

Helping immigrants prepare for citizenship

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One of the benefits of being a small business owner is making time to give back to community. We are a nation of immigrants, and I’ve been looking for ways to help immigrants in the South Sound.

Tacoma Community House — Citizenship Classes

Photo of citizenship tool kitI’m proud to help immigrants prepare for their U.S. citizenship interview as a volunteer in Tacoma Community House‘s Citizenship Classes. This weekend I volunteered in a citizenship class for the first time — so inspiring!

I teamed up with another volunteer, and we met with three people independently (three people from three different continents). In reviewing civics questions, I helped them learn more about the U.S. government (for example, what are the three branches of government, what are two major political parties, who is one of your U.S. Senators). At the same time, I learned more about their counties and cultures. It’s a great learning environment for the immigrants and volunteers!

Background — Citizenship Celebration

In working for the Pierce County Auditor‘s Office last year, I learned about the Auditor’s work with Tacoma Community House, the Washington State Sons of the American Revolution and others to hold a Citizenship Celebration. In this celebration, immigrants take the final step in becoming U.S. citizens and are honored in Pierce County. As U.S. citizens, they can vote — something many are excited to do!

The Pierce County Auditor received an award from the Sons of the American Revolution for the Auditor’s work on the Citizenship Celebration. As a social media contractor for the Auditor, I took pictures of the award ceremony. You can see it here:

 

My education and work experience should help immigrants in this citizenship class. I earned a Master’s degree in international relations and started my career working for a U.S. Senator and then a federal agency in Washington, DC (the legislative and executive branches). I’ve made friends from all over the world, and am excited to help make a difference in my community!

For more information

— Liz Satterthwaite, Engage Northwest. EngageNorthwest@gmail.com

Serving on Metro Parks steering committee for the Dickman Mill Park project

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Liz Satterthwaite with Engage Northwest serves on Metro Parks Tacoma‘s steering committee for the Dickman Mill Park Expansion and Head Saw project. The huge saw that worked in the old Dickman Mill would be included in an expanded Dickman Mill Park along Ruston Way. The project combines history, environment, recreation, art and more.

Project Background

Photo of Dickman Mill Park

The beach area in Dickman Mill Park along Ruston Way.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary in Tacoma, Cambia Health Solutions generously gave a $2.9 million gift to fund the restoration of the historic Dickman Mill head saw and expand the park. Metro Parks will restore this historic head saw — the last known to operate in Washington — and publicly display it in Dickman Mill Park along Ruston Way in Tacoma. The expanded park would include a plaza area to view the head saw.  The project is expected to take about two to three years to complete.

The Dickman Lumber Mill operated on the Tacoma waterfront along Ruston Way for approximately 80 years. One of many lumber mills along the waterfront, the mill closed in 1974 and burned in a fire in 1979. Now the site is a park that includes a beach, wetlands, pilings, concrete foundations, and a sign describing the history of the mill.

Photo of Dickman Mill Steering Committee Meeting

The Steering Committee provides input on the locations for the head saw at Dickman Mill Park.

Steering Committee and community involvement

In its first meeting in January 2018, the steering committee reviewed and commented on three alternative locations for the head saw within Dickman Mill Park. Previously, the design team had evaluated these alternatives based on criteria such as historic integrity, visitor experience, safety, permitting and mitigation, cost and others.  The steering committee also provided feedback based on these criteria. In future meetings, the committee will review and comment on more detailed designs and other considerations. The community will also be invited to review and comment on the project in open house meetings.

Liz represents the Tacoma Waterfront Association on this steering committee.

More information about the Dickman Mill Park project: 

Vote in this election!

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Voting is one of the best ways citizens can engage! There are many important local races for port, city, schools, fire, parks and more! Make sure your voice and vote count! Return your ballot by 8:00 p.m. today!

Washington State is vote-by-mail, so you can return your ballot by mail (make sure it’s postmarked by Nov. 7) or in a drop box or voting center. In Pierce County, find drop box  locations, voting centers and more information on the Pierce County Auditor’s webpage for Elections. Thank you!

November 2016 General Election

Last year, Engage Northwest managed social media for the Pierce County Auditor’s Office during the November 2016 General Election. For that Presidential election, social media helped encourage a record number of voters in Pierce County! Here are a few graphics and social posts from the Nov. 2016 Election Day:

 

Photo of last voter in line

Live-tweeting on Election night.

Thank you again for making a difference in our community.

Waterfront: intersection of environment, recreation and jobs

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Photo of Pierce County Executive

Three words define him, says the Pierce County Executive.

Did you know that Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier grew up sailing on Puget Sound and even crewed on the Adventuress? Last week, Executive Dammeier talked with the Tacoma Waterfront Association about his personal connection to and vision for the waterfront. Mr. Dammeier says the waterfront is the “intersection of environment, recreation and jobs.” He believes this is a great destination, but not enough people know it.

Executive Dammeier says three words define him: action, collaboration and partnership. He noted that these words may also apply to the waterfront.

Mr. Dammeier said Pierce County has two economic pillars: the Port of Tacoma and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He believes veterans are a huge asset in our community. At the moment, he says the greatest challenge facing our community is finding ways to work together.

More information

About the Tacoma Waterfront Association

The Tacoma Waterfront Association is a group of businesses, nonprofits and individuals who protect and promote Tacoma’s waterfront. TWA holds monthly meetings on waterfront-related topics. These meetings are good networking opportunities and free for members and guests! TWA supports events along the waterfront, such as the recent Festival of Sail. Interested in becoming a member? Check out the membership levels and benefits here. Follow TWA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thank you!

**Disclaimer** Engage Northwest provides communications assistance to the Tacoma Waterfront Association.

Managed social media for the Pierce County Auditor’s Office

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The Pierce County Auditor’s Office hired Engage Northwest to manage social media on two contracts: in Fall 2016 during the November General Election and from February-June 2017 to manage social media for all of their services – licensing, recording, animal services and elections.

Photo of last voter in line

Live-tweeting on Election night.

As a part-time contractor, Liz Satterthwaite created and published content daily on the Auditor’s social media channels, including setting up the Instagram page.

The types of posts included original pictures, videos, graphics, links, and status updates. Liz monitored social media and responded to comments.

Results

Up arrow with 33%During this time, the number of Facebook fans increased by 33.4% (almost 200 new fans). Social media encouraged Pierce residents to vote – more people registered and voted in the November 2016 election in Pierce County’s history. (See PCTV’s episode “Social media’s impact on the Pierce County General Election“).

Social media also encouraged candidates to run for political office. In May 2017, the most local candidates filed for office in an “odd-year” election (no national races). Which Facebook post received the highest social engagement? It occurred when one candidate decided to withdraw from a race after the withdrawal deadline:

Digital screen in the lobby

Using Canva, Liz created slides for a digital screen in the Auditor’s Office.  The digital screen provides information to customers in the lobby, answering questions about car tabs, passports, pet licenses, voting, and more.

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Staffed meetings and events

Liz attended meetings and events with the Auditor, including voter registration at a local high school, get out the disability vote, ride the bus, television interviews, and a community open house about Pierce County’s new voting system.

The Auditor at CityLine
Accessible voting
Voter registration at Curtis HS
Clear Ballot open house

Pictures and videos

Liz took and edited pictures and videos, uploading them from the office and field. For example, she filmed the Auditor giving voting tips at five voting centers in Pierce County and regularly took pictures of customers, voters and employees. Some of the most engaged posts featured the employees in the Auditor’s Office.

Photo of Animal Control Officers Recognition Week.

The County Council recognizes Pierce County’s Animal Control Officers.

Facebook Ads

Example of Facebook ad for Korean community

Liz created Facebook ads to reach specific audiences in Pierce County. For example, Liz created an ad to reach the Korean community about voting. This ad targeted Korean-speaking residents and linked to a Korean Broadcasting System (KBS WA) interview with the Auditor. The interview was in English with Korean subtitles. The Facebook ad reached over 1800 Korean speaking residents — many are younger audiences (2/3rds were under the age of 35 and 83% were under the age of 45). People clicked to watch the video, and some liked the post and the Auditor’s Facebook page.

Thank you!

Thank you to the wonderful team at the Auditor’s Office!

 

Here is a compilation of photos from the November 2016 General Election.