ABOUT NOLA

NORTH OYMPIC LEGISLATIVE ALLIANCE

The Clallam County EDC is currently facilitating the meetings for the North Olympic Legislative Alliance, established as a Clallam County community initiative in 2017. Email info@clallam.org for info on participation.

NOLA’s Mission is to advance the economic development, business prosperity, and quality of life for the people of North Olympic Peninsula region by providing input with a shared purpose and unified voice to our elected representatives and officials.

NOLA’s purpose:

To provide a forum for the discussion and review of issues of interest to the North Olympic Peninsula on a county-wide basis for each county;

To promote those established interests, desires and needs of the people of Clallam and Jefferson Counties to government and elected representatives;

To create a clear and concise legislative advocacy platform for each county to provide a unified community voice for each of our respective counties to our state and federal legislators and governmental agencies; and

To be an advocate for our communities in dealings with legislative, governmental and private entities upon those issues that the NOLA selects.

Organizational Guidelines for NOLA:

NOLA is nonpartisan and nonsectarian and takes no part in nor lends its influence or resources, either directly or indirectly, to the nomination, election, or appointment of any candidate for political office in city, county, state, or national elections.

NOLA will work to reach consensus (75% or greater) among its partners to determine which policy, action or law of any level of government that impacts the business community of Clallam County should be the focus of NOLA action. The results will be communicated to the public, government leaders, and elected representatives.

Participants in NOLA shall not represent the interests of PACs or special interest groups.

When issues arise that cannot easily be resolved by NOLA partners, they agree to table the topic to a future date for resolution.

Principles of Participation are incorporated in the NOLA process:

Partnership driven through expected involvement

Employ strategic thinking with a forward-looking perspective

Common sense for common good

Consistently provide clear and concise communication

Equally respect participants and the work they do

Be flexible, nimble and responsive to challenges and opportunities

Prioritization in the context of a future vision and plan

Process to develop top three priorities in Clallam County:

Six focused work groups will each develop up to four solution-based proposals. Those proposals will be then sent to all NOLA partners who will cull the list to the top three priorities.

The focused work groups are:

Business and Economic Development (includes Affordable Housing)

Health/Safety (Includes opioid addiction and homelessness)

Policy and Government

Transportation and Infrastructure

Natural Resources and Environmental

Workforce Development and Education

Partners of NOLA within Clallam County include representatives from:

Clallam County 3 Cities: Forks, Port Angeles and Sequim

Olympic Medical Center

Peninsula College

5 School Districts of Port Angeles, Cape Flattery, Crescent, Sequim, and Quillayute Valley