NEWS

WCWI accepting nominations for 2008 Wyoming Summit Award

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Council for Women's Issues (WCWI) is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Wyoming Summit Award. Solicitation of nominations will close July 31, 2008.

Sponsored by the WCWI, the Wyoming Business Alliance, the Wyoming Department of Family Services, the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and the Wyoming Business Council, the award recognizes businesses that have successfully implemented family-friendly workplace practices that promote employment diversification, competitive and equal wages and an employee-sensitive environment.
The Summit Award is given to businesses that:

Broaden the workforce - programs and policies should enable the business to progress toward an equitable and diverse workforce from under represented populations.
Strengthen the workforce - programs and policies should promote wages that compare to regional or national averages for similar jobs and the wage disparity between men's and women's wages should be reduced.
Support the workforce - programs and policies should demonstrate efforts to satisfy employees (single individuals or otherwise) and their families needs for flexible schedules, day care for children or elders, and any other service that would minimize the stresses of balancing the demands of work and family obligations and increase employees' productivity.

Jim Cannon, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for 2007 Summit Award recipient Powell Valley Healthcare (PVHC), said the organization continues to implement policies that strengthen its workforce.

Being recognized by the WCWI as an employee-friendly business is representative of everything PVHC stands for, Cannon said. PVHC has recently expanded its tuition reimbursement program to now include student loan reimbursement and has incorporated an Employee LifeCoach Center located in the hospital that offers employees spa-caliber treatments to reduce stress.

"We are very employee-friendly and we do a lot to support our employees," said Cannon. "Our employees truly make a difference in our community and supporting their efforts to provide the best care possible is a main priority of PVHC."
The WCWI is a 13-member council with representation from each of the nine Judicial Districts in addition to four at-large members and one ex-officio member from the Wyoming Business Council. The WCWI is a Governor appointed council. For more information or to obtain a 2008 Summit Award application, visit www.wyomingwomenscouncil.org.