The Washington Student Association is an association of student governments at public institutions of higher education in Washington State. The organization is managed and overseen by a Board of Directors and a General Assembly. The WSA is represented by student lobbyists from member campuses during the legislative session and employs one full-time staff and a contract lobbyist to assist in advocacy efforts year round.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is made up of one voting representative from each member student government, usually the ASG President, or as designated by the ASG's by-laws. The Board oversees the strategic direction, finances, employees, and operations of the WSA. The Board meets on a monthly basis from September through June and holds an annual retreat in the summer.

General Assembly

The General Assembly is the representative body within the organization. Voting rights are allocated proportionally, one vote per 2500 students at member institutions. The General Assembly develops the Legislative Agenda, approves the organization's annual budget, and elects the executive officers for the Board. The General Assembly meets twice a year, once during the fall to focus on development of the legislative agenda and once during early spring to elect new leadership and approve the budget for the following year.

Officers

The Board is chaired by the President and assisted by four non-voting executive officers. The four office positions are the Vice President of Legislative Affairs, Vice President of Communications, Vice President of Finance, and Vice President of Recruitment and Retention.

Committees

WSA recently established three standing committees to facilitate the implementation of the WSA 2008-10 strategic plan. Focusing on increasing the efficiency of board action, expanding abilities for legislative research, and dedicating resources to the recruitment of new member campuses.

Legislative Liaisons

Member student governments employ student lobbyists who live in Olympia and work full-time or work part-time making frequent trips to the Capitol during the legislative session. These students act as the campuses representative to elected officials, state agencies, and other relevant organizations. They attend a comprehensive weeklong training ran by the Executive Director and Contract Lobbyist prior to the legislative session. During session they actively lobby for the passage of legislation regarding students issues and oppose proposals detrimental to students through daily meetings with legislators, attending and testifying at committee hearings.

Staff

The WSA currently contracts a lobbyist/advisor and employs two full-time staff, an Executive Director and and an Organizing Director. The positions help students achieve students goals through maintaining the day-to-day operations of the organization and coordinating statewide student organizing efforts.

National Affiliation

The WSA is a dues paying, state student association, member of the United States Student Association (USSA). USSA is the nations oldest and largest student run, student led organization representing over 4.5 million students. Each year delegates of the WSA attend the National Student Congress to develop a national action agenda. Many WSL members also participate in USSA's Legislative Conference, which takes place during spring in Washington D.C. As a member of USSA the WSA joins students across the nation to lobby the federal government to increase access to higher education. The WSA also receives benefits from its membership in discounted and free trainings, reduced conference registrations, legislative updates, organizing materials, and national staff support. Dues are 5% of the annual budget.