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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 11/17/1997COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 17, 1997 Present: Danielle Johnson, Rita Anastasio, Audrey Faulkner, Becki Fosha, Beth Fitzgerald, Lynne Warner, Ruth Weatherford, Lu Fisk, Lena Sunthankar Liaisons: Nancy Meginness, Dana Hiatt Excused Absence: JoAnn Ginal Absent: Christinia Eala-American Horse, Diane Lathrop I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:10 II. Liaison Report: None III. Minutes: Approved as written IV. New Member Orientation: Danielle gave a brief overview for new members. Included a copy of the bi-laws, and background of Commission. Job is to advise City Council and keep them informed about policy issues and how they impact women. Commission in past years has expanded our scope to deal with community issues. One role is to address "hot" issues regarding women. Worked hard on Amendment 2, City benefits a couple years ago which would impact lower paid women and health insurance, welfare reform issues, Beijing women's conference. Boards and commissions workshop to help women better understand and become involved in boards and commission, assisted the Multicultural commission, help with the start of Mi Gente. The Commission does several celebratory activities during the year, Women's History month, in March, sponsored an essay contest in Jr. Highs. Select and award three winners of essay contest. Proclamation read for Women's History month. August is Women's Equality day. Work to commemorate it. Also Marcile N. Wood award incorporate with Women's Equality Day. V. Agenda: Item added, Rita Anastasio Report on meeting she attended was added after report on HRC. VI. Announcements: Audrey passed out a flyer on Attainable Housing meeting in Denver. VH Business: A. Human Relations Commission (H.R.C.) report: Lu Fisk HRC has some suggestions about the Police Subcommittee ordinance. Regarding membership, choose 5 people, put them all (versus having 3 on and 2 alternate) on the board especially given they put in time to do Citizens Police academy. Another issue arose with the fact that members could be removed by City manager at any time, without cause. HRC recommend adding a statement to the effect "however such member shall have right to appeal of dismissal to City Council." It was suggested that a letter be written in support of HRC's recommendations. Motion was made to write a letter by Beth, Seconded by Ruth, passed unanimously. The Commission also feels strongly that this Citizens Review group reflect the diversity of the community. Becki and Lynne will draft a letter. Citizen review on Council schedule for February 3, 1998. Human Rights Ordinance: Lu explained there are now two ordinances. Ordinance One includes changes to the bases as well as the process, but excludes sexual orientation. Ordinance Two would cover only sexual orientation. The reasoning of this will be to not throw out the entire ordinance if it goes to a vote and is not passed by the voters. This way people could vote on just the ordinance that relates to sexual orientation. Talk of writing a letter to City Council and Health and Safety. Audrey moved the Commission write a letter in support of having only one ordinance which includes sexual orientation. Ruth seconded it adding Women's Commission has concern about the way the Task Force voiced it's opinion on adding sexual orientation and this was not reflected in the way the final drafts were put forth to Health and Safety. Unanimous decision to send a letter. Becki will draft letter. B. Rita went to a meeting on attainable housing November 17, 1997. Discussion around the terms attainable and affordable. Was attended by others involved in affordable housing issues. Called to create a network of people interested in this issue. Looking at how to create a bigger group so that collaboration can take place versus having each person out there on their own doing things. There was not much agreement, seemed that there was opposition to the idea of networking. Some attendees were not seeing the resources of working together, saw problems with sharing their ideas. Planned a luncheon to further look at this issue and where this group may go if they so choose. Talked about doing this in April. Rita is willing to work with Kay Rios to help set this up sooner. Suggested she call CASH (Sister Mary Alice), and some other organizations for input into this issue. C. Review of Boards and Commissions List to see which Boards and Commissions the Women's Commission would like to receive minutes and agendas from. Lynne: would like MCC Rita: Affordable Housing Board, Housing Authority, Planning and Zoning, Youth Advisory Board. Dana: Commission on the Status of Disability Becki: Transportation and Art in Public Places Beth: Telecommunications, Water Utilities Ruth: Affordable Housing, HRC and Youth Advisory Lena: HRC and Youth Advisory Board Nancy: Cultural Resources Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Liquor/Massage Licensing Danielle: Personnel Board Audrey: Senior Advisory Board D. Report on Printing: Nancy Meginness and Becki Fosha No printers have been contacted yet. Need to know the details, pages, colors, how many. 600 copies of the executive summary 60 pages. 300 copies of whole report 200 pages. Need to requisition the money by 11/21/97. Laurie will contact Diane Jones to make sure this is done this week. Libby is currently not working on report. Will be back at it early in December. Design student will continue to work on report. E. Report on Marketing Committee Beth agreed to set up a meeting for the marketing committee and a chair will be selected at that time. Meet before December 15 meeting. Appoint a media committee to get information on CSW work out to the paper, radio, newsletters etc. Could be a subcommittee of marketing committee. Beth suggested this be addressed at the first marketing committee meeting. Rita has a list of different media sources and will get the mailing labels to the marketing committee for their use with press releases. Data Form: Lynne Warner. Went over form that she drafted for presentations on CSW and Study. Asked for feedback. Add date of call. Add information about the group requesting the information, who is the audience? Date reported to marketing committee and contact. Put follow up on the back. Notebook of contacts will be kept at Human Rights Office. F. Appoint Women's History Month Committee. Packets have to go out at beginning of January. Past chair JoAnn suggest a few changes to add to the letter to the teachers. Expand to write about women other than grandma and mom. Also add instructions that students who win need to be able to discuss their essay when presented with award. City council meets March 3, 1998 and proclamation will be given that day. Deadline for submission of essays February 13, 1998. Ruth, Becki, Lena and Danielle will serve on committee. Beth and Lynne will be a back up readers. Becki will be chair. She will get information to Wendy as soon as it is ready. Wendy will then send out 100 copies to Carol Ann Hixon (all in one packet for her disbursement). G. Policy Agenda Suggestions from Chris Kneeland. 1. Invite Frank Bruno to a meeting early in 1998 (March) to talk about Micro Loan and virtual incubator. Audrey also has a video on this topic, view at February, 1998 meeting.. 2. Audrey moved and Ruth Seconded that a Write a letter to City Manager and Assistant City Manager urging them to replace ICS director with a woman. 3. Look at pay equity and where women are in the organization. The incometemployment committee could do this. Also look at role of encouraging women's perspectives in leadership and throughout the organization. 4. Childcare project with senior women. Look at doing a pilot. Childcare committee will take a look at this. H. December 15, 1997 meeting 6:00-8:30 p.m. Potluck at Danielle's home, Danielle will provide beverages. Food will be potluck, Real Food. Do some team building. Louis TerMeer will come to do some team building with group. Basic get to know each other. Team building, interaction exercises, working in small groups, looking at peoples different styles. January 6, 1998 and February 23, 1998 are next two meetings. NOTE they are on the 4th Monday due to holidays. Refreshments for January meeting: Ruth will provide. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m..