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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 07/21/1997MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN July 21, 1997 PRESENT: Danielle Johnson, Becki Fosha, Nancy Meginness, Diane Lathrop, Lynne Warner, Audrey Faulkner, Christinia Eala American Horse, Rita Anastasio COUNCIL LIAISON: Chris Kneeland EXCUSED ABSENCES: Lu Fisk, Joann Ginal, Dana Hiatt, Laurie Fonken-Joseph GUEST: Beth Fitzgerald, has applied for position on the Commission. CALL TO ORDER:: The Meeting was called to order by acting chair Danielle Johnson at 6:08 p.m. LIAISON REPORT:: By Chris Kneeland introduced herself to the Commission members, and commented that she knows many here. Shared that she will not be attending meetings regularly, unless she has something to fill us in on, or if we request her presence. Chris has followed the Commission since 1985. Explained that she has lived in Fort Collins for 21 years. Most of adult life. Work life: was in Peace Corp, in Chicago, in funding by United Way in Fort Collins, currently owns a consulting business. Out of town a lot and does human resources consulting, ex. HP. Has an 18 year old son and a 15 year old daughter. Her interests with Council are the Human Rights ordinance, and sexual orientation issues. Recently Council has sent issue to task force to iron out some of the controversial components of the proposed ordinance. There will be an open house on July 30 at Senior Center for community forum. City Plan has been a major effort, as have a variety of growth issues. There is also a smoking ordinance working with youngsters. Opened it up to questions from the Commission members. Diane Lathrop thanked Chris for making sure the task force for the revised ordinance was more balanced. Audrey asked to be kept alerted well in advance on Council calendar items which may affect this Commission. Diane asked for help or guidance in securing money needed to print the survey, $4000.00. Chris promised to check into this. Fall is the deadline for this. The Commission did not spend this money on anything else. Please feel free to call Chris at anytime and will share information with Boards and Commission. Rest of the appointments by August for this Commission. Chris says. She can be reached at 221-0066 and has voicemail and home is 221-2950. E mail ChrisKnee@aol.com. Fax 221-2823. MINUTES: Corrections to minutes: motion to approve by Audrey and seconded by Diane Lathrop. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS: New members introduced themselves and were introduced to current members. Everyone shared a little bit of information about themselves. AGENDA REVIEW: No new items added. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Lists of members and phone numbers distributed to members of the commission for review and any additions or deletions. Budget has been allocated for personal service: $4600.00 Spent: $3393.44. Remaining: $1206.56. Contractual services: allocated: $3194.00, spent: $718.97, remaining $2400.00 approx.That is the status of the budget not including the $4,000.00 needed for the printing. Passed around a six month calendar of Council Agenda and meetings. Danielle announced the Foundation of Breast Cancer Research is looking for women to participate in focus groups for Larimer County. Contact Ruthann Kastner for dates and times. Retreat is October 20, 1997 at the Edwards House. Need to decide what to have for dinner and dessert. Menu was circulated. African Dinner Saturday Sept. 27, 6:30 pm, University village center, 1600 West Plum St. Tickets on sale, Proceeds will benefit the African Student Association and the International Center of Fort Collins.. Two new members have been announced, will be invited to August Meeting. BUSINESS ITEMS: A. HRC Report, By Diane Lathrop. First meeting of the Task Force to review the Human Rights Ordinance was last week. There is a great deal of opposition to any addition or extension of who will be covered by the ordinance. Areas of concern include sexual orientation, composition of household. Several members of the Task Force want the current ordinance to stay in effect without change. It looks like it will be an uphill battle. Doreen Kemp met with someone from the County and discussed how the proposed revision is written and that it is cumbersome with 16 pages. There is a need for some revision and there is frustration with homophobic Pastors. Human rights do not go across the board. Diane expressed concern that a lot of the proposed ordinance would address issues of women and children, single parents trying to make it, and she wants to focus on that. Looking at discrimination in housing against women with small children is important. The Commission is on record as being supportive of the proposed ordinance. Need to address specific information on items that are of concern to us. Summary of proposal will be brought to the next meeting. Attorney from HP is against adding familial status. Has a position that it takes away their ability to fire anyone. Making a strong argument on this point. (HP) Use women and children issues to go back to the religious right. Single women not defined as family —broaden the definition. Bring up the issue of taking care of elderly, time restraints here. Also, came out in study. Not just divorce, car accidents leave someone with a single family. Higher ups get the benefits to take the time off, not the secretary. The ones not earning as much are penalized. Letters are still being taken by the task force. Need community input. Open forum July 30th, at the Senior Center. 6:30. This is the next one. Diane and Doreen are in this together. Need to hear from people on the issues of sexual orientation, familial status, physical characteristics, transgenered status. Pregnancy or child birth, sexual harassment, etc.. Urge people to attend the forum. b. Welfare Reform Update; Audrey. Have had a lot of interest in this issue. Gravely concerned for women. We have communicated our position to the mayor about how the Colorado Legislation is being crafted. The state board is now crafting administrative issues. How much autonomy will the county have and the state over the implementation of this reform. There has to be a basic cash flow all over Colorado, as well as uniform eligibility standards, and other standards. County wants a great deal of flexibility. Criteria is what we have had around eligibility. Aug. 1 public comments, and finalized draft crafted and signed by Oct 1. County is clamoring for no control on the regulations. The other side is trying to make sure that the counties observe the intent of the federal laws to determine if people are ready to work or not. This country has an interest problem. Affluent country. This one will have to take up some the slack. 35% of its people working by the end of this year. The state cannot drop below 20%. More emphasis on getting people to work first, before giving the training. Women need to get their education, women will have to work, go to school and take care of the family. Medicare is unclear. A lot of questions, how the child care money will shake down and the shortage child care slots. 3 day search conference, she is on the planning committee for this. Invited a board range of 120 people in the hope that 65 will attend. Ideas is to see what they can come up with in the way of new ideas, collaboration around resources and educate the business community to what the issues and problems are. Nancy Meginnes will also be attending. And report back the commission. Another letter to the Mayor will be sent on at a later date. C. Slate of new officers: Elections will be held in September. Finalize the slate by the next meeting. Need to fill Secretary, Vice -Chair, and Chair positions. Chair needs a name under it. Hoping new members would lend their leadership abilities to be Chair. Discussion is led by Danielle. Secretary name : Becki Fosha, Vice -Chair name is Danielle Johnson. Nominating committee will contact Joann Ginal to see if she is interested in the Chair position. Nominating committee will report next Month on the result. D. 10th anniversary report by Audrey. Recommendation committee is meeting on the 30th. Hoping to get the recommendations done. More than half way through, after meeting once or twice a week for along time. Finished in one long afternoon. Bring the recommendations to the August meeting, even if not completed. Copies of current draft to the new members of the commission so they may be updated. (Economic status of women in the community. Want to have a comprehensive report from the data. They have enough data to bring this to the August. Meeting. May ask Ann Azari to do an introduction or a forward for this report. When the draft is done, contact a list of organizations to ask them to look at the recommendations and get feedback on additions, or things that may be in place already. Hoping to do this in September. E. Funding team. Hold on this for 1 month. Suggested by Diane Lathrop, to give Chris Kneeland time to act to get the money for the survey. Chris seemed interested to help on this. Need money for the printing of the survey. F. Marcile N. Wood award. Every year the Commission through the City Council gives an award to a local woman who's activities have contributed the status of women in Fort Collins. Reception and ceremony for the Award winner at Aug 19th City Council meeting. Currently Danielle, Micky McMillan are on the committee. Danielle would like to have some help with this. Letters sent out. Deadline July 30th. No responses to date. Danielle will volunteer, and also Christina Eala will volunteer for this committee. Need to make the final selection when the nominations come in. Then coordinate the events to honor the person at the City Council meeting. Solicited names through various organizations about town. Can add names of organizations at any time. All -Sports trophy will do the plaque for this award. Laurie will help do this because of the proximity of the Human Rights Office and All Sports Trophy. An award certificate will be issued. The Reception prior to the City Council Meeting to get to know the recipient is scheduled. Speak to Laurie regarding a room other than the CIC room to use. She has the contact for the refreshments too. Media committee : needs to be publicized both before and after. Trying to set up a media committee. Kevin Vaughn, Sonia Bisbee to help with the publicity. Possible to set up a photographer for this event. Possible press release out and it will be published. August 19, 1997. A proclamation done by Mayor. Women's Equality Day. Lynne will bring the buttons to wear, and will bring them August 18th meeting. Diane urged all those who can to attend this!!! Becki F. Asked if anyone was doing something for Women Equality Day? Becki will call around and see if anyone is doing that. H. Six month time line. Doreen put this together and out in the packet. Helps to keep the focus ahead on the things that need to be done in the next six months. Wants to call your attention to those things that each may want to personally involve oneself with. Nancy suggested to look at this at the August Meeting. Anyone interested in someone coming and talking about the new justice center and the proposal. Nancy will call Deni LaRue for August meeting. Volunteer for refreshments for August 18th meeting refreshments by Diane Lathrop. Meeting adjourned at 8: 19 pm.