HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 05/19/1997• MINUTES
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
Meeting of May 19, 1997
PRESENT: Doreen Kemp, Becki Fosha, Lu Fisk, Joann Ginal, Nancy Meginness, Diane
Lathrop, Lorna Reeves, Dana Hiatt, Danielle Johnson
EXCUSED ABSENCES: Audrey Faulkner, and Stephanie Lane
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Lynn Warner, Megan Murphy and Micki McMillan
COUNCIL LIAISON: No report provided
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:09 p.m. by Commission Chair,
Doreen Kemp.
MINUTES: Approved as written with correction of misspelled name.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
• Toni Chavez submitted resignation letter.
• A thank -you card from Gina Ganett was received.
• Becki Fosha spoke to Peggy Reeves. She will be willing to speak sometime later this
summer regarding welfare reform.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
• Human Relations Commission Meeting
The meeting was primarily concerning the Human Rights Ordinance. Businesses are
concerned about the addition of seven new items regarding discrimination. This has been
called an "extremely faulty document" and Jim Ringinberg (representing the Chamber, 1st
National Bank and himself) stated that it is the "most radical ordinance in the nation." The
attorney for HP and Woodward Governor are also involved. Business are afraid they will
not be able to fire without being accused of discrimination.
• At the Health and Safety Committee meeting, people opposed to the ordinance were invited
to speak to the Committee. No supporting views were presented. Chris Kneeland facilitated.
She and Chuck Wanner would like John Fischbach to form an ad hoc committee to present
opinions. The Health and Safety Committee, City Attorney, Human Relations Committee
and the community will give input. A sign-up sheet was passed around for attendees and a
committee will be formed from that. Diane Lathrop would like to see someone from the
Commission on the Status of Women with a seat on the committee. There must be a
recommendation from the Health and Safety Committee to go to Council for a vote. It is on
the agenda for the July 22, 1997 study session. Letters sharing discrimination experiences
should be written to the Council to prove the necessity and that research was done for the
added changes. The Commission on the Status of Women will pull together the research
from the focus groups as a reference. Diane Lathrop motioned that Doreen write a letter of
request for a seat on the committee. Danielle Johnson seconded motion. Motion
unanimously approved.
Commission on the Status of V men
Minutes of May 19, 1997 Meeting
Page 2
Mailing List
• Stephanie Lane got an updated version to Danielle Johnson for the Marcille Wood Award
Committee. Updates will be an ongoing process.
Welfare Reform
• Romer has not signed yet.
Nominating Committee
• No additional info from Lynn Warner. Currently interviewing. The bylaws must be
followed as per City Attorney, but could be amended with 2/3 vote to postpone election.
Stephanie Lane gave verbal permission via telephone for proxy. The motion to amend the
bylaws to allow postponement of election of officers until September was presented. Diane
Lathrop motioned and Joann Ginal seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The bylaws
will be amended and distributed to members.
City Boards and Commissions Budget Allocations
• Doreen Kemp submitted a request of $4,000.00 for printing the report. The budget was
reviewed and discussed.
CSU Guest Speakers
• Toni Zimmerman (Chair of the Commission for Gender Equity) and Laura Macagno-Shang
(Study Coordinator) were introduced. Toni discussed the Institute of Women & Leadership
that is developing on campus. CSU, Poudre R-1, and Front Range Community College are
sponsoring a 6-session workshop on gender and leadership.
• In February 1993, a proposal was brought to the CSU president that a task force be formed.
In April 1994, the task force was appointed. Their charge was to assess women's issues on
campus. Forty-two focus groups were conducted (men included) and every female
student/employee of CSU was surveyed. The results were submitted to the President in
April 1996. The same issues that came up 20 years ago were similar to current issues, i.e.
campus climate (communication; negative stereotypes; work environment; balancing family,
work & school; safety and harassment; diversity; absence of women of color on campus). It
was recommended that CSU distribute the findings throughout campus. CSU would sponsor
a celebration that would make a university -wide commitment to Gender Equity 2000. This
has sparked some efforts. In February 1997, the task force was ended and the Commission
for Gender Equity was formed.
• Laura discussed the Commission on the Status of Women at CSU. They meet weekly and
are a very motivated/cohesive group. The are currently working on policy/procedural
changes. They looked at the recommendations and issues from the report and developed
subgoups from the top three issues:
1. Kickoff event: an educational effort to clarify the issues, set new goals and to celebrate
the changes that have happened (i.e. tenure extension form - policy stated that tenure
extension automatically was given for pregnancy).
2. Retention and Recruitment - search process of primarily faculty;
3. Environment - 3/4 of the issues involved environment.
Commission on the Start* Women •
Minutes of May 19, 1997 Meeting
Page 3
• They are looking at what the campus is doing and recommending that changes go through
existing offices. Two times a year, policy and procedural changes that are low or no cost to
CSU, are submitted.
• Copies of the complete report are available for viewing at the President's office or the
library. Call Myra Powers (Assistant to the President) to obtain copies of the executive
summary report.
• The CSU Commission on the Status of Women would like to coordinate with the
Commission on the Status of Women and other groups to network. A web page for all areas
of women's issues on campus along with links to city issues is to be designed.
• Diane Lathrop suggested that the Commission on the Status of Women be involved in a
kick-off. It would be nice to see more unity and communication between women's groups.
Doreen Kemp questioned how much support they're actually given. Laura discussed that the
group made a decision that they had a tremendous amount of power. So far, the support has
been there. For the Commission to stay active, changes need to be seen - that's why changes
are submitted twice yearly.
• If any questions, please call Laura at 491-6922.
Experts to Review Topical Areas
• At the retreat last month, it was decided to narrow the group down, and to have the whole
group review it. Doreen Kemp and Stephanie Lane will work on this - three more meetings
are scheduled to compose the rough draft.
• Nancy has two people to suggest as mental health experts - she would like to see mental
health section bigger.
• Medical - Lena Sunthanker suggested.
• Housing - Rachelle Stevens recommended.
• Transportation - will check with City for suggestion.
• Housing - Nancy McCambridge recommended.
• Education - Joanie Friedman recommended.
• Income/Employment - Joanie Friedman/John Kafalas/Mary Cosgrove recommended.
• Day Care/Women's Center - Jody Rankin was suggested.
Meeting Adjourned
• Next meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 16, 1997. This will be a celebratory type
meeting with an opportunity to share goals/visionary thinking, feedback, etc. instead of a
formal meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Ginger Dodge
Commisson on the Status of Women Recorder