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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 04/27/1987CITY OF FORT COLLINS OFFICE OF EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT • Ccnl `A VUir . Commission on the Status of Women Minutes of April 27, 1987 Council Information Center, 300 LaPorte Avenue Members Present: Guests: Cindy Hoff, Facilitator Barbara Rutstein Liza Daly, Secretary Jacque Strickland Joan Perry, Alternate Loren Maxey Janet Abbey, County Liaison Kay Short Staff: Sharon Robinson, Alternate Wendy Williams Valerie Mauksch Last meeting's minutes were approved. Barbara came by to tell us that she enjoyed working with us and to express her support in the future. She also announced that the Human Relations Commission has just completed a lengthy report on equal opportunity of City staff hiring practices and City Council will be holding a worksession on the report in the next few weeks. She suggests that we obtain a copy of the report and consider attending the worksession. Cindy announced that Loren Maxey will be our Council Liaison. He will be interviewing prospective new members with Susan Kirkpatrick next Wednesday. Committee Reports I. Legal/Government - Joan The Memorial gathering "Violence is Not Uncommon" went very well. It was organized by Joan, Liza, Jacque Strickland, Kim Ricketts and Mary Ackerman. Joan has made useful contacts with members of the Relationship Abuse Network. 2. Education - Sharon "Women's Conversations in History" went very well, with attending. A video tape of the event was made and Sharon submitted photos of the Women's History Month Publics ibrary. over 40 people is available. exhibit at the OFFICE OF EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT 300 LaPorte Ave. • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 • (303) 221-6535 Commission on the stus of Women is April 27, 1987 Minutes Page 2 Much thanks to Sharon and Janet for their hard work! It was pointed out that Women's History Month is an excellent example of an annual event for the Commission to organize. Sharon announced that she did not re -apply to the Commission and her term ends in July. She intends to continue working on Women's History month and has planned a meeting for next month to begin organizing next year's activities. 3. Networking- No Committee Report 4. Basic Needs - Val and Cindy Val reported that the goals which the committee is interested in working on require financial resources. She has been talking to other organizations that are advocates for basic needs for women. The Women's Center has come up with $350.00 for child care goals. She plans on looking into other organizations which might be able to help develop resources and coalitions, such as the American Association of University Women and the Library. She also reported on discussions with Sue Walston, a former Task Force member. They decided to prioritize their goals, focus on one or two major issues, and develop a community support base. Cindy reported that she has met with a representative of the Children's Care Coalition. Their discussion centered on the possible YMCA in Fort Collins, which has potential to provide after -school care. They also discussed the "I'm In Charge" program directed at older children. She suggested that the Commission assist in co -sponsoring a program in the fall (a publicity campaign is scheduled for the fall, with the possibility of getting Bea Romer as a speaker). We discussed the need to ensure a permanent representative at the Childcare Coalition meetings. Kay and Val offered to share that responsibility for the next two months. 5. Economic Development - report presented by Wendy for Leslie Leslie and Sue W. met with Linda Hopkins twice and discussed our proposed list for the data base. Linda has requested that we come up with a general target for our needs - broad issues - and the consultant will develop the specific items that will fulfill our target. A deadline for completing this request will be set soon, so we will assume an ASAP deadline. Wendy will send us copies of information on the data base and the requests from various sources that have been submitted, including our own. Commission on the Otus of Women . April 27, 1987 Minutes Page 3 6. Safety The flyers on "Crime Prevention for Women" to be held this Thursday, April 30th, were distributed. The event is being co -sponsored by us and the Police Department. Both Cindy and Joan report that they have received calls from people wondering what the Commission is doing about the issue of violence against women. Liza suggested that we put together a flyer or brochure that publicizes rape statistics, prevention tips and phone numbers for assistance. Val suggested that we develop a list of all of the services already available in Fort Collins who do provide this information so that we can make referrals when contacted Joan suggested that we send the information to Nona Thayer for an editorial. She will send the information with a thank -you for her recent editorials on the "Violence is Not Uncommon" event and the Boards and Commissions workshop. [Secretary's Note: Information was sent to Steve Porter at the Triangle Review.] 7. Working Women's Fair - Val We have been asked to do a workshop at the fair, to be held November 6-7. Val requested ideas. Jacque suggested that we hold a peer group discussion for women to discuss common aspects of their lives. It was decided that this idea is not appropriate for this particular group of women. Joan suggested that we do a booth since we need visibility. Val offered to exchange her speaking services for the cost of a booth. It was decided that the booth would be the most feasible and productive project. We decided that there is a need to develop a brochure on issues of concern to women in Fort Collins and information about the Commission. The Networking Committee and Val will develop a brochure over the summer. Wendy will try to get a budget for this project. Members were asked to bring ideas for the brochure to the next meeting. Wendy will send out requests for brochures from regional Women's Commissions. 8. Budget Wendy suggested that the committees develop a list of specific budgetary needs for the Council in preparation for the June 9th meeting Commission on the I us of Women • April 27, 1987 Minu es Page 4 when Council will be considering budget issues. It is important that we be prepared for this meeting. It was suggested that we add a meeting in order to address this issues and other immediate issues. A special meeting will be held on Monday, May 18th in the CIC room at City Hall. The meeting of May 25th, which is Memorial Day, was postponed until June 8th. Sharon suggested that we invite new members to a potluck/social affair in early June in order to acquaint them with the Commission. 9. Women and Business Conference Cindy announced this annual event which will take place in Denver July 10-11. More information will be available soon. The cost is s10o-115. The organizers have proposed that if we are willing to promote the event in Fort Collins, they may be willing to waive the fee for a representative. This will be future agenda topic when we have more information. 10. Mother's Center Jacque S. presented information on this soon -to -be Fort Collins Center. Nine women have been meeting for about three months to organize the Mother's Center. It is part of a nation-wide network. Jacque helped "conceive" one in Durango, Colorado. The philosophy of the center is "to serve the needs of the mothers of the community and provide peer group discussion time". We watched a video describing the history of the Mother's Centers. Cindy invited Jacque back to field more questions from us. We introduced ourselves individually to Loren Maxey. He briefly went over the application process for the interviews next Wednesday and stated that he would welcome our input. Peggy Reeves contacted Wendy. She has been appointed to the Women's Economic Development Task Force. Wendy asked that we review the handout listing the missions and goals of this Task Force and come prepared to the next meeting with feedback and ideas. Medical Assistance Act is still alive in the legislature. Val announced a workshop and 2 job openings she knows of. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.