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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 07/19/1999Commission on the Status of Women Minutes July 19, 1999 Present Annmarie Izuel-Evans, JoAnn Ginal, Haemi Cha, Sara Lamia, Lisa Gorham, Debbie Tamlin, Lisa Hernbloom, Bobbie Gonzales, Susan Crowe, Tam Frager. Excused Absent: Rita Anastasio, Ruth Weatherford Unexcused Absence: Lena Sunthankar Liaisons: Diane Gregg, Crossroads Safehouse City Staff Liaison: Laurie Fonken-Joseph, 221-6871 I. Call to order: Meeting was called to order 6:15. II. Minutes: Approved as written. III. Review Agenda IV. Announcements: A. Mail was passed around B. No other business V. Business Items A. Introduction of and Welcome to New Members. Each new member shared a bit about themselves, their background and their interest in being involved with the Commission. Current members also introduced themselves and talked about their work on the Commission. B. Introduction to the work of the Commission. Gave an overview of the Marcile N. Wood award and the purpose to recognize women who are doing important work in our community. Deb Tamlin shared a bit about Marcile N. Wood. She started United Day Care Center here in Fort Collins before Head Start. She was involved in work with Crossroads Safehouse and many many other important community programs for women. Marcile was a mentor for many. The award will be presented August 17, 1999 at 5:30 in the Council Chambers. A reception will be held at 5:00 before the award presentation. The other main event the commission works on the "Women in Our Own History" Essay contest in honor of women's history month. Junior High school students write essays about the important women in their lives. This takes place every March. Students receive honors as well as a gift certificate if their essays are chosen. Talked about how fun it is to read the essays and how well written they are. C. Commission Guidelines: Introduced Laurie Fonken-Joseph as the liaison, and described her role. Talked about the absence policy and the importance of calling in to let the liaison know you will be unable to attend. Gave our Laurie's number 221-6871. D. Commissions Role: Talked about the advisory role of the commission to Council. The Commission on the Status of Women was started in 1986 based upon a recommendation out of a study done on the status of women in Fort Collins. This original study was done in the mid-80's. E. Report of the 10 year update study: The initial study helped to form the work of the commission for the first 10 years. In 1994 the commission requested funds from the City to update the original study. The Commission on the Status of Women then spent the next several years updating the original study. The result is the current report "The Economic Realities Facing Women: A Proposal for Advancement". This report will be presented to City Council on August 10, 1999 at 6:00 p.m. The presentation will include highlights of the study as well as recommendations. The Commission is hoping to use the results of the study to collaborate with others in the community to implement some of the recommendations. Discussed talking to our liaison Karen Weitknaut before the council presentation. Joann passed around a copy of the study and explained to members the format and the outline of the study. The categories of study were: income, employment, education/training, childcare, housing, health/mental health care, transportation and welfare reform. Each section begins with a real story of a woman in Fort Collins speaking about her experiences. Each section also has a vision statement of how we see the City of Fort Collins regarding that subject. National, State and Local trends and data are included. Each section is concluded with recommendations, general and specific. Discussed doing an executive summary and this was done by Bobbie Gonzales. F. Marcile N. Wood Award: Report from the committee on the nominations and the process of review and selection. Sent out about 75 letters asking for nominations. Attempts were made to get announcements in the Coloradoan, unsuccessfully. Discussed that the nomination form may be foreboding to people given the depth of work that Marcile N. Wood did in this community. Need to look at revising the form for next year. There was a great deal of enthusiasm from members to work on getting this information out to more people. Will be establishing these committees in September this year when we elect officers. G. Legislative Review: Bobbie reported on the Patients Bill of Rights which has not passed congress as yet. Senate bill which has been passed. Primary omission is the permission for parents to sue care providers who do not respect their rights. Clinton has said he would veto the bill. Talked about inviting Bob Schafer to one of our meetings. H. Report from Multicultural Commission: Bobbie announced that Multicultural Commission is now Northern Colorado Multicultural Corporation and they are applying for 5010 status. Described the representation on the commission of Colorado State University, Larimer County, PVH, Poudre Schools, Front Range City of Fort Collins, Chamber of Commerce. Looking at this change as a way to recruit members who are really interested and committed to the work of the commission. The Multicultural Commission has been funded by the 7 entities listed above which has proved difficult in the past. With 501c3 status they will be able to apply for grant funding. I. Report from Human Relations Commission: Bobbie reported that they had new members at this meeting so it was basically an orientation. Talked about the work they did on the Human Rights Ordinance. I Description of meeting facilitation: Have been doing the facilitation and refreshments on a rotating basis in alphabetical order. Will formalize this process in the next few months. K. Future work plan: The Commission on the Status of Women's work will be driven by the findings and recommendations of the study. Copies of the study will be made available to the commission members. As you read through your copy take time to highlight the areas you are most interested in and we will look at these at our September meeting when we outline the upcoming year. VI. Adjourn: 8:00 Dates to remember: Tuesday August 10,1999, 6: 00 p.m. City Hall: Presentation to City Council on "The Economic Realities Facing Women: A Proposal For Advancement. Monday August 16,1999, 6:00-8: 00 p.m. Regular Commission on the Status of Women Meeting. 405 Canyon Avenue. Tuesday August 17,1999, 5:00 p.m. City Hall. Reception and presentation of Marcile N. Wood award and Women's Equality Day proclamation.