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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 04/15/1991COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN APRIL 15, 1991 PRESENT: Mary Clark, Carolyn Duff, Kathy Everett, Kathleen Faller, Doug Gertner, Dana Hiatt, Brownie McGraw, Kathy McLeod, Sally Miles, Mariam Masid-Pharris, Lynn Warner and Chris Wood. ABSENT: Ann Turnquist, Audrey Faulkner, Gerry Horak. VISITORS/OBSERVERS: Donna and Callie. Donna intends to complete application requesting an appointment to the Commission. ITEM CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS/ACTIONS FOLLOW-UP Call to Session Chairperson, Kathy Everett, called session to attention. Minutes Minutes approved as modified noting Carolyn Duff not present at last meeting. Communique from Audrey F. Kathleen F. acknowledged having received an epistle from Audrey F. Audrey had agreed to write comments/suggestions concerning restructuring of Commission. Essay Contest Brownie reported that she had given Brownie will materials about the essay contest to follow-up Ann T. Brownie proposed that the winners' names be read into the minutes of the Commission and that information about the essays be provided to Commission members. Overlap with Commission on Hum.Rel. Kathleen F., in consideration for the workload for the sub -committee on Economics, Legal/Gov't issues, Kathleen will review responsibilities with will follow the Human Relations Commission. Several commission members agreed • ff1MMTSSTIIN nN TIF fITATIIS nF WIIMI N APRIL 15, 1991 Burning of Hazardous Waste Letter to Pat Schroeder, Rep. with the observation that there is considerable overlap in workload activities. K. will talk further with Gary Wells, Chairperson. Discussion directed by Sally M. to question of Commissions position or action on Hazardous waste burning, particularly Kate T.'s presentation to the Commission and whether the presented information moved the Commission to action. The committee requested that Sally M. compose a letter to City Council presenting Commission congratulations on position taken by Council and encourage vigilance in tracking Holnams' future activity. It is assumed that H. will renew efforts to acquire permit to burn hazardous waste at the La Porte cement plant but for now has chosen to withdraw. Strategies to renew efforts are expected after public opposition is less visible. Sally will complete draft of letter, put some in packet for review at next Commission Meeting. The procedure for official communiques from the Commission was restated to reflect review by full commission prior to sending communiques unless otherwise stated. There was acknowledgment of the Democratic Party's proposal that no additional permits for burning hazardous waste be granted for 2 years which will allow for development of revised/newly proposed guidelines. Commission noted position statement to Council not timely but should provide some expectations of future vigilance. Question was raised as to whether Audrey F. had written a letter on behalf of the Commission to Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D), Chairperson, Commission on Youth and Families, No information available. Sally to com- pose letter for review by commission at May meet- ing Chair to contact Audrey COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN APRIL 15, 1991 Retreat Lynn Warner presented a written report of the Retreat (4-1-91) as compiled by Kathy E. and Lynn. Acknowledged that in addition o Doug Gertner's absence from the retreat were those of Carolyn Duff and Brownie McGraw. Please refer to written report as submitted to Commission. Kathy E. reiterated some points of the report. Doug requested some interpretation as to Commission members' decision to modify approach to concensus earlier adopted and to obviating "Checkout Time". Considerable substance was provided by members in review of the retreat's formulated position. D's objection to both revolved around concerns of greatest participation in decisions/issues before the commission, and in maintaining models differing from more restrictive parliamentary procedure. He appealed to the need for Commission members to have a way to maintain personal connections ...his objection to obviating the "Check Out time". Several members noted the artificiality of the practice thus question about whether the intended goal is achieved. Further support for excluding "Check out Time" was provided in preference for the substantive time and discussion available in "retreat - like" meetings which do meet the intended goals of interpersonal relational exchange and familiarity. Discussion ensued as to how often to have meetings offering substantive discussion. Suggestion: once per quarter although no concensus was sought. Acknowledged was the up coming planned continuation of the retreat for 9am-1:30pm this coming Saturday, April 20th. Again Kathleen F. has made her house available to the Commission. Chris Wood and Sally M. will assist Lynn in creating an agenda for the continuation of the retreat. Flexibility in the agenda was Lynn, Sally, and Chris to design agenda E AdHoc Committee Report COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN APRIL 15, 1991 encouraged since the approach taken at the last retreat meeting was considered to be very facilitating of participation and issue resolution. Commission members were encouraged to give thought to organizational assignments. Sally M., Lynn Warner and Chris Wood provided Commission with perspectives on their meeting with Ann Azari. The Ad hoc committee met with Ann as requested by he Commission. The purpose of the meeting was to gain Ann's perception of the Commission role and functioning. Further, the committee was to explore Ann's interest in acting as Councils' liaison to the Commission. The following serves only as a brief summary of the committee's report: Ann A. noted the Commission has clear charge to serve the Council, the commission does not need to seek permission to pursue issues/action; commission responsibility is to frame issues for City Council; other organizations have personnel and competence to research issues... commission could/should create forum for discussion, develop policy paper that frames resolvable issues (See committees' report). Commission members were very positive about Ann A's perspectives. agreed that we should have only one larger issue annually preselected based on timely, relevant selection in keeping with Commission's charge. Dana H. suggested that the Commission could request that a womens' group, such as the League of Women Voters, study an issue and the Commission could create a forum followed by a position paper and/or from research create policy as well as make public a position. There was enthusiastic support for such an approach. Commission COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN APRIL 15, 1991 Appointments to Commission Summer meetings Nominating Committee Questions were raised about procedure for appointing applicants to the commission and the relationship of such to the competency needs of the commission. In order for the commission to proceed in some focused fashion, without the necessity of reordering selected tasks/activity of the commission to take into account members' interests and abilities, we need to have some way to influence appointments. Two proposals were forthcoming; 1) request that a member of the commission serve in an observer role at council interviews or 2) request of the council that concerns about new appoitments to the commission be considered in lighte of competency needs of the commission. Sally had offered to meet with Susan Kirkpatrick and discuss the proposal of an observer role. She had done so prior to the meeting and reported that Susan was opposed to such a procedure. A reminder was given that summer sessions pose a particular problem resulting from non-attendance by members. What shall we do about this summer? Kathy E., Chairperson, has responsibility for appointing nominating committee. Acknowledged that Audrey F. has been asked. Kathy McLeod affirmed her understanding that Audrey is on Committee. The report of the n nominations committee was delayed until May. here was some discussion about sequencing of nomination proposals with appointments by council to the Commission in order to select annually from abilities of all commission members. Further discussion revolved around what leadership structure we might Commission Kathy E., Chairperson E COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN APRIL 15, 1991 choose a in order to create continuity.. There has been considerable confusion about the plan for nominations because plan of previous Chairperson is not evident, leadership structure of commission is in challenge,etc.. Board and Commissions Workshop Enthusiastic support and applause was given to the committee chaired by Kathleen Faller; Sally Miles, Chris Wood, Audrey Faulkner and Kathy Mc Leod. Applications to Commission Kathy E., Chairperson, encouraged reapplications to the commission by those whose appointments are completed. Both observers, Donna and Callie were invited to pursue application. Donna will complete hers. Womans'Space Reported that the column has been scheduled/filled through July, 1991. Following that date we we will need to decide whether to continue the same. Youth Comm. Brownie reported on meeting with Jeff Enck, Director of Alternatives for Youth Center. Youth can be trained for volunteer work by staff of AYC. There is support from the Council. EEOC The Commission has not only opportunity but responsibility to provide advice and council to the City on the proposed EEOC statement. AGENDA Kathy Everett as Chairperson will construct agenda. Persons interested in items being placed or the agenda should contact Kathy. Kathy will make a decision about priorities on agenda. She will notify those persons prior to the meeting whose items will not be on the agenda so that preparations will be made accordingly. Announcements Women' International League for Brownie con- tinues respon sibility in absence of any other members. Dana Hiatt to review materi; Kathy E.,Chai: " • • COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN APRIL 15, 1991 Peace and Freedom Conference held this weekend at Abyssinian Christian Church. March protesting Holnam's pursuit of burning of hapardous waste. C.S.U.'s faculty is no focusing on the Diversity Plan. R spectfully Submitted, Mew - Kathy Mc Lead, Secretary pro tem