HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 - Womens Commission - Annual ReportCity of Fort Collins
Women’s Commission
2014 Annual Report
The City of Fort Collins Women’s Commission promotes decisions and actions that address the
needs and positively impact women in our community. We do this by listening to the voice of
women, advising city council, promoting community events, and educating ourselves and others
about safety, health and poverty.
Women’s Commission members in 2014 were Ginny Carroll, Catherine Douras, Lea Hanson, Jan
Hawn, Stacia Ryder, Marija Weeden-Osborn, Deborah Young and Annette Zacharias.
In 2014, the Women’s Commission (WC) accomplished the following:
• The WC held the fifth annual retreat on March 1, 2014, to discuss, review and plan the
following:
1. Revisit subcommittees and determine roles, if any
2. Action items for 2014 (events i.e. Pride in the Park)
3. Review of B&C Changes
4. Review of Work Plan
5. Review of Council’s Strategic Plan
6. Strategic Planning for Upcoming Year to align with Council’s strategic
plan
7. Begin brainstorm for 2014 Board and Commission mixer-time, place, date
8. Marcille N. Wood award for 2014
• Lea Hanson was a member of the Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) Community and
Livability team.
• Several members of the Women’s Commission attended the Boards and Commissions
meeting on February 24, 2014, at the Lincoln Center.
• The WC developed a template to standardize and improve communication with City
Council.
• The WC aligned their 2014 Work Plan with the City of Fort Collins seven Key Strategic
Outcomes.
• The WC discussed the tone of public comment at City Council and decided to make an
effort to improve it. The WC developed a brochure about civil discourse and has
modeled good behavior at Council meeting.
• The WC continued the dialogue with other Boards and Commissions by hosting a fourth
breakfast mixer on May 14, 2014.
• Jan Hawn attended the Mental Health Forum on June 10, 2014.
• Lea Hanson and Ginny Carroll attended the Super Meeting on August 25, 2014.
• The WC partnered with WomenGive to present the Marcile N. Wood award in 2014.
The winner, Peggy Wagner, was announced at the WomenGive Event on September 25,
2014. The Women’s Commission conducted the review process and assisted in the
presentation at the event.
• Lea Hanson and Heather Zoccali attended the Women’s Foundation Denver Luncheon
Review on October 23, 2014.
• The WC was a presence at City Council meetings in 2014, with a Commission member
attending almost every one.
• The WC continued our membership with the National Association of Commissions for
Women (NACW).
Guests to meetings included:
Ginny Sawyer – Policy and Program Manager for the City Manager’s Office
Mary Atchison – Director, Department of Social Sustainability
Julie Brewen – Director of the Fort Collins Housing Authority
Sue Beck-Ferkiss – Social Sustainability Specialist
Michael Pruznick – District 3 citizen
The Women’s Commission continues to work toward better communication with City Council,
collaboration with Boards and Commissions, and community relationships. The coordination of
the Marcille N. Wood award with WomenGive and continued communication with Boards and
Commissions are evidence of this work. To accomplish the goals set by the Women’s
Commission, members attended and participated in numerous community events surrounding
women’s issues. The Women’s Commission looks forward to supporting this process in 2015.