HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 - Womens Commission - Annual ReportCity of Fort Collins
Women’s Commission
2016 Annual Report
The City of Fort Collins Women’s Commission promotes decisions and actions that address the
needs and positive impacts of 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 2016 were Molly Alderton, Liz Donovan, Ginny Carroll,
Catherine Douras, Lea Hanson, Huston Morse, Stacia Ryder, Hannah Little and Dru Van Doren
In 2016, the Women’s Commission (WC) accomplished the following:
● The WC held the seventh annual retreat on February 20, 2016, to discuss, review and
plan the following:
1. Revisit subcommittees and determine roles, if any
2. Action items for 2016 (events i.e. Review budget items)
3. Plan proclamation collaboration with community organizations
4. Review of B&C Changes
5. Review of Work Plan
6. Review of Council’s Strategic Plan
7. Strategic Planning for Upcoming Year to align with Council’s strategic
plan
8. Begin brainstorm for 2016 Board and Commission mixer-time, place, date
9. Marcille N. Wood award for 2016
10. Elected 2016 Leadership Team at the February Planning Retreat
● The WC aligned their 2016 Work Plan with the City of Fort Collins seven Key Strategic
Outcomes.
● Huston Morse attended the Super Issue Meeting on a number of issues (Camping,
Social Host, Downtown Plan) on February 18.
● Cori Wong presented to the WC on the CSU Women and Gender Collaborative at the
February 17 meeting. Also at this meeting Barb Slattenow and Ernestine Munsey –
American Association of University Women (AAUW) presented on the Start Smart
Program for training young women how to negotiate their salary after graduating.
● Huston Morse completed the AAUW Salary Negotiator training in March.
● In March, the WC hosted Bev Therber and Ann Lance to discuss Child Care in Fort
Collins, and the current shortages and barriers affecting families in the Community due
to lack of quality child care.
● In April, Rich Shannon gave a presentation on Amendment 69, “Colorado Cares,” and
described how it may affect people in Fort Collins if passed, to the WC. This discussion
was followed with a presentation by Kori Wilford from the Larimer County Department of
Health and Environment, on resources available to women and families in the
community, and needs in certain areas.
● In April, Catherine Douras and Ginny Carroll presented at the AAUW (American
Association of University Women)
● In April, Liz Donovan attended the Fort Collins Rescue Mission Open House.
● The Women’s Commission continued in their support for the “It’s on US” initiative,
bringing awareness to sexual assault
● Stacia Ryder’s op-ed piece on It’s on Us was published in the April 6, 2016 Coloradoan
● Stacia and Lea attended Vice President Joe Biden’s speech at CU Boulder, part of his
‘It’s on US’ tour April 2016
● Merry Hummel of Poudre School District attended the May 18 meeting to present the
WC with information about Outreach Fort Collins program.
● The WC partnered with the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment for
the May 3 proclamation of Women’s Health Week.
● The WC continued the dialogue with other Boards and Commissions by hosting a sixth
annual breakfast mixer on May 4.
● Stacia Ryder attended the CSU Women’s Collaboration Community Discussion Event on
June 13.
● At the June meeting, former WC member Annette Zachiarias with Faith Family
Hospitality presented on homelessness in Fort Collins specifically related to women and
families.
● On September 21, Molly Alderton & Hannah LIttle attended the Women’s Foundation of
Colorado’s annual Luncheon, guest speaker was Misty Copeland.
● The WC partnered with WomenGive to present the Marcile N. Wood award in 2016. The
winner, Colleen Conrad, was announced at the WomenGive Event on October 6. The
Women’s Commission conducted the review process and assisted in the presentation at
the event.
● Molly Alderton & Liz Donovan attended the Caring and Sharing Group event on October
14, to present on the Women’s Commission as community outreach. Group has invited
Huston Morse to attend in February 2017 to present on AAUW Salary Negotiation
Program.
● At the October 18 City Council meeting the WC presented two proclamations: Domestic
Violence Awareness and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
● The WC was a presence at City Council meetings in 2016, 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:
Annette Zachiarias - Faith Family Hospitality
Kori Wilford - Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
Rich Shannon - Colorado Cares
Kristin Stephens – Councilmember, District 4
LaKadon D. Ivery, Brittiany and Aaron Hoagland – Community members
Bev Thurber – Early Childhood Council
Ann Lance – Teaching Tree
Merry Hummel - Poudre School District
Cori Wong - CSU Women and Gender Collaborative
Barb Slattenow and Ernestine Munsey – American Association of University Women (AAUW)
The Women’s Commission continues to work toward enhancing communication with City
Council, advocacy with Boards and Commissions, and building stronger community
relationships. The continued coordination of proclamations with SAVA, Crossroads, the Marcille
N. Wood award with WomenGive in addition to a number of new partnerships with other
community groups 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 2017.