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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 06/15/19980 Commission on the Status of Women Minutes June 15, 1998 Present: JoAnn Ginal, Danielle Johnson, Lynne Warner, Audrey Faulkner, Beth Fitzgerald, , Becki Fosha, Rita Anastasio. Liaisons: Laurie Fonken-Joseph, City Staff Excused Absences: Ruth Weatherford, Lu Fisk Unexcused Absences: Lena Sunthankar Guests: Peggy Loonan, Commission applicant Diane Gregg, Crossroads Safehouse L Call to order: Meeting was called to order 6:10. II.. Minutes: Approved as written. III. Review Agenda Added Nomination Committee Added Technical Expert List Update IV. Announcements: A. Introduction of Guests: Diane Gregg, Crossroads Safehouse and Peggy Loonan who has applied to be on the Commission. Gave a brief overview of what the Commission on the Status of Women's functions are for the City and for the community. JoAnn shared our mission statement. Diane Gregg shared that Crossroads has shifted their focus recently. They are now doing more outreach to the community. Diane is the new outreach coordinator. The role of Crossroads is to advocate for women and children. They are working on providing education, raising awareness and getting feedback from the community. Diane brought up the fact that domestic violence is one of the highest crimes in this community, and there is a need for more space as well as for a place to transition for women. Another are of needs is to educate the community that domestic violence cuts across all lines of culture, socioeconomic status, age, etc. Talked about where Crossroads collaborates, and their desire to reach women in the criminal justice systems. Many women who are incarcerated have domestic violence in their past. Talked about restraining orders and the issues around them. Also the Options of Northern Colorado Program. Diane shared statistics of how many have used E Crossroads. Lack of services is highest for women without children. Women can stay a maximum of 6 weeks. The shelter can hold up to 12 families at a time and most times they are full. Women are often more afraid to go to the homeless shelter so they go back to the batterer or sleep in their cars. They fear being reassaulted at the homeless shelter. There is a major lack of resources, especially in the area of transition. Most of these women want to get work, and they use the resources available. Most are not working or they have lost their jobs as a result of the abuse. Often batterers will not let their spouses work. Diane is asking for dialogue with the Commission as well as to be able to share facts with us and she is asking that we speak out on these issues and to help guide them as a resource in the community. B. Commission Mail: Passed around and reviewed. C. Other: JoAnn passed around information about the Fort Collins Citizens for Human Rights which is a group of citizens working for the passage of the two new Human Rights Ordinances which expand the coverage under the anti discrimination laws. D. Danielle announced that Chris Carney has just been appointed by the governor as a district judge. Audrey moved that we write her a letter of congratulations which Becki will do. E. JoAnn passed around information on the Vietnam Moving Wall and encouraged members to go see it. V. Business A. Nominating Committee: Becki, Danielle, and Lynne will be working on this committee. Slate needs to be ready for the July meeting. Will meet to put together a packet for new members. B. Marketing Report: JoAnn. Danielle will join JoAnn in her presentation to ZONTA June 17, 1998. JoAnn asked that the Commission formulate some conclusions to close the presentation. Decided that no broad conclusions can be made, however, can make conclusions based on individual sections of the studies. Audrey shared some of the areas which have improved, some which have not and some which are basically the same as 10 years ago. JoAnn gave the formal presentation of the results of the study. Members gave input and feedback. Talked about presenting this to City Council in August. Also need to present to the Senior Advisory Board meeting July 8, 1998. They will serve as an expert group. C. Volunteer to bring refreshments for July JoAnn. VL Adjourned 9:05.