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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 06/16/1997MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Meeting of June 16, 1997 PRESENT: Doreen Kemp, Becki Fosha, Joann Ginal, Nancy Meginness, Diane Lathrop, Lorna Reeves, Danielle Johnson, Megan Murphy, Audrey Faulkner LIAISON: Laurie Fonken-Joseph EXCUSED ABSENCES: Stephanie Lane, Lu Fisk, Lynn Warner, Micki McMillan, Dana Hiatt UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: none COUNCIL LIAISON: No report provided CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Commission Chair, Doreen Kemp. MINUTES: Approved as written with one correction: Megan's absence was excused rather than unexcused. ANNOUNCEMENTS: • The Commission is still looking for people, the applications that came in were not good matches. It will be opened up to the public again and maybe by September they will have a full slate to review. There are not enough people on other commissions as well, according to Laurie. Discussions ensued on how voting can take place without full quorum and other issues related to the deficit of commission members. Chris Kneeland cannot come today, but will come next month. Audrey asked if there were Latina applicants as she had send out many notices. It was said that Ray Martinez and one other person of color have applied. • Someone needs to be appointed to the Institute of Women in Leadership. Laurie read the letter from the mayor regarding the University Institute of Women in Leadership and praising Doreen's participation. Laurie will fill in until position is officially filled. Micki is also a member Doreen said. • Doreen brought a sympathy card for Lynn Warner as her father has passed away. • The Women's Summit is next week. Information was shared. • A thank you letter from Gina Janett was read. • NOW Newsletter and Women Work publications were reviewed. • A City of Denver report of what's going on in the Legislature was shared. • A report from the Phoenix convention "Women in the Know" came in, this years sounded good. Doreen suggested that maybe next year someone should go • Audrey announced that Julie Jimenez, a community activist in Buckingham Park, called to invite the entire city to a fiesta this Saturday .This is the first festival of an annual event featuring authentic Mexican food from Ilam-2pm. There will be games and music etc. Donations accepted. 224-5927. Audrey suggested support. Audrey said the New Belgium Brewery and HP donated toward the event. • Becki announced that the National Technological University says a community education center is being started offering courses in computer skills. • An upcoming forum for people in support of the Human Rights Ordinance will be held on Commission on the Status of Women Minutes of June 16, 1997 Meeting Page 2 June 25th at 7pm at Foothills Unitarian Church. Audrey suggested Lu would speak for us there. Media coverage is expected. There was discussion about members attending and that perhaps we could hand out our letter to the city with our approval. Doreen to call Lu. Laurie can go to the meeting but will not be a formal presenter. Questions regarding the status of the Human Rights Ordinance should go to City Manager. • June 30 meet at Health & Safety Police Services Training Room at 4:30pm to discuss Human Rights Ordinance. A response to Doreen's letter requesting a position on the Ad Hoc committee was responded to in a letter from the City Manager dated June 9, 1997. The response thanked her for her interest, said the Commission would be kept in mind as the committee was established, and that it was anticipated that appointments would be made in the next two weeks. BUSINESS ITEMS: • During a discussion of John Fischbach's response to Doreen's letter in which she expressed her interest in being on the commission that will be developing the HR Ordinance it was suggested that Diane represent the group on that commission. Progress appears to be slow. Doreen will call Chris and get the status. Doreen to call and see if we can have a formal representative on the committee John is charged with putting together before the next Health and Safety Committee meeting. The League of Women Voters had a panel consisting of Alma, Bob Link and 2 ministers Brian Sky and Charles Patchen of First Christian Church on Drake. Doreen asked about the process of filing a discrimination grievance. Comments were made indicating the there is a lot of homophobia among people of color. Welfare Reform: Audrey reported the bill has been signed by the governor and the most worrisome part of it is that counties can request a waiver of everything in the bill to the department of Human Services. Things will probably be okay as long as Romer is in office because he's clear about waivers, but with another person giving less support to this movement, waivers could have negative affect. Federal legislation is better than none. The Committee for Human Services has a meeting next week regarding issues around what will be in the Emergency Administration Guidelines. Audrey hopes for time for public input. In late July, the Department of Community Services having inviting broad representation from the community to meet for 3 days to come up with new ideas to make this work. County can then interpret these guidelines. We may want to have input on that. Romer in until Nov 98. Chuck Berry may run, has had `dad'bills in the past. He is wanting no limits on counties. Some states still don't have legislation and are operating off of waivers. Some have years before they are required to have a bill. Some are more punitive than ours. Ours seems as good as any considering the federal legislation. It is not clear whether Colorado's bill will be interpreted that enough people are in the workforce, indicating the idea of "do the work force part first, training later." Saves the state money. Doreen pointed out that it is the employees' market here now, many employers are looking for help and will train. The Department of Community Services, Jenny Riley, Kathy Snell have an understanding of the issues. Audrey to attend Strategic Plan meeting July 23, 24 and 25. Commission on the StatA Women Minutes of June 16, 1997 Meeting Page 3 Bylaws: Bylaws have been changed. Election will be in September. Slate of officers will gather in August to prepare for election in September. July, August and September's meeting to be headed by Vice Chair Danielle and she will forward agenda to Laurie. The agenda shall include discussion of ideas on how to pay for printing. Nominating Committee: Call Laurie if you are interested in running for office. City Boards and Commissions - Budget Allocations Laurie reported that the balance is $3500. There were no expenses this month. Over 50% of yearly budget remains. No news on budget request to the City. The Technical Report: Discussion ensued with suggestions of persons who could provide input by reviewing the document. Christian at Sunshine school could be expert to review. Need a reviewer for transportation issues. Doreen will call David Lilly at Transfort. Under employment, shall we try to find a person from private sector in employment business? Manpower is biggest is country, Core Staff may be biggest locally. Other suggestions include: Karen Wedge, Michael Lacey, (sociologist), the Mayor, Toni Zimmerman. Nancy has reviewed the report and suggested getting a therapist to review. Ms. McNamara was suggested by Diane. Lena reviewing hospital district. Nancy will call Lillian and see if Susan Beck from Northside Health Center could help. Female therapist, Deb, listed and Christian . Audrey suggest that under "income", Kathy Snell could review. She understands the difference between having a job and being self sufficient. Jenny Riley could also. Audrey to call. It was agreed that the more perspectives the better. Doreen and Stephanie are attending the Child Care brainstorm group. Thursday the Child Care portion will be completed, education and training to follow. Audrey is working on the welfare unit and is waiting for the Governor to sign the bill. Recommendations need to be narrowed down, wording corrected and made realistic. Libby will put in edited form, graphics to be done and then will go off to experts, to Libby again and then our final review. Time frame not set. December has been a deadline. Audrey asked Doreen and Stephanie if they would consult after all recommendations are in. Six Month Time Line Brainstorm: Doreen reviewed the document she wrote month by month. Ideas as to funding sources came up: HP, AB, major corporations, Fort Fund, Women's Foundation out of Denver. Some corrections were made: Presentation of awards will be at August 19 Council Meeting. Compliments were voiced to Doreen for her Six Month Plan. Doreen asked what she can do to make the upcoming transition easier. The Closing of an Era: Doreen went to each person present in the room for ideas, comments and feelings: - Megan's comments: Advised the members to look at overall picture. Details can bog you down, so keep your focus on the main goal. Commission on the Status of N* omen Minutes of June 16, 1997 Meeting Page 4 - Becki: looks forward to the retreat in October. Sees the report as important, wants to gel what will happen with the report. - Nancy: Focus has been on the report. Wonders if there is life after the report. We can do anything. Keep goal oriented. Expressed appreciation for Laurie and the difficult efforts she has made. Would like to give Laurie's office more support from the group. - Loma: Has had great year with the group. Voiced thanks to Doreen and gives her credit for seeing everything through, says she has been the glue. Politics created the biggest challenge. Hopes that this group will continue to work together. This report is of great importance. - Diane: Praises Doreen for the struggle. It was a hard year in terms of the politics. Report will be done, and will become the guide for the commission for the next 10 years. Can work on each recommendation. It is the fuel for the commission, we must pick goals and go for it. She looks forward to new members. - Joann: Says thanks to Doreen. She is right for the job. - Danielle: Feels like she came in in the middle. This has been a positive experience, good to make contacts with ok-minded people. - Audrey: Thanks to Doreen and Stephanie. They are a good team and they worked hard on the report. Cave thanks to Laurie and pointed out the she has made a critical difference. She sees this group as a microcosm of women in society that just keeps going and keeps the spirit even as abuses occur. The group improves our ability to cope and raise above it. There are more good years to come. "Those leaving are our allies in perpetuity." - Laurie: she sees, this commission as very committed and one that works very hard, is task oriented and accomplishes a lot. She says it her work with the commission has been fulfilling and fun. - Doreen: States that it really helped having a liaison. She appreciates all the kind words. Thanks to all, especially Stephanie. She shares phrases to live by: "Take your job seriously, take yourself lightly." She says she has high expectations of people. "If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the problem." This is the beauty of a commission like this. Doreen was then presented with a gold letter opener as is the traditional accompanied by a gift certificate. The meeting was adjourned at about 8:40 p.m.