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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWomens Commission - Minutes - 05/17/1993MINUTES COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN MAY 17, 1993 Present: Bobby Cullor, Carolyn Duff, Kathy Everett, Kathleen Faller, Audrey Faulkner, Lu Fisk, Dana Hiatt, Kathy McLeod, Lynne Warner Absent: Donna Aurand, Brownie McGraw, Betty Medina, Sally Miles, Chris Wood, Mary Zamora Council Liaison: Gina Janett Staff: Colleen A'Hearn Guests: Arlene Davey, President, ZONTA International Amy Grubbs, Immediate Past President, ZONTA International CITY COUNCIL LIAISON Gina Janett has been appointed as the new Council Liaison to the Commission on the Status of Women, effective April 20, 1993. Gina replaces Ann Azari in this capacity. AGENDA ITEMS (as modified during course of meeting) o ZONTA International Proclamation Arlene Davey and Amy Grubbs from ZONTA International presented a draft proclamation in support of a U.N. resolution decrying the rape of women in Bosnia and considering rape in such instances to be a war crime. Lynne worked with Arlene and Amy, as well as with Karla in the City Clerk's Office, in drafting the proclamation. Per Lynne, Mayor Azari suggested that support for the U.N. resolution be provided by means of a proclamation that she would sign as Mayor vs. a resolution that would require a vote of the Council. The proclamation was modified to address concerns of the rape of women everywhere.(not only in Bosnia) and was approved by unanimous vote. MINUTES Minutes of April 19, 1993 were approved as written. ANNOUNCEMENTS Brownie was out of town and unable to be at the meeting. Colleen relayed a message from Brownie that she had talked with Ann Azari and that Council would be discussing issues of violence in the community as a part of their retreat. In addition, the Governor's Office is looking at establishing a Youth Council on a state level. Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes May 17, 1993 Page 2 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Kathy E. has a list of bills and a report on those amendments. Of particular interest are those wit OLD BUSINESS o Follow-up on Proposed Guest speaker h A guest speaker from the Moderate Voter's Coalition had been tentatively scheduled to speak. Since no one was present representing this group, it was assumed that the speaker was not able to attend. Kathy E. will contact Sally and see if a speaker has been scheduled for a subsequent meeting. Commission members discussed whether or not it made sense to also have a speaker from Colorado for Family Values. Members decided to postpone this discussion until after the presentation from the Moderate Voter's Coalition. Members were reminded that Amendment 2 was- opposed by the Commission and that it continues to be an issue, given efforts that are underway in the courts challenging the constitutionality of Amendment #2. Commission members will monitor what efforts, are in process and determine if any other action is warranted. o Task Force on Sexual Harassment No additional information available at this time. Task Force members continue to review sexual harassment policies from a cross- section of public & private sector organizations. o Task Force on Racism/Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee On behalf of the Task Force on Racism and the Multi -Cultural Advisory Committee, Audrey presented a revised mission statement prepared by the Advisory Committee. The mission statement was revised to correct a typographical omission, and was approved as revised (see attachment to these minutes). Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes May 17, 1993 Page 3 To date, Multi -Cultural Advisory Committee members have focused their efforts in a number of key areas: 1) Recommendations to the community Cultural Diversity Task Force; 2) Working with City officials on an oral history project, documenting the contributions of Hispanic and other ethnic groups to the Fort Collins community. Kathy M. & Lu recently attended a meeting of the Human Relations Commission (HRC). HRC members discussed whether or not it made sense for them to formally lend support to activities of the Multi - Cultural Advisory Committee via a joint resolution from the HRC and the Commission on Status of Women. A formal response from the HRC regarding their desired level of support and involvement will be forthcoming at their next regularly scheduled meeting. Ongoing concerns/issues that need to be addressed by the Commission, HRC, or both: 1) Membership on the Multi -Cultural Advisory Committee - desire for group to be more diverse and representative of the community; 2) Boundaries - i.e. Are Multi -Cultural Advisory Committee members required to live within the Urban Growth Area (UGA)? There is a concern that '!political boundaries" are not as inclusive as they could be/should be in order to make this type of outreach successful. Many ethnic minorities live, shop, pay sales tax, work, and educate their children in Fort Collins, even if they do not live within the UGA as currently defined. In some cases, individuals live outside the UGA because they cannot find affordable housing inFortCollins. o Welcome Letter Commission Members were reminded that there are four vacancies on the Commission to be filled by City Council appointment. Kathleen F. will draft a letter of welcome to Gina Janett as the new Council Liaison. NEW BUSINESS o Budget Issues The Commission would like to include members of the Multi -Cultural Advisory Committee on the standard distribution list for CSW Commission on the Status of Women Monthly Meeting Minutes May 17, 1993 Page 4 minutes. Since the minutes are a matter of public record, and since the Multi -Cultural Advisory Committee represents a group of interested area citizens providing assistance to the Commission, mailing copies of minutes would appear to be permissible. Colleen will check with the City Attorney's Office and verify that this would be permissible use of budgeted funds. Other suggestions for use of budgeted funds included purchasing books and videos relative to women and gender issues impacting children; reinstating a quarterly newsletter/mailing as a way to update interested individuals on issues and activities of relevance and importance to women; and participating as a co-sponsor for community programs celebrating 1994 as the "Year of the Family". Co -sponsoring would involve a contribution to assist in bringing speakers of national stature to Fort Collins to speak on family - related issues. Audrey was authorized to explore the costs of co- sponsorship and Colleen will verify that co -sponsoring would be a legally permitted expenditure of Commission funds. o Celebration/Welcome Picnic Audrey passed out a memo suggesting that a gathering be planned in June to celebrate accomplishments, express thanks to officers and retiring members, and express appreciation to Multi -Cultural Advisory Committee members for their contributions to the Commission and the community. Ann Azari would be invited as outgoing Council Liaison and Gina Janett as the Commission's new liaison. If new members have been announced, they would also be invited. The date decided upon was Monday, June 28th beginning at 6:00 p.m. Colleen will work with Joan in Employee Development to reserve a shelter at Rolland Moore or City Park and to arrange for food & beverages. In case of rain, get together will be held in the Employee Development Conference Room on 200 West Mountain Avenue. Dress will be informal and comfortable. Audrey, Lynne, Carolyn, Kathy E. and Kathleen F. will participate as members of an organizing committee to plan the event. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:10 p.m.