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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 - Womens Commission - Annual ReportWomen’s Commission 2018 Annual Report Summary statement 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 as they relate to the City of Fort Collins Key Strategic Outcome of Community and Neighborhood Livability. During 2018, the Fort Collins Women’s Commission continued to focus its efforts on three key areas affecting women in Fort Collins: Safety, Health, and Poverty. The Commission focused on becoming a stronger voice to the City Council and the community on behalf of the women of Fort Collins. 1. ITEM 1 - Continue to align the Work Plan and monthly agendas with the City of Fort Collins seven Key Strategic Outcomes. ● Women’s commission members attend and/or watch each City Council meeting and report back at the monthly meeting ● Members elect to participate in public comment on behalf on the Women’s Commission as is relevant 2. ITEM 2 - Review and capitalize on the research available from existing sources to provide a picture of the status of women in the community, foster dialogue and create the forums and synergies necessary for problem solving. ● Provided feedback on BFO that reflect the priorities and the well-being of women in the communities ● A staff person from the Colorado Health Network spoke with the Commission about the opioid epidemic and how it uniquely impacts the lives of women ● Organized and hosted Homelessness Panel ● Member attended the Colorado Women’s Small Business Conference in November ● Members attended and hosted a table at the WomenGive Luncheon in Loveland ● Members attended and invited other community members to attend the Women’s Foundation of Colorado Luncheon in Denver on October 10 3. ITEM 3 - Collaborate and network with local organizations and law enforcement to highlight issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, gender discrimination and poverty. ● Sponsored refreshments ($200) for a “Community Conversation focused on empowering women: tackling exploitation, assault, and other issues” put on by a young teenager in Fort Collins 2018 ANNUAL REPORT Page 1 BOARD NAME 2018 Annual Report ● The Commission submitted and hosted proclamations preceding City Council meetings on the following: Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Women’s History Month, Gun Violence Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Hunger and Homelessness Week, and Recovery Awareness. 4. ITEM 4 - Bring to the attention of City Council and identify and utilize key events/media outlets in the community where the materials and messages of the Women’s Commission can be effectively communicated and leveraged. ● City Councilwoman Kristin Stephens invited to attend Women’s Foundation of Colorado Luncheon ● City Councilwoman Stephens attended the presentation of the Marcile N. Wood Award breakfast for the SAVA Center. Staff was able to provide an overview of their work and have a meaningful conversation with Councilwoman Stephens about sexual assault in Fort Collins ● Attended a meeting and spread word on the Fort Collins Chapter of Zonta “Legends” Project 5. ITEM 5 - Continue to develop and leverage relationships with other City of Fort Collins’ Boards and Commissions around issues that impact the key focus areas of the Women’s commission, i.e. attend super meetings and collaboration meetings. ● Hosted and coordinated a Boards and Commission Networking/Collaboration Breakfast May 8 ● Initiated a joint presentation of annual awards with Human Relations Commission on December 4 ● Coordinated Youth Advisory Board members attending a monthly meeting and presentation by Moms against Gun Violence and a Fort Collins Police officer representative on gun control 6. ITEM 6 - Continue to develop and leverage relationships in the community, i.e. presentation of the Marcile N. Wood Award in conjunction with other community recognition events. ● SAVA Center awarded 2017 Marcile N. Wood award during breakfast presentation in 2018. Councilwoman Stephens attended and presented the award to SAVA. ● Araceli Newman and other nominees awarded in joint award ceremony with Human Relations Commission 7. ITEM 7 - Focus and align Women’s Commission activities and work with the Key Outcome of Community & Neighborhood Livability, especially as related to the Women’s Commission Periodic Review in 2019. ● Homelessness panel with Holly LeMasurier, Director of Homeward 2020; Marla Cleary, 2018 ANNUAL REPORT Page 2 BOARD NAME 2018 Annual Report Housing First Initiative Director at Murphy Center; Annette Zacharias, Director of Faith, Family, Hospitality; and Lisa Dunworth, Behavioral Health Clinician at Summit Stone. ● Conversation with Councilwoman Stephens during her attendance at monthly meeting 8. ITEM 8 -Spearhead and collaborate with other community and organizational entities to craft a recommendation to City Council for the adoption of a CEDAW resolution. ● Worked with City Council liaison to develop a recommendation memo. The next step is to present that to other boards and commissions for feedback and present to City Council in 2019. 9. ITEM 9 - Design an inclusive process to vet the names of Fort Collins women for the City Street Naming Project. ● Worked with Zonta Project, Fort Collins Museum of Natural Discovery and other community sources to gather and sort names to be collected and stored on the Women's Commission Drive as a name archive resource for the City of Fort Collins ● Name were collected into a spreadsheet in May ● CBS News Denver showcased the work the Fort Collins Women’s Commission has done in partnership with others in Fort Collins on this project. The story aired April 6, 2018 ONGOING ANNUAL COMMISSION ACTIVITIES ● Attend and present material at City Council meetings ● Organize collaboration meetings with other Boards and Commissions ● Participate in and/or arrange community events that highlight issues pertinent to women in Fort Collins ● Create collaborative relationships with individuals and entities who address the community’s issues of poverty, health, and safety ● Identify and reach out to community experts and resources to inform the work of the Women’s Commission ● Professional development and training for Women’s Commission members ● Quarterly evaluations of progress ● Participate in city budget discussions as appropriate ● Produce materials related to annual goals which will be available in both electronic and paper form ● Monitor City Council 6-month planning calendar 2018 ANNUAL REPORT Page 3