2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
ANDREA SHORTER
President
KAY GULBENGAY
Vice President
NIKKI CALMA
Commissioner
DORKA KEEHN
Commissioner
CAROLENE MARK S
Commissioner
KATHERINE MUNTER
Commissioner
BARBARA SKLAR Commissioner
EMILY MURASE, PhD
Executive Director
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COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Members Present Staff Present
Commissioner Nikki Calma Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Commissioner Carolene Marks Policy Analyst Ann Lehman President Andrea Shorter Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall Commissioner Barbara Sklar Policy Analyst Anu Menon
Grants Administrator Carol Sacco
Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Excused: Commissioner Kay Gulbengay, Commissioner Dorka Keehn, and Commissioner Katherine Munter
I. CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES
President Shorter called the meeting to order at 5:09 pm and welcomed all present.
Action: Approved agenda.
m/s/c (Marks/Shorter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approved draft minutes from January 28, 2009.
m/s/c (Marks/Shorter/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT
A. Executive Directors Report
Dr. Murase referred Commissioners to her written report. Dr. Murase reported on the first Women’s Policy Roundtable on the City budgeting process that was held on February 10. This was a follow-up to the 2008 Women’s Policy Summit last September. The event was well-attended by a variety of advocates and leaders in the women’s community. Supervisor Carmen Chu, Deputy Controller Monique Zmuda, and Deputy Budget Director Gigi Whitley of the Mayor’s Budget Office all made presentations on the City's budget from the perspective of their respected offices. Dr. Murase reminded the Commission of the annual Women's History Month Celebration that will take place with the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 3, with a reception to follow at City Hall. The Department continues to request action by the Mayor's office to implement gender analysis in this year's budget process. The Department has requested a gender breakdown of the City's layoffs from the Department of Human Resources.
B. Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women
Dr. Murase reported that the Friends have had some board members resign. There will be a Board in March with current and perspective board members. Dr. Murase requested that Commissioners consider recruiting new board members. Commissioner Marks emphasized the importance of a strong board and that the Friends organization is an important partner to the Department during these difficult financial times.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Agenda and are considered to be routine by the Commission on the Status of Women. They will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. Members of the public may speak on each item listed on the Consent Agenda.
B. Resolution Recognizing the 2008 Women's History Month Honorees
C. Resolution Recognizing the National Lesbian Health Summit
Action: To approve the Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Sklar/Calma/Unanimous).
No public comment.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. San Francisco Department of the Environment
David Assman, Acting Director of the Department of the Environment provided an update on the implementation of CEDAW at the Department of the Environment. Mr. Assman reported that, of his 68 employees, 47 are women and, of the 7 Commissioners, 4 are women. Currently 51 of the 68 employees use the option of having 9/80 days to allow flexibility in their schedules. Sometimes staff schedules have to be rebalanced to ensure that there is always enough staff in the office. Staff meetings are held in the middle of the day when all staff members are present in the office. The staff also has access to the Emergency Ride Home program, which encourages staff to use public transportation and, in the case of an emergency they can have someone drive them home. Having various schedule options increase employee productivity. Mr. Assman informed the Commission that more work can be done to study the different environmental impacts on men and women as they are affected differently. The Department on the Environment has reviewed the various purchases that the City makes and created a list of items commonly purchased that either non-toxic or are healthier choices. He concluded that though great strides have been made, there is always room for improvement and looks forward to continue to work with the Commission.
Senior Policy Analyst Ann Lehman acknowledged the progress the Department on the Environment has demonstrated and encouraged the Director Assman to share this success with other departments.
B. Forum on Economic Impact of the Financial Crisis on Women .
Kathy Perry of the Western Edition Newspaper discussed a proposal for a women’s community forum to discuss the impact of the financial crisis, including ways for women to access benefits from the federal fiscal stimulus package. She stated that it is important to hear the needs of women in the community and prioritize those needs. People should be given the opportunity to provide public testimony in a variety of forms, where a report can be produced, to be presented to the Mayor's Office, on the needs of the City's women and girls. Ms. Perry is looking for leadership from the Commission to make this event a success.
Commissioners agreed that this would be a perfect opportunity to hear from the City's women and develop a strategic plan based on those needs. The Commission agreed to move forward with the forum. The Department will send out invitation letters to speakers and work out the logistical details of convening the public hearing as part of the next regular scheduled Commission meeting on March 25.
C. Upcoming Meetings of the United Nations
Policy Analyst Anu Menon discussed the upcoming meetings of the United Nations in New York that she will be attending. She will serve on two panels: "Women's Leadership and Women in Leadership" at the parallel session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women on February 28 and the UN Global Compact International Women's Day event "Advancing Women's Position in the Global Marketplace" on March 5. The Global Compact conference will focus on incorporating women's principles into corporate and social responsibility initiatives. The conference will highlight the Calvert's Women's Principles and Ms. Menon will discuss the public-private partnership as well as successes and challenges the Department has faced with launching the City's landmark Gender Equality Principles Initiatives.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Report Back on San Francisco Community Forum on Anti-Trafficking
President Shorter reported on the Anti-Trafficking Forum that was held on February 24 in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission, the Immigrant Rights Commission, the Jewish Coalition to End Human Trafficking, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, and the Office of Mayor Gavin Newsom, at the Milton Marks Auditorium of the State Building. The Forum was attended by over 150 participants, including representatives from various City departments, state and federal offices. President Shorter stated that a brochure with various resources for victims of human trafficking will be produced as a result of this forum. Gaps at the regional and national levels were identified, and stakeholders will continue work on the gaps identified.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Peter Tschernerff provided public comment and written testimony.
Doug Miller provided public comment and written testimony.
Commissioners announced that there will be a public memorial for Norma Hotaling on Monday, March 23 at City Hall.
IV. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.
Know Your Rights under the Sunshine Ordinance(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance, or to report a violation of the Ordinance, contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force at 415-554-7724. To obtain a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance contact the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall, Room 244, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102-4689, phone: 415-554-7724, fax: 415-554-7854. Copies of the Sunshine Ordinance can also be obtained from the San Francisco Public Library and on the City’s website at www.sfgov.org.
