2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
City and County of San Francisco
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, December 18, 2002
5:00 P.M.
City Hall, Room 263
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
MEMBERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
President Dorka Keehn Belle Taylor-McGhee, Executive Director
Vice President Emily Murase Rosario Navarrette, Deputy Director
Commissioner Julie Burton Winnie Xie, Grants Administrator
Commissioner Carolene Marks Caroline Donnola, Senior Policy Analyst
Commissioner Juanita Miles Angela Martin, Executive Secretary
Commissioner Andrea Shorter Edward Olsen, Deputy City Attorney
Commissioner Valerie Tulier
President Dorka Keehn called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
Commissioner Carolene Marks arrived at 5:15.
Commissioner Shorter arrived at 5:25.
Commissioner Tulier arrived at 5:27.
NO Public Comment
2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
m/s/c/ (Burton/Miles/Unanimous) To adopt the agenda for the Wednesday, December 18, 2002, Regular Commission Meeting.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
m/s/c (Miles/Burton/Unanimous) To approve the minutes for the Wednesday, November 20, 2002, Regular Commission Meeting.
NO Public Comment
Justice and Courage Oversight Panel: President Keehn reported that all of the departments responsible for responding to domestic violence (with the exception of the Courts) have submitted reports to the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel. She stated that the Oversight Panel will review the reports and compile a list of questions to present to the respective committees.
President Keehn added that the Data Collection committee will convene its first meeting in December and that the remaining committees are expected to meet in January. The Oversight Panel will also meet in January.
President Keehn reminded the Commission that there is one remaining position on the Oversight Panel and that the Panel would like the position filled by a woman from the Filipino community. She also stated that the Panel would like members of the domestic violence community and the public to participate on the committees.
Commissioner Keehn stated that she would like the Department to draft a resolution for the 30th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Department on the Status of Women (DOSW) Budget Update: Belle Taylor-McGhee reported that the Mayor has asked all City departments to present a three-percent budget reduction plan. The Department on the Status of Women (DOSW) presented its proposed reduction plan to the Mayor which totaled more than $72,000. She added that none of the Violence Against Women programs were affected by the three-percent reduction.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that the Mayor has asked that the cuts be sustainable, and he has also requested that departments present a plan for an additional four-percent reduction to their budget. Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that given the department’s limited resources, it may be necessary to cut funding to the Violence Against Women programs. However, an evaluation model does not exist to determine what programs should be cut.
Vice President Murase asked Ms. Taylor McGhee to elaborate on performance evaluations and the Center for Human Development.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that no performance evaluation model exists to determine what programs should be cut if the need arises.
She stated that the Department is not providing funding to the Center for Human Development because the Center never initiated the program for which it was funded.
President Keehn stated that the Commission should be informed of all funding decisions.
DOSW Staffing Update: Ms. Taylor-McGhee introduced the Department’s new Senior Policy Analyst Caroline Donnola. She stated that Ms. Donnola has an extensive background in healthcare policy and comes from Washington State.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that employee evaluations will be scheduled according to the employee’s date of hire.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee also stated that the Department will post the position for the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel Coordinator. She anticipates filling the position in January.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that the DOSW receptionist Justine McGonagle will assume the responsibilities that were previously handled by Angela Martin for the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel and committees.
Vice President Murase asked that the posting for the Oversight Panel Coordinator be forwarded to the Commissioners.
Status of Girls Report: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that the Status of Girls Report is being edited. She stated that the Department is waiting for feedback from the Commission on the Status of Women (COSW) regarding the Executive Summary.
Commissioner Marks asked Ms. Taylor-McGhee when the Girls Report would be completed.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that the Department anticipates presenting the completed Report to the Commission at its February meeting along with a public education and media plan.
- End Exploitation of Youth Task Force: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that the Task Force is completing its work and is investigating services available for girls who are sexually exploited, particularly girls involved in prostitution. Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that the Task Force is charged with identifying resources that will provide a crisis hotline, outreach services and a safe house. A full report will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in late January.
Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that she, Beverly Upton, and Armando Cervantes participated in a forum on KQED Radio to talk about the Justice and Courage Project. She thanked Ms. Upton and Mr. Cervantes for their participation.
6. OLD BUSINESS
- Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women
Commissioner Marks asked about the funding for the Friends.
President Keehn asked the Department to present the budget for the Public Education campaign funded by Verizon Wireless at the next Commission meeting.
President Keehn stated that someone on the Commission is going to have to take the initiative to work on the Friends issue.
Commissioners Tulier and Marks will develop a job description for an intern who will work on the Friends Project. They will present the job description to the Commission at the Retreat.
Commissioner Marks asked the Department to contact the members of the Friends and extend an invitation to the Commission Retreat.
Commissioner Tulier stated that she knows someone who may be willing to write grants so the Friends can obtain additional funding.
Commissioner Miles reported that she and Commission Shorter are on committees for the Summit.
Commissioner Shorter reported that the Summit is on March 31, 2003. She stated that the Executive Committee met to clarify the roles of the different committees.
Commissioner Miles asked when tickets would go on sale for the Summit.
Commissioner Shorter stated that a date has not been established for ticket sales, but information can be obtained via the website.
Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that the deadline to be a sponsor for the Summit is January 17, 2003.
Commissioner Shorter reported that the price of the tickets for the Summit is $100.00.
Commissioner Shorter reported that scholarships are available to assist women who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend the Summit. She stated that the applications will be available in mid or late January.
- Proposed Dates for the COSW Retreat
Commissioner Marks stated that the Commission Retreat could possibly be held at facilities of the Friends of the Urban Forest.
It was agreed that the Commission Retreat will be held on February 1, 2003, from 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m.
The Commission asked that DOSW contact The Volunteer Center and Compass Point to inquire about a facilitator.
Commissioner Marks will contact President Keehn regarding the availability of the Friends of the Urban Forest facility.
Commissioner Burton stated that she may be able to pay for a meeting facility for the Retreat out of her discretionary fund.
Belle Taylor-McGhee will contact Vice President Murase regarding any Retreat issues.
Commissioner Tulier stated that at a previous meeting, there was some discussion of the Young Queens on the Rise performing a skit at the Retreat.
Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that the Department will write a letter to the Young Queens on the Rise and invite them to perform their skit at the Commission Retreat.
Commissioner Miles recommended inviting the youth programs to the Retreat so that they can become familiar with the roles of the Commission.
Commissioner Burton recommended posting a message on Craigslist about the Retreat.
Commissioner Tulier stated that she will work with DOSW’s Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette and Administrator Winnie Xie to develop an Evaluation Model for the funded agencies.
Commissioner Murase confirmed with the Commissioners their assignment for the Retreat and proposed that the item on Housing be eliminated and that the section of the Strategic Plan on Employment & Economics be collapsed into CEDAW.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
7. NEW BUSINESS
Action Item: To consider writing a letter of support for the Film “The Will to Resist.”
m/s/c (Marks/Miles/Unanimous) The Commission will not take any action at this time on support for “The Will to Resist."
- COSW Board of Supervisors Visits
Action Item: To schedule meetings with the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
President Keehn stated that she will send out an email asking that Commissioners volunteer to schedule meetings with the Board of Supervisors. She added that the DOSW Executive Director and maybe a staff person should also be invited. President Keehn stated that she, Vice President Murase and Belle Taylor-McGhee have already agreed that talking points will be prepared and distributed before the meetings. .
Commissioner Tulier stated that she would like the Department to give a presentation at the January Commission meeting outlining the talking points for the meetings with the Board of Supervisors. She also suggested inviting individuals from the various districts to the meetings.
Commissioner Shorter recommended inviting the Human Services Network to a future Commission meeting to get an idea of the challenges they may be facing as a result of budget cuts. She stated that she would like the Commission to look beyond its needs and look at other areas where it can be effective.
President Keehn stated that the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom would be a good resource for information on the impact of the budgetary cuts on women.
President Keehn stated that someone from Supervisors Newsom’s office should be invited to come and speak about Proposition N at the January Commission meeting.
Commissioners Shorter and Miles suggested having Supervisor Newsom speak to the Commission and present an analysis regarding Proposition N and its impact on women.
Commissioner Tulier suggested asking the funded agencies to either participate in the meetings with the Supervisors or to provide letters of support to take to the meetings.
President Keehn stated that she would like the Department to give a presentation at the January Commission meeting outlining the talking points for the meetings with the Supervisors.
m/s/c (Tulier/Burton/Unanimous) The Commission will commit to meeting with the Board of Supervisors to advocate for the budget of DOSW as well as helping the Board of Supervisors advocate for the State budget.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Beverly Upton of the San FranciscoDomestic Violence Consortium spoke about the seriousness of the budget cuts. She agreed with Commissioner Tulier that the funded agencies should participate in the meetings with the Supervisors. She added that the Consortium will provide a letter of support to the Commission. She thanked Belle Taylor-McGhee for the opportunity to appear on the KQED radio show.
Commissioner Shorter was excused at 6:35 p.m.
Action: To reschedule the January 22, 2003, Commission meeting to January 29, 2003
Action: To schedule dates and times for COSW 2003 meeting calendar.
m/s/c (Miles/Marks/Unanimous) To accept the dates of the Commission meetings for 2003 with the amendment of October 18, 2003, added for the Commission Retreat. This does not include the locations.
- Congratulatory Letter to Newly Elected Supervisor Fiona Ma
Action: To approve the congratulatory letter to Fiona Ma.
m/s/c (Burton/Tulier/Unanimous) To approve the congratulatory letter to Fiona Ma.
m/s/c (Tulier/Miles/Unanimous) Commendatory action taken by the Commission by sending a congratulatory letter to Bevan Dufty on his recent election to the Board of Supervisors. This motion is based on the fact that the information only became available after the agenda was posted.
m/s/c (Miles/Marks/Unanimous) To direct Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee to send a similar letter with the necessary changes to Supervisor Bevan Dufty.
- Congratulatory Letter to Superior Court Presiding Judge Donna Hitchens
Action: To approve the congratulatory letter to Presiding Judge Donna Hitchens
m/s/c (Miles/Murase/Unanimous) To approve the congratulatory letter to Superior Court Presiding Judge Donna Hitchens with the appropriate grammatical corrections.
- Certificate of Appreciation to Deputy City Attorney Edward Olsen
Action: To present Edward Olsen a certificate of appreciation
The Commission presented a certificate of appreciation to Deputy City Attorney Edward Olsen and congratulated him on his new position at the U.S.Attorney’s office.
Vice President Murase stated that the next CEDAW Task Force meetings are scheduled for February 26, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. and April 23, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. She stated that the Task Force will sunset at the end of December. However, legislation has been presented to the Board of Supervisors to allow the Task Force to serve until June 2003, so that they can complete the five-year action plan. She stated that the Task Force is working on how to implement CEDAW into the City budget process, and she added that CEDAW needs to be implemented in the DOSW budget.
Commissioner Miles reported that she and Commissioner Murase were re-appointed to the Commission for another four-year term by the Mayor.
Commissioner Miles asked Winnie Xie for a status report on Potrero Hill and the Black Coalition on AIDS.
Grants Administrator Winnie Xie reported that Potrero Hill is working on finalizing its needs assessment and will present a report to the Department by the end of the fiscal year.
10. ADJOURNMENT
