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COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Members Present Staff Present
President Shorter Executive Director Emily Murase, Ph.D.
Vice President Williams Grants Administrator Richard Eijima
Commissioner Andrea Evans CEDAW Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Justice & Courage Analyst Colleen Montoya
Commissioner Carolene Marks Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
Commissioner Katherine Munter Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Department Intern Miwa Hashimoto
Community Members Present
Daisy Anarchy, Maxine Doogan, Emily Arnold-Fernandez (Women's Leadership Alliance), Patricia Gillette (Heller Ehrman), Jovida Guevarra-Ross (Women's Leadership Alliance), Anne Mercogliano (Heller Ehrman), Judy Patrick (Women's Foundation).
I. CALL TO ORDER/AGENDA CHANGES
President Shorter called the meeting to order at 5:07 pm. Commissioner Marks requested addint a resolution to the Consent Agenda Recognizing Reverend Dr. G. Penny Nixon
Action: Approved adding Afghani Women Resolution to Consent Agenda m/s/c
(Williams/Marks/Unanimous). No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approved draft minutes from June 28, 2006 and July 28, 2006.
(Shorter/Williams/Unanimous). No public comment.
III. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Shorter reported that she attended a 2 day summit with Kamala Harris regarding Gay Defense Legislation where she was able to gather materials and resources that she would make available to other Commissioners.
IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT
Executive Director reported that the CEDAW Committee met on July 18, to discuss the draft of the Gender Analysis Report, which included a presentation by the Department on the Environment. The Department of Public Works is schedule to present at the September 14 meeting and the Juvenile Probation Department is scheduled to present at the November 9 meeting.
Dr. Murase announced that the California Women’s Agenda, the Department on the Status of Women, and the Women’s Leadership Alliance will host a voter education forum on August 30. The forum will feature two panel discussions on Women in Elected Office and the second panel will focus on Grassroots Campaign Strategies
Dr. Murase and Commissioner Keehn presented the legislation concerning the labor conditions of Exotic Dancers to the Entertainment Commission and they will hold a special session to discuss this legislation.
Dr. Murase introduced Cynthia Vasquez as Secretary of the Commission on the Status of Women.
V. 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.
Action: Approved Consent Agenda. m/s/c
(Shorter/Marks/Unanimous)
- Res. 2006-041: Resolution Honoring Gum Moon Women’s Residence Asian Women’s Resource Center “Viva la Fiesta: Fundraising Event
- Res. 2006-042: Resolution Honoring Reverend Glenda Hope, Executive Director, San Francisco Network Ministries
- Res. 2006-043: Resolution Recognizing the Voter Education Forum “Women: Rock the Vote”
- Res. 2006-044: Resolution Honoring the Life and Contributions of Sue J. Bierman
E. Res. 2006-045: Resolution Recognizing the Work of Reverend Dr. G. Penny Nixon
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Strategic Planning Update
Commissioners reviewed the amendments made to the Strategic Plan under their respective sections. Questions derived from the language used in the Underserved Communities. Commissioner Munter recommended to suspend using the phrase “with a special emphasis on multilingual communities” until we have the assessment done at the end of April 2007. Currently there is are not funds available to have the assessment done however, Executive Director Murase is possibly looking at carry forward funds to to conduct the assessment.
Action: Approve Strategic Plan with amendments. m/s/c
(Shorter/Keehn/Unanimous)
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Women’s Foundation of California
Judy Patrick, Vice President of Programs for the Women’s Foundation of California, presented the Foundations On the Road to Equity Report. In May of 2005 The Women’s Foundation staff embarked on a tour of California, traveling over 2,500 miles and meeting over 1,000 women and girls who shared their insight, wisdom and testimony on the needs of women and girls and how to continue to empower women and girls. This report reflects the concerns and recommendation heard from the girls and women across the state. From this tour, 5 recommendations where made:
· The need for Universal Health Care has reached critical proportions
· End Epidemic Violence Against Women and Girls
· Ensure a Participatory Democracy for All
· End Poverty and Close the Economic Gap
· Next Generation Leadership is Imperative
The Key issues for Women and Girls in California are:
· Improving access to affordable, quality healthcare
· Reducing violence against women and girls
· Ensuring women’s economic security
· Improving access to safe, affordable housing
· Nurturing personal development of young women and girls
Ms. Patrick reviewed 4 strategies as central to the success of the recommendations, which were:
· Community organizing for movement-building
· Leadership development for women and girls
· Changing policy through advocacy
· Increasing funding for programs that benefit women and girls
The Women’s Foundation will be holding 9 focus groups in mid-September as follows:
· 3 in Los Angeles
· 3 in San Francisco
· 3 in Bakersfield
President Shorter reflected how this report is a landmark and a critical reference point and how valuable the information that is gathered reflects the work of the COSW. It is also very important that we engage men and boys in the movement to end violence against women. Commissioners suggested having a brainstorming meeting to discuss how the COSW can collaborate or help with the work being done by the Women’s Foundation.
B. Heller Ehrman’s Opt-In Project
Patricia Gillette, Co-Chair of Gender Diversity and Anne Mergcogliano, Diversity Coordinator both of Heller Ehrman, reported on their firms “Opt-In Project” that addressed the work/life balance among women attorneys. The Opt-In project is a plan to gather and start discussions with people from different industries, backgrounds and perspective on how to tackle to barriers that keep women out of the workforce. It was created to reach out to other industries to help identify solutions to barriers that currently exist which are both beneficial to business and beneficial to workers.
In May 2006 Heller Ehrman heard from participants who helped define the issues that they want to tackle and identified retention efforts in other industries. In September 2006 they will hold a Cross-Industry Roundtable to focus on strategies and methodologies that profession services firms to develop to make ”on ramps” and “off ramps” in women’s careers. In November 2006 they hope to hold a Cross-Industry Roundtable to discuss male dominated industries and how the industries have moved beyond work-life balance being a “women’s issue.” In January and March 2007 Heller Ehrman will hold an Industry Implementation Meeting, and in May they hope to present the best practices that they have found over the time of this project.
C. Women’s Leadership Alliance
Emily Arnold-Fernandez and Jovida Guevara-Ross gave an update on the Women’s Leadership Alliance (WLA). The WLA was founded to bring together women leaders to discuss and identify common issues that face women and girls across the board. The WLA has an email list to inform interested parties in the events going on with the WLA, volunteer opportunities and information important to the further development of women. The WLA is working in collaboration with the DOSW and the California’s Women’s agenda for the August 30 Women: Rock the Vote! A Get Out the Vote Forum.
The WLA asks the assistance of the COSW to try to find office space for the WLA and to be kept in consideration for collaborations with other organizations.
D. Election of Officers for 2006-2007
Action: Elect Angela Williams as President and Katherine Munter as Vice President. m/s/c
(Keehn/Marks/Unanimous)
VIII. REPORTS
President Shorter announced that reports would be given at the September meeting.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT
Daisy Anarchy thanked President Shorter for her leadership as President, and thanked her dedication and support with the Exotic Dancer Legislation.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned in memory of Sue Bierman at 7:05 pm.
Action: Adjourn meeting
m/s/c (Shorter/Evans/Unanimous)
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.
Explanatory documents: For copies of explanatory documents listed in this agenda, and other related materials received by COSW, please contact the Department on the Status of Women at 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 130, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone: 415-252-2570, fax: 415-252-2575. Also, to the extent possible, documents will be available on the COSW website at http://www.sfgov.org/cosw.
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.
Lobbyist Registration and Reporting Requirements
Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code § 2.100] to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the San Francisco Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102; telephone (415) 581-2300; fax (415) 581-2317; web site: sfgov.org/ethics.
