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Meeting Information



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ANDREA SHORTER

President

 

KAY GULBENGAY

Vice President

 

DORKA KEEHN

Commissioner

 

CAROLENE MARKS

Commissioner

 

KATHERINE MUNTER

Commissioner

 

JULIE SOO

Commissioner

 

EMILY MURASE, PhD

Executive Director

 

 

 

 

                               

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

5:00 PM

                      City Hall, Room 408

                        1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place 

                     San Francisco, CA 94102

 

Members Present                                          Staff Present          

                                    President Andrea Shorter                                   Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD

Vice President Kay Gulbengay                           Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall

Commissioner Carolene Marks                           Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez 

Commissioner Katherine Munter                                   

Commissioner Julie Soo                                    

 

Excused:  Commissioner Dorka Keehn

 

I.             CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES  

President Shorter called the meeting to order at 5:05 pm.

 

President Shorter reported that the 3rd Annual Women's Policy Summit, sponsored by the San Francisco Women's Political Committee, the Commission on the Status of Women, and a consortium of community-based and advocacy groups, was held on October 26. Women from all across the City from government, business, and non-profit sectors came together to deal with a variety of critical policy issues, ranging from economic independence, affordable housing, domestic violence, human trafficking, education, structural reform, and environmental justice. She further reported that today President Barack Obama signed the Hate Crimes Bill into law which includes new protections for LGBT individuals, a very important advancement in human rights.

                     

Action: Approved amended agenda.    

m/s/c (Shorter/Maks/Unanimous)

No public comment.

 

II.     APPROVAL OF MINUTES                                                   

President Shorter asked Commissioners to review the minutes. Minor corrections were suggested.

Action: Approved amended minutes from October 28, 2009. 

m/s/c (Soo/Munter/Unanimous)

No public comment.

                                                                                             

III.    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT                                 

         

A.           Executive Director's Report                                     

 

Dr. Murase directed Commissioners to the written Executive Director's Report. Dr. Murase announced that the City’s annual Heart of the City Combined Charities Campaign will be running through October 31 and encouraged all Commissioners to participate.  For the past 4 years, 100% of the staff has participated.

 

Dr. Murase reported that in early October she presented before the UN Institute for Training and Research, through CIFAL Atlanta (International Training Center for Government Authorities and Civil Society Leaders) which convened a select group of senior government officials from cities throughout the world to share best practices in promoting gender equality. The Department has been a participant and presenter for the past 3 years. Dr Murase presented on gender-based violence, the Gender Equality Principles, the Domestic Violence Victim Safety and Accountability Audit and the work the Department is doing in the City.  Many wanted to know more about the Domestic Violence Victim Safety and Accountability Audit that we completed a few years ago which created a road map for policy reforms.  

 

Senior Policy Analyst Ann Lehman is preparing for a meeting with the Northeastern Law School Social Justice Project at the end of the month.  The project will focus on GEP #2, Work Life Balance and Career Development.  Using the Principle 2 indicators as a guide, the Social Justice Clinic will research and summarize the applicable laws in this area.  The law students will focus on ways in which companies can undertake concrete, verifiable actions to make professional and private life more balanced by implementing and promoting flexible work options, family leave, wellness programs, and workforce exit and reentry opportunities. The goal is to conduct a comparative analysis, looking at the European Union, the United States, the State of California, and the City of San Francisco.

 

The Justice and Courage Oversight Panel held its annual planning retreat on October 7  where the Oversight Panel and the Audit Implementation Committee reaffirmed the mission of the Justice & Courage Project and are developing  a revised strategic plan that will be presented at the December Commission meeting. 

 

Dr. Murase reported that the Governor restored $16.3 million in state funding to the 94 domestic violence shelters in California. 

 

Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall provided an overview of the successful 3rd Annual Women's Policy Summit.  Commissioner Munter participated in the convening and asked about follow-up to the important work conducted at the meeting. Ms. Marshall explained that the San Francisco Women's Political Committee will be holding a de-briefing in the next few weeks to determine the policy agenda for 2010. She invited Commissioners to provide feedback on the summit.

 

Commissioner Soo congratulated the Department for its work supporting the very successful event. She highlighted key policy issues from the summit, including the importance of addressing the needs of senior women and to ensure safe housing options for women.

 

Commissioner Soo reported that she serves on the California Democratic Party Platform Committee and chairs the Healthcare Plank. She noted that Debra Walker serves on the California Democratic Party Women's Caucus, and Matt Tuchow, another San Franciscan, heads the Sustainability Plank. She encouraged everyone to provide input on healthcare and sustainability issues at www.cadem.org.

 

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.

 

A.           Resolution Recognizing the Immigrant Rights Commission Fall Symposium

B.           Resolution Recognizing November 25th as the International Day to End Violence

C.           Resolution Marking the 30th Anniversary of the Women’s Foundation

D.           Resolution Recognizing Mai-Mai Ho of APA Family Support Services Upon Her Retirement

E.           Resolution Recognizing the Filipina Women's Network

 

Action: Approved the consent agenda.    

m/s/c (Marks/Munter/Unanimous)

 

Angus McCarthy, Chair of the Immigrant Rights Commission, stated that he is joined by Felix Fuentes, Vice-Chair of the Immigrant Rights Commission. He thanked the Commission for supporting the fall symposium.  Commissioner Marks raised a concern about family preservation in immigration policy.  Peter Alexander gave public comment on Police Chief Gascon.

 

Commissioner Marks asked that resolutions be contained on one page so that they may be framed.

 

V.      REPORTS                                                                             

 

A.     Health                                                                                    

Commissioner Marks offered Commissioners a copy of the New York Times special section on women. She also circulated information about a UCSF conference on domestic violence, as well as a contact on peak oil and its impact on the world's health. Commissioner Marks is awaiting a briefing paper on transgender issues and proposed a meeting with Teresa Sparks, Director of the Human Rights Commission, once the briefing paper is available.

 

Commissioner Marks stated that while African American women do not get breast cancer at very high rates compared to other women, their mortality from breast cancer is disproportionately high. With a focus on African American women, Commissioner Marks organized a meeting about breast cancer for women under 40 who are underserved and uninsured as part of the Bay Area Diversity Coalition (BADCO). Commissioner Marks was a founding member of this organization 2 years ago. She further reported on another group she is engaged with, JAM (Jewish, African, and Muslim women), who recently came together for Ramadan and Rosh Hoshanah celebrations.

 

B.     Justice & Courage    

Executive Director Murase reported that the October Strategic Planning Retreat was successful and a final draft will be presented to the Commission in December. 

 

C.     Women's Human Rights Treaty        

Vice President Gulbengay will be working with members of the Board of Supervisors to hold a joint hearing with the Commission on the current economic impact on women.  On October 27, Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier introduced the request and a hearing will be held on December 7.      

 

D.           Violence Against Women (VAW) Prevention and Intervention Grants Program   

Commissioner Munter reported that all of the contracts are in place. She highlighted the upcoming Partner Agency Meeting on Tuesday, January 12, from 2 - 5 pm.  She emphasized the importance of having the full participation of the Commission’s Partner Agencies.  She also reported that 3 of our grantees will be participating in the City-wide Non-Profit Fiscal and Compliance Monitoring Committee.

                                                                    

E.           Family Violence Council                                                       

Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall reported on the October 15 meeting of the council. Police Chief Gascon attended and shared his thoughts on the organization of the Domestic Violence Response Unit which he has decided to keep at the Hall of Justice, rather than disperse to district stations. Other presentations focused on successful service models.

Ms. Marshall provided an update on the San Francisco Collaborative on Human Trafficking (SFCAHT), which is composed of 20 agencies and led by our Department, the Human Rights Commission, and the Jewish Coalition Against Human Trafficking. SFCAHT will be launched officially on January 11, 2010, Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

 

Ms. Marshall reported that the Department, in partnership with UC Davis, will offer the Forensic Photography Training to community and City agencies responsible for documenting the injuries of victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder/dependent adult abuse in November.  The goal is to train up to 70 members of the community, and will work with UC Davis on follow-up trainings if there is additional demand. 

 

VI.    OLD BUSINESS                                                                    

 

A.     Violence Against Women (VAW) Partner Agency Profile

           

1.            Babae Domestic Violence Program for Filipina Women                                                       . 

Elaine Villasper with Babae provided an overview of the Healthy Relationships Program.  Ms. Villasper reported that the Filipino community in San Francisco constitutes 5.24% of the total population of the city.  While this may be a small part of the total population, two of the most recent domestic violence-related homicides in San Francisco were Filipinas – Claire Joyce Tempongko (2000) and Marisa Corpuz (2004).  The Babae Healthy Relationships program focuses on prevention and education with youth and young adults in the Filipino community and is located in the Excelsior neighborhood which has the second highest percentage of households with children under 18 (at 40%).  The Healthy Relationships program offers youth-oriented workshops that provide tools and resources to recognize unhealthy patterns in a relationship, and encourage the cultivation of truly loving and healthy relationships in our community.  The workshops are tailored for youth under 18 years old and incorporate games, activities, and prizes.  To direct education on healthy relationships, they also facilitate a young women’s group, the Diwata Young Women’s Group, which is a peer and mentor support space that addresses young women’s issues. 

 

Ms. Villasper reported that the design of the Healthy Relationships program has been a positive model for a prevention and education program. The program provides a good balance of qualitative leadership and empowerment building with a core group of young women, along with a more sweeping framework of reaching and educating youth and families in San Francisco. Ms. Villasper thanked the Commission and the Department for their continued support. 

 

Commissioner Marks asked about funding sources and effectiveness measures. Ms. Villasper stated that the program relies heavily on public funding, but participants engage in fundraising efforts as well. To measure effectiveness, program participants provide periodic feedback.

 

Commissioner Soo asked if Babae works with the Filipina Women's Network. Ms. Villasper stated that network members mentor Babae participants who also participate in the V-Day event organized by the Filipina Women's Network.

 

Commissioner Shorter asked where the center is located. Ms. Villasper stated that the center is located in the Excelsior on Mission Street. Commissioner Marks asked if Ms. Villasper was familiar with the free clinic that is slated to open next year. Ms. Villasper stated that program participants have been in contact with clinic organizers.

 

2.            APA Family Support Services                                                                                                            .

Mai-Mai Quon Ho, Executive Director of APA Family Support Services thanked the Commission for honoring her retirement and supporting APA's programs.  APA , formerly known as Asian Perinatal Advocates, was founded 22 years ago and offers services to high-risk Asian families.  APA provides support groups, counseling, in-home visitation, outreach and education, case management, parental stress hotline, and economic self-sufficiency services to Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Filipino families.  APA's goals are to promote healthy families and prevent child abuse and domestic violence as well as advocate for culturally competent services in Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Ms. Ho also noted that the number of walk in clients has increased during the current economic crisis. 

 

Commissioner Munter asked how women access services. Ms. Ho stated that the agency receives referrals from Child Protective Services and other community-based agencies. She noted that cases involve weekly or bi-weekly meetings over the course of 1 - 2 years, and serves between 12 - 18 families. 

 

As a part of public comment, Beverly Upton, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Consortium, recognized Ms. Ho's her long career as Executive Director of APA Family Support Services and thanked her for your many contributions.

 

VII.           NEW BUSINESS     

                                                         

A.             COSW Strategic Planning Retreat Agenda                                                                          . 

The Commission reviewed the retreat agenda.  The retreat will take place on Friday, November 20 at the Rosenberg Foundation and will be facilitated by Julianna Hynes who facilitated the successful Friends retreat.  Dr. Murase explained that the Commissions strategic plan should frame the performance measures of the Department which are due to the Mayor's Office at the beginning of the year which is why we are holding the retreat later in the year.  At the retreat, the Commission will be asked to approve a strategic plan that will cover the next 2 years.   

 

Commissioner Marks asked that a portion of the discussion focus on pay equity and parity issues.   Commissioner Soo expressed concern about disparities that arise from education levels and high concentrations of women in part-time positions.

 

Commissioners asked that the time of the retreat be modified to 9 am - 4:30 pm.

 

Commissioner Shorter asked that staff confirm that the meeting location is accessible to the physically challenged.

 

VII.   PUBLIC COMMENT                                                

Shirley Black, a former Commissioner on the Commission on the Status of Women, expressed concern about pay equity and asked for the Commission's help.

 

Debra Walker stated that the budget cuts have had a disproportionate impact on women and minorities. She asked the Commission to support Prop H, which was passed 1986, and conduct an audit of layoffs.

 

Brenda Barros, a member of SEIU, stated that layoffs have hit women and minorities very hard and unfairly. She asked for the Commission's help on this issue to bring fundamental fairness back.

 

Theresa Rutherford, a Certified Nurse's Assistant (CNA), stated that CNAs have been reclassified as Patient Care Assistants (PCAs) who get paid 25% ($15,000) less than CNAs. She stated that the CNAs provide all of the basic nursing care, except for providing medication. Registered nurses handle paperwork and dispense medication. CNAs are the first line of care at the hospital.

 

Robert Haaland, SEIU, stated that the Department of Public Health laid of 550 people. The CNAs have been reclassified as PCAs, with a pay cut of up to 25%. Of the 550 people, 96% are people of color, 79% are women. Layoff notices went out on September 15. On the same day, the Department of Public Health reported an $8 million unanticipated surplus, roughly the cost of maintaining CNAs.

 

Anita Madrigal, is a 15-year employee of the City and County of San Francisco. She was hired as a 1426 clerical classification and promoted to higher classifications, enabling her to purchase her own home. However, her progress has been frustrated by a series of layoffs and bumps. She believes that the layoffs were applied disproportionately.

 

Gladys Soto, stated that she attended the Women's Policy Summit. She works for SEIU 1021 and is a mother, a Latino immigrant, and a community organizer. She urges the Commission to support the laid off workers.

 

Michael Tong works at San Francisco General Hospital and is a volunteer for SEIU 1021. He highlighted the fact that, according to minutes of the September 14 Health Commission meeting, the Health Department has a $42.7 million surplus.

 

Debbie Dobson is a CNA, formerly employed at the San Francisco General Hospital, who has been reassigned to Laguna Honda Hospital. She stated that the reclassification has meant lower pay and, in some cases, less hours. She believes that employees are being forced to accept the demotions.

 

Andre Spearman of SEIU 1021 reported that the union has filed a formal grievance on Monday, October 26, citing the disparate impact of layoffs on women and minorities. Mr. Spearman urged the Commission to pursue this issue in the spirit of the local ordinance reflecting the principles of the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. He urged the Commission to look into the disproportionate impact of the layoffs.

 

Commissioner Marks asked that additional materials be provided to the Commission in advance of the November 20 retreat. Commissioner Shorter invited speakers to provide written documentation and other date related to the lay-offs. 

 

Doug Melar stated that he is a private investigator on crimes against children who has been in the field for 17 years and does not charge for his work. He expressed support for equal pay. He invited Commissioners to participate as speakers at an upcoming event.

 

Commissioner Soo reported that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will be at the Chinese Hospital for a Hepatitis B public awareness event. She stated that 1 in 10 Asian Americans in San Francisco are carriers of Hepatitis B. The vaccine is 90% effective.

 

Commissioner Soo also reported that she has been invited to speak at a press conference organized by the Asian American Coalition Against Domestic Violence tomorrow to publicize a new children's book, The Brave Panda, that raises awareness about child abuse.

    

IX.          ADJOURNMENT                                                                                    

President Shorter with support from Commissioner Marks asked the Commission to adjourn in memory of Lili Smith, the daughter of Averell Smith and Laura Talmus, and granddaughter of Arlo Smith. Lili was an inspiration to all whose lives she touched.

 

Motion to adjourn.

m/s/c (Shorter/Soo/Unanimous).

The meeting adjourned at 7:21 pm.

 

 

 

 

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