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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, August 28, 2002
5:00 P.M.
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
(DRAFT)

MEMBERS PRESENT                              STAFF PRESENT
President Carolene Marks                              Belle Taylor-McGhee, Executive Director
Commissioner Julie Burton                              Rosario Navarrette, Deputy Director
Commissioner Juanita Miles                                        Rebecca Rolfe, Policy Analyst
Commissioner Emily Murase                              Winnie Xie, Grants Administrator
Commissioner Andrea Shorter                              Carol Sacco, Policy Analyst
          Commissioner Valerie Tulier                              Angela Martin, Executive Secretary
                                                                                Edward Olsen, Assistant City Attorney

1.          CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

President Carolene Marks called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Vice President Dorka Keehn was excused.
Commissioner Valerie Tulier arrived at 5:05 p.m.
Commissioner Shorter arrived at 5:10 p.m.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT
2.           ADOPTION OF AGENDA

m/s/c (Marks/Murase/Unanimous) To adopt the agenda for the Wednesday,
August 28, 2002, Regular Commission Meeting.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

3.           APPROVAL OF MINUTES

m/s/c (Murase/Miles/Unanimous) To approve the minutes for the Wednesday, July 24, 2002, Regular Commission Meeting with amendments.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

4.          PRESIDENT'S REPORT

•          Medical/Medicare: President Marks reported that she spoke with Supervisor Sandoval's office and was informed that their office will not address the disability issues raised by Peggy Costner. Instead, Supervisor's Sandoval's office will focus on prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals. Sarah He of Supervisor Maxwell's office will handle the Medical/Medicare legislation. President Marks stated that the Supervisors are on leave and are not scheduled to return until September 16, 2002. President Marks stated that she will follow up at that time.

•          The Mayor's Women Summit: President Marks stated that the Mayor'sWomen Summit is scheduled for sometime next year.

Commissioner Miles stated that she spoke with Carolyn Carpeneti who stated that a Summit meeting had not been held and sponsorship letters will be sent out as soon as possible.

President Marks commented that the Commission should be involved in the Summit.

•          Association of California Commissions for Women (ACCW) Convention: President Marks stated that she attended the AACW Convention in Sacramento, CA. Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee and Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette were also in attendance.

President Marks recommended that the incoming President and Vice President attend next year'sconvention.

She stated that a number of issues were discussed, and she brought back handbooks titled: "Organizational Basics: A Handbook for Commissions on Women" and" Commission Meetings: Making Them Engaging and Productive." She would like copies made of both handbooks.

President Marks reported that one of the items mentioned was a Junior Commission. She stated that she would like to discuss at the Commission retreat having one or two high school or college students on the Commission

President Marks stated that to facilitate Commission meetings, she would like to see completed action items noted in the minutes.

•          Reception for the Executive Director: President Marks asked about the status of the reception being held at the Legion of Honor Museum.

Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that the reception is scheduled for October 8, 2002, and that she and Pamela McDonald, the Director of Audience Development and Civic Affairs, are scheduled to meet to formalize the plans.

Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that approximately 500 invitations will be sent out from the Department's internal mailing list and media will also be invited.

Commissioner Burton stated that she might be able to assist with a donation for the reception.

Commissioner Tulier suggested asking the Friends of the Commission for a donation for the reception.

Commissioner Miles suggested notifying the National Commission on the Status of Women about the reception.

President's Summary of the Year: President Marks stated that she will give her summary at the September Commission meeting.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

5.           EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

•          Justice and Courage Meetings: Belle Taylor-McGhee reported that DOSW is working with the individual departments delineated in the Justice and Courage Report. The Department is reviewing data collection and how it is shared and tracked among departments that respond to domestic violence. DOSW has met with Emergency Communications, Adult Probation, San Francisco Superior Court-Civil and Criminal Divisions, San Francisco Police Department and its DV Unit, District Attorney's Office and its DV Unit and the Sheriff's Department.

Ms. Taylor McGhee stated that she had a productive meeting with Police Chief Earl Sanders and he pledged his full support for the process. Chief Sanders accepted an invitation to speak at the October 23 Commission meeting.

Ms. Taylor-McGhee stated that DOSW is in the process of moving forward with the nominations for the Oversight Panel. The Oversight Panel will implement the recommendations delineated in the Justice and Courage Report.

•          Status of Girls Report: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that Policy Analysts Ann Lehman and Carol Sacco are working on the Girls Report. DOSW expects to release the report in October during Domestic Violence Awareness month.

•          La Casa de las Madres: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that DOSW has met with the staff of La Casa and with one of the women who filed a complaint. She stated that DOSW expects to conclude the process shortly and provide recommendations to the Commission by the next Commission meeting.

•          Association of California Commissions for Women (ACCW) Convention: Ms. Taylor-McGhee reported that she and Deputy Director Rosario Navarrette presented on panels at the convention.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

6.           NEW BUSINESS

•          Election of the President and Vice President of COSW for the 2002-2003 Term

Action Item: To elect the new President and Vice President.

m/s/c (Burton/Miles/Unanimous) To vote for the President and Vice President of the Commission.

m/s/c (Tulier/Miles/Unanimous) To vote separately for the nominees for the President and Vice President of the Commission.

Action item: To elect Commissioner Emily Murase to the Vice Presidency of the Commission.

m/s/c (Marks/Unanimous) Commissioner Emily Murase was unanimously elected Vice President of the Commission.

Action item: To elect Vice President Dorka Keehn to the Presidency of the Commission.

m/s/c (Marks/Majority) Vice President Dorka Keehn was elected President of the Commission by a majority of the votes with Commissioner Tulier voting nay.

          Dates for the Upcoming Commission Retreat

Action item: To consider dates for the upcoming Commission Retreat

m/s/c (Miles/Majority) To hold the upcoming Commission Retreat on November 16, 2002, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

          La Casa de las Madres

Public Comment: Community Activist Rosabella Safont; Raquel Alavina, Ella Baker Center; Rosario Charon-Mendez; Tracy Brown, Latino Steering Committee; Cathy Garza, District 8 Resident; Clarissa Rojas, INCITE: Women of Color Against Violence; Antionia Ramirez, P.O.C.O.V.I.; Beverly Upton, SF Domestic Violence Consortium; Beatriz Anstirman; and other women who wished to remain anonymous voiced their concerns, opinions and complaints regarding La Casa de las Madres.

The Vice President for the Board of La Casa de las Madres, Amber Jayme, stated that La Casa has be in existence for 25 years and is now the largest and oldest organization for victims of domestic violence in San Francisco. She stated that in June, 2002, La Casa was named outstanding agency by the Mayor's Office of Community Development and that La Casa is very concerned about the allegations made to the Human Rights Commission and DOSW. Ms. Jayme stated that before addressing the allegations, she wanted to remind the Commission that because of La Casa's commitment to security and privacy of survivors of domestic violence, no one from La Casa will be able to address any of the specific allegations made. She stated that La Casa's commitment to diversity has been unwavering as demonstrated by its demographics. She also stated that the Human Rights Commission has completed an investigation in which all claims were found to have no merit, DOSW has conducted 7½ hours of meetings with La Casa and there have been two (2) site inspections by the Department of Public Health which found no cause for any claims.

Commissioner Tulier asked Ms. Jayme what percentage of top management positions were held by women of color.

Commissioner Tulier also asked Ms. Jayme how many women of color were bilingual.

Ms. Jayme reported that 50% of top management are women of color, and out of the 45% of the women who are bilingual, all are women of color.

Commissioner Tulier stated that she does not think the safety of the women would be compromised if La Casa addressed its health and safety issues. She stated that to avoid these problems in the future, she would like to see resolutions to the issues raised. Commissioner Tulier also stated that perhaps La Casa should ask DOSW to assist in securing funding to improve its health conditions (buying supplies, pads for mattresses, etc.)
Ms. Jayme stated that La Casa is also seeking a positive resolution and a number of processes are in place to look at monitoring food and the sanitary conditions of the shelter. She stated that although La Casa is a non-profit organization and not required to open its doors to inspections, it does so on a voluntary basis.

Commissioner Miles stated that she would also like to examine La Casa's release policies.

Executive Director Belle Taylor-McGhee stated that she was hearing some of the complaints for the first time.

Commissioner Tulier commented that she would like to see a revision of food policies and stated that she wanted the Department to ensure that La Casa has a good release policy. She stated that women who need to be released should be referred to a safe place and not released to the streets, particularly with children.

Commissioner Tulier commented that the staff of La Casa may need racism training and asked that DOSW address each individual complaint brought forward by present and former clients and staff.

Commissioner Murase would like to see one or two pages of specific recommendations on how operations can be improved from the clients' perspective. She stated that she is concerned that La Casa does not see the legitimacy of the allegations. She would like to hear La Casa acknowledge the complaints and state that they are working on change - whether it is food safety or sanitary conditions. She stated that she is happy that La Casa passed the public health inspection; however, the Commission is hearing the first hand experiences of the clients.

Commissioner Murase commented that the Commission should not be relied on as the sole source for solving the problem and that everyone involved should do something to rectify the situation. She stated that she urges individuals to meet with DOSW to work on a solution.

Commissioner Miles stated that something is obviously wrong and the Commission will address the problems; however, the Commission cannot solve the problem alone. She does not want anyone to feel intimidated about coming before the Commission to state a problem. The Commission will do its best with the Department and La Casa to come to a resolution; albeit an ongoing process. She stated that the Commission and Department will do its best to ensure that these problems and issues never arise again.

Commissioner Marks stated she would like the Commission to determine the problems. She recommended the Department and one or two representatives from the Commission meet with the individuals involved to discuss how the issues can be resolved. She stated that at a later date a meeting could be scheduled to further explore the issues.

Commissioner Tulier recommended placing the item on the next agenda and would like a report or update with resolutions to the issues.

President Marks stated that she wanted to see the item stated as an action item.

Belle Taylor-McGhee wanted to make clear that there will not be a resolution reached at the next meeting; she will give a report on recommendations.

Joanna Hernandez from the Mission Neighborhood Center stated that she runs a support group for young women and one of the issues that her group is facing is prostitution. Some members of her group would like to speak to the Commission at its next meeting and asked that the item be placed on the agenda.

Commissioner Shorter stated that the input and guidance from the support group would be helpful for the Status of Girls Report.

7.           OLD BUSINESS

          Nominations for the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel

Action: To approve nominations for the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel

          Commissioner Tulier reported that four people have been nominated for the at-large positions for the Oversight Panel; Barbara Brooten, Beverly Green-Simmons, Ken Theisen and Beverly Upton. Susan Leal was recommended for the co-chair position, along with Dorka Keehn. Commissioner Tulier stated that out of the four nominees, three are white and one is African American. Commissioner Tulier stated that the focus is going to be to recruit people of color from the Asian community, Latino community, and the Pacific Islander community for the three remaining at-large seats. Commissioner Tulier stated that the Panel has been increased from nine (9) to ten (10) members to include Susan Leal as the co-chair.

m/s/c (Tulier/Unanimous) To extend the Oversight Panel to include ten (10) members, including the President of the Commission or her designee , the Executive Director of the Department or her designee and eight (8) at-large members.

President Marks suggested that consideration be given to sexual orientation of one (1) of the members of the Oversight Panel.

m/c/s/ (Tulier/Murase/Unanimous) To accept Barbara Brooten, Beverly Green-Simmons, Ken Theisen, and Beverly Upton as the four (4) at-large members of the Oversight Panel and Susan Leal as the co-chair of the Panel.

Commissioner Miles suggested introducing the members of the Oversight Panel to the Commissioners at a Commission meeting.

President Marks asked if Susan Leal could be appointed to the co-chair position of the Oversight Panel considering she has already been appointed as an honoree member of the Panel by the Mayor.

Commissioner Tulier stated that she did not think it was a conflict for Susan Leal to be appointed to the co-chair position.

Commissioner Tulier asked that Commissioners provide nominees for the Oversight Panel and Committees.

•          Community Meetings

Action Item: To consider holding an October community meeting.
The Commission will discuss Community meetings at its November 16, 2002 retreat.

8.           PUBLIC COMMENT

          None

9.          ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Commission presented the out going President, Carolene Marks, with flowers and thanked her for her leadership and dedicated efforts over the past year.

NO PUBLIC COMMENT

11. ADJOURNMENT

m/s/c (Miles/ Shorter/Unanimous) The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m.

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/.

Meeting Information