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COMMISSION ANNUAL RETREAT MINUTES
Friday, July 28, 2006
8:00 am - 4 pm
RichmondPolice Station
461 6th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
Members Present Staff Present
President Shorter Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Vice President Williams Grants Administrator Richard Eijima
Commissioner Andrea Evans CEDAW Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas
Commissioner Dorka Keehn CEDAW Policy Analyst Ann Lehman
Commissioner Jing Xu Lee Justice & Courage Analyst Colleen Montoya
Commissioner Carolene Marks CEDAW Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
Commissioner Katherine Munter Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Department Intern Miwa Hashimoto
Community Members Present
Daisy Anarchy, Emberly Cross, Mai Mai Ho, Laura Marshall, Beverly Upton, Toni Wilson
Vice President Angela Williams called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.
Vice President Williams introduced Ms. Paula Chronister who facilitated the retreat and has already worked with the Commission at previous Strategic Planning sessions.
I. INTRODUCTIONS/VISIONING EXERCISE AND REVIEW OF MISSION STATEMENT
Commissioners, staff, and community members were asked to introduce themselves and brainstorm what expectations they had for the day. In reviewing the Commission's mission statement, Commissioners requested to view a copy of the Charter and the Administrative Codes so that all members thinking was aligned and would impact the mission and vision of the Commission. Commissioners asked to review the Charter and Administrative Codes at the August meeting.
II. FRIENDS UPDATE
Toni Wilson with the Friends of the COSW announced the current officers of the Friends and reviewed the organization's Statement of Purpose. The board is currently reviewing the administrative support needed and developing an events calendar. A major focus will be a fundraising event in 2007 to commemorate the Commission's 30th Anniversary. The next meeting of the Friends is a conference call on August 3 at 8:00 am.
III. RIGHT TO HUMAN RIGHTS
Vice President Angela Williams reviewed the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Action Plan and explained that we were currently working in year 4 of the 5-year Action Plan. Vice President Williams explained that the CEDAW Committee has had a difficult time reaching quorum. Executive Director Emily Murase suggested that the CEDAW Committee meet on a quarterly basis and serve as an Advisory Council to the Commission. Commissioners wanted to be sure that if they were going to be asked to play a larger role in monitoring local implementation of CEDAW, that they would need to be fully trained to do so.
Action: Approve the transition of the CEDAW Committee to an Advisory Council and provide training and support to Commissioners as they undertake an expanded role in CEDAW implementation.
m/s/c (Shorter/Evans/Unanimous)
Executive Director Murase announced that San Francisco received the National Association of Counties 2006 Achievement Award for the CEDAW gender analysis. She will be traveling to Chicago in August to receive the award.
IV. RIGHT TO ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING
A. Underserved Communities
1. Labor Conditions of Exotic Dancers
Commissioner Evans reported that the legislation on the labor conditions of exotic dancers was being presented to the Entertainment Commission at a meeting on August 4. Ms. Evans explained that there was some concern with the oversight of the legislation residing with the Entertainment Commission since one of their Commissioners operates one of the dance clubs. Ms. Evans will work with staff to encourage appropriate oversight by the Entertainment Commission.
Daisy Anarchy gave public testimony expressing her concern in designating the Entertainment Commission as the permitting body in the legislation and asked the Commission to instead consider the Department of Public Health as an alternative. Ms. Anarchy stated that dancers will not support the legislation if the oversight agency is the Entertainment Commission. Ms. Anarchy will be meeting with members of the Board of Supervisors to express her concerns and inform them of how this legislation will impact dancers in San Francisco. Ms. Anarchy further explained that club owners are alleging to dancers that the COSW is trying to take away their livelihoods and that club owners have asked dancers to attend the Entertainment Commission meeting to express their disapproval of the legislation.
2. Language Access
Commissioner Lee reported that she had taken press coverage of the Commission’s work and had it translated into Chinese to send to the Chinese language media in San Francisco. She also had the contents of the Commission website translated into Chinese and would like to work with the Department to upload the material. Commissioner Munter requested an update or any feedback from the Chinese community on articles that were translated. Commissioners expressed support for outreach to non-English speaking communities in this way. They suggested working with the Immigrant Rights Commission on ways to expand this outreach.
B. Economic Development
Vice President Williams reviewed the economic development goals. Commissioners discussed possible coordination with District merchants, reviewing legislation on paid sick leave, and the possibility of addressing the needs of professional women. Commissioners also flagged, for future consideration, the needs of the child care industry in San Francisco. Executive Director Murase directed Commissioners to a new report released by the Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families, entitled The Economic Impact of the Child Care Industry of San Francisco, available at www.dcyf.org. She and Grants Administrator Richard Eijima participated in the working group that developed the study.
V. RIGHT TO BODILY INTEGRITY
1. Justice & Courage
Commissioner Keehn reported that the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel will be meeting on August 2 to discuss the coming year's goals. Any revisions to the Strategic Plan will be presented at the August meeting of the Commission. Executive Director Murase announced the arrest of Tari Ramirez, the suspected murderer of Claire Joyce Tempongko, in Mexico in July 2006. With the continued attention of the Justice & Courage Oversight Panel, the initial $10,000 reward was increased to $50,000, and Mr. Ramirez became one of San Francisco's most wanted fugitives. Mr. Ramirez is scheduled for extradition.
2. Violence Against Women Prevention & Intervention (VAW) Grants Program
Commissioner Munter reviewed the goals for VAW Grants Program for the coming year. She emphasized the importance of conducting a community needs assessment to inform decisions in the next round of VAW Grants. The award from the Request for Proposal related to the Anti-Human Trafficking Education and Outreach Services will be made in the coming months.
3. Family Violence Council
Commissioner Evans reported that the Family Violence Council is looking to increase funding in improving the collection of batterer’s fees and increasing the marriage license fee.
VI. RIGHT TO ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE
Commissioner Marks reviewed the goals under the CEDAW principle of Right to Adequate Healthcare. Commissioner Marks inquired about the role of the Commission in the Healthcare Access Advisory Committee, headed up by Dr. Mitchell Katz, Director of the Department of Public Health. Commissioners requested adding a goal to seek funding for prevention, education, and care of African American women experiencing breast cancer. Revisions to the Strategic Plan were made accordingly.
VII. RIGHT TO EDUCATION, SERVICES BY GIRLS
President Shorter reviewed the goals for he Human Rights of Girls to Education and Social Services.
Commissioners requested a presentation from the Human Services Agency and Child Protective Services on how the Commission can help address the needs of girls of color in the foster care system.
Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas reported that the Department has begun to accept applications for participation in the Girls Committee. Ms. Maufas explained that recruitment has been a slow process, but she hopes to start meetings chaired by President Shorter, soon, and is looking into how to offer stipends to participants.
Action: Approve amended goals to the Strategic Plan for FY06-07.
m/s/c (Williams/Shorter/Unanimous)
VIII. DEPARTMENT RESOURCES
1. Budget
Executive Director Murase reviewed budget materials for fiscal year 2006-2007.
2. Staffing & Administration
Dr. Murase introduced Cynthia Vasquez as the new Commission Secretary.
IX. NEW INITIATIVES
A. Legislative Engagement
Executive Director Murase reviewed the draft protocol for taking positions on non-controversial legislation. Commissioners expressed concern about the criteria for what is considered non-controversial and asked that key issues of concern to the Commission continue to be flagged through the monthly consent calendar. In terms of the Department taking positions on issues, Commissioners asked that these issues be identified in monthly reports, on a trial basis.
B. Association of Commissions on Women
Vice President Williams reported that she would be attending the Association of California Commissions on the Status of Women (ACCW) from August 4-6 and has been asked to serve as Secretary. She reported that the President of the ACCW is from Marin, and it is a great opportunity to work with someone locally she reported.
X. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
XI. COMMISSION ELECTIONS
President Shorter nominated Vice President Williams for President.
Action: Approve nomination of Angela Williams as President.
m/s/c (Shorter/Marks/Unanimous)
Commissioner Keehn nominated Commissioner Katherine Munter as Vice President.
Action: Approve nomination of Katherine Munter as Vice President.
m/s/c (Keehn/Evans/Unanimous)
XII. 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 (Keehn/Williams/Unanimous)
A. Res. 2006-033: Resolution Recognizing the Visitacion Valley Grapevine’s 20th Anniversary
B. Res. 2006-034: Resolution Recognizing Leadership San Francisco’s “LSF Sound Check 2006”
C. Res. 2006-035: Resolution Recognizing Patti Chang, Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation and former President, Commission on the Status of Women
D. Res. 2006-036: Resolution Recognizing Professor Raihana Popalzai and Ms. Heba Tarzi of Afghanistan
XIII. 2007 MEETING SCHEDULE
Executive Director Murase reviewed the 2007 meeting schedule and noted that July, November and December where reflecting incorrect dates. The following are meeting dates for 2007:
Wednesday, January 24 Friday, July 27
Wednesday, February 28 Wednesday, August 15
Wednesday, March 28 Wednesday, September 26
Wednesday, April 25 Wednesday, October 24
Wednesday, May 23 Wednesday, November 14
Wednesday, June 27 Wednesday, December 12
Action: Approve amended meeting dates for 2007.
m/s/c (Keehn/Williams/Unanimous)
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 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.
