2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Friday, July 20, 2007
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The California Endowment
101 Second Street, 24th Floor, Bay Room
San Francisco, CA 94105
Members Present
President Katherine Munter Commissioner Jing Xu Lee
Commissioner Andrea Evans Commissioner Carolene Marks
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Commissioner Andrea Shorter
Staff Present
Executive Director Emily Murase, Ph.D. Policy Analyst Carol Sacco
Policy Analyst Ann Lehman Policy Analyst Jill Tregor
Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Policy Analyst Kim-Shree Maufas
I. Welcome
President Munter called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. She welcomed the Commissioners and public attendees and provide a brief overview of the day's goals and activities. Executive Director Murase introduced the retreat facilitator Diane J. Johnson, Ph.D., President, Mmapeu Management Consulting.
II. Agenda Review, Goals & Objectives
Dr. Johnson asked all Commissioners and attendees to introduce themselves, reviewed overall goals and objectives for the day and reviewed the agenda.
Goals & Objectives were determined to be as follows:
" Opportunity for the Commission to identify the Commission areas to work on during the next fiscal year; identify how the Commission will further engage in getting critical goals accomplished during the next fiscal year.
" Opportunity for the Commissioners to reflect on their work and assess their roles as advocates, programmatic advisors, and facilitators of the success of the Commission and the Department.
" Have an effective and productive day.
III. Readiness for Action
Dr. Johnson facilitated a discussion on what contributes towards making the COSW more effective in its work; what factors create barriers for Commissioners to actively participate and implement COSW business.
Suggestions included the following:
" Alternating the committee reports section to appear towards the beginning and the end of the agenda. Having reports appear towards the beginning will facilitate dissemination of the Commission's committee work.
" Eliminating the Partner Agency Report from the agenda and, instead, inviting agencies to themed meetings where their work is directly related to the theme of the meeting.
IV. Board Reflections & Gearing Up to Work
President Munter reviewed the responses from the self evaluation survey. Commissioners discussed ways in which they could better communicate with each other and the Department so that efforts can be better coordinated.
V. Friends of the Commission
Adrienne Pon, Vice President of the Friends of the Commission, provided an update on the planning of the Commission's 30th Anniversary Luncheon. Commissioners urged that the event be postponed from the initially scheduled August 16 date to later in the fall in order to allow for additional planning. Commissioners also suggested that event planners be engaged for the luncheon. Ms. Pon thanked Commissioners for their feedback and stated that she would forward this feedback to the Friends Board of Directors.
VI. Poster Sessions
Staff members presented posters summarizing the FY06-07 achievements of the Department in the following areas:
" Justice & Courage Project - Jill Tregor
" United Nations Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women CEDAW) - Ann Lehman
" Violence Against Women Prevention & Intervention (VAW) Grants - Carol Sacco
" Budget & Staffing - Laura Marshall
" Girls & Health Issues - Dr. Murase for Kim-Shree Maufas
Commissioners acknowledged the dedicated efforts of staff to achieve concrete goals in each of these areas.
VII. Prioritization & Planning
Discussion shifted to areas where the Commission and Department might consider expanding. Along with members of the public, Commissioners and staff brainstormed the following key areas that affect women:
1. Health
2. Language Access
3. Childcare
4. Public Housing
5. Economic Development
6. Media Literacy
7. Local Legislation on Housing Discrimination
8. Trafficking
9. Foster Care
In addition, there was interest in developing the following documents:
10. Report on Status of Women
11. Media Plan
VIII. Setting Preferences
Given the very broad mission of the agency, Commissioners and staff developed the following criteria for determining which issues to pursue:
1. Need
2. Movement towards policy impact, legislative movement [how does DOSW/COSW impact the public policy?]
3. Staff capacity/expertise
4. Level of potential influence - how many players already working in area
(small fish; big fish)
5. Strategic use of the budget process on specific program areas/need
IX. Process
Commissioners and staff discussed ways in which the Commission should approach new issue areas:
1. Briefings from staff
2. Public hearings
3. Using criteria & data to determine next steps; follow-up on specific issue
4. Follow-through & assessment; what's the environment, context for work.
X. Next Steps
Executive Director Murase stated that a Department work plan based on the day's prioritizations and discussion would be presented at the September Commission meeting, following full discussion by staff members who will evaluate their ability to pursue the goals of existing and new issue areas.
XI. PUBLIC COMMENT
Beverly Upton, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Consortium, expressed her appreciation to the Commission and the Department for their leadership on key issues affecting women. Jovida Guevarra-Ross, Executive Director of Communities United Against Violence, expressed her support for continuing to work closely with the Commission and the Department on these issues in a collaborative manner.
XI. Close and Evaluation of Meeting
Dr. Johnson requested feedback on the day's activities and discussion. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the active participation by staff and members of the public in the day's proceedings. Executive Director Murase recognized, in particular, Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez for attending to the logistics of the meeting. Participants thanked Dr. Johnson for suggestion the venue for the meeting.
XII. ADJOURNMENT ACTION
Action: President Munter entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. m/s/c (Shorter/Keehn/Unanimous). The meeting adjourned at 4:30 pm.
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