December 10, 2010
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Friday, December 10, 2010
9:00 AM – 2 PM Public Meeting
2:30 PM – 4 PM Closed Session
Duane Morris LLP
One Market Plaza, Spear Tower, Suite 2200
San Francisco, CA 94105-1127
Members Present Staff Present
President Kay Gulbengay Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Vice President Julie Soo Policy Director Ann Lehman
Commissioner Dorka Keehn Fiscal Policy Analyst Laura Marshall
Commissioner Rebecca Prowda Senior Gender Policy Analyst Anu Menon
Commissioner Katherine Munter Grants Administrator Carol Sacco
Commissioner Andrea Shorter Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Willie L. Brown Jr. Intern Tracy Williams
Facilitator Julianna Hynes
Excused: Commissioner Carolene Marks
Members of the Public: Shelly Bradford Bell, Nadia Scipio del Campo, and Beverly Upton
I. Welcome
President Gulbengay called the meeting to order at 9 am and gave welcoming remarks.
Commissioner Dorka Keehn announced that it would be her last meeting as Commissioner and requested input from Commissioners on her replacement. Commissioner Keehn also announced that she would be appointed to the Arts Commission.
Commissioner was presented with a proclamation on behalf of the Mayor’s Office for her valued work while a Commission.
II. Approval of Agenda
Action: Approved agenda.
m/s/c (Keehn/Soo/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. Update from the Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women
Nadia Scipio del Campo, a member of the Friends of the Commission on the Status of Women Board provided an update on the Friends leadership, finances, a review of 2010, and the next steps for 2011.
Current Board Members:.
Marily Mondejar, President Filipina Women’s Network
Nadia Scipio Del Campo Political & Economic Affairs, Canadian Consulate
Secretary
Carmen Campollo National Association of Securities Professionals &
Treasurer The
Peg McAllister Lee Hecht Harrison
Sherri Pittman Phillips Pittman Strategic Solutions
Diana Reyes Baughman Chevron
The Friends are currently recruiting new board members and welcome input from Commissioners. Prospective Board members are currently being interviewed.
In 2010, the Friends had the following accomplishments:
- Current with tax returns
- Recruited 4 new board members
· Created selection criteria (competencies, term)
· Selection Committee established
· Recruitment strategy developed
- Sponsored the Women’s History Month
- Re-organization (infrastructure systems and website)
· Retained services of a Certified Public Accountant
· QuickBooks Online
· Launched Website – www.friendscosw.org
· Ability for online registrations, accept credit cards, invoicing, donations
· Eblasts, blog, online member application
· Corporate filings updated
· Consolidated and uploaded all Friends corporate records to Google Docs
- Held a successful Board Retreat
- Co-Sponsored San Francisco Women’s Policy Summit
- CEDAW Awards & GEP Launch.
In 2011, the Friends strive to implement the following:
- Continue to engage current leadership
- Recruit new board members
- Develop more member benefits
- Create at least 4 roundtable meetings for members
- Host 3rd Annual CEDAW Awards (October 17, 2011)
- Utilize Friends Website
· Online membership application
· Develop contact database
· Online Events registration
· Blog, discussion forums, newsletter, job board
· Social media – Linked-In, Facebook
- Support strategic goals and directions of DOSW & COSW
- Develop Marketing Plan
· Membership Recruitment Strategy
· Membership Retention
· Strengthen business and community partnerships
· Strengthen relationships with women in significant leadership roles in the community
- Grow financial resources
- Develop a long term fundraising strategy
- Institutionalize Friends events
- CEDAW Awards annually
- Revive Women in Leadership Luncheon
- Women’s History Month Celebration
- Women’s Economic Summit
- Networking & Mentoring Events.
A. International Women’s Day
Shelley Bradford-Bell introduced herself and explained that she is a community organizer, fund developer, and former Executive Director of the Bayview Opera House (since 1997), a historic landmark that serves as a Bay Area performing arts facility and youth development center, and has been President of Florence Crittenton Services. Ms. Bradford-Bell designs programs which build global connections between communities by addressing cultural heritage and the arts, health and environmental justice, and economic development. Ms. Bradford-Bell explained that each year the United Nations Education, Scientific & Cultural Organization celebrates March 8 as International Women’s Day. The 2011 theme is “Equality Across the Board: Empowering Women and Girls.” The summit message is Non nobis solum, Latin for “Not for Ourselves Alone,” a commitment to mentoring and educating young women to become future leaders. The summit will be about issues women and girls face locally, nationally, and throughout the world. The summit will address equal pay, equality in healthcare, the global rise in violence against girls and women, and our responsibility to mentor and guide girls to leadership. The
Action: To have the Commission be one of the sponsors of the 2011 Women’s Day Event.
m/s/c (Keehn/Shorter/Unanimous)
IV. Approval of Minutes
President Gulbengay asked Commissioners to review the minutes from November 17, 2010.
Action: Approved minutes from November 17, 2010.
m/s/c (Soo/Prowda/Unanimous)
V. Executive Director's Report
Dr. Murase directed Commissioners to her written report. Dr. Murase announced that they Department will partner with members of the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to celebrate Women’s History Month on Tuesday, March 15 at 3 pm in the Board’s Legislative Chambers. Following the presentation, the Friends of the Commission will host a program and reception for all honorees in the
Dr. Murase announced that departments were advised that the FY11-12 budget has an expected General Fund deficit is $379.8 million, primarily due to losses in federal and state funding of programs. The Commission will be asked to approve a budget at the regular January 26 meeting. The proposed cuts will take away from direct service providers: However, Commissioners expressed a commitment working closely with the Partner Agencies and meet with the Mayor and members of the Board of Supervisors to ensure no cuts to the vital and emergency services. Beverly Upton, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Consortium, explained that some of the Partner Agencies have been and continue to meet with members of the Board of Supervisors, including the Supervisors who are leaving office, to advocate for no cuts.
VI. Approval of the 2011 COSW Meeting Schedule
President Gulbengay asked the Commission to review the 2010 meeting dates.
Action: To approve 2010 COSW Meeting Schedule
m/s/c (Munter/Shorter/Unanimous)
VII. Review of Goals for the Day
Dr. Murase introduced Julianna Hynes who would be facilitating the retreat and who has worked with the Commission at past retreats.
VIII. Session I: Review of Strategic Plan
A. GOAL: Create gender equality in the City and
Policy Director Ann Lehman presented what accomplishments have been made in the last year steps related to CEDAW. This includes:
• Publications:
• Human Rights in Action:
(CEDAW)
• Gender Responsive Budgeting: Path to Accountability and Data-based Decision-Making
• Hearing at the Board of Supervisors: “The Impact of Economic Crisis on Women and Their Families”
• Hosted Delegations from
• Continue to support the national ratification of CEDAW
•
• United Nations:
• Commission on the Status of Women NGO Parallel Session Workshops - 3
• United Nations Global Compact -
• UN Global Compact - US Network Symposium
• UN Universal Periodic Review Testimony
• Provided technical assistance to the White House Council on Women, the cities of
• Academic Presentations:
• UC Berkeley
•
•
• University of
•
•
Senior Policy Analyst Anu Menon explained that the Gender Equality Principles were developed to create gender equality in
• Roundtables with data and budget staff from 10 departments were trained on how to implement gender budgeting in budget process
• Follow-up roundtable to further educate and train staff on how to move forward with data collection to implement gender budgeting.
Ms. Menon explained that moving forward the goals are the following:
- Conduct a gender analysis of the Fire Department: specifically of the fire exam results and action plan to recruit more women to the Fire Department
- Work with the Department of Public Works on a mentoring program for women in management
- Conduct a gender analysis of Commissions and Boards
- Work closely with the City on an online appointments Database
- Follow up with 2 previously monitored departments or programs will provide the Commission with an update to their original gender analysis
- The Department, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Budget Office, the Controller’s Office, and City departments, will implement the recommendations to incorporate a gender focus into the budget.
The group discussed focusing on the budget part of the analysis. Some wanted to know what departments are doing it now and what obstacles they face in gender budgeting. Commissioners agreed that providing a case study of the impact of gender budgeting was also would be helpful.
Tracking succession planning was also discussed. Commissioner Soo brought up the importance of understanding of whether women are stagnated in the middle or truly advancing in the organizational ranks.
B. GOAL: Create gender equality in
Ms. Menon reported on the last year’s accomplishments:
• Created, developed and published the GEP Indicators
• Held various roundtables on the various principles:
• Business, Supply Chain, and Marketing Practices
• Civic and Community Engagement
• Transparency and Accountability
• Launched the GEP Website at www.genderprinciples.org
For the following year the planned activities are:
• January 2011: Corporate Conduct and
• Spring 2011:
• Develop an Advisory Board
• Update Calvert Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Commissioners discussed the idea of identify pro-equality organizations for women to work for. The GEP could provide an index of the best gender equitable places to work. Commissioners suggested that a partner may have some capacity to conduct a study that would start with
Ms. Menon explained that we are currently working with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce to develop a tool for smaller businesses.
Commissioner Soo expressed her concern over the MOU and discussed potential changes to be considered upon renewal. Commissioners expressed concern that contract does not fall under the direct purview of the Commission, but is a Department responsibility.
President Gulbengay requested that the update of the MOU be agendized for the January Commission meeting and also requested the city attorney attend to further discuss.
C. GOAL: Promote women’s leadership opportunities in
Dr. Murase explained that the Department continues to participate in the Women’s Policy Summit, which attracts over 150 community leaders to prioritize key issues impacting women and their families, including: elected leadership, public education, housing, economic independence. The Department also released the guide Road to Leadership: How to Get That Appointment. Ms. Menon is also working closely with the City to develop an online appointments database that will list the various City Boards and Commissions and their vacancies.
D. GOAL: Create a comprehensive safety net for women survivors of violence through the administration of the Violence Against Women Prevention and Intervention (VAW) Grants Program.
Grants Administrator Carol Sacco explained that the VAW Grants goal is to create a comprehensive safety net for survivors of violence through the administration of the VAW Grants Program. For FY 2009-2010, the Department administered $2,743,250 in grants funds which was distributed to 24 organizations which funded 34 programs in 6 program areas that include: Crisis Line, Intervention & Advocacy, Legal Services, Prevention & Education, Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing. The partner agencies served 29,823 unduplicated individuals and provided 46,010 hours of supportive and technical assistance last fiscal year.
This includes:
· Crisis Lines: 14,668 calls
· Intervention & Advocacy: 9,747 hours
· Legal Services: 7,658 hours to 632 individuals
· Education Services: 18,025 hours to 10,645 individuals
· Emergency Shelters: 3,720 bed nights
· Transitional Housing:12,801 bed nights.
In January the Department held an annual Partner Agency meeting in January. Ms. Sacco also participates in the Citywide Non-Profit Fiscal and Compliance Monitoring Committee. The Committee’s goal is to improve the quality and consistency of the City’s fiscal and compliance monitoring of non-profits by standardizing procedures across departments and the decrease the administrative work and eliminate duplication of efforts for both non-profits and City departments. In FY 209-2010, 19 Partner Agencies underwent the Citywide Standard Monitoring.
Ms. Sacco explained that moving forward in 2011, the Department will issue a Request for Proposals for the new 3-year grant cycle for FY2011-2014, to be released in January. The Commission will approve funding awards at the March Commission meeting. In 2011, the Department will hold its annual Partner Agency meeting with a focus on capacity building, performance measures, and other tools to support the development of the City’s non-profits. The Department will continue to hold our annual cell phone drive, and continue to sit on the Citywide Non-Profit Fiscal and Compliance Monitoring Committee.
E. GOAL: Create a seamless criminal justice response to domestic violence.
Fiscal Policy Analyst Laura Marshall the 2010 of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel accomplishments:
· Meetings with the following Department Heads: Police Chief George Gascon, Presiding Judge James
McBride, and Chief Probation Officer Wendy Still.
· Partnership with the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs to offer Bridges to Freedom, a
multi-part language fluency and domestic violence training program.
· Formation of the Committee on Housing for Survivors of Domestic Violence to
work with the San Francisco Housing Authority to increase safety measures for survivors who are residents.
· The release of Courage to Change: Final Report of the Safety Audit Implementation Committee. Which
documents 3 years of work implementing recommendations of the landmark Safety Audit.
Moving forward the goals are to:
· Develop a City-Wide Memorandum of Understanding on Domestic Violence Response
· Work closely with the Housing Authority to provide safe housing for survivors of domestic violence
· Work closely with the Adult Probation Department to ensure Batterer Accountability
· Assess resources for City and community-based services
· Expand connection with the courts through training and engagement
· Conduct an audit of training practices
· Ongoing oversight of JUSTIS implementation.
F. GOAL: Coordinate community-based and City-wide family violence prevention and intervention efforts in
Ms. Marshall reported that the 2010 accomplishments of the Family Violence Council include:
· The released of the precedent-setting “2009 Comprehensive Report on Family Violence in San Francisco.”
· The convening of a forensic digital photography training for member agencies and the community, in partnership with the
· The formation of the Intervention Committee to investigate and propose a model for implementing a child abuse intervention program in
The following recommendations will appear in the 2010 Comprehensive Report on Family Violence in
· The completion of JUSTIS.
· 911 create call codes specific to child abuse and elder abuse.
o The Department of Children, Youth, and their Families, through the
· City agencies address and highlight the unique needs of teens in the child welfare system, and in the realm of intimate partner violence.
· Legislation be drafted to mandate training about family violence among recipients of City grant funding.
· The budget for the City and
· The creation and maintenance of a
Ms. Upton, Tri-Chair of the Council, acknowledged the Department on the Status of Women’s leadership and support in making
G. GOAL: End the trafficking of women into
Ms. Marshall reported that, in 2010, the Department launched the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking, a public-private partnership of law enforcement, advocates, and related City agencies. The work of the Collaborative focuses primarily on public awareness, including an extensive annual awareness campaign in January/February.
Ms. Marshall reported the 2011 accomplishments:
· The Collaborative convened for the first time to engage in strategic planning.
· The launch of Human Trafficking Awareness Day and began a month-long Awareness Campaign.
· The release of the Directory of Services for Survivors of Human Trafficking, 2010.
· The Governance Committee of the Collaborative was created and it approved a set of bylaws for the
group.
· A Facebook page was created for the Collaborative, where relevant news articles and information about
upcoming events can be posted.
· A web domain was created, www.sfcaht.org, which links to the Collaborative’s website.
· The Department began a monthly e-Calendar of events for the Collaborative, publicizing anti-trafficking
related events hosted by the Collaborative members to a 300-person list of interested individuals.
· The Department in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office hosted a meeting of all relevant City agencies to
discuss
The Department, in partnership with the Human Rights Commission, will continue its role as a central hub for the Collaborative, to increase the public’s awareness about human trafficking through media engagement, public awareness campaigns, and the creation of a speaker’s bureau. The following are proposed activities for the coming year:
· Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign – January 11, 2011 to February 12, 2011
· Volunteer Match Event – March 2011
· Spring Forum on Child Trafficking – May 2011
· Not For
· Monitor trafficking-related legislation
· Build the base of information about the true scope and impact of trafficking by creating systems to collect
trafficking-related data specific to
· Strengthening the Collaborative
H. GOAL: Carry out all essential internal operations necessary to ensure smooth operation of the Department and Commission.
Dr. Emily Murase presented outgoing Commissioner Dorka Keehn with a Mayoral proclamation in recognition of her many years of service to the Commission. Commissioners recognized Commissioner Keehn for her leadership on the groundbreaking work of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel which she chaired.
Dr. Murase reported that she is anticipating the same staffing level in the coming year. The budget will be discussed in full in January.
I. GOAL: Provide high quality customer service to individual constituents, community and government agencies, and all others accessing Department services.
Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez reported that she continues to represent the Department at a variety of meetings which include: Association of California Commissions, Department of Emergency Management, Climate Liaison, Healthy San Francisco, and Recycling. Ms. Vasquez continues to serve as the Departments direct service contact for the public, providing referrals to various agencies and organizations.
IX. Session II: Review of Strategic Department Resources Plan
Presentation by Executive Director on Budget & Administration
X. Session III: Commission Leadership on Issues/Assignments
Commissioners chose the Issues/Assignments they were interested in involving themselves in for the next fiscal year:
Gender Equality Principles Katherine Munter
Violence Against Women Rebecca Prowda
Justice and Courage Andrea Shorter
Family Violence Council Julie Soo
Human Trafficking (Kay Gulbengay, Julie Soo)
CEDAW Kay Gulbengay
Commissioners also discussed the roles of Commissioners which include:
· Making policy level decisions
· Provide feedback and input to Department as Commissioners sit on various committees.
· Commissioners are to keep track of the area they are chairing: take responsibility of agenda, minutes, follow up and follow through.
Other concerns that were discussed as related to the Commission/Department/Friends:
· Expectations of the Commissioners and Friends
· The Executive Directors role as the liaison between the Staff and Commission
· Commissioners Gulbengay and Munter agreed to be the co-liaisons between the Friends and the Commission.
XI. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Upton expressed the willingness of the Partner Agencies to work with the Commission and Department to ensure
that direct services are not cut.
Commissioner Shorter thanked fellow Commissioners and the Department staff for all of their hard work and efforts.
Commissioner Soo suggested having the Department present the work that is being done in the City to the Democratic Women’s Caucus to share the wealth of information that we have specifically the City’s work on the implementation of CEDAW.
XII. CLOSED SESSION
1. Public comment on all matters pertaining to the Closed Session.
2. Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b) and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.10(b):
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Executive Director, Emily Murase.
3. Open Session
Action: Motion not to publicly disclose any or all of the information discussed in the closed session under
m/s/c (Shorter/Keehn/Unanimous)
XIII. Closing Remarks/Evaluation
None.
VIII. Adjourn
Action: Motion to adjourn.
m/s/c (Munter/Soo/Unanimous)
The meeting adjourned at 3:55 pm.
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