January 25, 2012

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Members Present Staff Present
President Kay Gulbengay Executive Director Emily Murase
Vice President Julie Soo Outreach and Development Manager Stacey Hoang
Commissioner Alicia Gamez Policy Director Ann Lehman
Commissioner Becca Prowda Grants Administrator Carol Sacco
Commissioner Nancy Kirshner- Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Rodriguez Department Fellow Janet Connor
Commissioner Andrea Shorter
Commissioner Stephanie Simmons

I. Welcome
President Gulbengay welcomed everyone present and thanked everyone for attending.

II. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
President Gulbengay called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm.
m/s/c (Gulbengay/Gamez/Unanimous)
No public comment.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approve minutes from November 18, 2011.
m/s/c (Soo/Gamez/Unanimous)
No public comment.

A. Executive Director's Report
Explanatory document: The Executive Director’s Report discusses the work of the Department based on the Commission’s Strategic Plan which reflects the principles of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Dr. Murase introduced Department Intern Janet Connor who recently graduated from the University of Chicago and is working with Policy Director Ann Lehman on the Gender Equality Principles.

Dr. Murase reported that on January 6 the Department hosted the Gender Equalities Principles Roundtable, “How to Comply with New Anti-Human Trafficking Law.” On January 1, 2012, the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act requires companies with $100 million in annual worldwide revenues to publicly address human trafficking risks in their supply chains. This roundtable featured an expert panel to provide a roadmap for compliance with this groundbreaking law, the first of its kind in the nation.

The Department also hosted a reception on January 13 for local leaders to meet the board members to the US National Committee for UN Women. Stephanie Block, Board Member of USNC-UN Women and a volunteer with our Department, alerted us to their scheduled board meeting in San Francisco. Over 70 women and a few men throughout the Bay Area attended and networked with the board members who came from Florida, North Carolina, and New York.

Dr. Murase reported that on January 11, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the San Francisco Collaboration Against Human Trafficking held an awards ceremony at City Hall to raise awareness about human trafficking and to recognize students who submitted posters. The winning poster submitted by Doreen Pacini, a 9th grader from Ruth Asawa School of the Arts.

Dr. Murase announced that on March 6 the Department in collaboration with the Board of Supervisors, and the Mayor's Office to celebrate Women's History Month. We have asked that the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors identify a woman business owner to honor. The presentations will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 in the Board Chambers at 3:30 pm with a reception to following the North Light Court with First Lady Anita Lee.

Commissioner Soo thanked the staff for all of their contributions and acknowledged Outreach and Development Manager Stacey Hoang for her assistance in hosting the US National Committee for UN women.

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.
Action: To approve the Consent Agenda.

A. Approval of the 2012 COSW Meeting Schedule
B. Resolution Recognizing Keenia Williams
C. Resolution Recognizing Zwazzi Sowo [postponed]
D. Resolution Recognizing Raquel Miller
E. Resolution Urging the Reinstatement of the California Commission on the Status of Women

President Gulbengay announced that the resolution recognizing Zwazzi Sowo will be postponed until the month of March.

Keenia Williams, the young woman who saved a truck driver from a fiery crash on the freeway, thanked the Commission and explained that her heroic actions where what any good person would do and what she would want someone to do for her. Ms. Williams thanked the Commission for the honor.

Raquel Miller, an Olympic contender in women’s boxing, thanked the Commission for honoring her. Ms. Miller explained how great it is to be doing something that she was told that as a girl she could not do.

Dr. Murase explained that the California Commission is has been the target of budget cuts for several years. The Commission agreed to strongly urge Governor Jerry Brown to reinstate funding to the State Commission.

V. NEW BUSINESS

A. FY2012-2014 Proposed Budget
Commissioners reviewed the proposed budget for FY12-14. Dr. Murase explained that each Department is being asked to provide a 2 year budget proposal. The budget instructions include reduction of General Funds by 5% each fiscal year, contingency cuts of 2.5% for either year, and a 1% staffing reduction. This amounts to $164,733 for FY12-13, $164,733 for FY 13-14, and $82,366 in contingency for either year. Chanda Ikeda, our new analyst from the Mayor’s Budget Office, was planning to attend but called into another meeting. Ms. Hoang presented the proposed budget.

Commissioners discussed how budget cuts would impact vital services for domestic violence survivors. Commissioners discussed gathering data and testimonials on how funding reductions would affect clients. Dr. Murase explained that some data is available in the 2010 Family Violence Comprehensive Report. Some client testimonials were provided in the Commission packets, and have been requested from our Partner Agencies. Commissioners agreed that personal testimonials and data on the impact of budget cuts are compelling information that should be presented when they meet with members of the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s Office.

Beverly Upton, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Consortium, urged the Commission to not approve the proposed budget. Ms. Upton explained that the Partner Agencies in partnership with the Commission have worked collaboratively in meeting with the Board of Supervisors and to the Mayor’s Office in reinstate funding cuts.

Stacey Mazzo with the Community Youth Center (CYC) explained that CYC supports LGBT Youth who are 2 times more likely to experience violence in their relationships. She requested that the Commission reject the proposed budget.

Rachel West, In Defense of Prostitute Women, requested the Commission not approve the proposed budget. Ms. West explained that sex workers are a vulnerable population and data on violence against sex workers is not easily available as this is a hidden crime. A cut in funding would impact the intervention and prevention efforts that her organization provides to this vulnerable population.

Vera Inoue-Terris, Social Services Director at the Arab Cultural Center, explained that the funding from the Department supports vital services to the Arab community. In January alone the Center gained 15 new clients and 1 human trafficking case. The Center is one of the only providers of services that are linguistically, and culturally sensitive to the Arab community and 99% of their clients are monolingual or limited English speakers.

Janelle White, Executive Director of San Francisco Women Against Rape, explained that many of the partner agencies are facing cuts at the federal, state and local level. Thus the actual reduction in funding it is more than what is being proposed. Ms. White urged the Commission to reject the proposed budget reductions.

Stella and 3 of her peers with Young Asian Women Against Violence (YAWAV) explained the negative consequences to the community if funding were cut. Not only does the Department’s funding go towards educating youth, but it also helps provide immediate shelter and medical counseling. Stella requested the Commission not approve the proposed budget.

Kathy Black, Executive Director of La Casa de las Madres, explained that funding reduction chip away at the few resources women, teens, and children who experience domestic violence. Ms. Black stated that this must be brought to the attention of the public during this crucial time. Ms. Black thanked the Department and Commission for their continued support and urged the Commission to reject the proposed budget reductions.

Yulonda Kwong, with Donaldina Cameron House, explained that her agency provides case management, support groups, counseling services, help for children who have witnessed violence, and many other services. Written testimonial was also provided. Ms. Kwong requested the Commission not approve the proposed budget.

Commissioners thanked the Partner Agencies for the dialogue and testimony as it helps when the Commissioners meet with the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor.

Action: To reject the proposed budget for FY12-14 with reduced funding.
m/s/c (Shorter/Soo/Unanimous)

B. Domestic Violence Discussion .
Sonia Melara, Executive Director of the Ralley Family Visitation Services Proogram, explained that her agency helps children who have been exposed to violence visit with their parents in a secure environment. Ms. Melara explained that domestic violence is not only a women’s issue, but also a family issue.

Jane Bernard Powers with Democratic Women in Action explained that it has been noted that th incidence of domestic violence increases during an economic downturn and that given the current economic crisis, a case needs to be made to our local leaders of how vital the services are that are being provided by our Partner Agencies. San Francisco has been a model of how agencies can successfully partner together to provide services.

Amy Hittner, with Democratic Women in Action and a Professor Emerita at San Francisco State University explained early intervention and education on violence has been successful.

Sharon Johnson, former Executive Director of the Department on the Status of Women, explained that domestic violence is clearly not a family matter. Ms. Johnson asked the Commission to continue to be advocates for domestic violence victims and survivors and to advocate to our local leaders about the importance of violence against women services.

Stella King, with the Asian Women’s Shelter thanked the Commission for rejecting the proposed budget cuts. The services Partner Agencies provide make a holistic network of services. Cuts to these vital services will affect the entire network.

Commissioners thanked the Partner Agencies for their compelling testimonials and shared their concern with proposed funding cuts. Commissioners expressed that we need to remove the stigma that goes along with victims of violence, give them a voice. Education and prevention are key components that should continue to be emphasized. This is a crucial time in San Francisco and the Commission has taken a firm stance in not supporting cuts to vital and important services. Commissioners restated that domestic violence is not a family matter as it affects our entire community. They take pride and in what the Commission on the Status of Women has done and continues to do. The services Partner Agencies are available to everyone regardless of their background or demographics. Commissioners echoed how proud they are of the network and community approach the agencies have taken in serving victims of violence. The Commissioners will continue to advocate for services to women, girls, families and the communities we live in to try to live free of violence.

VI. Reports

A. Association of California Commissions on Women
Commissioner Alicia Gamez attended the statewide retreat on January 13- January 15. The retreat included discussion on the budget cuts to the California Commission and how the economic crisis is affecting local commissions. The ACCW passed a resolution supporting the proposal to bring the 5WCW to San Francisco. The next meeting will be held in Sacramento, close to state legislature representative so they can advocate for the California Commission.

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn the meeting in memory of Ellen Pence, Warren Hellman, John Buchanan, Jr., Elaine McKeon, Bingham Ray and Russell Benioff.
m/s/c (Shorter/Soo/Unanimous)
No public comment.

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