October 24, 2012

COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Members Present Staff Present
President Julie Soo Executive Director Emily M. Murase, PhD
Vice President Nancy Kirshner- Media & Community Affairs Director Aimee Allison
Rodriguez Outreach and Development Manager Stacey Hoang
Commissioner Alicia Gamez Policy Director Ann Lehman
Commissioner Kay Gulbengay Grants Administrator Carol Sacco
Commissioner Becca Prowda Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Commissioner Andrea Shorter Public Policy Fellow Nancy Rock

I. Welcome
President Julie Soo called the meeting to order at 5:03pm.

Action: Excuse Commissioners Alicia Gamez and Becca Prowda.
m/s/c (Kirshner-Rodriguez/Gulbengay/Unanimous)

Action: Approve agenda.
m/s/c (Gulbengay/Kirshner-Rodriguez/Unanimous)

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
No quorum at the time to approve. Minutes will be differed to next meeting.

III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Dr. Murase reported that Community Outreach Director Aimee Allison and Marilyn Fowler of the Women’s Intercultural Network (WIN), traveled to New York as part of a WIN delegation to meet with officials from the State Department, the UN, leading NGOs, and Foundation leadership to discuss plans to mark the 20 year anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action. The delegation shared the just-completed San Francisco 5WCW Steering Committee position paper that lays out our view on holding a 5WCW without opening agreements that could reverse gains in women’s human rights.

Dr. Murase reported that on September 27, the Department hosted a GEP panel at the inaugural 3% Conference that brought together, for the first time, female creative directors from across the country. Kat Gordon, an advertising executive, was inspired to create the 3% Conference after witnessing first-hand how women were not in senior leadership positions in the advertising industry and were often absent in business pitches, especially on the creative side. She wanted to discuss why the most powerful consumer segment in the world -- women – was not being marketed to from a place of understanding. Over 200 individuals were in attendance from throughout the country.

Entitled “Genderize Your Marketing: What You Don't Know Could Cost You” and was organized by Policy Director Ann Lehman, the GEP panel of marketing experts laid out the business case for effectively using gender principles in marketing and, in particular, how to capitalize on the $7 trillion female consumer market. This event is an example of how the GEP is working to advance gender equality in workplace.

Dr. Murase was pleased to announce that the second contract amendments for FY 2012-2013 to allocate the Cost of Doing Business increase and additional funds from the Board of Supervisors are all in place and the funds have been encumbered. Partner Agencies continue to provide vital services and, to date, have spent just over $500,000 or 18% of the grant funding.

Dr. Murase reported that on October 15, the Department held a press conference in conjunction with Supervisors Eric Mar and Malia Cohen to announce legislation for a workplace domestic violence policy for city employees. President Julie Soo, Justice & Courage Oversight Panel Chair Andrea Shorter, and I gave brief remarks. Through this press conference, the public received a strong message from Commission and Department leaders that the push for policy reforms in domestic violence response will continue.

Policy Director Ann Lehman met with the First Lady of Moldova Margareta Timofti, Principal Consultant, Community Law and Legislative Information Section, Legal Directorate of the Moldovan Parliament. They discussed the Department’s work and also how Moldova could produce a status of women and girls report. Ms. Timofti explained that 80% of immigrants were women because they were able to work in families’ homes and save on room and board. As in the San Francisco Bay Area, trafficking is a major concern in Moldova.

Dr. Murase reminded Commissioners that October marks the kick-off of San Francisco’s annual Heart of the City Combined Charities Campaign and encourage Commissioners to participate in this important effort and contribute before the end of the month. Dr. Murase acknowledged with Carol Sacco, as she is coordinating the Department and Commission’s efforts.

Dr. Murase lastly announced that the Department is coordinating the Fifth Annual Cell Phone Drive for City departments and employees during the month of October and has again partnered with the Department of the Environment. Donated cell phones are sent to a recycling facility where reusable materials, nickel, iron, cadmium, lead and cobalt from the batteries, are reclaimed. All unusable phones are disposed of in accordance with all local and national environmental standards. When cell phones and accessories are in good working order, they may be refurbished and donated back to local non-profits and distributed to women escaping domestic violence.

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: Approve consent agenda.
m/s/c (Kirshner-Rodriguez/Gulbengay/Unanimous)

A. Resolution Recognizing Libby Denebeim
B. Resolution Recognizing Congresswoman Jackie Speier
C. Resolution Recognizing the 10th Annual Cheyenne Bell Awards
D. Resolution Recognizing the October 11 as the First International Day of the Girl
E. Resolution Authorizing the Department on the Status of Women to Accept a $650,000 Grant from the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women

Dr. Murase thanked Cookab Hashemi, Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Jackie Speier, for attending and recognized Congresswoman Speier for her efforts in speaking on behalf of the women who have served proudly for this country and offer our full support for her continued leadership on this important issue. Ms. Hashemi thanked the Commission for their continued support and recognition. Vice President Nancy Krishner-Rodriguez stated that it was great to see a woman as Chief of Staff.

Marlene Sanchez, Executive Director of the Center for Young Women’s Development, thanked her staff Shirley Scarlet, Gaby Valle and Dr. Maya Bell. Ms. Sanchez thanked the Commission for the recognition. Commissioner Shorter acknowledged the legacy of Cheyenne Bell and recognized her as a powerful and fierce sister and recognized Ms. Sanchez for her leadership.

Dr. Murase announced the 1st ever International Day of the Girl and announced that the Commission would be recognizing a girl by the name of Malala Yousafzai who was born in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. At the age of 11, gave a speech at a local press club in Peshawar stating, “How dare the Taliban take away my basic right to education?” By grade 7, Malala started writing for The BBC about life living under the Taliban and continued to do so even after her school shut down and others were destroyed due to a Taliban edict that no girls could attend school after January 15, 2009. On October 9, 2012 Malala was targeted and shot twice by a Taliban gunman, her young life included being the subject of a New York Times documentary, being interviewed by various domestic and international media, chairing the District Child Assembly Swat, participating in the Institute for War and Peace Reporting’s “Open Minds” project, being nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize, and winning Pakistan’s National Youth Peace Prize, among others the Commission wishes to recognize the courage of Malala Yousafzai.

Dr. Murase reported that the that the Department has been awarded a 2-year grant of $650,000 by the Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women to continue an outreach program of the District Attorney’s to Limited English Proficient survivors of domestic violence.

V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Gender Analysis of Commission Appointments Presentation
Dr. Murase introduced Maria Martinez, a long-time dedicated staff member of the Department of Health who completed a master's of public affairs at the University of San Francisco. As part of her master's thesis, she and two classmates, Esin Nacar and Aimee Nichols, conducted an analysis of Commission appointments from 1994 to 2011. Ms.Martinez a graduate of the University of San Francisco Masters of Public Affairs Program, presented her report “From 1994 to 2011: Are San Francisco Commissions More Representative?”

Ms. Martinez recounted that, as a community activist, she initiated an analysis of Commission appointments in 1994. There were many deficiencies in Commission appointments from the perspective of cultural equity and gender equity. The team's analysis revealed that, overall, gender equity had improved. By 2011, the number of women appointed to Commissions roughly equaled the number of women in the San Francisco population. However, closer analysis revealed continuing inequities, particularly on Commissions overseeing the largest budgets. There are still no American Indian appointments. Collecting data on LGBT appointments was very challenging. Asian American and Latino appointments lag representation in the general population. The team concluded that while improvements have been made, work remains in ensuring that minority representation on Commissions is expanded.

Discussion focused on how to ensure expanded representation of minorities in Commission appointments. Ms. Martinez observed that appointments appear to be handled disparately by appointing bodies (Mayor's Office, Board of Supervisors) and without a city-wide view. Commissioners explored possible obstacles to diverse appointments, including a lack of clarity around professional qualifications.

Vice President Kirshner-Rodriguez suggested having the same presentation at the Board of Supervisors. Commissioner Shorter stated how important it is to have women and people of color oversee larger budgets and was pleased to see that the census data was being used. Commissioner Shorter also offered to work together to better gather LGBT data.

Robin Brasso urged a requirement for all appointments to account for diversity goals.

B. The Trust Women Silver Ribbon Campaign
Dr. Ellen Shaffer gave a presentation entitled "Protecting and Celebrating Reproductive Rights." The goals of the Silver Ribbon Campaign is to "inspire action and public support for reproductive health and rights." In January 2012, the campaign hosted a "Trust Women Week" in which 82 organizations generated thousands of messages for reproductive choice, health and justice on an online map of the U.S. Banners proclaiming these messages were put up along Market Street in January 2012. Dr. Shaffer invited the Commission to support the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade to be celebrated on January 26, 2013, 10 am - 12N, on Justin Herman Plaza. Commissioners suggested additional organizations for Dr. Shaffer to connect with.

VI. Reports
Commissioner Shorter reported that the next Justice & Courage next Justice and Courage Meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 8 at 9:30 am, City Hall, Room 408. Commissioner Shorter expressed her concern over the continued work on improving San Francisco's domestic violence policy response given the reinstatement of the Sheriff who has been convicted of a domestic violence-related charge.

Vice President Kirshner-Rodriguez reported that JaMel Perkins and Dr. Murase joined her at a trafficking panel organized by the United Nations Association of the East Bay on Monday. She stated that there has been a strong effort to ensure that services continue to be provided to domestic violence survivors and their families.

President Julie Soo reported on the Healthy San Francisco Advisory Group meeting last Friday. Women are well-represented among clients of the Healthy San Francisco program at roughly 50%. She voiced her commitment to ensuring that the message of San Francisco's focus on women's public safety reaches the community.

Vice President Kirshner-Rodriguez reported that she Jamel Perkins of the Justice and Courage Oversight Panel and Dr. Murase attended the UN Association of the East Bay Human Trafficking event.

VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Beverly Upton, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Consortium, thanked the Commissioners for their courage and dedication related to standing with domestic violence advocates and survivors.

Dr. Murase introduced Nancy Rock, a new Public Policy Fellow with the Department.

VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.
m/s/c (/Unanimous)
No public comment.

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