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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041812_CSW MINUTES-APPROVED (bd) COUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Approved as circulated 9/19/12 Board/Committee: COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Meeting Date April 18 , 2012 Location Mo'ikeha Building—Meeting Room 2A/B Start of Meeting: 5:06 p.m. End of Meeting: 5:45 p.m. Present Chair Regina Carvalho; Vice-Chair Kanani Alapa; Members: Uli'i Castor, Cherie Mooy, and Savita Agarwal Also Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark; Board& Commissions Office Staff. Support Clerk Mercedes Youn; Administrative Aide Teresa Tamura Excused Absent Anne Punohu, Jade Battad SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Carvalho called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of March 21, 2012 Ms. Mooy moved to approve the minutes as Minutes circulated. Ms. Castor seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 Business CSW 2011-10 Discussion on co-sponsorship for fiscal year 2012-13. (On- going) Ms. Alapa felt that the Habitat for Humanity would be a good organization to partner with and suggested that the Committee invite Jessica Calbo, Volunteer Program Coordinator for the Habitat for Humanity to a future meeting. She mentioned that she would contact Ms. Calbo to invite her. Chair Carvalho indicated that she would not be able to attend the Habitat for Humanity Women Build project on May 5th due to another commitment. She encouraged the members to take pictures if they decide to attend. The Committee decided upon the following organizations as co-sponsors for future events: American Cancer Society and YWCA. Chair Carvalho indicated that she would contact Ranae Hamilton at the YWCA to ask her if she would consider partnering with the Committee on Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 18, 2012 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION future events. Deputy County Attorney Clark advised the members that they should have the names of the organizations listed in their budgeted for submittal before May 15th when the final budget is approved by Council. Chair Carvalho mentioned that at a previous meeting, Ms. Morikami indicated that the budget was finalized however, she felt that the Committee should be able to make some adjustments. Deputy County Attorney Clark advised the members that they should list the names of the organizations that they would like to co-sponsor with no later than the next meeting for presentation to the Council. She explained that this would create a formal mechanism in which the Committee can have their name as part of the advertisement for the designated event. Staff informed the members that the Committee's budget falls under the Boards and Commissions budget and that their budget review had already gone before the Council. Ms Mooy questioned whether the Committee should chose an event in which they can just be volunteers rather than giving money; for example, the Mokihana golf tournament. Chair Carvalho suggested that the Committee plan something with the County's new Life Choices Kauai, formerly known as the Anti-Drug Office. There was a suggestion that the Committee look into participating in certain events that other women organizations are holding. There was Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 18, 2012 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION discussion on participating in the American Cancer Society golf tournament, an event that was held last year. Ms. Mooy suggested the Humane Society. Chair Carvalho suggested that the Committee help women who have been previously incarcerated by holding motivational workshops and invite guest speakers from financial institutions to do a presentation on basic finance. She also inquired whether the Committee would be allowed to have refreshments at the event. Deputy County Attorney Clark explained that Section 20.02 of the County Charter t states that no officer or employee of the county shall (a) solicit, accept or receive, directly or indirectly, any gift, whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, entertainment,hospitality, thing or promise or in any other form, under circumstances in which it can reasonably be inferred that the gift is intended to influence him in the performance of his official duties or is intended as a reward for any official action on his part. Chair Carvalho stated that it would not necessarily be for purchasing of leis or providing refreshments because the event would be for educational purposes. Deputy County Attorney Clark explained that Section 20.02 does not imply to the issues on how the Committee wants to spend their money. Staff informed the Committee that any event that the Committee selects would have to be an annual event because it will be itemized in the budget. Ms. Mooy suggested the Committee look into holding two (2) events a year, one of which would be the September Health Fair. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 18, 2012 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Alapa stated that the issue is not that the Committee can hold the event, it's about co-sponsorship and that is why it was mentioned that it should be an annual thing. The Committee decided to select the Habitat for Humanity Women's Build program for next year's event. Chair Carvalho noted that she understood that funds are available from the State and that the funds could be allocated from the State for any island that has program initiatives. Staff explained that this process is different from the County's budget and that the Committee could request for funds from the State. Deputy County Attorney Clark explained that once the funds are granted by the State, the Committee must ask for Council's approval to accept the funds slated for that specific event. Ms. Mooy informed the Committee that the State Commission is under a new leadership and that Sharon Ferguson-Smith, Executive Director for the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women is no longer there. In addition, Ms. Mooy mentioned that another event that the Committee might want to consider is the Domestic Violence Awareness event which is held at St. Michael's Church in Lihue annually. Chair Carvalho indicated that she would follow-up with them. CSW 2012-01 Discussion and decision-making on participating in the 2012 Walk a Mile in Her Shoe Event®. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 18, 2012 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Mooy informed the Committee that this is an annual event which is scheduled for April 20, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. at the Kaua'i Community College. She noted that the event is not a fund raising event and is only to bring public awareness to domestic violence. CSW 2012-02 Discussion and decision-making on the Committee's 3r Annual Essay Contest. Ms. Alapa suggested the essay should be typed, doubled spaced with a two (2)page minimum and focus on the theme "Educate Women and Change the World". Ms. Mooy indicated that she would look into what the exact date of the conference would be. Chair Carvalho asked when the contest should start. Ms. Mooy stated that the Committee should start the contest now to attract more participants to enter. Ms. Castor stated that she would contact Ms. Puni Patrick of the Kauai Youth leadership and invite her to attend the meeting in May. Ms. Alapa suggested that the eligibility requirements for the grades be changed from 6th grade to 8th grade through 12th grade. The members agreed. Chair Carvalho suggested that the flyers be placed at the libraries. Ms. Mooy asked whether there would be enough funds for three winners. Chair Carvalho wondered the same thing. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 18, 2012 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Staff informed the members that the total cost for last year was in the amount of$1500, which leaves $500 in the budget. Chair Carvalho suggested that this year the Committee should send only two (2) winners, including two (2) chaperones The members agreed. Ms. Mooy asked whether the Chair's travel cost would be covered, as she remembers the State at one time did cover the Chair's costs. She indicated that she would look into it. Staff will make the necessary changes to the flyer for distribution by the members. CSW 2012-18 Recap of the March Women's History Month Event. Chair Carvalho expressed her gratitude to all of the members for their help and also thanked the Office of Boards and Commissions for their assistance with this event. She felt that the slide show presentation was a little lengthy and suggested that a shorter presentation would have been better. She did however, enjoy the guest speakers who gave their own recollection of Ms. Frazer. Ms. Mooy stated that she was more interested in the cultural components of the program that related to the translation of the English language to the Hawaiian language, rather than the person herself. Ms. Alapa appreciated the women from the "Substance of Hope"who chanted at the event. Ms. Mooy thought that topic was good and suggested that the Committee look into preparing for next year's event honoring someone from Kauai or Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 18, 2012 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION the State who has a significant background in arts, history, literature,hula or someone who is an advocate for women's issues. Announcements Next meeting—May 16, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. at the Mo'ikeha Building, in the Liquor Conference Room 3. Chair Carvalho voiced her concern that there seems to be a lack of communication from Ms. Smith other than a few emails; she asked what the status of her position at the State level. Deputy Attorney Clark informed the Committee that she does not have a whole lot of information to provide regarding that issue. Chair Carvalho noted that Ms. Smith should communicate with the Committee via a letter and provide them with updates from the State meetings. Ms. Alapa stated that whatever the issue is with Ms. Smith, she is not allowed to attend any County functions. Chair Carvalho asked what can be done to ensure that the Kauai Committee does not lack representation at the State level. Deputy Attorney Clark stated that because Ms. Smith is an appointee by the Governor, she would look into the matter and report back to the Committee at its next meeting. Staff asked Deputy Attorney Clark to email the information to her for forwarding to the members. Adjournment With no further business, Chair Carvalho called for a motion to adjourn the At 5:45 p.m. Ms. Agarwal moved to adjourn. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 18, 2012 Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION meeting. Ms Mooy seconded. Motion carried 5:0 Submitted by: Reviewed and Approved by: Mercedes Youn, Staff Support Clerk Regina Carvalho, Chair (x) Approved as circulated (9/19/12). ( ) Approved as amended. See minutes of meeting.