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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-16-13 Open Session minutes APPROVEDCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Approved As Circulated 2/20/13 Board/Committee: COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Meeting Date January 16, 2013 Location Mo'ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2A/B Start of Meeting: 5:05 p.m. End of Meeting: 5:43 p.m. Present Chair Savita Agarwal; Vice Chair Jade Battad; Members: Uli'i Castor(entered meeting at 5:10 p.m.); Deslynn Jaquias; Nancy Nagarkar Also Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark; Boards & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerks Cherisse Zaima and Mercedes Omo- Youn Excused Lisa Ellen Smith, Ex- Officio Absent Kanani Alapa; Regina Carvalho; Cherie Mooy SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Agarwal called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with 5 members present which constituted a quorum. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of January 16, 2013 Minutes Ms. Castor moved to approve the minutes as circulated. Ms. Nagarkar seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Business ■ CSW 2012 -10 Discussion on co- sponsorship for FY 2012/13. (On- going) (a) Communication dated 06/05/12 from Edie Ignacio - Neumiller, President of the Kauai Zonta Club, regarding possible partnership with the members of the Committee on the Status of Women on their upcoming events. Ms. Youn reported that Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller is waiting for communication from the committee to the Zonta Club indicating their interest in participating in the meeting at Hanama'ulu Cafe. She further suggested that they may discuss who will be volunteering to attend. Once selected, a follow -up letter will be sent to Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller with the names of the representatives. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 16, 2013 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Battad asked for the date of the event and stated that she could tentatively attend if she had that information. Ms. Nagarkar also stated that she could possibly attend if she knew the date. Ms. Jaquias noted the date shown in the minutes of the last meeting as being January 31, 2013. Ms. Battad and Ms. Nagarkar both affirmed that they will be able to attend. A third volunteer was requested. Ms. Castor stated she is unable to attend. Ms. Youn will ask Ms. Carvalho if she will be available. Chair Agarwal called for a motion for Jade Battad and Nancy Nagarkar to represent CSW at the January 31, 2013 Zonta meeting with the attendance of Regina Carvalho pending. Ms. Castor moved to accept Jade Battad and Nancy Nagarkar to represent CSW at the January 31, 2013 Zonta meeting with the attendance of Regina Carvalho pending. Ms. Battad seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 :0 • CSW 2012 -21 Review and discussion on the information from Lisa Ellen Smith, State Commission on the Status of Women Ms. Battad moved to receive and accept the Representative, on several women's legislative bills that were presented information as -is and table discussion due to the at last year's legislative session. (On- going) absence of Lisa Ellen Smith. Ms. Nagarkar seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 • CSW 2012 -28 Discussion on information from Lisa Ellen Smith State Commission on the Status of Women Representative, as it relates to potential State funding that the Committee of the Status of Women may utilize in the future. (On- going) Deferred to the February 2013 meeting. • CSW 2012 -31 A request from Ms. Pbliya Negra to address the members of the Committee on the Status of Women as it relates to the "Substance of Hope Program". (On- going) Deferred to February 2013 meeting. Staff will follow up with Ms. Ne ra to see if she is still Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 16, 2013 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION interested in remaining on the agenda. ■ CSW 2012 -32 Discussion and decision - making on potential Committee events and projects for 2013. (On- going) Ms. Battad stated that the Women's History Month, Health Fair, Paint the Town Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, and Leadership Conference are things they have done in the past and are currently on their calendar. The goal is to try to organize a schedule of events, discuss any additional events they would like to include, and finalize the calendar year so that they may provide that information to Edie Ignacio - Neumiller, Zonta Club President, to see how they can partner up. Chair Agarwal mentioned the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event and asked if that would be something the committee would like to participate in. At the prompting of Ms. Battad, Ms. Clark provided clarification on how committee members can participate. Ms. Clark explained that if the CSW wanted to sponsor something or donate funds, it would have to be through the County and the Council would have to approve it. If members want to attend as individuals, they can do so without Council approval as long as they do not participate in any Committee discussion or activity on behalf of the board. Ms. Agarwal asked whether or not they can present themselves as committee members, to which Ms. Clark asked if they would be having any activity or discussion that occurs on behalf of the board. Ms. Agarwal replied that while there would be no discussions, they would like to mention that they are members of the CSW. Ms. Clark further explained that it is okay for them to just say they are members of the board, but if they enter into discussions about how the committee wants to interact with another entity or participate in any board business, they would have to notice it as a meeting. Ms. Battad reiterated that they could show up, participate, have Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 16, 2013 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION their banner present while they walked, but could not stand up and speak on behalf of the CSW. Ms. Argawal feels that it would be good if they are able to do that since they are a committee that supports that type of cause. Ms. Clark suggested that if they wanted to participate in that capacity, they could make a list of all the activities they want to engage in and sponsor, then present it to the Council for approval. Ms. Youn further suggested that since the event is coming up in April, they should get a list to Council and get that out of the way. Ms. Battad affirmed that the committee will stick to the events already listed on their calendar, and then add the Walk A Mile event. Ms. Nagarkar asked for clarification on what the Women's Leadership conference is and who it is for. Ms. Argawal explained that it is for women in general from all over the country and the meeting is held in Honolulu. She mentioned the essay contest, from which winners are selected to attend the conference along with 2 chaperones from the committee. Ms. Nagarkar asked if the students were in high school or from KCC, to which Ms. Battad replied that they are high school students. Ms. Battad went on to explain that it is a very powerful conference put on by the Governor that includes speakers from all over the world sharing their stories on how they became a leader as a woman, having to overcome many different obstacles. An essay competition was put forth and anyone in the high schools could submit an essay on the topic provided. She noted that they were able to take 3 students in one of the years past. Ms. Youn provided the website information for further reference and information. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 16, 2013 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Argawal requested clarification on the number of chaperones allowed to go, to which Ms. Battad replied two chaperones are allowed. Ms. Argawal noted that if anyone wants to participate on their own, they are welcome to do so. Ms. Battad stated that they try to give all members an opportunity to go, and that all members, aside from Ms. Jaquias and Ms. Nagarkar, have been able to attend. No Action; on -going ■ CSW 2013 -01 Information provided by Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark, regarding resources the Members may utilize for official Committee business. (On- going) Ms. Clark stated that she did not have a lot of information to provide, but that she had been looking at what her counterparts in the other counties are doing and mentioned that Maui is getting a $3,000 grant through the State Commission. We do not have any sort of staff to be drafting up grant requests but if there are grant requests for any projects the committee is working on, Ms. Clark can review that. She noted that there is a lot of activity in some of the other counties concerning the status of certain laws and she can be a resource if committee members have questions about any specific laws such as the Equal Pay Act or other similar matters. Ms. Agarwal asked how we could obtain the $3,000 grant such as the other counties have received. Ms. Clark responded that upon looking at the agendas from the other counties, she saw that Catherine Betts, Executive Director of the State Commission on the Status of Women is willing to go out to the counties to make presentations, which Ms. Clark feels is extremely valuable. Ms. Clark spoke to the Maui counterpart who expressed that Ms. Betts provided them with numerous ideas about different ways to obtain funds for projects. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 16, 2013 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Battad and Ms. Agarwal agreed that it was a good idea to try and get Ms. Betts to come and do a presentation. One of the first steps would be to find out what it would entail to get her here. Ms. Battad went on to discuss the committee's concerns about the direction CWS is moving in. Different members are passionate about various things, such as homelessness, teenage suicide, and getting into the schools to try and make a difference in young women. There is a need for some guidance on what avenues and resources are available to them and what they can do as a committee. Ms Battad very respectfully stated that if Lisa Ellen Smith, as our State representative, was a little more visible or active with CSW, they would feel that they had a greater connection to the State committee. Ms. Agarwal would like to extend an invitation to Ms. Betts to come and do a presentation. Ms. Clark noted that Ms. Betts has visited other counties and feels it is not an unusual request. Ms. Agarwal would like to try to partner with any organizations that concern women such as YWCA or Zonta. Ms. Battad added that even if they are unable to implement partnerships with these groups, they should make it a point to attend events and functions in an attempt to be as very visible. Ms. Agarwal would like to obtain statistics on women's issues and have discussions on ways to assist women in need, if not financially, by providing moral support and guidance. Ms. Battad mentioned that the YWCA would most likely have that type of information. Ms. Clark mentioned that Ms. Castor put together a list of organizations and asked if it was still available, to which Ms. Castor replied that she still Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 16, 2013 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION had it. Ms. Youn added that it is still on file. Both Ms. Clark and Ms. Battad requested copies of that list. Ms. Agarwal stated that many times, women are capable but may be down or depressed and need a little support. She would like to try and have some lectures or trainings to help empower them. Ms. Nagarkar added to that by suggesting a "one- stop" type of women's fair where various types of information and resources would be made available, even things like fashion tips or breast exams. Ms. Battad noted that it seems similar to the Life's Choices Health Fair, and though it doesn't specifically focus on women, there are many things available to benefit women. She suggested asking Theresa Koki to partner up this year and have a talk session or guest speaker there to provide information, inspiration and empowerment. Ms. Battad also feels that based on her discussions with Ms. Koki there is a lot of help and support that CSW could provide to Life's Choices. No Action; on -going Announcements Next meeting — February 20, 2013, 5:00 p.m. at the Mo`ikeha Building, in Ms. Castor moved to approve the meeting Meeting Room 2 A/B. schedule for 2013. Seconded by Ms. Nagarkar. Motion carried 5:0 Ms. Battad would like to add to the February agenda that she will communicate with Ms. Betts and make a report at the next meeting. Ms. Battad welcomed new members, Deslynn Jaquias and Nancy Nagarkar and thanked them for being part of the committee. Ms. Battad also welcomed new Committee Support Clerk, Cherisse Zaima, and extended the committee's appreciation to Committee Support Clerk, Mercedes Youn and Deputy County Attorney, Mona Clark for all their help and support. Adjournment Chair Agarwal called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Nagarkar moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Castor. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 16, 2013 Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Motion carried 5:0 Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Staff Support Clerk Reviewed and Approved by: Savita Agarwal, Chair ( ) Approved as circulated (add date of meeting approval). ( ) Approved as amended. See minutes of meeting.