Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-17-2013 CSW minutes APPROVEDCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Approved as Circulated 5/17/13 Board/Committee: I COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Meeting Date I April 17, 2013 Location Mo`ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2AB Start of Meeting: 5:02 p.m. End of Meeting: 6:15 p.m. Present Chair Ulii Castor (entered at 5:05); Vice -Chair Jade Battad; Members: Regina Carvalho; Deslynn Jaquias; Ihilani Laureta; Cherie Mooy; Nancy Nagarkar Also Ex- Officio, Lisa Ellen Smith; Deputy County Attorney Amy Esaki; Boards & Commissions Office Staff. Teresa Tamura, Mayor's Administrative Aide; Cherisse Zaima, Support Clerk; Guest: Savita Agarwal Excused Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Prior to the start of the meeting, Council Administrative Assistant Eddie To enio gave the Oath of Office to member Ihilani Laureta. Call To Order Vice -Chair Battad called the meeting to order at 5:03 p m with 6 members present. Approval of Regular Open Session minutes of February 20, 2013 Ms. Carvalho moved to approve the minutes as Minutes circulated. Ms. Mooy seconded the motion. Motion carried 6:0. Communications ■ CSW 2013 -07 Emails dated February 27, 2013 and March 7, 2013 to Cathy Betts, Executive Director of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women regarding Ms. Betts' possible attendance at the April 17, 2013 Kauai CSW meeting_ Staff informed the Committee that she has been in communication with Ms. Betts via email, who stated she was unable to attend this meeting due to the Legislative Session and that she is still interested in attending a meeting in May. Staff suggested the Committee put together a list of specific questions or items they wish to discuss with Ms. Betts. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Battad asked if a response was received on whether or not the Women's Leadership Conference will be held this year. The Committee was informed by Staff and Ms. Smith that no response was received regarding the conference at this point. There was discussion on putting together a specific list of items to be discussed with Ms. Betts ahead of time which would allow her to prepare Ms. Castor entered the meeting at 5:05 p.m. her responses. Ms. Battad stated that the Leadership Conference, funding options, and other counties' activities were some of the topics of importance. Committee members made suggestions, followed by discussion, on ideas for events /programs the Committee could consider, which included: - Public Service Announcements on teen domestic violence, such as what Hawaii County has done - The implementation of a Kauai Leadership Conference in partnership with other local organizations - Support for Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Ms. Battad reminded the Committee that they are still on the topic of Ms. Betts' possible attendance at a future Committee meeting. ■ CSW 2013 -08 Letter dated March 1, 2013 to Governor Neil Abercrombie from Vice Chair Jade Battad in support of the Hawaii International Women's Leadership Conference Committee members gave praise to the letter and Ms. Battad thanked the Boards and Commissions staff for drafting it. It was noted that there has not yet been a response from the Governor however, Ms. Smith has offered Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION to speak to him when she sees him at the signing of the Compassionate Care Act on Oahu. • CSW 2013 -09 Letter dated March 1, 2013 to the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women from Vice Chair Jade Battad to request funding for students to attend the Hawaii International Women's Leadership Conference • CSW 2013 -10 Email dated March 7, 2013 to Cathy Betts, Executive Director of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women regarding the re- direction of funding should the Hawaii International Women's Leadership Conference not be held this year Ms. Mooy asked for clarification on the term "re- direction ". Ms. Smith explained that if the State does not hold the Leadership Conference, the Committee could do one here which could be funded by the State. The Committee agreed that they need to first come up with a solid plan in order to implement something like that. ■ CSW 2013 -11 Email dated March 19, 2013 from member Kanani Alapa to the Committee on the Status of Women announcing her resignation Ms. Battad mentioned that Kanani has been a part of the committee for a long time and she bids her a fond farewell. Ms. Carvalho moved to receive all Ms. Battad asked for a motion to receive all communications. communications. Ms. Nagarkar seconded the motion. Motion carried 7:0 Treasurer's ■ FY 2012/2013 Budget Report Ms. Castor reported that the current budget shows a balance of $1,939.72 that needs to be expended by June 30, 2013, noting the importance of Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION getting that money spent as it will get returned at the end of the fiscal year. She suggested the purchase of Status of Women T- shirts and bags and asked for more suggestions. It was suggested that some of the money also be used for the purchase of a table at the YWCA luncheon if possible. Staff noted that an email has been sent to Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark Ms. Battad moved to accept the Treasurer's to determine whether that is allowable. report. Ms. Nagarkar seconded the motion. Motion carried 7:0 Chair Castor asked the Committee members to get their ideas together on how to spend the money so that a decision can be made at the next meeting. Ms. Nagarkar asked whether the items need to be received by end of June or just ordered. Chair Castor explained that the money needs to be expended by the end of June, but items can be received after. Ms. Smith asked if a motion needs to be made to purchase a table at the YWCA luncheon if allowable to which Ms. Carvalho replied that it had already been done at the last meeting. Business ■ CSW 2013 -05 Nomination and selection of Chair Ms. Battad explained that because of her current employment with the Ms. Carvalho nominated Ms. Castor to the County, she cannot serve as Chair. position of Chair for 2013. Ms. Laureta seconded. The motion carried 7:0 Ms. Castor asked for nominations for her former position of Treasurer. Ms. Battad moved to nominate Ms. Laureta to the position of Treasurer for 2013. Ms. Carvalho seconded the motion. The motion carried 7:0 Ms. Castor took over as Chair for the remainder of the meeting. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION ■ CSW 2012 -06 Discussion and decision - making on finalizing the calendar of events for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2012/2013 Ms. Carvalho asked whether the Committee would be attending the YWCA luncheon that is coming up in the next few weeks that was discussed at the last meeting. Chair Castor recognized member of the public, Savita Agarwal, to submit testimony. Ms. Agarwal stated that YWCA is arranging for the leadership conference and suggested that the Committee consider partnering with them since the Committee is also considering hosting a leadership conference of their own. Ms. Agarwal further mentioned that she is a YWCA board member and that the Committee may contact her if they wish to convey anything to the YWCA board. Several Committee members expressed some confusion about the event just reported by Ms. Agarwal. Ms. Smith asked for clarification on whether the luncheon was actually the Recognition of Women Leaders in the Community and not a leadership conference. Ms. Agarwal confirmed that it was the recognition luncheon but mentioned that the YWCA was talking about having a leadership conference in the future but she is unsure when that will happen. She reiterated that the Committee should talk to them about it. Ms. Castor asked for further clarification on the event that is taking place this year . Ms. Smith stated that she spoke to Renae Hamilton, YWCA Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Kauai Executive Director, about the possibility of collaborating with the Committee of the Status of Women to do a leadership conference in the future and this particular luncheon mentioned by Ms. Agarwal is a separate event coming up in May to honor women leaders in the community. Ms. Mooy asked for the date of the luncheon. Ms. Agarwal Staff will distribute information to committee stated that she did not have the information but would contact Staff with members once received by Ms. Agarwal. the date. Ms. Battad asked whether the Committee could purchase a table at the Staff will check with the Deputy County luncheon with the funds from the Committee's budget. Attorney on funding options for this event. Ms. Agarwal also mentioned that there was another issue that the Committee had an on -going discussion about that involved young females in the schools. Ms. Battad noted that Theresa Koki of Life's Choices Kauai had previously discussed some of the possibilities of partnering with her on the various programs and events. Staff advised the Committee to hold off on discussing this topic because the item is listed later into the agenda. A few members noted some events the Committee should attend: - Walk A Mile In Her Shoes in October (Ms. Mooy will confirm date) - International Women's Leadership Conference on Oahu if it is still taking place - Domestic Violence Candlelit Vigil Ms. Nagarkar asked for clarification on what the Committee is doing with the Zonta Club. Ms. Carvalho stated that she and Nancy attended one of Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION their meetings and that she had the opportunity to speak with Edie Ignacio - Neumiller about the events the Committee has done in the past and how they can support each other in the future. She further stated that they need to focus on learning how to partner with other organizations to make a bigger impact and that she would reconnect with Edie Ignacio - Neumiller and keep the Committee posted. Ms. Battad reiterated for clarification that there are still things that need to be done, such as finalizing the calendar and finding dates of events the Committee is interested in: - YWCA recognition luncheon - May - Life's Choices Health Fair - September - Walk A Mile In Her Shoes - October - Breast Cancer Walk - October Ms. Nagarkar asked if any of the women's organizations have ever come to share with the Committee on what they're doing. There was discussion on inviting some groups or agencies to attend future meetings as a way to discuss possible collaboration and support. A suggestion was made to invite a representative from another agency /organization to come to a meeting to share what things they do that relate to women's issues. Lisa Ellen asked if Savita could request that Renae Hamilton, Executive Staff will follow up. Director of YWCA, or a representative of the agency come to an upcoming meeting to do a brief presentation. Vice Chair Battad requested to redirect the meeting back to the Treasurer's Report. She asked Chair Castor to present the report in the capacity of her former position as Treasurer. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION ■ CSW 2012 -10 Discussion and decision - making on co- sponsorship for FY 2012/13 (on- going) ➢ Determine which local non - profit organizations the Committee is interested in co- sponsoring with and establish points of contact Ms. Battad noted that they had already previously discussed this and suggested it remain on- going. Ms. Laureta asked whether there was a process for inviting agencies and organizations to do a presentation at a meeting to see if the Committee would like to partner with them, or send a CSW representative to one of their meetings. Ms. Battad stated that they would prefer to have the agency /organization representative come here so the whole Committee could receive the information. Ms. Battad also noted that Staff could contact the agencies and include interested parties on the meeting agendas. There was discussion on which agencies /organizations the Committee would like to have at upcoming meetings. Ms. Jaquias suggested the organization Women In Need (WIN), noting a few of the things the organization does such as the Job Fair and Mother's Day makeovers for program participants in collaboration with Boston Hair Design. They have regular weekly meetings and do allow community members to spend time with the women, which Ms. Jaquias has done. Ms. Battad agreed it would Staff will contact Kim at Women In Need to be a good idea to have a WIN representative come to a meeting. invite her to do a presentation at an upcoming meeting. There was further discussion on how to go about doing invitations to which Ms. Laureta suggested that the Committee work through the Boards and Commissions Staff and requested that a standard template be made which Staff will draft a template and submit to Chair can be used for such communication. Castor for approval. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 9 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION ■ CSW 2012 -22 Discussion on outreach to middle schools regarding issues of self - esteem, body image, peer pressure and making etter choices (on- going) ➢ Create a partnership plan to present to Life's Choices Kauai Coordinator Theresa Koki ➢ Determine possible meeting date for Life's Choices Kauai presentation Chair Castor stated that this is still ongoing and would like to get a hold of Theresa Koki to do a presentation at an upcoming meeting. Staff shared a communication from Ms. Koki who indicated that she would be willing to attend a meeting to do a presentation if the Committee could first come up with a partnership plan that includes the following information: - Level of commitment - once a month, once a year, etc. - Areas of the island - What schools to include? Private schools also? - What age groups? - Specific types of activities of interest - Talk story, lecture, help with tutoring or after school? It was mentioned that the Committee could assist with programs /events already in place rather than creating something new. There was extensive discussion of how they can assist the Life's Choices Kauai program both as a Committee and as individuals. Ms. Smith suggested that they sign up with Life's Choices as volunteers so when events come up, they can be pulled from that list. Prompted by Ms. Laureta, there was discussion on both the Girl's Court program that is currently being done by O`ahu's 1St Circuit Court and the Teen Court Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 10 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION program done by Hale Opio on Kauai. There was further discussion on possibly participating as mentors, which would create a link between CSW, Hale Opio and Life's Choices Kauai since many of these programs overlap. Ms. Laureta further suggested that the Committee consider focusing on the implementation of a Girl's Court program here on Kauai, which could include a retreat that could be funded out of CSW's budget. Ms. Battad stated that so far they have been looking at ways to tag on to other programs, but why not start their own. She is confident that with the talent and resources they currently have on the Committee, they would be able to put together some kind of plan to do so. Ms. Laureta mentioned that part of her job at OPA is to take statistics, and offered to do a presentation at an upcoming meeting to share basic Kauai statistics that may give them a better idea of the types of crimes being committed, in what area and at what age. This would allow them to try and find out why these young women are participating in this behavior and be Staff will include on the agenda for the May more proactive in trying to prevent it. meeting a statistics presentation by Ihilani Laureta. ■ CSW 2012 -32 Discussion and decision - making as it relates to potential Committee events and projects for FY 2013/2014 (On- going) Chair Castor noted that they've already previously discussed some of the events they would like to participate in and provided a brief recap. Ms. Mooy shared with the Committee that for March Women's History month the AAUW (American Association of University Women) has been oin into grammar schools dressed up as famous women, such as Amelia Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 11 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Earhart, and giving speeches and having discussions completely in character to give students an idea of who these famous women are. They only have about 6 or 7 women currently doing this and Ms. Mooy stated that if anyone is interested in doing that, they could participate, which would be a tie in to another organization. Ms. Smith noted that the Equal Pay Day for Women Proclamation was done by Mayor Carvalho on April 9, 2013. Ms. Battad thanked the Boards and Commissions staff for all their help in supporting the Committee. Ms. Carvalho asked Ms. Agarwal about the Empowerment Coaching she provides and asked if she could be put on the agenda to do a presentation at Staff will follow up with Ms. Agarwal to an upcoming meeting. schedule. There was discussion on Legislative Bill tracking and the importance of submitting testimony. Ms. Smith announced that the Emergency Contraceptive bill has passed after 16 years and will be signed by the Governor on Monday. Ms. Laureta offered to track bills for the Committee which prompted Ms. Carvalho to ask if the Committee could put together some kind of Legislative Tracking workshop that would provide this type of information to other women. Ms. Laureta requested to be placed on the next agenda to provide information on the legislative process and to discuss spearheading such a workshop. (Various discussions and over - talking). Ms. Battad stated that she felt this would greatly benefit the Committee members because part of the Committee's responsibilities is to keep track of women's issues. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session April 17, 2013 Page 12 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Announcements Ms. Smith noted a letter that she wrote in support of the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy, which is in jeopardy of losing funding. Ms. Mooy announced that on Monday, April 22, KCC (Kaua`i Community College) students are doing the following presentations: Sink or Swim Ocean Safety; Safe, Sustainable Sex — STI prevention; Your Children, Our Future; Car seat safety from 11 a.m. — 4 p.m. Staff reminded the Committee about the Volunteer Appreciation Proclamation event being held on April 30, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. in the Civic Center rotunda area. Next Meeting — May 15, 2013, 5:00 p.m. at the Moikeha Building in Meeting Room 2A/2B. Adjournment Ms. Battad moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Mooy seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm. Submitted by: Cherisse Zaima, Staff Support Clerk () Approved as circulated (add date of meeting approval). () Approved as amended. See minutes of meeting. Reviewed and Approved by: Charlene Castor, Chair