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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-15-2013 CSW minutes APPROVEDCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Approved as circulated 6/19/2013 Board/Committee: I COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Meeting Date May 15, 2013 Location Mo`ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2AB Start of Meeting: 5:15 p.m. End of Meeting: 6:15 p.m. Present Chair Ulii Castor; Vice -Chair Jade Battad; Members: Regina Carvalho; Deslynn Jaquias; Charee Watters Also: Ex- Officio, Lisa Ellen Smith; Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark; Boards & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerk Cherisse Zaima; Support Clerk Mercedes Youn; Administrative Aide Teresa Tamura Guests: Life's Choice Kauai Coordinator Theresa Koki; Lily Eden, member of the public Excused Cherie Mooy; Nancy Nagarkar; Ihilani Laureta Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Prior to the start of the meeting, Council Administrative Assistant Eddie Topenio gave the Oath of Office to member Charee Watters Prior to the start of the meeting Chair Castor recognized Lily Eden to provide public testimony. Ms. Eden stated that she met with Mayor Carvalho and Theresa Koki as well as Leialoha Sanchez of the YWCA to discuss Ms. Eden's work on the island and her future visions. Ms. Eden is from Aotearoa island in New Zealand and is of Maori ancestry; Tainui waka which originated from Kauai island many, many years ago. She has worked with Phil Villatora of the Children of the Land and taught at Kapa`a summer camps all last summer. Her non - profit organization is in need of funding. Ms. Eden is seeking support from the women of Kauai for her Rites of Passage workshops, which she has done in Aotearoa for young, at -risk Maori gi ris. She would like to bring this ritual, which has been forgotten Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session May 15, 2013 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION here in the West, back into our communities. She explained that the transition into adolescence can be a traumatic time for our young people and since there is no marked ceremony, they may not receive the knowledge or support they need during this transition into adulthood, especially as a woman. She noted that there was a time when all indigenous communities would take young women aside to teach them things such as understanding her own body, pregnancy, caring for her children, being a sister in the community, looking after elders, eating well, etc.; we no longer do this in our communities, yet it is so important. Ms. Eden shared some of the things she had done in past workshops relating to sex education, drug education, health and nutrition, life coaching, personal potential, personal safety and how to stay safe from violence. She feels it is a very powerful workshop and has noticed huge transitions in these girls in a very short time. Ms. Eden shared that she feels the lack of this acknowledgement is the reason many of our young people go so off track and try to create their own rites of passage by doing things like having sex at a very young age or committing crimes which make them feel like adults. Ms. Eden reported that Leialoha Sanchez of the YWCA has invited her to attend their camps in June, July and October at which she will be given the first 2 days of the 5 -day camp to work with the girls. Due to lack of funding, Ms. Eden did not have a location to hold her workshop, so she is very excited to have this opportunity and sees it as a first step. She would like to work in conjunction with the Children of the Land to hold this workshop regularly through the schools or other organizations, starting with young women and eventually putting one together for young men. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session May 15, 2013 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Eden is looking for support in any way, whether through funding, fundraising, guest speakers or any other appropriate avenue; she is open to any suggestions or opportunities to introduce her Rites of Passage work to the island. She would also like to work on a cultural exchange program to bring young people from Aotearoa and Tahiti to Kauai to strengthen that Polynesian triangle; all that would require would be the airfare to get them here. Call To Order Chair Castor called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. with 5 members present. Approval of Regular Open Session minutes of April 17, 2013 Ms. Carvalho moved to approve the minutes as Minutes circulated. Ms. Battad seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Treasurer's CSW 2012 -09 FY 2012/2013 Committee on the Status of Women Budget Report Chair Castor reported that at the last meeting, it was decided that the Committee would purchase items such as bags and t -shirts to utilize the balance of funds set to expire on June 30, 2013. Ms. Watters asked what the reason for buying the t -shirts was to which Ms. Carvalho replied that other Commissions, such as the Police Commission have shirts to signify who they are and that this Committee would like to do the same. Ms. Battad suggested that if they decide to have a Committee shirt, it should be more formal, like a collared polo, and t -shirts could be used for more casual events. Other suggestions for utilizing the remaining funds were to pay for seats at the YWCA luncheon and media items such as videos, books and brochures to be used for a lending library. There was further discussion on the budget timeline and procurement process. Ms. Watters asked if some of the money could be given to Children of the Land, who are in need of funding. In response to several questions posed b Committee members and a member of the public, Attorney Clark Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session May 15, 2013 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION explained that County money cannot be transferred to a third party, further explaining that if an organization would like to request funds, they would need to do a presentation at Council; the Committee does not have the authority to grant funds to other agencies. Attorney Clark also stated that in order to give money to a third party, it would need to be presented to Council as a line item in the budget for approval; the committee considered that possibility for future budgets. Staff also explained that shirts, bags and other items may be given to people who have participated in events such as the breast cancer walk, health fair, etc. as a gesture of thanks for participating. There was further discussion on committee shirts. Due to time constraints, Ms. Battad requested to suspend the rules to allow Ms. Koki to present on an upcoming agenda item. Business CSW 2012 -22 Discussion on outreach to middle schools regarding issues of self - esteem, body image, peer pressure and making better choices On- going) ➢ Presentation by Life's Choices Kauai Coordinator Theresa Koki Ms. Koki mentioned that she had a previous discussion with the Committee about a year and a half ago on helping with issues facing middle - school aged girls. Upon speaking with members of the Life's Choices Kauai Prevention advisory committee, it was noted that the confidentiality laws may make it difficult. Additionally, scientific studies have indicated that if you mentor a child once and do not continue to meet with them on a regular basis, the effects can be worse than if you had never mentored them at all. Therefore, the level of commitment is an important factor. However, Ms. Koki does encourage the Committee to participate in events. Child and Family Service, YWCA and Queen Lili`uokalani Children's Center always need volunteers to assist with or support events such as the Sandy G. memorial dedication that was currently taking lace. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session May 15, 2013 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Koki talked about domestic violence and sexual abuse, noting that in most cases, sexual assault victims know their assailants, who are often part of or close to their own family. She further stated that many of the women who are in Drug Court have a sexual trauma event that started them on the cycle of drug abuse to self - medicate. Ms. Koki reported that if they wanted to get into the schools, they would first need to go through the Department of Education; Ms. Koki talked with District Superintendent Bill Arakaki about it and he deferred it to the principal of each individual school. Middle School, or any type of transitional stage as Ms. Eden previously stated, is when young people start having problems. At the high school level, the instances of teen suicide and teen pregnancy are greater because people they have been with or around since kindergarten are now moving on to different colleges and there is difficulty in letting go. In some recent Prevention meetings, it was determined that not only young girls need help and guidance, but also mothers. Ms. Koki distributed her program brochure which lists the different things Life's Choice Kauai does to help women. Something she felt would be great for Committee members to do is to mentor some of the women in prison who have children. She and Mayor Carvalho go to the prison to talk with these women and feel that it would be a great thing for the Committee members to visit with these women and talk story. Ms. Koki offered to accompany them if they wished or for them to come along the next time she and Mayor Carvalho visit. Some of the events that Ms. Koki suggested the Committee participate in are: - Hanama'ulu Beach Park clean -up on June 15; it has become a drug haven. Malama Pono recently tested the homeless living there and 50 % tested positive for Hepatitis and a bad strain of STD. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session May 15, 2013 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION - Smoking Cessation Coach certification class on May 29 at the Dept. of Health Conference Room or June 13 in the County of Kauai Moikeha Conference Room 1, 2nd floor - Drug Court graduation on May 31 in Judge Valenciano's chambers, Courtroom #4 from 1:00 — 3:00 followed by a pot luck. - Health Fair scheduled for September 29 in various conference rooms and the Moikeha breezeway area. She asked that the Committee let her know if they would like to have a booth or help out in any way. - Veteran's Day video launch on Veteran's Day. The video, being done by the Kauai High School video club, consists of a series of interviews with veterans of all wars on the treatment of our veterans, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse issues related to serving in a war. It is not only to honor the veteran's who have served but also to educate the young men who will be enlisting and what services are available to them. Ms. Carvalho requested a list of events be distributed to the Committee members. Ms. Koki agreed and encouraged members to attend Drug Court graduation and possibly give leis to the graduates as some of them do not have family to support them; there are 9 graduates this session. Ms. Battad asked Ms. Koki to let them know when and where she really needs help from the Committee, especially since her budget and staff has Ms. Battad moved to purchase 9 leis to present been cut. to the Drug Court graduates and $100 in food. Ms. Carvalho seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Ms. Battad moved to have Staff order shirts to include the wording "Committee on the Status of Women" and the County of Kauai logo for Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session May 15, 2013 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Committee members. Ms. Carvalho asked whether she could amend the motion to include Committee shirts as a line item in upcoming budgets. Staff cautioned that if it is included as a line item, it has to be presented to Council for approval and that may result in Council cutting that out of the budget if they feel it is not necessary. Ms. Carvalho seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. Ms. Carvalho moved to put aside $500 to purchase video, books and brochures to be given out by the Committee. Attorney Clark noted that money could not just be put aside and that they would need to have a specified list of items to be ordered before the end of the fiscal year. Ms. Carvalho volunteered to compile a list of educational media to be purchased and submit it to the Boards and Commissions staff Ms. Battad moved to appoint Ms. Carvalho to by Friday, May 17. select the list of library materials for the education of women and present the information to the Boards and Commissions staff in the amount of $500. Ms. Watters seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. CSW 2013 -12 Decision - making on Committee members' attendance at YWCA Na Wahine Alaka`i O Kauai Awards luncheon Staff noted the current members that have signed up: Ms. Battad, Ms. Jaquias and Ms. Watters. Ms. Carvalho would like to attend. Ms. Smith has purchased a seat on her own but requested to be seated with the rest of the Committee members. Attorney Clark advised the committee that pursuant Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session May 15, 2013 Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION to the Sunshine Law, since more than 2 Committee members are attending, they cannot discuss board business or items that may come before the board on a future agenda such as empowering women or co- sponsorship Ms. Battad moved to approve the attendance of initiatives. Ms. Battad, Ms. Jaquias, Ms. Carvalho and Ms. Wafters at the YWCA Na Wahine Alaka`i O Kauai Awards luncheon, to be paid out of the Committee's budget. Ms. Carvalho seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. CSW 2013 -13 Presentation by Ihilani Laureta ➢ Discussion on Crime statistics among young women on Kauai ➢ Explanation and discussion on the Legislative process ➢ Discussion and decision - making on the possibility of implementing Ms. Battad moved to defer item to the next a Legislative workshop meeting. Ms. Carvalho seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0. CSW 2012 -32 Discussion and decision - making as it relates to potential Committee events and projects for FY 2013/2014 (On- going) Ms. Battad moved to defer item to the next meeting. Ms. Carvalho seconded the motion. Motion carried. 5:0 Announcements Next Meeting — June 19, 2013, 5:00 p.m. at the Moikeha Building in Meeting Room 2A /2B. The Office of Boards and Commissions will no longer be providing bottled water to our members starting July 1 st, 2013. This is one of our sustainability goals. Staff will provide cold water using a filtered system (i.e. Brita), so please bring in your water bottle that was provided to you. Ms. Battad stated that Deputy County Attorney Mona Clark will be retiring and she wished to thank her for her time and guidance. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session May 15, 2013 Page 9 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Watters announced that the first weekend in June is Pride week and the combination of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and Lambda Aloha will be holding various events during that weekend. Friday morning is a half day workshop on rights and responsibilities for LGBT employees in the workplace. Adjournment Ms. Battad moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Jaquias seconded the motion. The 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