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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-21-15 Agenda PacketSharon Lasker Chair Virginia Beck Vice Chair Edie Ignacio- Neumiller Secretary Liza Cabal Trinidad Treasurer Members: Regina Carvalho Uli'i Castor Kathy Crowell Lisa Ellen Smith Ex- Officio COUNTY OF KAUAI COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA Wednesday, January 21, 2015 5:00 p.m. or shortly thereafter Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/2B 4444 Rice Street, Llhu`e, HI 96766 CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Regular meeting minutes of December 17, 2014 BUSINESS CSW 2013 -33 Discussion and possible decision- making on future Committee events for fiscal year 2014-15 including but not limited to • March Women's History Month "Rise of the Wahine" film event • Career day/luncheon for females 9th through 12th grade residing on the island of Kauai. CSW 2015 -01 Discussion on publicity for legislative training workshop CSW 2015 -02 Discussion on sending a representative from the Committee to address the Mokihana Club at its March 4, 2015, as it relates to the Committee's mission statement ANNOUNCEMENTS Next meeting- February 18, 2015, 5:00 p.m. at the Mo`ikeha Building, in Meeting Room 2 A/B An Equal Opportunity Employer EXECUTIVE SESSION Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes, H.R.S. §92 -7(a), the Committee may, when deemed necessary, hold an Executive Session on any agenda item without the written public notice if the Executive Session was not anticipated in advance. Any such Executive Session shall be held pursuant to H.R.S. §924 and shall be limited to those items described in H.R.S. §92 -5(a). Discussions held in Executive Session are closed to the public. ADJOURNMENT ca Deputy County Attorney Andrea Suzuki PUBLIC COMMENTS and TESTIMONY Persons wishing to offer comments are encouraged to submit written testimony at least 24 -hours prior to the meeting indicating: 1. Your name and if applicable, your position/title and organization you are representing; 2. The agenda item that you are providing comments on; and 3. Whether you will be testifying in person or submitting written comments only. 4. If you are unable to submit your testimony at least 24 hours prior to the meeting, please provide 10 copies of your written testimony at the meeting clearly indicating the name of the testifier; and While every effort will be made to copy, organize and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the meeting or improperly identified may be distributed to the members after the meeting is concluded. The length of time allocated to persons wishing to present verbal testimony may be limited at the discretion of the chairperson or presiding member Send written testimony Committee on the Status of Women Office of Boards and Commissions 4444 Rice Street, Suite 150 L-1hu`e, HI 96766 E -mail: myoun@kauai.gov Phone: (808) 241 -4920 Fax: (808) 241 -5127 SPECIAL ASSISTANCE If you need an alternate format or an auxiliary aid to participate, please contact the Office of Boards and Commission Support Clerk at (808) 241 -4920 at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting. Committee on the Status of Women — January 21, 2015 2 P a g e COUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board/Committee: Committee on the Status of Women Meeting Date December 17, 2014 Location Mo'ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2A/2B Start of Meeting: 5:10 p.m. End of Meeting: 6:37 p.m. Present Chair Regina Carvalho; Vice Chair Edie Ignacio - Neumiller; Members: Virginia Beck, Kathy Crowell and Liza Cabal- Trinidad; and Ex- Officio Lisa Ellen Smith. Charlene Castor (Entered the meeting at 5:13 p.m.), Cherie Mooy (Entered the meeting at 5:18 p.m.) Sharon Lasker (Entered the meeting at 5:19 p.m.) Also present: Deputy County Attorney Andrea Suzuki: Andrade; Boards & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerk Mercedes Youn; Administrator Paula Morikami (Entered the meeting at 5:27 p.m. and left at 5:35 p.m.) Excused Absent Jade Battad AGENDA DISCUSSION ACTION ITEMS Call To Order Chair Carvalho called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. with five (5) members present to conduct business. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of November 19, 2014. Ms. Beck moved to approve the meeting minutes Minutes as circulated. Ms. Crowell seconded. The motion carried 5:0 Approval of the Chair Carvalho called for a motion to accept the 2015 Meeting Schedule as Ms. Cabal- Trinidad moved to accept the 2015 2015 Meeting circulated. meeting schedule as circulated. Vice Chair Schedule Ignacio - Nuemiller seconded the motion. The motion carried 5:0 Ms. Morikami addressed the Committee, explaining that the County is in a financial situation where they are looking at ways to cut costs. How the Office of Boards and Commissions intends to address the issue is by looking at all 17 Boards, Commissions, and Committees that it manages relative to its various meeting schedules and different requirements within Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 Page 2 AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ACTION each of their rules to see whether or not the meetings can be scaled back if there are no pertinent issues that need immediate attention. Ms. Morikami pointed out that there have been one or two occasions this year in which a Commission did not have a quorum, but did not reschedule the meeting, which was a violation of their rules. To avoid the situation from occurring she asked if the Committee would consider scaling down their regular meetings to at least quarterly if there is nothing on the agenda that needs immediate attention, but if the Committee has projects that need attention then by all means they should meet monthly. Ms. Morikami stated as it currently stands Article V. section 1, of the Committee's By -Laws states that the Committee may schedule meetings as required provided, however, there shall be no fewer than four (4) regular meetings per calendar year. The Hawaii Revised Statutes §367 =4 state that the Committee meet at least once a quarter. She noted that the Cost Control Commission has agreed to change their rules for meetings to be held quarterly, but has the flexibility to meet monthly if they wish. Ms. Beck asked if the issue is related to the recording, and the need to have support staff at the meetings to record the discussions. Ms. Morikami stated it was brought to her attention at a recent Civil Service meeting that lasted only 17 minutes, which brings the question of whether or not the Commission could have waited another month when more pertinent issues were at hand. To address the question-on whether it was because of staffing issues, Ms. Morikami explained in an attempt to increase efficiency, and the fact that one of their positions was cut, she is asking all Boards and Commissions, and Committees to consider scaling Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 Page 3 AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ACTION down their meetings to at least quarterly. Chair Carvalho asked if the Committee needed to decide today on whether to accept her proposal to which Ms. Morikami replied no, and explained that the proposal is something she would like the Committee to at least consider, and whether or not any action is taken today is up to the Committee. Election of 2015 Chair Carvalho called for nominations for the positions of Chair, Vice Ms. Liza - Cabal- Trinidad nominated Ms. Officers Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Virginia Beck for the position of Vice Chair to which Ms. Beck accepted. Chair Regina Carvalho nominated Vice Chair Ignacio- Neumiller to the position of Secretary to which Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller accepted. Vice Chair Ignacio - Nuemiller nominated Ms. Liza Cabal= Trinidad to the position of Treasurer to which Ms. Cabal- Trinidad accepted. With the nominations closed and hearing no objections from the five (5) members present, the nominations stands as noted. With respect to the Chair's position, it was determined that the nomination for the position will be put on hold until Ms. Lasker was present. At 5:13 p.m. Ms. Castor entered the meeting. At 5:18 p.m. Ms. Mooy entered the meeting. At 5:19 p.m. Ms. Sharon Lasker entered the meeting. At 5:20 p.m. Chair Carvalho called for a five minute recess. At 5:25 p.m. Chair Carvalho called the meeting back to order. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ACTION Chair Carvalho called for a nomination for the position of Chair. Vice Chair Ignacio - Neumiller nominated Ms. Sharon Lasker to the position of Chair to which Ms. Lasker accepted, with the nominations closed and hearing no objections from the eight (8) members present, Ms. Lasker will be the new Ms. Lasker stated she would accept the nomination as Chair as long as she Chair for 2015. has the support and commitment of the entire Committee to complete all of the projects that are in the making. Continued Deputy County Attorney Suzuki noted that although the Committee had discussion on the already voted to accept the 2015 Meeting Schedule it could lay a motion to 2015 Meeting reconsider the vote to which Chair Carvalho noted if the Committee so Schedule desires. Ms. Beck stated as a new member she noticed that the Committee is planning two major projects, which she believes will take through the month of April to complete. She noted perhaps after the projects are completed then the Committee might want to call for a recess, or have less frequent meetings during the summer, but for now the projects as she sees it can really make a difference for the women in the community, and therefore meeting on a monthly basis is appropriate for now unless there was another way the Committee could meet, perhaps through videoconference. Deputy County Attorney Suzuki explained that pursuant to the Sunshine Law the Committee must notice the meeting location, and indicate all locations where the members will be physically present so that the public can attend the meeting at any of the specified locations. Ms. Beck asked if the Committee is allowed to form subcommittees to work on a specific project to which the Deputy County Attorney replied yes, and explained Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 Page 5 AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ACTION two members of the committee may discuss between themselves matters relating to official committee business as long as no commitment to vote is made or sought, and the two members do not constitute a quorum. Deputy County Attorney Suzuki further explained that serial communications among its members are not allowed because it would violate the Sunshine Law, Vice Chair Ignacio- Nuemiller suggested that the Committee keep the meeting dates as presented because the members can always decide later whether or not it should meet the following month or cancel the meeting. Ms. Mooy questioned how scaling down the meetings would save the County money. Chair Carvalho commented as the Mayor's Advisory Committee more could be accomplished without these restrictions. In response to Chair Carvalho's comments, Ms. Beck stated as the Mayor's Advisory Committee she agrees that more can be accomplished perhaps in another format where matters could be discussed relating to a specific project then brought to a regular meeting, which would meet the requirements of the Sunshine Law. Chair Carvalho agreed that is one way of getting things done in a more productive way. Deputy County Attorney Suzuki explained that the only problem is the lack of transparency because the purpose of having regular meetings is to be transparent. Ms. Beck stated she fully supports the idea of transparency, but understands that having more than two members meet would be a violation of the Sunshine Law. Ms. Lasker stated perhaps the person spearheading a project could meet one on one with the other members, which would meet the requirements of the Sunshine Law. Ms. Smith pointed out that generally, the State Commission of the Status Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session . December 17, 2014 '._- . AGENDA DISCUSSION ACTION ITEMS of Women meets quarterly unless they have projects that forces them to meet monthly. Ms. Beck stated the discussion all leads back to what the Vice Chair had suggested that the Committee keep the meetings dates because it will give the Committee the flexibility to cancel a meeting if it desires. Business CSW Discussion and possible decision - making on future Committee events for fiscal year 2014 -15 including but not limited to: 2013 =33 • March Women's History month "Rise of the Wahine" film event. Vice Chair Ignacio- Neumiller reported that after the November meeting she sent an email to film producer Tiffany Taylor asking if the Committee could show the video on March 5, 2015. But according to her email she is unable to commit to a screening at this particular time because she is in the process of lining out their distribution strategy, and that both she and film producer Dean are making changes to the film to create the final product, and will be in touch as soon as she has the screening window established. Vice Chair Ignacio - Neumiller stated in light of Ms. Taylor's email she would like to suggest that the Committee move forward with the March Women's History month as planned, and pursue the film event at a later date. But if by chance Ms. Taylor comes back with good news then the Committee can proceed with the film event on March 5 as planned. Chair Carvalho shared that she recently attended an event held at the Veteran's Center and one of the guest speakers was a woman Army General so perhaps the Committee could invite her and the lady astronaut (who was also there) to be guest speakers at the March Women's History event. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 Page 7 AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Lasker asked if the Convention Hall has been reserved to which Chair Carvalho replied no, and explained that she is still waiting for the Committee to solidify the plans for the event. She shared that she was on the same flight with the Rise of the Wahine film producer Ryan who is now going to be an assistant to the newly elected Governor David Ige. Ms. Mooy stated at the last meeting, she and Ms. Beck volunteered to draft a letter to School Superintendent Bill Arakaki to see if the DOE (Department of Education) would consider the Rise of the Wahine documentary film as part of the DOE's curriculum. (Copies of the draft letter was distributed to the members). Ms. Beck stated perhaps the Vice Chair could inform Ms. Taylor about what the Committee is attempting to do, and find out whether or not a copy of the film was available so that the principals could see it with a disclaimer that the film is only a preview and not the final product. She stated the purpose is to get the documentary implemented by DOE not just on Kauai, but throughout the State. Chair Carvalho noted perhaps Ms. Smith could present the idea to HSCSW. After a lengthy discussion, changes to the draft letter were made as specified by the members and agreed upon by all. Staff was instructed to make the changes to the draft letter and send the letter certified to Mr. Ms. Mooy moved to accept all of the changes Arakaki. Chair Carvalho to follow -up. that were made to the draft letter in which Chair Carvalho will follow -up with Mr. Arakaki after he receives the letter. Vice Chair Ignacio- Neumiller seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0 Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 UM AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ACTION • Career day/luncheon for females 9t' through 12d' grade residingon the island of Kauai Vice Chair Ignacio - Neumiller reported that she contacted KIUC noting that it was her understanding that Ms. Beck would work with the Rotary Clubs to see if they could cover some of the cost for the luncheon. She stated that she sent a written request asking for grant funding in the amount of $800.00 to cover a portion of the cost for the luncheon. The letter to KIUC was sent on December 8 in reference to the Sharing of Aloha Grant Fund. She stated one of the questions in the application asked how the participants would benefit from the event and her response was "It offers young women the opportunity to network and meet esteemed members of the community. We hope to raise their self - confidence so that they can become future leaders of our island. The Committee on the Status of Women will have one keynote speaker (possibly Bethany Hamilton) and a panel of distinguished women leaders living on Kauai. Breakout sessions would cover topics such as life skills (to help the young girls prepare for job interviews), and empowerment coaching geared towards motivating these young women for success by elevating their self - esteem and provide resources to enable them to be self - efficient. Vice Chair Ignacio - Neumiller stated that she gave a cost estimate for lunches based on 40 people @ $20 apiece. She noted that she did not check with any of the hotels, and just provided KIUC with the cost estimate. She added that the application also asked her to explain CSW's involvement and she responded "As Vice Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women and on behalf of its members, they would like to full Chair Carvalho's vision by holding a career day luncheon. The purpose is to enrich young women with powerful information by rovidin them with Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ACTION an opportunity to network with a panel of esteemed women speakers and members of the Committee on the Status of Women ". Ms. Beck reported that she contacted 3 friends who are members of the Westside, Po`ipu and the Kapa`a Rotaries. She stated although they invited her to speak to the group she would rather wait until more details are confirmed before addressing the cost issue. She stated that it would be a good idea if she could create a Powerpoint relating to women's issues, and why it is so important for the Committee to reach out to these young • women in the various schools. Ms. Beck shared that the senior Rotarian out at Barking Sands has expressed her willingness to come to speak at the luncheon. She stated how important it is for these young women to be exposed to women in high careers that they might not have considered at all. Ms. Beck added if the Committee positions itself well with the Rotaries it could get free publicity for the event. Vice Chair Ignacio - Nuemiller asked the Chair if she had the opportunity to check on the different venues to which Chair Carvalho replied she did not, but will follow up as soon as all of the details are completed. Ms. Crowell asked what criteria the Committee will use in its selection process. Chair Carvalho stated that is an issue the Committee will still need to address. Ms. Crowell mentioned that Y.W.C.A Director Ranae Hamilton has expressed to her that she is willing to assist the Committee with the event, and perhaps she and another member could set aside a time to meet with Ms. Hamilton. Ms. Beck asked if the Committee has a mission statement for the event to which Chair Carvalho replied no. Ms. Lasker stated she does not believe that a mission statement is necessary because she believes the Committee wants each participant to be inspired Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION ACTION and be connected by the message of each unique speaker relative to what they have accomplished throughout their career. Ms. Smith shared as a volunteer with theY.W.C.A. in Columbus, Ohio, she had an opportunity to help assist with The Bright Future Leadership luncheon, which later became a tradition. She stated the selection process required each young lady to write an essay pertaining to a certain subject. Ms. Beck stated she liked the idea about having at least 4 breakout sessions where each young woman can pick a speaker that inspired them the most. Ms. Mooy stated it looks like there could be up to 60 people attending the event. Ms. Crowell asked if a date has been set to which Chair Carvalho replied there is no set date, but the event will happen in April. Ms. Beck stated that she would like to see more than 10 young girls participating because the purpose is to reach out to young women. Ms. Crowell stated that she would like to have at least 10 girls from Kapa`a, Waimea, Kauai and Island School including their own chaperones attend the event. Ms. Crowell moved to select ten (10) girls from Kapa`a, Waimea, Kauai and Island School to participate in the Career Day Luncheon; date /site to be determine at later time. Ms. Cabal Trinidad seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0 Due to a prior commitment Ms. Beck left the meeting at 6:23 p.m. Ms. Crowell asked whether the Committee had thought about asking an individual from each school to help with the selection process to which Ms. Lasker stated the Committee had already discussed asking the counselors from each school. Vice Chair Ignacio - Nuemiller stated at the next meeting the Committee needs to decide which of its 4 members should approach each of the 4 schools to meet with the school counselors and the Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session December 17, 2014 Page 11 AGENDA DISCUSSION ACTION ITEMS principals, • Empowerment Coaching Sessions Ms. Savita Agarwal gave a brief summary of her empowerment coaching sessions. She stated if it was possible to change the day session to an evening session because a lot of women she has spoken with found that the day session conflicted with their work schedule. Chair Carvalho stated that she agrees with Ms. Agarwal that changing the session to an evening session would attract more participation. Ms. Lasker stated Thursday is a bad day for business women on the island because all of the chambers seem to be meeting on that day. Chair Carvalho asked Staff to check on the room availability and get to back to members and Ms. Agarwal. Staff acknowledged the request. Announcements Next meeting— January 21, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the Mo'ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/2B. Ms. Smith announced that the HSCSW will be having its first meeting of the year the first week in February. Chair Carvalho stated that she would like to ask Ihilani Kali about the possibility of implementing a legislative training workshop in January for women in the community. Vice Chair Ignacio - Neumiller said she would contact Ms. Kali. Ms. Lasker stated given that January is a busy month perhaps, Ms. Kali could come in February. Ms. Smith noted maybe the Committee could figure out some type of publicity for the upcoming legislative training at its January meeting. Ms. Lasker noted that she would like to keep the discussion to a minimum. Adjournment At 6:36 p.m. Chair Carvalho declared the meeting adjourned.