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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-21-15 CSW minutes approvedCOUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board /Committee: Committee on the Status of Women Meeting Date January 21, 2015 Location Mo'ikeha Building — Meeting Room 2A /B Start of Meeting: 5:00 p.m. End of Meeting: 6:10 p.m. Present Chair Sharon Lasker; Vice Chair Virginia Beck; Members: Uli'i Castor (arrived at 5:11 p.m.), Edie Ignacio - Neumiller, Kathy Crowell Also present: Deputy County Attorney Phil Dureza ; Board & Commissions Office Staff. Support Clerk Mercedes Omo Excused Absent Members: Regina Carvalho and Liza Cabal- Trinidad SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Lasker called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with four (4) members present constituting a quorum. Approval of Regular Open Session Minutes of December 17, 2014. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller moved to approve the Minutes meeting minutes. Ms. Crowell seconded the motion. Motion carried 4:0 Business Discussion and possible decision - making on future Committee events for fiscal year 2014 -2015, including but not limited to: • March Women's History Month "Rise of the Wahine" film event. Chair Lasker asked if anyone had new information about the film's completion date. Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller stated she is still waiting for a response regarding an email that she sent on January 13 to film producer Tiffany Taylor to ask if she could provide the committee with a short version of the film. Ms. Crowell stated the organizers of the PAU Program are planning to feature a documentary film called Honor Diaries on March 19. The film explores violence against women in honor -based societies, with particular focus on female genital mutilation, honor violence, and honor killings. She encouraged everyone to see the film, but asked if the committee could Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 21, 2015 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION avoid scheduling the Rise of the Wahine event on the same day. Chair Lasker stated from what she understands the committee still needs to pick a date for the premier showing of the Rise of the Wahine film documentary. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller stated at the last meeting, the committee discussed moving forward with the women's history event because no one had any idea when the film would be completed. She stated in lieu of the film the committee decided to invite retired Air Force Major General Mary K. Hertog and female astronaut Dr. Millie Hughes - Fulford to speak at the event. Chair Lasker asked if both women have been contacted; if not, perhaps Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller could check with Ms. Carvalho to see whether or not she had contacted the women. Ms. Ignacio- Nuemiller stated she would check with Ms. Carvalho regarding the women, and follow up with Ms. Castro to see if the Kauai Museum is available on March 51 Vice Chair Beck shared she knows of one woman who would be a great speaker. She stated Stormy Bradley has written a lot of books and has done a lot of research on Hawaiian history and its past queens. Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller indicated that although she liked her suggestion she would have to check with Ms. Carvalho on the status of Ms. Hertog and Dr. Millie Hughes - Fulford. Chair Lasker stated perhaps Ms. Bradley would be a better choice as a speaker for the Career Day event. Chair Lasker indicated the March Women's History Month is an opportunity for the committee to share with all who want to promote women's history. She stated it will also give the guest speakers a chance to give an account of their lives — individually and collectively — which she feels is very important because it will reveal an expansive vision of what a Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 21, 2015 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION woman can do. The stories of these women's' lives, and the choices they made will encourage girls and young women to think larger and bolder, and will give boys and men a fuller understanding of what women are capable of accomplishing. Chair Lasker stated perhaps at the next meeting (when more members are present) the committee could have a discussion about assigning each member a specific task to help with the event. She asked if the committee wanted to continue the discussion, if not, she would like to move on to the next business item. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller noted since the film event is at a standstill she has no further updates to provide. Career day /luncheon for female students grades 9th throw residing on the island of Kauai. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller stated at this time she has no information on the venue, and that the committee still needs to confirm who will speak at the event. Ms. Crowell stated she asked Ranae Hamilton if she would be interested in helping the committee to raise funds for the event. Chair Lasker asked if it was permissible for the Y.W.C.A to raise funds for the event as a Co- Sponsor. Staff stated pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §367 -4, each county shall endeavor to secure the widest possible citizen participation in its efforts, and for this purpose may utilize existing public or private organizations. Chair Lasker stated if she understood correctly the request for the grant funding in the amount of $800 to cover the cost of the lunches was denied. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller stated the application that was submitted to KIUC for grant funding was denied because one of their criteria does not allow the funds to cover the cost for food. However, they did encourage the committee to re- submit another application next month. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 21, 2015 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Vice Chair Beck stated in an effort to get grant funding to cover the cost of the lunches she has put together a draft Powerpoint, which when completed will be presented to the local Rotary Clubs. She stated once the draft presentation is finalized she would like to suggest that the committee create a two member team to approach each of the Rotary Clubs to make the presentation. Ms. Crowell asked the Chair if it was possible if they could meet with Ranae Hamilton sometime in the near future to discuss the Career Day luncheon to which Chair Lasker replied she is available on all days except Mondays. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller asked for an update regarding the invitation to Bethany Hamilton. Chair Lasker stated she has not made a lot of headway because the committee has yet to confirm the date, time and the location of the event. She stated as soon as all of the details are set in stone she would contact Ms. Hamilton's representatives and make a formal request. Chair Lasker stated the committee really needs to buckle down and 1) find a venue to hold the event; 2) confirm all of the speakers; and 3) work out all of the specifics relative to the breakout sessions. She stated she would not mind if the committee decides that it just wants one keynote speaker, and have several breakout sessions. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller stated she would follow -up with Ms. Carvalho, and hopefully at the next meeting the committee can start making some decisions. Vice Chair Beck suggested that the breakout sessions should only involve the guest speakers because if she was a teenager and was given the option to speak one on one with Bethany Hamilton versus the other speakers, there is no doubt she would pick Ms. Hamilton. She added that the Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 21, 2015 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION committee should recognize women in certain career fields who can encourage these girls to succeed in their field. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller stated for the record she would like to provide the names of potential guest speakers. 1. Bethany Hamilton, Professional Surfer /Business woman 2. Barbara Bennett, For Kauai Magazine, Owner 3. Savita Kumar Agarwal, Empowerment Coach 4. Sonia Topenio, Finance 5. Virginia Beck, Women's Health 6. Ranae Hamilton, Y.W.C.A. Director 7. Helen Cox, Education /Careers 8. Dr. Millie Hughes - Fulford, Astronaut 9. Mary K. Hertog, Retired Air Force Major General 10. Stormy Bradley, Author /Teacher 11. Irene Connelly, Senior Radar Engineer, PMRF 12. Sabra Kauka *back -up 13. Stephanie Steuri *back -up Chair Lasker asked if it was possible to narrow the list down to four guest speakers. Ms. Crowell suggested that the committee should consider selecting backup guest speakers just in case the first choice was not available. Additionally, she suggested that the committee pick a date today rather than wait until the next meeting. Chair Lasker asked if anyone knew when spring break starts and ends to which Vice Chair Beck noted spring break starts on March 15 and ends on March 21. After a lengthy discussion the committee decided on the following date and time: Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 21, 2015 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Date: Friday, April 17 Time: 12 noon till 4 p.m. (includes (4) 20 minute breakout sessions) Location: Pending Chair Lasker stated perhaps the committee could put together gift bags containing items that can be useful to students. Vice Chair Beck stated perhaps the committee could create a flash drive containing a collection of readily available links to educational websites. Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller stated going back to the list of speakers so far the list of names contain 1) Bethany Hamilton (keynote speaker), 2) Sonia Topenio (Finance), and 3) Irene Connelly (Senior Radar Engineer). Vice Chair Beck suggested that the committee create a catalog of resources that it can use for future events to which Chair Lasker replied it sounds like a project the committee should explore further down the road. With no further discussion, Chair Lasker moved to item CSW 2015 -01. CSW 2015 -01 Discussion on publicity for legislative training workshop. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller stated she is still waiting to hear from Ihilani Kali to see if she is available in February to speak to the committee on the legislative process. CSW 2015 -02 Discussion on sending a representative from the committee to address the Mokihana Club at its March 4, 2015, meeting relating to the Committee's mission statement. Chair Lasker stated this would be a great opportunity to bring attention to what the committee has been doing in the community to promote women's issues. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller stated she thinks it would be a good practice for the Chair and Vice Chair to represent the committee at the Mokihana Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 21, 2015 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Club luncheon. Chair Lasker stated she would be willing to accompany the Vice Chair but only if she agrees to be the featured speaker. Vice Chair Beck stated she would be willing to attend, but because she works out in Waimea she needs to know the time and location. Staff will check on the time and location and contact Chair Lasker with the information. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller moved that the Chair and With no further discussion Chair Lasker called for a motion. Vice Chair Beck represent the committee at the Mokihana Club luncheon. Ms. Crowell seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 Announcements Next regular meeting- February 18, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the Mo'ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /2B. The following announcements were made: • The next series on Empowerment Coaching is scheduled for January 29 from 5 — 6 p.m, at the Mo' ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A /2B. • The Mid -Week Kauai has offered to do a cover story featuring the Committee on the Status of Women. Two long standing members of the committee have been asked to schedule an interview with contributing writer Coco Zickos. A photo shoot featuring the two members has been scheduled for February 2 at 2:30 p.m. at the Regency at Puakea. Vice Chair Beck and Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller both agreed to participate. • Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller questioned whether the committee would be interested in doing a feature in the For Kauai newspaper relating to Women in Business, if so, the article is due out in March. Adjournment With no further business to discuss, Chair Lasker called for the meeting to Ms. Castor moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 adjourn. p.m. Ms. Ignacio - Nuemiller seconded the motion. Motion carried 5:0 Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session January 21, 2015 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Submitted by: Mercedes Omo, Staff Support Clerk (X) Approved as circulated February 18, 2015 ( ) Approved as amended. See minutes of meeting. Reviewed and Approved by: Sharon Lasker, Chair