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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-15 CSW Open Session Minutes Approved COUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board/Committee: Committee on the Status of Wo men –Mayor’s Advisory Committee Meeting Date : December 16 , 2015 Location Mo`ikeha Building – Meeting Room 2A/B Start of Meeting : 5:00 p.m. End of Meeting : 6:00 p.m. Present Chair Sharon Lasker; Vice -Chair Virginia Beck; Members: Edie Ignacio -Neumiller , Kathy Crowe ll, Suzanne Ellis, Jenai Yoshii, Erika Valente and Uli`i Castor (Entered the meeting at 5:15 p.m.) Also present: Board & Commissions Office Staff: Administrator Jay Furfaro; Support Clerk Mercedes Omo; Deputy County Attorney Mahealani Krafft Excused Member: Regina Carvalho Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Lasker called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with seven (7) members present constituting a quorum. Approval of Minutes Regular Open Sessi on Minutes of N ovember 18, 2015. Ch air Lasker called for a motion to approve or amend the meeting minutes. Admini strator Furfaro introduce d new member Erika Valente to the Committee. Ms. Valente shared both she and her husband are local business owners of three Kal apakī Joe’s restaurants on the island . T ogether they raised three daughte rs ; two of which are grown -up and the ir you ngest is in the eighth grade and a student at Island Schoo l. Ms. Valente stated that as an experience d writer and former beauty bl ogger fo r many years, she has done a lot of traveling and feels that she has a lot to contribute to the committee and the commu nity. On behalf of the members, Chair Lasker welcomed Ms. Erika Valente to the Committee. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller moved to appro ve the meeting minutes of November 18, 2015. Vice Chair Beck second ed the motion. Motion carried 7 :0 Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Business CSW 2015 -06 Discussion and possible deci sion -making on future events including , but not limited to:  Rise of the Wahine Film Chair Lasker asked if t here were new updates to report. Vice Chair Beck reported that she spoke to the Administrative Assistant to Nike’s CEO Ms. Heidi Smith about what the committee wanted to do, at which time , Ms. Smith inform ed her that she was going to review the informati on and then figure out who would be the best person to manage this conv ersation. Vice Chair Beck stated that once Ms. Smith find s the person , it probably would be a good idea to put the film producers in direct communication with that person and have them work on the details. In a non -related matter, Vice Chair Beck asked the members if they would consider having a showing of a film produced by Hawai‘i based attorney and film producer Teresa Tico. The film is called Miss South Pacific and it is about st rength, beauty, and intelligence of the women in the South Pacific Island who competed in the 2009 -2010 Miss South Pacific Pageant in Suva, Fiji. The film is also about climate change and how increasingly destructive weather patterns and rising sea levels are impacting the daily lives of all south Pacific Islanders. She pointed out that although the committee does have enough funds to cover the cost of the Rise of the Wahi ne screening the project is at a standstill , so perhaps the committe e might want to consider putting effort into having a one -time showing of the film. Chair Lasker sugge sted to Vice Chair Beck that she take the matter up at the next meeting under new business to which Vice Chair Beck agreed. Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Jenai commented t hat she tried to connect Ms. Reece’s team with mainland based film producer Tiffany Taylor but has not heard from Ms. Taylor for a while. With no further updates, Chair Lasker move d onto the next agenda item.  2016 Career Day Event Chair L asker cal led f or a motion to approve Tessa Swain, Abby Santos, Erika Valente and Eileen Conaty as guest speakers for the 2016 Career Day event in February. Motion No. 1 Ms. Yoshii moved to invite Tessa Swain, Abby Santos, Erika Valente and Eileen Conaty to be guest speakers/presenters at the 2016 Career Day even t in February. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller seconded the motion Discussion: Ms. Crowell asked if it was possible to include Ku ulei Santos to the list of speakers to which Vice Chair Beck replied yes, and if for some reason Ms . Tico is n ot available , the committee could ask Sabra Kauka if she wouldn’t mind being a back -up keynote speaker. Motion No. 2 Chair Lasker called for a motion to amend the original motion . Ms. Ellis made a motion to amend the original motion to read a s previous ly stated and include asking Sabra Kauka to be a back -up keynote speaker, and Kuulei Santos to be one of the guest speakers . Ms. Ignacio - Neumiller seconded. Motion carried 8:0 Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Break out s peakers 1) Tessa Swain – Social media for the National Tropical Botanical Garden (C onfirmed ) 2) Abby Santos – Owner of No Ka Oi Landscaping & Nursery (Virginia to contact) 3) Erika Val ente – Local business of owner and entrepreneur (Confirmed ) 4) Eileen Conaty – Senior Radar Engineer at PMRF (Virginia to contact) 5) Kuulei Santos – S alt maker at Han apēpē Salt Pond (Virginia to contact) Keynote/back -up speaker s 1) Keynote speaker Teresa Tico – Attorney & Filmmaker (Virginia to contact) 2) Back -up Keynote Speaker Sabra Kauka (Hawaiian Culture & Arts) (Virginia to contact) Other notable mention s were form er Miss Hawai‘i Stephanie Steu ri; County of Kaua‘i Planner Marissa Valenciano; Writer and Author Nicki Rapozo; Dr. Lisa Crampton of DLNR Kaua‘i Fo restry Division for the preservation of indigenous birds; Francine Ramos – Construction industry ; and Jamie Kn ox. Chair Lasker as ked for a report on the items for the gift bags to which Ms. Ellis stated that from what she understands , a request was su pposed to be sent to Council for approval to accept in -kind and monetary donations for each student to defray th e costs of students participating in the Career Day event. Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Omo explained that there is no ethical conflict because the donations to defray the costs of students partic ipating in the Career Day event, as well as the in -kind donations , will be go ing di rectly to the venue and the students , and not to the committee . Vice Chair Beck stated now t hat everything is clear , she can move forward and make her PowerPoint presentation to the various rotary clubs in hopes that they will agree to offer some finan cial support to defray the costs of the students’ lunches. In regard to the in -kind donations , it would be a good idea to have the organization s give the gift items to the Mokihana Club to prevent ethical conflict. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller asked for clari fication if the checks to cover the cost of the students ’ lunches sh ould be made out to the Kaua‘i Beach Resort to which Vice Cha ir Beck replied yes, and that someone (Liza) needs to inform KBR ahead of time so that they can create a special account just f or the event. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller noted as a reminder that the Mokihana Club has agreed to cover the cost of the lunches for ten (10) of the girls. Chair Lasker asked because she was not present at the last meeting if someone could update her on the s election of the lunch menu. Vice Chair Beck stated that at the last meeting , the committee voted to select “Wrap it up” as this year’s lunch menu. The menu consists of a choice of different sandwiches plus extras. Administrator Furfaro suggested that a s the committee begins to solicit contributors that they have a banquet event order number to ensure that those who solicit a donation make a reference to the banquet event order number and the title of the event so that the payments do not get confused. Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION In regard to the gift bag, Chair Lasker asked for clarification if the Mokihana Club will be taking care of the gift bags in one form or fashion to which Ms. Ellis replied no, the Mokihana Club has agreed to cover the cost of lunches for ten (10) student s, and from what she understood , CSW already has the bags and that one of the contributors was going to be the optical department at Costco’s , but they are not able to do it because they cannot get authorization to provide the notebooks because CSW is not a healthcare provider. In addition, the Mokihana Club does not have the resources for anything under the guise of a gift bag. Vice Chair Beck stated since she will be working for Malama Pono part - time , she will check to see if they are able to make a co ntribution to the gift bags. She explained that whatever donations are received should be funneled through Suzanne via the Mokihana Club and the CSW members can help assemble the gift bags. Chair Lasker thanked Vice Chair Beck for the clarification. Ms. Ellis noted that she will be out of town on January 13 and will not be back until the 10 th of February. Ms. Valente asked how many gift bags are needed to which Chair Lasker replied forty -five (45). With no further discussion, Chair Lasker moved o nto the next agenda item.  2016 Women’s History Month Chair Lasker asked for a report from the subcommittees. Ms. Ellis reported that she was able to reserve the courtyard at the Kaua‘i Museum from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. on March 9, 2016. The event will start at 5 p.m. Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Ignacio -Nuemiller stated that at the last meeting, the committee wanted to invite speakers with diffe rent ethnical backgrounds. A fter a lengthy discussion, the committee selected Ms. J osephine Duvachelle and Ms. Sonia Topenio as an alt er nate if Ms. Duvachelle is not available , Sabra Kauka (Hawaiian), Ulu Breen (Chinese) and Jenny Yukimura (Japanese) as potential guest speakers. Chair Lasker stated that she would like a report at the ne xt meeting so that she knows for sure that al l of the speakers are confirmed, and if not, the committee would need to come up with new names. Given the array of these potential guest speakers , Vice Chair Beck suggested that the committee make a video tape of the event and have it televised on the Hoik e community television network. Chair L asker asked Ms. Valente if she c ould look into it and report back to the committee at the next meeting. With no further discussion, the Committee moved on to the next agenda item.  2016 April Equal Pay Day for Wome n event Vice Chair Beck called for a motion to defer the item to the next meeting. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller moved to defer the item to the next meeting in January. Ms. Crowell seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0 CSW 2015 -07 Report from HSCSW Kaua‘i Representative Lisa Ellen Smith on the 2016 Nat ional Association of Commissions for Women Conference to be held on O‘ahu next year from July 16 – 21, 2016, and other pertinent updates. (On -going) Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION With the anticipation of Ms. Smith’s presence at the next meeting, Chair Lasker called for a motion to defe r agenda item CSW 2015 -07 to the next meeting in January. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller moved to defer item CSW 2015 -07 to the next meeting in January. Ms. Crowell seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0 CSW 2015 -09 Discussion on responding to acting on State Legislative Bills during the 2016 legislature session. (On -going) Administrator Furfaro shared that the County will be having a Legislative T raining in the near future and would notify the committee once the date has been set. With no further di scussion, Chair Lasker called for a motion to defe r agenda item CSW 2015 -09, to the next meeting in January. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller moved to defer item CSW 2015 -09 to the next meeting in January. Ms. Crowell seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0 CSW 2015 -12 Selection of 2016 Officers. Chai r Lasker opened the nominations. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller nominated Vice Chair Beck to the position of Chair for 2016. Vice Chair Beck accepted the nomination w ith the exception that she’ll be allowed to br ing her own ideas to the table. H earing no objections from the rest of members, Chair Lasker closed the nominations and called for the vote. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller nominated Jenai Yoshii to the position of Vice Chair for 2016. Ms. Yoshii accepted the no mination. Hearing no objections from the rest of the members, Chair Lasker closed the nominations, and called for the vote. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller mov ed to elect Vice Chair Beck to the position of Chair for 2016. Ms. Crowell seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0 Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller moved to elect Jenai Yoshii to the position of Vice Chair for 2016. Ms. Crowell seconded the motion. Motion carri ed 8:0 Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 9 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller nominated Suzanne Ellis to the position of Secretary for 2016. Ms . Ellis accepted the nomination with th e exception that Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller will be there to assist her. Hearing no objections from the rest of the members, Chair Lasker closed the nominations, and called for the vote. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller nominated Chair Lasker to the position of Treasu rer for 2016. Chair Lasker accepted the nomination. Hearing no objections from the rest of the members, Chair Lasker closed the nominations and then called for the vote. Special recognition went out to Regina Carvalho and Uli’i Castor for their many ye ars of service and hard work on the Committee. Ms. Castor’s and Ms. Carvalho’s term will terminate at the end of December. Chair Lasker and thanked Ms. Castor for her dedicated service during her tenure with the committee. She stated that with the abs ence of Ms. Carvalho it would be nice to send her a note to thank her for all she has done for the committee to which the members unanimously agreed. With no further discussion, Chair Lasker moved onto the next agenda item. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller moved to elect Suzanne Ellis to the position of Secretary for 2016. Vice Chair Beck seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0 Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller moved to elect Chair Lasker to the position of Treasurer for 2016. Ms. Cr owell seconded the motion. Motion carried 8:0 CSW 2015 -13 Discussion on participating in the Feminist Poetry event in March 2016. Vice Chair Beck indicated that although she found the project very inte resting the committee is already committed to its ow n Women’s History Month project . Chair Lasker called for a motio n. Ms. Ignacio -Neumiller moved to decline the request for funding. Ms. Yoshii seconded. Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 10 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION With no further discussion, Chair Lasker called for the vote. Discussion: Vice Ch a ir Beck stated that at the last meeting, she may have told the ladies although the co mmittee does not have the financial means to assist them she did encouraged them to seek out other org anizations that might b e able to help them with such a worthwhile pro ject. Motion carried 8:0 Announcements  Next meeting – January 20, 2016 , at 5:00 p.m. at the Mo`ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/2B.  Tickets are now on sale for The Zonta Club 23 rd “Eat Dessert First” event to be held on February 11, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort. Cost: $25 in advance and $30 at the door ($15 tax deductible).  Vice Chair Beck wants to do a presentation of her PowerPoint possibly at future Empowerment Workshops in partnership with the YWCA and the Kaua‘i Community College. With all of the valuable information the PowerPoint entails, Ms. Ellis suggested that perhaps Vice Chair Beck could inquire with Ms. Smith about the possibility of having the PowerPoint shown at the National Women’s conv ention in July 2016. Adjournment With no fu rther business to conduct, Chair Lasker called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. At 6:00 p.m., Ms. Ignacio -Neumille r moved to adjourn. Ms. Crowell seconded the motion. The motion carried 6:0. Committee on the Status of Women – Advisory Committee Regular Open Session – December 16 , 2015 Page 11 Submitted by: __________________________________ Reviewed and Approved by: _________________________________________ Mercedes Omo , Staff Support Clerk Virginia Beck , Chair (X) Approved as circulate d on : January 20, 2016. ( ) Approved a s amended . See minutes of ___________ meeting.