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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-17 CSW Approved Minutes COUNTY OF KAUAI Minutes of Meeting OPEN SESSION Board/Committee: Committee on the Status of Women Meeting Date February 15, 2017 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 Edie Ignacio-Neumiller; Members: Wendy Martinez, Kathy Crowell, Virginia Beck (arrived at 5:02 p.m.) and Erika Valente. Also present: HSCSW Kaua‘i Representative Lisa Ellen Smith (left at 5:51 p.m.); Board & Commissions Office Staff: Support Clerk Mercedes Omo; Boards and Commissions Administrator Jay Furfaro. Public Testifier: Ms. Savita Agarwal. Excused Jenai Hart Absent SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Call To Order Chair Lasker called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with five (5) members present to conduct business. Approval of Minutes Regular Open Session Minutes of January 18, 2017. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller moved to approve the meeting minutes as circulated. Ms. Martinez seconded the motion. The motion carried 5:0. Update by Ms. Emily Goldbach, co-chair of the Women’s March that was recently held on January 21, 2017. Ms. Goldbach said that the event was enormously successful and as such they are going to continue that glorious momentum and hold another event on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 in celebration of International Women’s Day. The event will be held at the Kaua‘i Community College Performance Arts Center in Līhu‘e and will feature a film by independent documentary film-maker Ms. Kamala Lopez titled “Equal Means Equal”. In addition to the film, they are also working on getting someone to ideally give a crash course in American Civics. Ms. Goldbach said with only three (3) weeks to go until the event, she has already approached the YWCA and the Zonta Club of Līhu‘e and both organizations have agreed to co-sponsor the Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 2 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION event. She asked if the Committee would like to consider putting out a press release and perhaps be willing to co-sponsor the event by overseeing the voter’s registration table. Chair Lasker asked being that the Committee co-sponsored the last “Equal Means Equal” showing perhaps the Committee would like to co-sponsor this event. Ms. Beck asked if co-sponsoring the event would cost the Committee anything monetary to which Chair Lasker replied no, Ms. Goldbach is just asking for support and to oversee the voter registration table the evening of the event. Hearing no objections from the members, Chair Lasker called for a motion to co-sponsor the event. Ms. Smith shared that the event is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. and that retired Attorney Joe Moss will be conducting a Civic’s 101 class @ 5:00 p.m. In addition, if HSCSW Executive Director Catherine Betts is available, she would give a presentation on how to advocate and lobby, but if she is not available, she will reach out to Laura Thielen to do that piece. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller asked what time the members should be there to which Ms. Smith replied 4:30 p.m. should be fine. Chair Lasker asked if the Committee needs to procure the voter registration materials. Ms. Smith stated in addition to handling out the materials they (committee) can help by registering the people on line, but she doesn’t know if anyone would have their computer on hand or if there will be internet available onsite. With no further comments or questions, Chair Lasker moved to item CSW 2016-07. Ms. Beck moved to co- sponsor the event. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller seconded the motion. The motion carried 6:0. Business CSW 2016-07 Discussion and possible action on a showing (s) of the film “Miss South Pacific”. (Deferred on 1/18/17) Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 3 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Chair Lasker reported that the Committee is confirmed to use the Waimea Theatre on Wednesday, April 29, 2017, for the showing, but she’s still waiting for the Mayor to waive the fee. She pointed out that whoever can attend the event should put it into their calendar and at the next month’s meeting have a discussion on how to get the public to attend the showing. Ms. Beck said she received confirmation from Ms. Tico to do a second showing. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller asked if Ms. Tico was going to be at the event to which Ms. Beck replied at this point, she doesn’t know whether or not Ms. Tico is going to be available for the showing; however, she’s willing to create the flyer for the members to send it to Ron Wiley of KONG Radio or Barbara Bennett. Per the County’s media protocol, Administrator Furfaro advised the members to send the flyer to the County’s Public Information Officer Mary Daubert for her to review and approve before releasing it out to the public. Staff asked Ms. Beck to send the flyer to her along with all of the information about the film and then she’ll forward to Ms. Daubert for review and at the same time ask her to write a press release. Ms. Valente asked how many people the Waimea Theatre can accommodate to which Ms. Beck replied she’ll have to find out and would get back to her. Chair Lasker asked Ms. Valente and Ms. Beck if they could work with Ms. Smith on creating the flyer since she’s the person the Committee has always relied on to do the flyers. Ms. Smith asked if she drafts the press release could she run it by Ms. Daubert for review to which Staff replied sure. With no further discussion, Chair Lasker moved to item CSW 2016- 13. CSW 2016-13 Review and possible action to approve the draft resolution that supports the principles of eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and work working with Council for its passage. (Deferred on 1/18/2017) Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 4 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Chair Lasker stated after reading the last month’s meeting minutes, it appears that someone from the Committee made a suggestion to modify the draft resolution, asking if someone could bring her up to speed on that. Ms. Smith reported that she removed all of the implementation portions but kept Exhibit A CEDAW (Convention on the Eliminating all Discrimination Against Women) which mirrors the United Nations Resolution. She shared that she purposely dragged her feet on making any revisions to the resolution because she wanted each Committee member to have input and make it their own rather than just accept her proposal. Ms. Beck thanked Ms. Smith for taking the time in drafting resolution for the County Council to accept and hopefully adopt. Ms. Smith shared that according to the County Attorney, the County of Kaua‘i does not have a non-discrimination ordinance, unlike the other counties. Most recently, the City and County of Honolulu has adopted its own non-discrimination CEDAW which can be found on line. Chair Lasker thanked Ms. Smith for drafting the resolution and asked if any of the members had revisions now would be a good time to speak up, and if not, she would call for a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-1 and send it off to the Mayor for transmittal over to the Office of the County Clerk for placement of the Council’s agenda hopefully in the month of March which would coincide with the March Women’s History Month. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller moved to adopt Resolution 2017-1 and forward it to the Mayor for transmittal to the County Council for consideration. Ms. Valente seconded the motion. The motion carried 5:0. CSW 2016-14 Continued discussion and action for the following upcoming 2017 events: Career Day – March 3, 2017 at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. Chair Lasker asked for an update on the menu selection to which Ms. Crowell replied the menu will consist of a fresh spinach salad with dressing, chicken primavera with pasta as the Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 5 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION main dish and toasted coconut cake for dessert. Beverages will include hot tea, regular/decaf coffee and ice tea. Ms. Valente asked instead of serving coffee can an exception be made to offer a soft drink instead. Administrator Furfaro stated that would mean another cost so tropical ice tea would be a better choice. Chair Lasker suspended the rules to allow testimony from Ms. Savita Agarwal on the Career Day event. Ms. Agarwal began by thanking the Committee for doing so much for community and as a former Committee member, she knows very well how near and dear the Career Day event is to the Committee. But what she is about to say should not be taken as criticism but as a suggestion because she has nothing personal to gain. Ms. Agarwal testified that the times have changed and in order to adjust to those changes at the local level, the Committee needs to know exactly what the girl’s needs are. She stated the students who are invited to the Career Day event represent only a fraction of the student population so the question now is what more can the Committee do to motivate the students to want to achieve higher goals so they can live up to their potential and in the process gain a higher self-esteem of themselves which is crucial to this whole equation because as the former first lady Michelle Obama said in one of her speeches “no boy is cute enough or interesting enough to stop you from getting an education”. Ms. Agarwal stated everyone here can all agree how important it is to educate women, but it order to achieve that would take an entire day and although she knows that the program for this year’s Career Day event is already set perhaps the Committee would consider having it for an entire day or even on Saturday so the students wouldn’t miss a school day. Ms. Agarwal stated the event does not need to be held at a hotel it can be held at one of the high schools, churches or any of the County’s facilities such as the Kaua‘i Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. The Committee could invite ten (10) or speakers who are passionate about educating young women and have a one on one session with these young Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 6 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION women. Ms. Agarwal stated as a nation we need to grow stronger communities and educating women is the key factor. We need to put the emphasis on cooperation and not competition because the new science tells us that the fundamental rule of nature is cooperation and mutual aid. Ms. Beck stated she thinks what Ms. Agarwal is suggesting is a great idea, but she believes what the Committee has been doing is more than adequate and how does she judge that? Because when she spoke to one of the counselor’s from Kanuikapono Charter School after last year’s event, she was told that some of the girls asked if they could attend next year’s event, which can only mean that the girls are finding value by coming to the event. She questioned could the Committee do more? Yes, but right now, the Committee does not have the resources or the time and would need a cohort of community volunteers who would want to take on the task. So if Ms. Agarwal would like to gather ten (10) women from the community, the Committee would be more than willing to support her. Ms. Agarwal stated it was a suggestion for the Committee to consider and not for her to carry out the task of finding ten (10) women. In regard to the lack of resources and restrictions, as a Committee of seven women you should be able to work within your budget. Chair Lasker stated based on the dialogue, she believes that both ladies are on the same path but are not seeing the full picture. She believes what Ms. Beck is trying to convey is a great idea and perhaps she (Ms. Agarwal) could help coordinate a separate event and the Committee could support her. Ms. Agarwal stated she’s not saying that she wants to have her own event because it was never about her. Ms. Valente stated she understands where Ms. Agarwal is coming from because it’s important (especially when it comes to the youth) to make them understand that there are people out in the community who are willing to mentor them and who they can actually go to Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 7 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION for help and perhaps next year, the Committee could hold a series of event not just one Career Day event. Ms. Beck stated in response to Ms. Valente’s suggestion about holding a series of Career Day events, she reiterated that the Committee has limited resources and time, but outside of the Committee the members are not limited in our own personal capacity. She shared that over the years, she has dealt with thousands of teen women and in doing, so she always made sure had her list of resources readily available to pass on to the girls. Perhaps if Ms. Agarwal could help the Committee build a list of mentors, the Committee could pass the list on to the girls. Ms. Valente stated perhaps the Committee could get the girls contact information from so in the future if there is something that might be of interest to them, the Committee could call them. Chair Lasker noted she’ll allow just another minute for discussion before she moves on to the next agenda item. Ms. Beck stated the Committee needs to be careful about collecting personal information because it may have some legal ramifications on the Committee. Chair Lasker stated the Committee can always stay connected with the girls by the way of their school counselors. Ms. Smith stated in regard to Ms. Agarwal’s suggestion about holding an event on a Saturday, as a former Chair for the Committee, the idea came from her when she attended an event on the mainland that was hosted by the YWCA called Bright Futures. There were fifty-two young woman in attendance and they participated in task oriented study circles and took part in a series of motivational and educational programs that were offered throughout the day. Relative to the Committee’s Career Day event, she doesn’t see why the Committee could not incorporate agencies like Workwise and the Kaua‘i Community College recruiter into the event. Chair Lasker stated she loves the concept, but her focus now, is on the Career Day event and Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 8 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION making any last minutes changes wouldn’t be a good idea, but if the other members disagree, she’s up for discussion, and if not, the idea can always be brought up at another time. Chair Lasker stated she received an email from Jenai Hart saying that she’ll definitely be at the event and that she has 2 sponsors to cover a total of 20 girls; 10 each from the different high schools plus 4 staff members. Ms. Crowell asked if she could state the names of the sponsors for the record to which Chair Lasker replied one possible sponsor is Title Guaranty, but if they do not come through, then Jenai herself would cover it. The other sponsor is Donna Apisa of Oceanfront International Realty. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller noted Island School has10 students coming to the event to which Ms. Valente replied correct. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller asked Ms. Smith about the status of the $2000.00 grant funding from the State to which Ms. Smith replied it’s done. Ms. Crowell reported that the girls from Waimea high School are involved in other school activities and will not be attending the event. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller asked for an update on the Kaua‘i high school girls to which Ms. Valente replied the 10 girls from Kaua‘i high school are confirmed to attend. Ms. Beck stated the Kekaha Charter School said they would cover ten of their students plus 2 staff members, but they’re still working on finalizing the count, in the meantime, she’ll send them the student waiver forms. She’s also waiting to hear from Kalika Santos of OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs) to see if they are going to cover 10 students from Kawaikini and until hears from her, she won’t contact Kawaikini to confirm. Chair Lasker noted initially when she looked at the numbers there should be enough funds to cover the Kawaikini students. Ms. Crowell stated her husband Dee Crowell who sits on the KUIC Board says he’ll sponsor one of the Charter schools so he can cover the Kawaikini students to which Ms. Beck replied she’ll get right on it and contact Kawaikini tomorrow. In regard to the speakers, Ms. Beck stated Char Ravelo said yes. Abbey Santos said yes to Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 9 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION either the March Women’s History or Career Day, but prefers the Career Day event. Nancy Golden said yes, and all she needs to know now is what the talking points are going to be because the speakers wants to know. Lastly, Sabra Kauka is going to see if she can juggle her schedule. Ms. Crowell stated Marissa Sandblum from Grove Farm is confirmed as well as Sue Kanoho. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller stated Sheryl Grady is also confirmed which brings the total up to 7 speakers and 7 Committee members. Chair Lasker stated if we need to reduce the amount of speakers to six, the Committee could always invite Abbey Santos to be a speaker at the Women’s History Month event in March, asking how many students are expected to be at the event to which Ms. Valente replied 60 students, which includes the students from Kawaikini. After a lengthy discussion on the schematic of the tables and the sitting arrangements for the speakers, the Committee came to a decision to have 10 ten tables of rounds. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller stated the list of sponsors now include KIUC (Dee Crowell). Staff reported as of 2/14/2017 the total amount collected in hand is $812.50. Chair Lasker noted that the Committee have commitments from other sponsors as well to which Staff replied yes. Ms. Beck noted she is willing to cover some of the speakers. Chair Lasker noted just like last year each member is responsible for their own lunch. Ms. Martinez asked if the Committee is going with 6 speakers or 7 to which Chair Lasker replied 7. Ms. Valente stated she’s worried about the time. Ms. Beck noted Sabra Kuaka is not 100% confirmed because she still needs to check her schedule. Administrator Furfaro noted 6 speakers total an hour and a half. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller asked about the speakers topics. Ms. Crowell noted once the topics are solidified it needs to be forwarded to the speakers. Chair Lasker noted she and Ms. Beck will work together on the topics. Administrator Furfaro noted the Committee should work on the timeframe first to see if it fits into the program and then work on the topics for the speakers because that would determine the length of time the speakers will have. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 10 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION Ms. Beck stated perhaps it would better to work off last year’s timeframe and make any adjustments as needed. Ms. Smith noted she sent the program to Ms. Valente to work, but she didn’t get any response so she took everything from last year’s program and incorporated it into this year’s program. After a lengthy discussion, Ms. Smith said she would finalize the timeframe, then will email to Chair Lasker for final review and Staff for printing. Ms. Smith asked if the bios for each speaker could be sent to her as soon as possible so she can incorporate it into the program. Chair Lasker asked those who are responsible for inviting the individual speakers should get the bios from them and send it to Ms. Smith as soon as possible. At 5:55 p.m. Chair Lasker called for a 5 minutes recess for picture taking. At 6:00 p.m. Chair Lasker called the meeting back to order. Chair Lasker stated since the State grant funding is confirmed, Ms. Crowell could order the items for the gift bags. Staff noted as soon as she receives the check she’ll have Ms. Crowell come in to select the items for purchasing. Ms. Valente questioned the arrival of the items. Chair Lasker asked about the Constitution booklets to which Ms. Beck replied she’ll look online to see if there’s a more simplified version of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights the girls can look up instead of giving them the booklets which would probably sit at the bottom of their bags. Chair Lasker suggested giving the booklets out at the Equal Pay Day event. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller stated she will bring the donated items she collected to the Office of Boards and Commissions. March Women’s History Month event  Communication dated January 23, 2017 from Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. to Chair Virginia Beck approving the Committee’s request to waive the fee for the use of the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall for the Women’s History Month event on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Chair Lasker asked if the Committee would like to cancel the event because of the asbestos Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 11 SUBJECT DISCUSSION ACTION fond in the tiles or move ahead as planned to which members indicated that they would like to move ahead with the event. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller stated the event will begin about 5ish so the members needs to be at the hall by 4:30 p.m. to set-up. Ms. Beck stated as she noted before Abbey Santos said she’ll be one of the speakers, but her heart is leaning towards on the Career Day event. Chair Lasker stated looking at the list there was supposed to be someone from Kaua‘i Kookie, but she still doesn’t quite know who the person is. Ms. Beck suggested Betsy Toulon. Chair Lasker suggested Phyllis Kunimura. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller stated Ms. Kunimura would be a great choice. Chair Lasker volunteered to ask Ms. Kunimura. Ms. Beck volunteered to ask Ms. Kusaka and suggested the women who runs Conrad Wong’s. Chair Lasker stated as a recap the potential speakers are Maryanne Kusaka, Phyllis Kunimura, Abbey Santos and possibly someone from the Kaua‘i Kookie. CSW 2017-01 Discussion and possible action on an email dated January 27, 2017 from Lisa Ellen Smith to Chair Sharon Lasker regarding the lack of women applicants on the judicial selection committee list. Ms. Ignacio-Neumiller moved to defer item CSW 2017-01 to March 15, 2017. Ms. Valente seconded the motion. Motion carried 6:0. CSW 2017-02 Update by Kathy Crowell on Senate Bill No. 509 and House Bill No. 671 – Relating to Equal Pay. Ms. Crowell reported that the written testimony is ready to go once the hearing is set. Announcements  Next meeting Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the Mo’ikeha Building, Meeting Room 2A/2B.  April 21, 2017 is the Financial Conference for Women at that Sheraton Kaua‘i. (The public is invited) Adjournment At 6:15 p.m. Chair Lasker declared the meeting adjourned. Committee on the Status of Women Regular Open Session Minutes of February 15, 2017 Page 12 Submitted by: __________________________________ Reviewed and Approved by: _________________________________________ Mercedes Omo, Staff Support Clerk Edie Ignacio-Neumiller, Vice Chair ( ) Approved as circulated on: (x) Approved as amended. See minutes of March 15, 2017 meeting.