2021-12-15 Committee on the Status of Women Minutes

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organizations involved in the task force. They are each listed in the November 17, 2021 meeting minutes. She said the main focus of the task force will be data gathering for reports and studies surrounding the issue of missing and murdered native Hawaiian women and girls. Mihaela said the next meeting is February 10, and the next Chair of HCSW must attend. IX. OLD BUSINESS A. Committee membership, term -out, appointments and re -appointments Mihaela announced she is not pursuing another term on the committee. She is still going to attend the January 5, 2021 event at the County Council and is willing to stay until January 31, 2021, if needed. Farrah -Marie said the Vice Chair is supposed to be Chair by default. Mihaela announced that new committee member Lisa Pana will take her place beginning in January 2022. Chair and Vice -Chair will be elected during the January meeting. Elena Cabatu was also announced as a new member for the next four years, from December 2021 to December 2025, per committee by-laws. Elena is a former committee member and currently works as the Director for Public Affairs of the Hilo Medical Center. She has a background in women's health and advocacy and is a member of the Zonta Club of Hilo. She takes the place of Matapuna Levenson, who left the committee in October 2021. Mihaela said that five committee members will be terming out on December 31, 2021: Andrew, Brooke, Farrah -Marie, Mele, and Mihaela. Mele and Mihaela both said they will not be reapplying for another term and that Andrew, Brooke, and Farrah -Marie will be reapplying. Hannah will also reapply, since she took over the rest of Tammy's term, which ends on December 31, 2021. Farrah -Marie asked about reappointment rules and if the new and reappointed members will be on two year, three year, or four year staggered terms. Mihaela said that the committee by-laws are silent on reappointment of committee members and that staggered terms may be needed to maintain continuity of quorum. Pomai said that according to the County Charter, members of county boards and commissions must sit out for two years before reapplying and that staggered terms is an issue. County of Hawaii MITCHELL D. ROTH COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Mayor c/o 655 Kilauea Avenue • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 961-0466 • Fax (808) 961-8908 Cody said the County Charter only applies to boards and commissions it creates, and HCSW was not created by the County Charter. Therefore, HCSW must adhere to its own committee by-laws under the direction of the Mayor of Hawai'i County. She said there are upcoming amendments to the County Charter which could affect the committee beginning in 2022. Farrah -Marie suggested amending the committee by-laws to address the staggered term and reappointments issue. Cody said she would accept proposed amendments to the by-laws for discussion at a future meeting. Farrah -Marie asked Pomai if there are any pending applications for new committee members. Pomai said yes, there are. Farrah -Marie asked if we should vote to amend by-