Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-17 Committee on the Status of Women Minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Friday, January 17, 2003, 10:00 a.m. Department of Liquor Control Conference Room, Suite 230 PRESENTEXCUSED Cindy Hara, ChairShawn Nakoa, Secretary Mary Andrews, Vice-ChairDeborah Davis Beryl Iramina, TreasurerSusan Shirachi Gonsalves Paradise Newland Suellen TanakaGUEST Pat O'Toole, Corporation Counsel CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. ROLL CALL A quorum was present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA M. Andrews moved to approve the agenda as submitted. B. Iramina seconded the motion. The motion was passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES S. Tanaka moved to approve the August 15, 2002 minutes. P. Newland seconded the motion. The motion was passed. TREASURER'S REPORT The treasurer's report was circulated. C. Hara reported that upcoming expenses would be the essay contest and travel to Oahu. Allicyn Hikida Tasaka, Executive Director of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women (HSCSW), has returned and she has requested that a committee representative attend the commission meetings. C. Hara explained CSW's fiscal policy for the new committee members. CSW will discuss items that cost the committee money which normally involves a ceiling on a dollar amount. The committee is frugal with their budget so they try to get items/services donated versus purchasing services. All these issues need to be discussed at the committee meetings. If there is something that can be done in-house, it is to be done in-house. Approval for in-house work goes to her as chair and then approval from J. Viernes as office staff. If a CSW member is planning to do basically the same project the year before and the expenses are not going to exceed that amount, then it is usually accepted by the committee. However, if changes are made the committee needs to vote and decide if the dollar amount and/or project is to be undertaken. C. Hara stated that CSW members need to remember that they are representing the County of Hawaii in the public and they are a direct reflection of the Mayor. Any kind of correspondences that are exposed to the media or the public will need to get approval from J. Viernes. If it's a legal issue, then P. O'Toole will assist CSW in addressing the concerns. Any questions relating to reimbursements, structures, or cost approval should be referred to J. Viernes. M. Andrews moved to accept the treasurer's report. S. Tanaka seconded the motion. The motion was passed. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None. CORRESPONDENCE A. Christmas card from Turning Point for Families, Inc. B. Christmas card from S. Nakoa and family C. Memorandum from S. Shirachi Gonsalves regarding MentorNet D. Letter from Mayor Harry Kim accepting Sarah Togashi's resignation E. Letter from Mayor Harry Kim to Chairman James Arakaki and Members of the County Council appointing S. Tanaka to CSW replacing S. Togashi F. Resignation letter from Lori Cannon-Salis, CSW Member G. Letter from Mayor Harry Kim to Chairman James Arakaki and Members of the County Council reappointing D. Davis and appointing P. Newland to CSW replacing A. Alcosiba H. Memorandum from the National Association of Commissions for Women requesting bid proposals and solicitations for the 2005 National Convention REPORTS A. Education 1. Urgent Services Directory M. Andrews reported that she continues to distribute the directory at random or when requested by organizations in her district. She drops the directory off at a pharmacy, hospital, and clinic in Waimea. P. Newland asked why the pregnant teen program for Pahoa School is not included in the directory. M. Andrews responded that she is not sure if the 2 program is still in operation. It was during the summer when she called to verify their services and most of those programs are up and running during the school year. C. Hara asked that CSW members keep track of the organizations/agencies they are distributing the directory to. M. Andrews said that she has been picking up business cards from agencies where the directory is being droppe it to J. Viernes. 2. First Female Booklet C. Hara asked the status of the First Female Booklet since there was no final draft submitted by S. Nakoa. CSW's goal was to debut the booklet for Women's History Month in March at the essay contest awards luncheon. CS find out the status from S. Nakoa. She explained the history of the booklet that started 15 years ago. 3. Essay Contest C. Hara reported that the essay contest awards luncheon is scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. in the Hawaii Naniloa Resort, Kilohana Room. CSW members attending the luncheon will assist with the reception table, greeting people, passing out name tags, giving leis, etc. C. Hara indicated that the deadline for judging the essays is January 31. Secondly, this was the first year that a charter school participated. There was also different schools participating this year that we haven't seen for a long time. 4. Equal Pay Day C. Hara reported that Equal Pay Day will be held on April 15, 2003. A press conference will be held on Oahu at the State Capitol. She and M. Andrews explained the significance of equal pay day. The Maui County Committee on the Status of Women usually sets up a booth at the Kaahumanu Shopping Center and sell "Payday" chocolate bars. The men are charged a $1 and the women 75 cents which is reflective of t earnings. 5. Mentoring C. Hara reported that M. Masunaga continues to provide mentoring. She suggested sponsoring a mentoring project for East and West Hawaii. It was suggested that we tailor our project after the Kauai County Committee on the Status of Women. The Kauai County CSW got eight pre-adolescent girls together and took them shopping on how to get fitted for a bra, how to use a formal dining setting, hair and makeup tips, and personal hygien committee member was assigned to one girl and they did this every week for one month. 3 C. Hara stated that M. Masunaga wanted to start a mentoring project with her daughter's class. It would have been a good control group because there were 15 or 16 girls in the class. However, due to lack of a quorum the committee was unable to approve and allocate money towards the project. 6. Dress for Success/Fashion Furlough B. Iramina reported that she continues to receive and accept clothing, shoes, and purses. M. Masunaga has done a successful drive in Kona and she donated a lot of clothes and shoes. They found out that the initial set of clothing that came in was a smaller size. Therefore, they sent out word that they need larger size clothing. C. Hara explained the fashion furlough program and how it works. B. HEALTH 1. Women's Health Month C. Hara reported that CSW is looking for a chair to spearhead Women's Health Month in September. The chair needs to come up with a concept, and bring it for discussion before CSW. C. Hara described past events that CSW sponsored or co-sponsored different organizations. The events are published in a statewide Calendar of Events tabloid. In the past, the HSCSW provided grants to the county committees earmarked specifically for Women's Health Month. C. LIAISON 1. HSCSW Copies of written material C. Hara received at the November 2002 meeting was distributed to CSW Members. C. Hara reviewed the HSCSW Executive Director's report for the period November 26, 2002 to January 15, 2003. Copies of the report will be made for CSW members. 2. Women's Coalition Covered under the HSCSW Executive Director's report. 3. Women's Caucus Covered under the HSCSW Executive Director's report. 4. Opening of the State Legislature C. Hara reported that P. Newland represented CSW at the opening of the legislature and the HSCSW meeting on January 15. P. Newland reported that it was very exciting to attend the opening for the first time. She met numerous legislators from the House and Senate. She found a tremendous responsiveness to the women's committee and what we're about. There is a lot of encouragement and support towards various issues that are 4 coming up. Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland is coming up with a bil pregnant teenagers. Senator Norman Sakamoto is introducing a stun gun program for domestic violence to protect women who are being stalked. Furthermore, the domestic violence posters that she brought over well-received and appreciated. She reminded legislators to spea domestic harmony as a lifestyle choice, speak about aloha, and s what the people want to hear about. P. Newland briefly reported on the HSCSW meeting that she attended: Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, was in Waimea talking about health issues, especially women's issues. There is something happening in Waimea on March 7 for pregnant g There is a $400,000 grant for Native Hawaiians relating to indig trademarks. There is a coalition against Domestic Violence Clearinghouse. There is a grant to stop stalking campaign. They are putting together stalking k There is a center for forgiveness. A big event is happening for workshop that comes out of the center for attitudinal healing. The Women's Coalition is concentrating on eight bills. The Violence Prevention Consortium is opening an office in Washi two years. Martha Ross has been working on this for quite some $20,000 grant from the Department of Health was given to start this office. There are zero funds slated for the Na Wahine conference in October. P. Newland reported that she introduced herself and her work. She spoke a few minutes on domestic harmony awareness and birth camp reproductiv education. Secondly, she asked whether or not CSW could address health and reproductive issues since it's not covered in CSW's bylaws. The meeting was recessed at 11:14 a.m. due to lack of quorum. The meeting was convened at 11:15 a.m. D. MARKETING 1. Newsletter C. Hara reported that S. Shirachi Gonsalves found a UHH Student, Gayle Taira, to volunteer and assist CSW with the newsletter. G. Taira signed a waiver releasing liability from the county. G. Taira contacted J. Viernes and said the newsletter was ready to be e-mailed once the e-mail addresses we 5 S. Shirachi Gonsalves was under the impression that the newsletter was going to be an e-mail newsletter. C. Hara said she does not remember CSW discussing e-mail, but a hard copy instead. CSW was also planning to work with the county to see whether or not the newsletter could be part of the county's website. In addition, the newsletter is not in any format that can go out in hard copy. The information is there, but the newsletter can be revised. The new committee members need to be introduced. The newsletter was supposed to b December 2002. P. Newland mentioned that her neighbor is a desktop publisher who can assist with the newsletter. She offered to check with her neighbor and will inform J. Viernes of his decision. C. Hara stated she would like the newsletter mailed out not later than the first week in February. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Resignations and appointments C. Hara reported that CSW received resignation letters from L. Cannon-Salis and S. Togashi. M. Andrews made a motion to accept their resignations. P. Newland seconded the motion. The motion was passed. B. Iramina made a motion to accept P. Newland and S. Tanaka as new members to CSW along with the reappointment of D. Davis. M. Andrews seconded the motion. The motion was passed. P. O'Toole expressed concerns on why the agenda does not list na correspondences. She felt the purpose of the agenda is to inform the public. C. Hara responded that CSW decided to do a general agenda because most of the time the committee is unaware a resignation is forthcoming. NEW BUSINESS A. New Committees C. Hara reported that P. Newland expressed her interest in being involved with the Women's Coalition and monitoring legislative happenings. S. Tanaka agreed to spearhead the essay contest for next year. B. Sponsorships and Co-Sponsorships C. Hara reported that CSW received no request for sponsorships a co-sponsorships. She explained the procedures for completing the co-sponsorship form from CSW. P. Newland expressed an interest in applying for a co-sponsorshi Harmony Awareness concert on February 9. Without time to process the request, P. Newland will inquire about future Domestic Harmony concerts. 6 C. Guest Speakers C. Hara reported that Senator Lorraine Inouye joined CSW for lunch in Waimea on December 20, 2002. It was nice that she was able to accommodate the committee from her busy schedule. CSW informed her that the UHH Women's Center was in jeopardy of being closed. One of the issues Senator Inouye spoke about was long term care. C. Hara stated that CSW members should inform CSW if they want someone to share something with the group. S. Shirachi Gonsalves has been instrumental in bringing guest speakers to our committee since people have been approaching her. M. Andrews mentioned that she was asked to speak before the American Business Women's Association next week about CSW. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Next meeting The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2003, at 10 a.m. in Hilo. Location to be announced. B. Schedules M. Andrews, D. Davis, and S. Nakoa will be unable to attend the February meeting. P. Newland requested for approval to attend the 2003 annual meeting of Healthy Mothers, Health Babies Coalition of Hawaii on February 6, from 4:30-7:00 p.m. on Oahu. After some discussion, P. Newland's request was invalid because P. O'Toole pointed out that the committee did not have a 2/3 vote of the entire membership to amend the agenda and add it under New Business. P. O'Toole read the Hawaii Revised Statutes to confirm her statement. C. Other P. Newland announced that a Domestic Harmony Awareness Concert will be held on February 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Makuu Market in Puna. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, _______________________________ JEAN VIERNES, STAFF SECRETARY 7