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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-13 Committee on the Status of Women Minutes COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Friday, June 13, 2014 Convened at Waimea Center Suite 2C 65-1158 Mamalaoha Highway, Kamuela CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Carol Kitaoka at 10:08 a.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT EXCUSED Carol Kitaoka, Chair Elena Cabatu (ex-officio) Katie Nova, Vice-Chair Margaret Masunaga (ex-officio) Farrah-Marie Gomes, Secretary Mele Spencer, Treasurer GUESTS Kim Schneider Brenda Ford, County Council Member Brooke Derby Karen Rose, Victims Assistance Unit Counselor Hazel Beck Cyd Hoffeld A quorum was present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved as submitted. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of April 11, 2014 meeting was approved as submitted. Meeting in May 2014 was not held due to lack of quorum. TREASURER’S REPORT The Treasurer’s Report was approved as submitted. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Hawaii County Council Member Brenda Ford announced that Bill 208, Draft 3 proposes that the General Fund Expenditures for the Committee on the Status of Women be increased by $40,000 to provide teen dating violence seminars to middle and high school students, and include conducting training the trainer workshops. Funds must be expended or encumbered or the balance goes back to the fund balance. Ms. Ford shared her ideas of chat line/hot line, seminars on teen dating violence, bullying and suicide, trained teen mentors and health curriculum include teen dating violence, suicide and bullying. Also suggested was a panel of Family Court and Circuit Court judges do a presentation before the County Council on what they see in their courtrooms, the impact of domestic violence and bullying and recording the stories that women in the domestic violence want to share. Ms. Ford suggested that members talk to Mitch Roth and the Mayor for additional funds and that members start planning for the next budget year. Ms. Ford was thanked for her advocacy on behalf of the Committee and her support. 1 07/01/14 – Final HC CSW 06/13/2014 Meeting Minutes Ms. Ford mentioned that Dr. Sharon Vitousek completed a longitudinal study on pregnant women drinking or on drugs for the North Hawaii Outcomes Project. Youth are drinking to anesthetize themselves from the violence in home and/or to avoid reality. Ms. Ford suggested that Dr. Vitousek speak at one of the meetings. Ms. Ford mentioned that Jackie Murray APRN of Kona Hospital has a mobile van at Ka’u High School. Jackie works with students there and the teen pregnancy rate has decreased significantly. Another suggestion was Dr. Lani Higgins of West Hawaii Community Health Center as she works with teens. Each County Council member will receive contingency funds - $45,000 through December 1, 2014 and additional $45,000 through June 30, 2015. Karen mentioned the “defendant shaming” posters and PSAs. Shaming the defendant is taking the power away from the batterer. Cyd reported that the Sexual Violence Prevention committee is working with Hilo High School’s Performing Arts Learning Center for radio spots and videos. Messages relate to how to show love and affections without doing it and healthy ways to break up a romantic relationship. CORRESPONDENCE Thank you letter from Real Women Essay Contest Winner Rudy Castro was circulated. REPORTS A. Liaison 1. HSCSW Elena did not attend today’s meeting due to vacation. Elena emailed that the Commission did not have a meeting. Executive Director did attend the signing of the Minimum Wage increase bill. The Commission is planning on submitted testimony in support of Molly Stebbins for Corporation Counsel. She served as the Committee’s counsel prior to Margaret. 2. Legislative Update No Report. B. Education 1. Equal Pay PayDay candy bars were also passed out at KTA Waimea, Breastfeeding Summit, two canoe races and UH West Hawaii campus. 2. Voter Registration Voter registration was conducted at the Kona Stroll. It was a successful event – applications were handed out, Urgent Services Directory for Families and PayDay candy bars were handed out. Our banner was not present. Carol will deliver the banner to Hazel. Brochures were not ready to be handed out. Next voter registration is September 21. Those interested are invited to help. 2 07/01/14 – Final HC CSW 06/13/2014 Meeting Minutes 3. Teen Dating Violence Prevention Carol and Mele will work on getting thank you letters mailed out. Ideas will be discussed at the next meeting. It was suggested that subcommittees include community members. Another suggestion was to amend the By-Laws to increase the number of members. C. Committee Report 1. Networking No report. 2. Nominating Committee Slate of Officers distributed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. CSW Support Secretary will be taking notes and completing meeting minutes. Farrah-Marie suggested that the by-laws be amended to add a corresponding secretary to do public relations, public service announcements, and correspondence such as thank you letters. The corresponding secretary will take notes and complete meeting minutes when Farrah-Marie is absent. Brooke volunteered to be corresponding secretary. Further discussion on amending the By-Laws at the next meeting. There was discussion on the meeting with Mitch Roth, Lee Lord (Business Manager) and Deanna Sako (County Finance Department). Several felt that the meeting did not go well. The Committee is still left without a support person from the office. In the past, Nancy and Jean handled everything. Training by Finance Department was requested. Carol will follow up with Mitch. Topics to include fiscal policy and timelines/deadlines, bidding process and procedures. Roxanne will still provide support to Committee, depending on workload and assignments. B. Current Year Fund Request C. Budget Request 2015 Further discussion at the next meeting. D. Project Ideas – follow up Further discussion at the next meeting. E. Civics education citizenship project Project to be done during fall semester. F. Conference No report. 3 07/01/14 – Final HC CSW 06/13/2014 Meeting Minutes G. CSW Brochure Hazel worked on the brochure. Brochure will be updated; captions needed for photos. Hazel will email the brochure to members. Elena was willing to help with layout. Roxanne will check on a volunteer/student intern. H. Mission Statement To be discussed at next meeting. NEW BUSINESS A. Election of Officers Slate of Officers was distributed. Election was conducted. The following Slate of Officers was elected: Hazel Beck, Chairperson Cyd Hoffeld, Vice Chairperson Farrah-Marie Gomes, Secretary Mele Spencer, Treasurer B. Nomination of New Member Applications submitted by Roxanne Costa and Lorraine Godoy were circulated. Motion to invited Roxanne Costa to join the Committee on the Status of Women made; seconded; approved. C. Attendance at Meetings Carol reminded everyone that attendance at meetings is vital. More discussion on amending the By-Laws will be discussed at next month’s meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Congratulations to Margaret Masunaga. The American Bar Association Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division selected Margaret as its 2014 Nelson Award recipient. The Nelson Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the ABA by an individual government or public sector lawyer. The award will be presented at the ABA’s annual meeting on August 8 in Boston. B. Next meeting will be via video conferencing. Friday, July 11, 2014 West Hawaii Civic Center Mayor’s Office and Puna Conference Room (County Building) Roxanne will contact WH Mayor’s Office and Puna Conference Room to see if both rooms are available from 10:00 to noon. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m. APPROVED BY: RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY: Roxanne L. Aburamen, Staff 4 07/01/14 – Final HC CSW 06/13/2014 Meeting Minutes