In September 2017, the IOC held a discussion about problems that had been reported concerning the Commission for Women including a spate of member resignations, inability to achieve a meeting quorum, blurred responsibilities, disagreement over the Commission's mission, factions and fragmentation, open meeting act errors, and loss of interest among some of the membership.
In February 2018, IOC staff presented five recommendations to address the problems identified by some of the former and current Commission members. Commission member Joey Smith and former Commission member Beth Mora commented that the officer duties of the Commission were rotated annually but the Commission's subcommittee leadership had no formal rotation of officers. They emphasized that the formation of the Friends Group and the Commission's increased dependence on the Group for funding resulted from the elimination of County funding for the Commission many years ago. Ms. Mora commented that several of the former members of the Commission were disappointed that the Board of Supervisors had not yet dismantled and re-established the Commission as a completely new entity. Attached for reference is the Commission's April 2, 2018 response to the IOC staff recommendations.
The Committee generally concurred with staff's recommendations and preliminarily recommended to the Board that the size of the Commission be reduced from 20 to 15 members to improve cohesion and also the probability of achieving a meeting quorum. The Board approved this recommendation on April 24. Assuming the Commission would thus be able to convene proper meetings, the IOC requested the Commission to consider the remaining CAO recommendations and possible bylaws update, and report back to the IOC in October.
Staff provided at status report to the IOC on October 8, at which time it was acknowledged that the Commission could not meet quorum requirements, had not properly noticed meetings, and was not updating its website. In an effort to fill vacancies and enable the Commission to hold meetings, the IOC directed staff to forward any nominations from the Commission Chair directly to the Board of Supervisors. From October-November, four nominations for appointment to the Commission were approved by the Board, bringing the total membership up to 12 of the 15 authorized seats and enabling the Commission to resume meetings.
The IOC directed the Commission to discuss the four remaining CAO staff recommendations and report back to the IOC. |
Attached is a status update from Commission for Women Chair Kirsten Upshaw. Staff has the following comments on the status update:
- Item (b): On November 13, the Commission provided IOC staff with a preliminary draft of its revised bylaws, and on November 19, staff suggested numerous changes and additions (see attached mark-up of proposed bylaws). One of the changes suggested by staff, consistent with prior IOC direction, was to prohibit dual membership on the Commission and the Friends of the Commission and any other organization that donates or grants funds to the Commission. The objective of this prohibition is to eliminate any conflict of interest or undue influence of any one or more Commission members with regard to Commission activities and initiatives. Since this has been an issue of contention that contributed to the resignation of prior members, staff maintains this recommendation over the case-by-case recusal of members who have such dual membership.
- Item (c): The preliminary draft bylaws provided to IOC staff by the Commission had no provision limiting the number of consecutive years that a member by serve on on the Commission's Executive Committee. Staff maintains the recommendation for a two year limit.
- Item (d): Staff's recommended mission statement for the Commission is slightly different than the Commission's proposal: "The Commission shall provide information and advice to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and other entities, as necessary, relating to the health and welfare of women and girls in the county. The Commission will strive to increase awareness of women’s and girls’ issues, celebrate the achievements of local deserving women, champion opportunities for women and girls, and recommend legislative solutions at the city, county, state and federal levels. Areas of focus will include, but are not be limited to, socio-economic conditions, workplace issues, social treatment of gender issues, and health and safety for women and girls."
Ms. Upshaw also asked if the County could host and maintain the Commission's website. The County can post Commission agendas, packets, and minutes, but cannot otherwise host and maintain a Commission website. Staff recommends that the Commission's web presence extend no further than agendas, packets, and minutes, and the general information maintained in the Board's appointive listing for the Commission (history, mission, composition, membership, etc.).
At the October 2018 IOC meeting, the Commission provided a proposed FY 2018/19 budget of $5,430, attached. No information was provided as to any balances of Commission funds that may be available to finance the proposed budget. Staff's recommendation is that any amounts needed should be acquired through fundraising, e.g., donations, grants, and/or event fees. |