Dec. 11, 2017
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bhatnagar at 7:18 p.m.
Attendance
Commissioners in attendance: Emily McCoy, Lee; Nancy Hopkins, Dranesville; Lisa Sales, Mount Vernon; Chair Cynthia Bhatnagar, Mason; Vice Chair Barbara Lippa, Sully; Elise Helgesen Aguilar, Providence; Katie McDaniel, Springfield; Mattie Palmore, Minority At-Large; Vice Chair Sondra Seba Hemenway, At-Large; Kayla Rothstein, Student Representative.
Commissioners absent: Charlie Brown, Braddock
Vacant seat: Hunter Mill
Staff in attendance: Gretchen Soto and Michelle Mueller
Visitor: Glynda Mayo Hall of the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, former Liaison to the Commission for Women
New Student Representative Kayla Rothstein
Newly appointed Student Representative Kayla Rothstein introduced herself. She attends West Springfield High School, where she takes part in many activities including theater and tutoring for students with disabilities. She looks forward to working on the Commission.
Former Liaison to the Commission Glynda Mayo Hall
Ms. Hall is about to retire from Fairfax County and shared some background on the Commission.
November 2017 Minutes
ACTION: Ms. Sales moved to accept the November 2017 minutes. Vice Chair Lippa seconded the motion. Vice Chair Hemenway and Ms. Rothstein abstained, and all other Commissioners present voted in favor of the motion.
Human Trafficking Awareness Month Proclamation
Ms. Mueller reported that the Human Trafficking Awareness Month proclamation would occur at the January 23, 2018 Board of Supervisors meeting and that she would email the invitation shortly.
Valerie Bey Outstanding Performance Award
Ms. McCoy reported that she and Ms. Mueller had attended the award ceremony on December 8, and Ms. Bey was very pleased to be acknowledged for her work on behalf of the Commission.
Student Representative Selection Committee
Ms. Mueller reported that three Student Representative applicants had expressed interest in the OFWDSVS Teen Advisory Group and had contacted Helen McDonald, OFWDSVS Youth Education and Outreach Specialist.
Women’s History Month
Ms. McCoy provided an updated Plan for WHM 2018. The proclamation will be on March 6 and the reception will be in conference room 8. She noted that honoree Pat Reuss had moved to Loudoun County and was no longer eligible. Committee members Ms. McCoy and Vice Chair Hemenway will meet to finish planning; other Commissioners will let them know if they are interested in joining them.
Policy Committee
Ms. Aguilar stated that the Policy Committee will reschedule the meeting with Ellen Volo, County Deputy Legislative Director, after the legislative session ends in March. Ms. Sales stated that she would like to join the Policy Committee, and would like them to consider the issue of gun access for non-domestic violence violent offenders.
Media Committee
Ms. Mueller encouraged the committee to work on the Biennial Report. They asked her to email them the information.
Ms. Rothstein asked about the Commission’s use of social media. Ms. Mueller explained that the Commission was not allowed to have their own social media accounts, though Commissioners pointed out that individual Commissioners are free to post information. Ms. Hall pointed out that a business partner can post information on behalf of the Commission.
Ms. Rothstein volunteered to join the Media Committee.
Administrative Committee
The committee does not have a project at this time. Ms. Sales said she was interested in seeking outside funding to make the Liaison position full-time.
Turning Point Suffragist Memorial
Ms. McCoy reported that she will meet with Edie Mayo and work on the revised video with Valerie Bey.
Human Trafficking Policy Paper
Ms. Mueller reported that she had drafted the paper and needed to verify information with some experts.
Biennial Report
Ms. Mueller agreed to provide the Biennial Report material to the Communications Committee.
DV/Mental Health Services
The committee had not met. Ms. Mueller explained that the purpose of the committee was to research and advocate for mental health services for domestic violence victims, rather than shelter bedspace. When the Commission was selecting their issue to work on, they were told that bedspace had expanded significantly and bond funding would be available in 2020. However, transitional housing services had just ended, so they were concerned about services for domestic violence victims who were receiving housing assistance.
OFWDSVS
Ms. Soto reported that OFWDSVS was in the process of filling several positions, including Outreach and Prevention Coordinator, Child Witness Coordinator, Human Trafficking/Sexual Violence Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator and Director. At the same time some employees are retiring.
Commissioners asked about the incoming Deputy County Executive and the move of the OFWDSVS into the Department of Family Services.
Commissioners also discussed the possible need for time to discuss their public message and shared definition of their goals and responsibilities. Ms. Mueller agreed to distribute the results from the April 2015 retreat discussions, which included a brainstormed vision statement.
Community Reports
Ms. Palmore reported on a job fair in South County.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
Meeting Materials
December 2017 Meeting Agenda
November 2017 Meeting Minutes
WHM Planning Checklist
Next Meeting
The Commission will next meet on January 8, 2018 at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7:15 p.m.
If you have any concerns, issues or thoughts that you would like to share, please send an email to Commission for Women. Your concerns and observations are important in helping the women and girls in Fairfax County.