REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the COMMISSION FOR WOMEN September 4, 2024 AT 12:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission for Women may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. Diana Melendez Pam Rattan Katrina Scheihing Josephine Serrata Maria Veloz Salas CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jocelyn Tau, Chair Becky Bullard, Vice Chair Rebecca Austen Vanessa Bissereth Julie Glasser Angela Harris CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on August 7, 2024. DISCUSSION 2. Presentation by Mia Johns, Executive Director, Dress for Success, on how the organization supports women in the Austin area in their career progression. 3. Discussion on the merits of a presentation by the Anti-Defamation League in the future. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve the formation of a Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Working Group to devise recommendations in support of the CSCRM’s project objectives until completion. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 5. Update from the Quality of Life Working Group on two meetings held in August, including meeting with the City Demographer and University of Texas researchers and a general update on the progress on the Quality of Life study. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department at 512-974-2792, or email christi.vitela@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission for Women, please contact Christi …
Commission for Women Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 7, 2024 Commission for Women REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 7, 2024 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas, Boards and Commissions Room. Chair Tau called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:22 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Jocelyn Tau, Chair Angela Harris Katrina Scheihing Diana Melendez Pam Rattan Maria Fernanda Veloz Salas Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on July 10, 2024. The minutes from the meeting on 7/10/2024 were approved on Commissioner Rattan’s motion and seconded by Chair Tau on a 6-0 vote. Vice Chair Bullard, Commissioners Austen, Bissereth, Glasser, and Serrata were absent. 1 Commission for Women Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 7, 2024 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve the formation of a Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Working Group to devise recommendations in support of the CSCRM’s project objectives until completion. The motion to postpone the item was approved on Commissioner Rattan’s motion, Chair Tau’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Vice Chair Bullard, Commissioners Austen, Bissereth, Glasser, and Serrata were absent. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 3. Update from the Documentary Film Screening Working Group. Commissioner Veloz Salas provided an update. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Dress for Success Presentation (Austen, Glasser) Update from the Documentary Film Screening Working Group (Tau, Veloz Salas) Update from the Quality of Life Working Group (Tau, Rattan) ADJOURNMENT Chair Tau adjourned the meeting at 12:41 p.m. without objection. 2
Dress for Success Austin EMPOWERING AUSTIN WOMEN SINCE 2003 Our Mission The mission of Dress for Success Austin is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success Worldwide Founded in 1997 in Queens, NY 145 affiliates in 24 countries 1.2 million+ women served Meet the Staff Yep, only nine staff members! Our 300+ trained volunteers carry out 97% of our services. Mia Johns EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laurie Annear DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Alexia Lopez COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Nina Guilford PROGRAM MANAGER Jessica Chandler DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Julia Hathaway PROGRAM COORDINATOR Liz Seither INVENTORY COORDINATOR Haley Poorman VOLUNTEER MANAGER Harolyn Collins CLIENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR About DFSA do you identify as a woman? are you looking for a job or a better job? you are eligible for our services. Since our founding in 2003, DFSA has served over 18,000 women in seven counties across Central Texas and worked with 100+ nonprofit partners All services are free, we have no income requirement, and clients don't have to be referred by another nonprofit Our services go far beyond the suit. We have six active career development programs Program Overview PATH TO EMPLOYMENT BRIDGING THE GAP FOR WOMEN VETERANS Six-session mentor program that follows a curriculum to help clients become “career-ready” In-person and virtual events where women veterans receive professional attire and career services PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S GROUP FINANCIAL EDUCATION Monthly networking & support group for employed women Biannual finance workshop with Capital One and local banks CAREER COACHING PROFESSIONAL STYLING 1:1 hour-long appointments with trained volunteers offered 7 days per week to receive career help 1:1 hour-long appointments with trained volunteers offered 7 days per week to receive professional attire 920 individual women served in 2023 DFSA experienced a 152% increase in units of services provided. 3,606 units of service in 2023 3.92 units of service per woman served in 2023 Who we serve 77% earn less than $40,000 45% 75% of our clients are mothers 30% of our clients have experienced domestic violence of our clients are living in shelters or experiencing homelessness Get Involved TOAST & TOUR Monthly happy hour gathering @DFSA HQ, including an office tour, client speaker and complimentary wine and cheese CIRCLE OF IMPACT A networking group that raises money and awareness for DFSA through special events and campaigns VOLUNTEER Explore our many …
Commission for Women Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 4, 2024 Commission for Women REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 4, 2024 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas, Boards and Commissions Room. Chair Tau called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:03 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jocelyn Tau, Chair Katrina Scheihing Rebecca Austen Vanessa Bissereth Julie Glasser Angela Harris Diana Melendez Pam Rattan Maria Fernanda Veloz Salas PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on August 7, 2024. Commission for Women Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 4, 2024 The minutes from the meeting on 8/7/2024 were approved on Commissioner Rattan’s motion and seconded by Chair Tau on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Austen and Veloz Salas were off the dais. Vice Chair Bullard and Commissioner Serrata were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by Mia Johns, Executive Director, Dress for Success, on how the organization supports women in the Austin area in their career progression. The presentation was made by Mia Johns, Executive Director, Dress for Success Austin. 3. Discussion on the merits of a presentation by the Anti-Defamation League in the future. Discussed. Chair Tau and Commissioner Glasser sponsored a presentation by the Anti- Defamation League at a future meeting. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve the formation of a Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Working Group to devise recommendations in support of the CSCRM’s project objectives until completion. The motion to form a CSCRM Working Group “with the purpose of supporting the work of the CSCRM, keeping awareness of the issues and advocating for recommendations that are made by the task force and that the work of the Working Group concludes when the CSCRM concludes” was approved on Commissioner Austen’s motion, Commissioner Rattan’s second on a 9-0 vote. Vice Chair Bullard and Commissioner Serrata were absent. Commissioners Austen and Scheihing volunteered to join the CSCRM Working Group. WORKING GROUP/COMMITTEE UPDATES 5. Update from the Quality of Life Working Group on two meetings held in August, including meeting with the City Demographer and University of Texas researchers and a general update on the progress on the Quality of Life study. Update was given by Chair Tau and Commissioners Austen and Rattan. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS CSCRM Working Group …
