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F� <br />ce: <br />Orange County <br />Housing, Human Rights and Community Development <br />Date: January 27, 2011 <br />To: Board of County Commissioners <br />From: Tara L. Fikes, Director <br />Subject: Commission for Women /Human Relations Commission Update <br />cc: Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager <br />Willie Best, Assistant County Manager <br />Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager <br />Bryant Colson, Human Relations Commission Chair <br />James Spivey, Civil Rights Specialist <br />The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update on efforts to merge the Commission <br />for Women (CFW) with the Human Relations Commission (HRC). <br />In late October 2010, 1 talked with former CFW Chair Shannon Jackson and HRC Chair Bryant <br />Colson about how the two groups could work together to address their respective issues. At <br />that time, Shannon Jackson noted that she had not been able to contact her former board <br />members for a variety of reasons including changes in family and work responsibilities, out -of- <br />county relocations, the inability to add new members and re- appoint others during the BOCC <br />review of all advisory boards and commissions and the manner in which the CFW was <br />disbanded. As a result, she was the only interested member remaining. During our <br />conversation she expressed an interest in continuing to champion women's issues and thinks <br />the advisory role that the CFW had with the BOCC remains relevant. It should be noted that the <br />HRC voted unanimously to incorporate the CFW function into their Commission. <br />Thereafter, the HRC agreed to recommend the appointment of Shannon Jackson to the Board <br />of County Commissioners and her appointment was approved at your January 20, 2011. <br />Further, Ms. Jackson has agreed to assist in recruitment efforts to engage others interested in <br />women's issues. To accomplish this, we are pursuing advertising HRC vacancies in some non- <br />traditional media outlets such as publications geared toward women's issues to recruit <br />interested Orange County citizens. It is envisioned that a subcommittee on women's issues will <br />be formed within the HRC as soon as recruitment has been completed. <br />In summary, James Spivey of my staff and I will continue to work with the HRC to "make this <br />happen" and I will keep you informed of our progress. If you have questions or need additional <br />information, please let me know. Thanks for your continued support. <br />