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2 <br /> imbalances and discrimination via policy and program recommendations to the Orange County <br /> Board of County Commissioners. <br /> The functions of the original Commission for Women (CfW) were made a responsibility of the <br /> Human Relations Commission (HRC) in 2011, and CfW as a separate entity was sunset in April <br /> 2011. <br /> The BOCC discussed the request at the October 8, 2013 work session. There were various <br /> opinions related to how to proceed and the advisability of establishing an independent group. <br /> There was consensus that the issue warranted further discussion. <br /> The possibility of having the Human Relations Commission establish a subcommittee was <br /> among the ideas discussed. The Human Relations Commission has discussed this matter and <br /> voted against creating a subcommittee whose sole focus is on issues of gender inequality. The <br /> HRC opted, instead, to create a subcommittee entitled Diversity Matters which will address a <br /> cornucopia of issues of inequality for different minority groups, i.e. women and persons with <br /> disabilities. This decision was based on the idea that if the HRC created a subcommittee that <br /> focused only on women's issues, then there would be a need to create additional <br /> subcommittees with a targeted focus on a single minority group. The HRC is currently working <br /> on a written report for the BOCC regarding the HRC's role in addressing women's issues. <br /> Conversations have occurred with groups interested in women's issues. A listing of interested <br /> groups is included on Attachment C. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with further discussing the <br /> potential establishment of a Women's Commission as an Orange County advisory board. If a <br /> Commission is established, potential budgetary and personnel impacts will need to be <br /> considered. <br /> RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the information <br /> and allow the HRC additional time to explore its role in addressing women's issues and give a <br /> written report to the BOCC at the May 20, 2014 regular meeting. <br />