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8 <br /> t <br /> f� <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 />