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9 <br /> ${i erg¢°. <br /> Attachment D <br /> Ya <br /> t <br /> Y ,y <br /> Orange County <br /> Housing, Human Rights and Community Development <br /> Date: October 28, 201G <br /> To: Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager <br /> From: Tara L. Fikes, Director <br /> Subject: Commission for Women/Human Relations Commission <br /> cc: Willie Best, Assistant County Manager <br /> Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager <br /> Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners <br /> Brian Colson, Human Relations Commission Chair <br /> Shannon Jackson, Commission for Women Chair <br /> James Spivey, Civil Rights Specialist <br /> On October 20"' 1 participated in a telephone conference call with Human Relations Commission <br /> Chair Brian Colson, Commission for Women Chair Shannon Jackson, and Civil Rights <br /> Specialist James Spivey to discuss your August 27t' letter regarding the possible "merger" of <br /> the Commission for Women (CFW). and the Human Relations Commission (HRC). Everyone <br /> understood from your letter that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) had asked that <br /> the two groups talk about how they could collaborate in addressing their issues collaboratively. <br /> Shannon Jackson noted that she had not been able to contact her former board members for a <br /> variety of reasons including changes in family and work responsibilities, out-of-county <br /> relocations, the inability to add new members and re-appoint others during the BOCC review of <br /> all advisory boards and commissions and the manner in which the CFW was disbanded. As a <br /> result, she is the only interested member remaining. During our conversation she expressed an <br /> interest in continuing to champion women's issues and thinks the advisory role that the CFW <br /> had with the BOCC remains relevant. Therefore, Shannon is interested in joining with the HRC <br /> and assisting in recruitment efforts to engage others interested in women's issues. To that end, <br /> we talked about the possibility of advertising in some non-traditional media outlets such as <br /> publications geared toward women's issues to recruit interested Orange County citizens. Thus, <br /> by copy of this memorandum, I am asking the Clerk to the Board Donna Baker to let me know of <br /> any prohibitions when advertising for Commission members. Also, during the call, Brian Colson <br /> informed everyone that the Commission discussed your letter during their October 11"'meeting <br /> and the HRC membership voiced support of the CFW merging with the HRC. <br /> Therefore, both Ms. Jackson and the HRC are ready to move ahead with the merger and the <br /> necessary recruitment of new commission members who are particularly interested in women's <br /> issues. There are currently 10 vacancies on the HRC which can currently have a total of 24 <br /> members so there is sufficient space to add members. <br /> James Spivey of my staff and I will continue to work with the HRC to "make this happen" and I <br /> will keep you informed of our progress. If you have questions or need additional information, <br /> please let me know. Thanks. <br />