Item 1 – Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 10:03 a.m. by Chair Rita Gallardo Good.

Item 4 – Executive Director Updates

Executive Director Totten stated that the Governance voting item will be moved to July as it must be voted on by full Commission. Another item, in mandate, the Commission is to conduct an annual re-election of chair and vice chair, items will be moved to voting in July. The Executive Director mentions it is critical not to push that out further.

Executive Director Totten informed the Commission that a graduate fellow helped turn the gender responsive budgeting report into a proposed pilot project on what it could look like throughout the state, including other agencies. Updates will be shared with commissioners at the next meeting in July.

Advocacy Day Proposal

Executive Director Totten proposed that the Commission consider producing an annual advocacy day in March for Women’s History Month. It would be a singular flagship event in the spring to share legislative priorities with partners. Advocacy Day would have a youth focus but would be for all women; it would have a strong youth component that would include the Youth Advisory Council and Girls Scouts. The Commission needs to figure out a date, considering it will take about six to eight months to produce the event, and will need to get started in June.

Yating Campbell proposed March sixteenth, seventeenth, twenty-third, or twenty-fourth.

Chair Good commented that it would be important for the Commission to have a policy agenda set prior to the March Commission meeting. She is concerned about March due to the quick turnaround.

Executive Director Totten suggests Commission meetings in January and February, rather than January and March, in order to accommodate.

Commissioner Gomez mentions a conflict with Children’s Home of Stockton, advising it is not a good week for the event for her. But states March is a great month, advocates for the sixteenth and seventeenth.

Commissioner Garcia-Brower extends support, she recently participated in CIPC, she was a speaker at their Advocate Day. It was strong in communication of concerns within the community. She states if we can accomplish similar outcomes, it would be a victory for the Commission and the diverse communities that we are looking to impact.

Chair Good states local commissions are eager for leadership in spaces of policy; they are looking to us because we are the leaders in the policy space for the state. They would like direction on how they can continue to support policy items at the local level. She notes the importance of supporting staff planning this event.

Commissioner Pellerin offers use of the California Politics Museum if we would like a reception.

Commissioner Gomez states she loves the idea of a reception because of the engagement, networking, and collaboration.

Executive Director Totten advises that if the Executive Committee meeting can vote on this item, then staff can start planning for the proposed dates in March.

Commissioners agreed to send this item to the Executive Committee for a vote.

Commissioner Handbook

Executive Director Totten notes that the Commissioner Handbook agenda item will be moved to the Executive Committee for a vote, during which time the Commission will include adding more clarity on how to coordinate meetings with Commission staff.

Major Milestones and Events

Executive Director Totten gave an update on the many events in Los Angeles. We partnered with the California Surgeon General and Los Angeles Girl Scouts for Mother’s Day. The kickoff is to focus on how to support moms as a community aspect. This will be an ongoing topic. Discussions with the Surgeon General’s office on roundtables continue.

Executive Director Totten gave an update on the Homeless World cup. Governors Office denied our travel request, there will be an event on May twenty ninth either in Sacramento Stockton, or Chico. We are not planning it but will keep everyone updated.

Commissioner Pellerin advised that Assemblywoman Celeste Rodrigues launched the Moms Agenda. She will share more information with Executive Director Totten via email.

Executive Director Totten gave an update on Denim Day. It was the first Denim Day where the Commission had visibility throughout the state.

Executive Director Totten gave an update on the strategic planning board retreat in June. If Commissioners can attend, staff will be flexible with their schedules. Facilitators will be from RADZ Group, including LQ Intelligence. Executive Director Totten requests information to be sent via email before May twenty sixth, if Commissioners would like anything on the Strategic Planning Committee meeting agenda.

Operational Updates

Executive Director Totten informed Commissioners that we are expecting to return the lowest amount of funds to the state’s general fund in Commission history.

Executive Director Totten reminded the Commissioners that the office is transitioning fully from Zoom to Microsoft Teams. Staff will be providing training for Commissioners on how to use teams as needed. The office will begin transitioning away from Zoom immediately, but completely after July first.

Executive Director Totten informed the Commissioners that we are finishing the last of our hiring and are almost fully staffed for the first time in years.

Executive Director Totten announced that the Commission was not selected to host an Executive Fellow this year but will continue to apply to future cohorts.

Executive Director Totten notified the Commission that herself and Katherine Squire will be participating in the California Women’s Foundation event for Youth.

Executive Director Totten advised the Commission that the Solis Policy Institute reception will be May thirteenth and that we are co-hosting this event.

Executive Director Totten informed the Commission that at the Women’s Economic Summit on May thirteenth, the Executive Director will be speaking, two tickets are available if any Commissioners would like to attend.

Chair Good asked if Commissioners had any questions or comments.

Commissioner Gomez asked if the Commission is going to have any issues due to the state budget deficit.

Executive Director Totten responded that we are working on next year’s budget change proposal and announced the possibility of not being able to renew our current office lease.

Executive Director Totten mentions we are providing accommodation for staff who cannot afford to drive to work, and are reviewing the thorough line-item budget, but reminded that we cannot budget our way out of not enough funding.

Commissioner Courtney commented that the Commission should think about presenting this in a nonpartisan way, as an economic imperative that impacts half the population before June. Framing it in a way that is economic and strategic to respond to crisis and conflict.

Chair Good asked if we don’t get an increase in our budget, how it would impact the return to office directive from the Governor.

Executive Director Totten responded that relocating would cost more than remaining in our current building and renewing our lease. No answer for us to get additional funding other than full-time telework.

Commissioner Pellerin asked if anyone sent in a budget letter requesting ongoing funding to stay in the office. Requested staff to send her figures of what the potential request will entail.

Policy Updates

Katherine Squire gave policy updates, stating that Commission continues to support priority lists that were voted on in March by supporting, co-authoring, and boosting bills on social media. She listed six new bills, updated the Commission on those lost in appropriations, and informed Commissioners that the new bills will be sent to the Executive Committee for a vote. Shared that the Commission continues to support over thirty other bills as well.

Executive Director Totten mentions that we are named in the Bill (Stephanie AB 2540), to develop a task force on human trafficking.

Katherine Squire recommends there be a special Executive Committee meeting for the bills to be considered.

Katherine Squire mentions proposal for next year working on Domestic Violence laws to better protect victims of sexual harassment and abuse.

Katherine Squire gives an update on preparing for the next policy convening for local commissions, which takes place May nineteenth. It will focus on legislation updates and mention how local commissions can help support collective on a state level.

Commissioner Pellerin noted that Pollard is working with Planned Parenthood and Unchained at Last to conduct legislation this year on how to ban child marriage.

Executive Director Totten expressed that the Commission would be interested in cosponsoring or supporting it. Commissioner Pellerin agreed that it is time for this to happen.

Commissioner Courtney requested that the Commission let her know when they need testimony for the two veteran bills to attend and participate in testimony.

Item 5 – Operations

Director Max Macedo provided operational updates, reminding all that the current fiscal year end is rapidly approaching. We are projected to return well under ten thousand dollars to the state’s general fund. May revise is this week; we are eager to review the detailed proposal although we are not expecting to be affected. If the Commission is impacted Executive Director Totten will inform everyone of how we are affected.

Director Max Macedo advised that the office lease concludes at the end of the next fiscal year. The new lease is anticipated to be double the current monthly rate, with at least one four percent annual increase. Preparing the fall budget change proposal, which includes funding to renew our lease; however, shifting to a complete telework model is likely.

Director Max Macedo introduced the new interns.

Executive Director Totten reminded the Commission that we are short statements of incompatibility that are overdue.

Item 6 – Youth Advisory Council

Katherine Squire stated that Youth Advisory Council is busy supporting legislative efforts, writing support letters, and providing their unique perspective to the Commission.

Katherine Squire updates the Commission on the Feminist Learning Lab, to share more on gender justice, civic engagement, and community organizing. Six council members are off boarding at the next meeting.

Commissioner Garcia-Brower asked how to incorporate youth since it will be on a weekday and suggested it can be a field trip.

Executive Director Totten informed the Commission that the Youth Advisory Council staff made a social media video that includes staff and kids to encourage youth to join the new council.

Commissioner Rodrigo stated she is happy to support.

Commissioner Richardson stated she is happy to support Los Angeles Unified and she works with many board members.