2005 Workplan

The SWC 2005 work plan addresses the top issues facing women in Seattle as expressed by the attendees of the Seattle Women’s Summits in 2002 and 2003, and by the expertise of the individual commissioners. Beyond the specific work items outlined below, the Commission will continue to respond to issues that come to its attention throughout the year and take action as appropriate.

Violence Against Women

• Continue involvement with City’s Domestic Violence Council, work to secure permanent and voting membership on the Council
• Monitor and assist in developing the City’s Strategic Plan for implementing and improving DV response
• Encourage and aid stakeholder groups to become more involved and give voice
• Work closely with the Northwest Women’s Law Center regarding legislation that affects women who are victims of domestic violence
• Continue to support King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence: the SWC is a member of this organization

Health and Human Services

The 2004 and 2005 work plan recommendations are grounded in findings from the 2003 Seattle Women’s Summit, where women from around the city identified the leading health care needs for Seattle women as follows:

• Preventative care and access to preventative care
• Adequate funding of health care
• Access to information about existing services
• Advocacy for sustained and adequate funding for student-based health centers in the schools and community health centers
• Follow-up on concerns raised in 2004 regarding third party billing and privacy concerns for teens using student health center services
• Monitor state legislative efforts regarding funding of the Basic Health Plan
• Advocacy for two important programs for Seattle women: Help for Working Families (provides “one stop shopping” for families and individuals needing health and other services, helps coordinate applications for services and funds) and WIN 211 (Washington Information Network 211, a collaborative effort to implement an integrated statewide resource database to serve nearly 8 million people in Washington and Oregon)
• Monitor the development of the OSPI bill in the state legislature that establishes guidelines for sex education in school districts to determine whether this bill will be beneficial to Seattle girls and if the SWC should support it
• Track the development of the 10 year plan to end homelessness in Seattle, ensuring that it addresses women’s needs adequately
• Make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding facility needs for the proposed hygiene center
• Research the development of a current document that provides a baseline for women’s health as a guide for policy makers on women’s health needs in Seattle, possibly expanding it to cover a broader array of issues than health

Women’s Leadership

• Research women’s leadership issues in the Seattle Police and Fire Departments
• Work with the Mayor’s Task Force to consider the impacts of I-200 on women and minority owned businesses in Seattle
• Develop Leadership workshop/training to be delivered at the 2005 Women’s Summit

2005 Seattle Women’s Summit

Organize the third Seattle Women’s Summit for September 24, 2005.
The day-long event is expected to draw more than 200 women for a day of networking, hands-on workshops, and a resource fair.

Budget/Research

The goal of the Budget/Research committee is to stay informed of current/pending actions and legislation that will impact the women of Seattle for possible action by the SWC, and to provide leadership to the SWC on relevant budget issues.

• Monitor City Council list serves to stay current on pending actions
and legislation and develop closer relationships with Council members and Mayoral staff
• Build relationships with other women’s organizations and groups in the City
• Reach out to Women’s Commissions in other cities to share best practices and build relationships
• Monitor the city budget process and keep the SWC informed of important dates and relevant budget issues

Public Relations Committee

The Public Relations committee will continue to strengthen the work of the Seattle Women’s Commission through strategic communications, grassroots publicity, and earned media.
We will identify new and existing opportunities to promote the work of the SWC to the women of Seattle that highlights our efforts to educate and inform City officials on issues important to women.
Public awareness of our work and promotion of our issues will lend credibility to our efforts and inform women in the community about resources available to them.Goals include:

• Revising the website
• Improving our branding
• Building relationships with key reporters
• Writing and distributing press releases
• Writing op-eds or letters to the editor
• Staffing tables and attending community events
• Strengthening partnerships
• Developing communications materials about the Seattle Women’s Commission

Nominating Committee

The SWC nominating committee exists to assist in recruiting and vetting Council, Mayoral, Get Engaged, and Commission-appointed commissioners.
The SWC is committed to a diverse commission that represents the women of Seattle.