Commission on the Status of Women Meeting

Date: May 14, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Meeting Information:

1. Join in person:
Human Resources Large Training Room
575 Administration Drive, Suite 117C, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Limited seating is available for public participants.

2. Join virtually via Zoom:
Participate by computer, table, or smartphone application.

Go to: https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/j/85617035161?pwd=WN1tb6EpmiR8fkS5hdl4HdaVnEaa4Q.1
Webinar ID: 856 1703 5161
Passcode: 404335

3. Join in Zoom by telephone:
Dial +1 (669) 900 9128
Webinar ID: 856 1703 5161
Passcode: 404335

Registration Required: No

Add to Calendar

Agenda

First District: Joanne M. Brown (OAL), Haunani Pakaki
Second District: Katie Gordon, Shernaz Mejos, Jenny Belway
Third District: Melanie Jones-Carter (Vice-Chair), Katarina Giudice-White (OAL), Amy Granados Dominguez
Fourth District: Gina Fortino Dickson (Chair), Letitia Hanke, Idalia Topete
Fifth District: Elizabeth Beaty, Laurie Ogg, Kendall Gutt

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

2. Land Acknowledgement
The Commission on the Status of Women of Sonoma County recognizes that we are on the ancestral lands of the Pomo, Wappo, and Coast Miwok, who are the original stewards of this land. We further acknowledge that the office of the Commission on the Status of Women resides on Southern Pomo land in Santa Rosa. We respect and honor the past, present, and future generations, and are grateful for the opportunity to give our respect to the first inhabitants.

3. Open Time for Public Comment
At the beginning of each Commission meeting, any member of the public may address the Commission concerning any item not on the Commission's agenda. Speakers will be limited to three (3) minutes unless otherwise specified by the Chair or the Presiding Officer. The public will be given an opportunity to speak on each business item at the time it is called. The Commission may discuss and/or take action regarding any or all of the items listed below.

4. Oath of Office
a. Welcome and administer the oath of office to Idalia Topete as Fourth District Commissioner.
b. Welcome and administer the oath of office to Kendall Gutt as Fifth District Commissioner.

5. Consent Calendar
a. Approval of the March 12, 2026 Meeting Minutes
b. Approval of the April 9, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes

6. Officer Reports and Administrative Updates
Officers and Staff to discuss administrative-related matters including, but not limited to, field trip ideas and speaker coordination.
a. Nominations for the 2026 Spirit Awards are open through May 18, 2026.
b. Sonoma Pride Festival is on June 6th
c. Meira’s CalCard new limit $2,500 per month
d. July retreat update.
e. Plaque honoring women's history

7. Commissioner Announcements and Requests for Future Agenda Items
Commissioners to provide any commission-related announcements, report on communications with supervisors, and announce any tabling opportunities.
a. Report out on Junior Commission-graduation is on Saturday, May 9th at 1pm and recruitment began for the 2026–2027 cohort.
b. June’s meeting will be at Oxford Suites: 67 Golf Course Dr, Rohnert Park

8. Hearing Planning Discussion
• August 13, 2026: Violence Against Women and Girls: Human Trafficking- Commissioners Mejos, Pakaki (Lead), and Gordon (Paper).
• October 8, 2026: Incarcerated Women Hearing- Commissioners Belway, Fortino Dickson, Brown, Jones-Carter, and Gordon (Paper).
• February 11, 2027: Career Development for Girls: Entrepreneurship, Workplace Entry, and Financial Literacy Hearing- Commissioners Hanke (moderator), Granados Dominguez, and Ogg.

9. Business Items
a. CSW Revised Bylaws
Review and approve the revised CSW bylaws.
b. Revised 2026-2027 CSW Work Plan
Review and approve the revised 2026-2027 CSW work plan
c. Women, Longevity & Equity: Community Conversation
Review and approve the position paper from April 9, 2026, hearing
d. Nominations and Elections
Review and accept nominations, followed by the election of candidates to fill officer positions.

10. Adjournment

Meeting Documentation

Agenda Packet

Agendas and Materials

Agendas and Materials: Agendas and most supporting materials are available on the Commission’s website.

Due to legal, copyright, privacy or policy considerations, not all materials are posted online.

Disabled Accommodation

If you have a disability which requires an accommodation, an alternative format, or requires another person to assist you while attending this meeting, please contact CSW at socoscw@sonomacounty.gov, as soon as possible to ensure arrangements for accommodation.

For auxiliary aids or services or other reasonable accommodations to be provided by the County at or before the meeting please notify the Commission at least 3 business days in advance of the meeting date. If the County does not receive timely notification of your reasonable request, the County may not be able to make the necessary arrangements by the time of the meeting.

Notification List

To sign up to receive automatic notifications regarding meetings and agendas, please visit the County's website: Sign Up for Email Updates

Approval of the Consent Calendar

The Consent Calendar includes routine financial and administrative actions that are usually approved by a single majority vote. There will be no discussion on these items prior to voting on the motion unless Commission Members or the public request specific items be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar.

Public Comment

Any member of the audience desiring to address the Commission should wait to be called upon via the online meeting method. In order that all interested parties have an opportunity to provide comments, please be brief and limit your comments to the subject under discussion. (Please note that your comments will be read during the appropriate time in the meeting.)

Each person is usually granted 3 minutes to speak but in this case, the comments should be typed and the comments will be timed to the three (3) minute mark as they are read by the one of the officers.

Please note that while members of the public are welcome to address the Commission, under the Brown Act, Commission members may not deliberate or take action on items not on the agenda, and generally may only listen.

Commitment to Civil Engagement

All are encouraged to engage in respectful dialog that supports freedom of speech and values diversity of opinion. Commissioners, Staff, and the public are encouraged to:

Create an atmosphere of respect and civility where Commissioners, County Staff, and the Public are free to express their ideas within the time and content parameters established by the Brown Act and CSW's standard Parliamentary procedures (Robert’s Rules of Order);
Establish and maintain a cordial and respectful atmosphere during discussions;
Foster meaningful dialogue free of attacks of a personal nature and/or attacks based on age, (dis)ability, class, education level, gender, gender identity, occupation, race and/or ethnicity, sexual orientation;
Listen with an open mind to all information, including dissenting points of view, regarding issues presented to the Commission;
Recognize it is sometimes difficult to speak at meetings, and out of respect for each person's perspective, allow speakers to have their say without comment or body gestures, including booing, whistling or clapping;