LIVE @ Buncombe County Women's Commission Meeting 12/16/19

Buncombe County Women's Commission Meeting Recap: Focusing on 2020 Planning and Community Engagement

The Buncombe County Women’s Commission held a productive meeting on December 16, 2019, primarily focused on finalizing internal organization and laying the groundwork for a busy year in 2020. This recap highlights key decisions, discussion points, and next steps for residents interested in the Commission's work.

Key Decisions & Leadership: The meeting began with a confirmation of existing leadership, retaining the current Chair and Vice-Chair. The Commission also approved revised bylaws clarifying attendance procedures, ensuring smoother operations moving forward. A significant decision was made regarding membership: four seats on the Commission will now be reserved for individuals recommended by partner organizations. This aims to broaden perspectives and ensure diverse representation, while still maintaining a rigorous application process for all candidates.

Discussion Highlights: 2020 Annual Plan & Agenda Assembly: A considerable portion of the meeting was dedicated to planning for 2020. The Commission reviewed a draft annual plan, which will focus on key areas identified during a previous retreat. While outreach and dissemination of information were initially considered, the group decided to defer those efforts until more data is available. The plan will be shared with Jasmine from the Board of Commissioners to explore potential partnership opportunities, which could lead to expanded resources and collaborative initiatives. Planning for the Agenda Assembly, scheduled for August 2020, was also discussed. The Commission will reach out to key community leaders (Jasmine, Admiral, Deborah, and Clinton) to invite them to participate in a panel discussion.

Community Input & Outreach: While there were no formal public comments during this meeting, the discussion centered on how to best engage with and represent the Buncombe County community. A key focus was identifying ways to increase awareness of the Commission's work and encourage broader participation. Members emphasized the importance of utilizing social media, particularly Facebook, to share updates and information with residents. The Commission also discussed the need for a structured process when inviting organizations to recommend potential commission members, ensuring fairness and consistency.

Action Items & What's Next: Several key action items emerged from the meeting, ensuring progress toward 2020 goals:

• Mario and Anya: Need to submit their biographies to the Commission.
• Libby: Will provide a headshot for commission materials.
• The Commission Chair will contact Jasmine regarding the 2020 agenda and partnership opportunities, as well as draft an email to partner organizations outlining the process for recommending potential commission members.
• All Commission Members: Are tasked with brainstorming questions to be asked during discussions with experts in 2020 and considering alternative meeting times and locations for future meetings.
• The Commission Chair will also update the Women United North Carolina website with a link to the Buncombe County Women’s Commission page.

Why This Matters: The work of the Buncombe County Women's Commission directly impacts residents by addressing issues related to women and girls in our community. By finalizing organizational matters, planning for 2020, and focusing on increased outreach and community engagement, the Commission is striving to better understand and address the challenges facing women in Buncombe County. The decision to reserve seats for partner organizations demonstrates a commitment to diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving, which will ultimately benefit all residents.