Berkeley Municipal Code Ch. 3.48 Commission on the Status of Women

A Commission on the Status of Women is established. The commission shall consist of nine members. Appointment to the commission shall be made and vacancies on the commission shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the Fair Representation Ordinance, Sections 2.04.030 through 2.04.130 of the Berkeley Municipal Code. It is the intention of the council that the members of the commission shall have demonstrated a commitment to women’s issues and shall represent the entire women’s community, including third world women, lesbian women, teenage and elderly women and single parents. (Ord. 5341-NS § 1, 1981)

The purposes of the commission shall be:

A. To eliminate all forms of violence against women, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of race, sex, class or sexual preference; sexual harassment; and economic oppression.

B. To advocate women’s issues.

C. To identify and eliminate laws, practices, or conditions concerning or affecting women which impose special limitations or burdens upon them, or which limit opportunities available to women.

D. To create conditions that positively impact the status of all women, including but not limited to access to equal opportunity in employment, education, childcare, housing and transportation.

E. Monitor and evaluate City policies as they affect women. (Ord. 5341-NS § 2, 1981)

A. The commission shall elect annually one of its members as the chairperson and one of its members as the vice-chairperson.

B. The commission shall establish a regular place and time for meeting. All meetings shall be noticed as required by law and shall be scheduled in a way to allow for maximum input from the public. The frequency of meetings shall be as determined by City Council resolution. The scheduling of special meetings in addition to those established by City Council resolution, except special meetings that take the place of cancelled regular meetings, shall be subject to approval by the City Council. A request for a special meeting shall include the reason for the proposed meeting and should be expedited on the City Council’ s agenda, or in the alternative, placed before the Agenda Committee for approval.

C. The commission may make and alter rules governing its organization and procedures which are not inconsistent with this chapter or any other applicable ordinance of the City.

D. A majority of the members appointed to the commission shall constitute a quorum and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members appointed is required to take any action.

E. The commission shall keep an accurate record of its proceedings and transactions and shall submit an annual report to the City Council. (Ord. 6896-NS § 1, 2006; Ord. 5341-NS § 3, 1981)