Women's Advisory Committee

Terms of reference 

Policy advice

The committee:

• Provides input to City Council and staff about issues of concern
• Considers any matters which may be referred to the committee by Council or staff
• May take positions on policy initiatives from other levels of government within the mandate of the committee
• Advises Council and staff on the Gender Equality Strategy* as it is developed, implemented and updated .

*The Gender Equality Strategy expresses the City of Vancouver's commitment to gender equality. This strategy builds upon existing policies and initiatives, and outlines additional steps to promote equality between women and men, and challenge gender discrimination.

• Read the Strategy 

Collaboration

The committee:

• Works co-operatively with other agencies whose activities affect constituent communities, including initiating and developing relevant projects
• Acts as a resource for staff doing public involvement processes and civic events.

Awareness and outreach

The committee:

• Exchanges information with the constituent communities and the general public about relevant programs and issues of interest
• Engages in outreach to disseminate information and encourage participation from constituent communities.

Planning and reporting

The committee:

• Produces an annual work plan with specific objectives by no later than April of each year, in consultation with Council and staff liaisons, for distribution to Council and civic departments for
  information
• Submits an annual report to Council describing its accomplishments for the year, including reference to each objective set out in the work plan and any arising issues to which the committee has responded.

Subcommittees

• Increased Leadership, Representation and Participation of Women and Girls
• Economic Equality and Opportunity for Women and Girls
• Create a Safe City for Women and Girls
• Ensure that Gender is Mainstreamed.

Meeting frequency

The committee meets four times each year. The committee does not meet in August.

Time commitment

Outside of regular meetings, one to 2 additional hours a month is spent on email and other correspondence, meetings, research and networking. Optional membership on a sub-committee requires an additional one to 2 hours every month. Preparation time for all meetings is required.

Attendance requirement

Members may miss no more than four consecutive meetings wthout obtaining leave of absence from the committee. Membership will be terminated following the fourth such absence.

Membership

The Committee consists of 15 voting members (8 is quorum).

The committee welcomes members:

• Of all ages, genders, city neighbourhoods, racial origins, income levels and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities
• Who live or work in Vancouver, or have a significant body of experience with Vancouver issues
• Who can show relevant experience or knowledge, abilities, and skills

Being nominated by a community group working on related issues is an asset. Being able to speak a second language is an asset.

Committee members are selected through the City of Vancouver's Civic Committee public selection process.

The Committee Chair is selected by the members at the first meeting for the Council term of the Committee.

Committee members appointed in 2015 will serve until February 28, 2017.

Members must reapply to be reappointed.

Non-voting members include the following:

• A serving City Council member (2 members)
• A staff liaison (1 member)
• A Park Board liaison (1 member)
• A School Board liaison (1 member)

Members

• Erin Arnold
• Terran Bell
• Desaraigh Byers
• Andrea Canales Figueroa 
• Lindsay Clark
• Sharon Lau 
• Miranda Mandarino
• Fiona McFarlane
• Najmah Mohammed
• Christine O'Fallon
• Miriam Palacios
• Shirley Ross
• Niki Sharma
• Rhonda Sherwood
• Julie Wong

Liaisons

• City Council:  Councillor Elizabeth Ball
• City Council: Councillor Andrea Reimer 
• Park Board: Commissioner Catherine Evans 
• School Board: Trustee Joy Alexander
• Staff: Deb Gale, Manager, HR Business Partnerships

In addition to the regular meetings listed here, the Committee also meets several times per year for informal working sessions. Please contact the Meeting Coordinator for more information.

2016 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.

2015 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2014 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2013 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2012 meetings, agendas, and minutes

• View minutes and agendas from meetings prior to 2012

2012-2014 Term in Review

An overview of the committee's closing term accomplishments and recommendations for continuation of the work was presented at the Council of Council's December 2014.

• Read final report  (738 KB)
• View the committee's presentation (155 KB)