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

Vancouver: A City for all Women,  Women's Equity Strategy 2018-2028

The Women's Equity Strategy  (5 MB) reflects the City's vision to make Vancouver a place where all women have full access to the resources provided in the city, and have opportunities to fully participate in the political, economic, cultural, and social life of Vancouver.

The strategy addresses the issues faced by women in five priority areas:

• Applying an intersectional lens to strengthen City processes and inform decision-making​
• Safety, including violence against women
• Accessible, quality childcare
• Safe and affordable housing
• Women's leadership and representation within the City's workforce

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.
• Presents accomplishments and progress to date at the annual Council of Councils event.
• 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 six times a year and does not meet in August. Generally, the committee meets once a month on a Tuesday at City Hall.

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 two consecutive meetings wthout obtaining leave of absence from the committee. Membership will be terminated following the second such absence.

Membership

Volunteer opportunities will be posted on the City’s vacancies webpage when available.

Persons appointed to an advisory body shall meet the following essential criteria:

• Not be employed by the City of Vancouver
• Live or work in Vancouver, or have a significant body of experience with issues in Vancouver
• Be able to demonstrate relevant experience or knowledge, abilities and skills related to the mandate of the advisory body.

Composition:

• 15 members of the public (8 is quorum) who identify as women
• 2 non-voting Council liaison
• 1 non-voting Park Board Commissioner liaison
• 1 non-voting School Trustee liaison
• 1 non-voting staff liaisons
• The appointment of civic members to each advisory committee shall meet the composition objectives set out in the Diversity on Advisory Bodies policy

Length of term:

• Committee members are appointed until December 31, 2020.
• No member of the public shall serve for more than four consecutive years on the same advisory body. A former member is eligible for reappointment after one year out of office.

Liaisons

• Staff: Deb Gale, Director, 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.

2018 meetings, agendas, and minutes

The meetings listed below are open to the public.

2017 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2016 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2015 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2014 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2013 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2012 meetings, agendas, and minutes

2017 in Review

An overview of the committee's 2017 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on October 12, 2017.

• View the poster  (35 kb)

2017-2018 Work Plan

The 2017-2018 Work Plan summarizes the high priority objectives for the committee term and establishes an action plan to achieve those objectives.

• View the Work Plan  (211 kb)

2016 in Review

An overview of the committee's 2016 accomplishments and future goals as presented at the Council of Council's on November 9, 2016.

• View the poster  (297 kb)

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)