Women's Advisory Committee

Terms of reference

Role of advisory bodies

The primary role of all advisory bodies is to provide input to Council and staff on issues of concern related to their unique mandates. Furthermore, an advisory body:

• Considers matters which may be referred to it by Council or staff
• May take positions on policy initiatives from other levels of government as they relate to its mandate
• Works cooperatively with other advisory bodies as appropriate
• Acts as a resource for staff in public engagement processes and civic events
• Exchanges information with the public on issues of interest

Authority

The Women’s Advisory Committee is established by Council resolution under authority of the Vancouver Charter section 159.

Mandate

• Advises Council and staff on enhancing access and inclusion for women and girls to fully participate in City services and civic life
• Advise Council and staff on the Women’s Equity Strategy as it is developed, implemented and updated

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

The Women's Equity Strategy 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

Reporting and Accountability

The Women’s Advisory Committee reports to Council, provides input to Council and City staff and undertakes the following reporting activities:

Joint meetings with other advisory bodies:

The Chair and staff liaison work collaboratively with counterparts from other advisory bodies to identify opportunities for quarterly joint-briefing sessions on overlapping issues of interest.

Collaboration with the public and external agencies:

• Works co-operatively with external agencies whose activities affect constituent communities;
• Exchanges information with the constituent communities and the general public about relevant programs and issues of interest; and
• Engages in outreach to disseminate information and encourage participation from constituent communities.

Annual reporting activities:

• Produces an annual work plan with specific objectives by 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; and
• 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.

All advisory bodies should conduct their activities in accordance to the Guidelines for Advisory Bodies which set out the roles and responsibilities for advisory body members, chairs or co-chairs, staff and Council liaisons.

Meeting frequency

The Women’s Advisory Committee holds six regular meetings per year, in addition to regular working sessions, generally scheduled during intervening months throughout the year.

Attendance requirement

A member who is absent from more than two consecutive formal meetings without a leave of absence is deemed to have resigned.

Membership

• Stephanie Ameyaw
• Kate Gibson
• Chavisa Horemans
• Catherine Jenkins
• Missy Johnson
• Pooja Khandelwal
• Orissa Meyrink
• Megan Miller
• Parmis Mohaghegh
• Essya Nabbali
• Savanah Norman
• Paola Quiros
• Priti Shah
• Rhonda Sherwood
• Selina Tribe

Liaisons

• Council Liaisons: Councillor Bligh and Councillor De Genova
• School Board Liaison: Trustee Lois Chan-Pedley
• Park Board Liaison: Commissioner Gwen Giesbrecht
• Park Board Staff: Shauna Wilton, Deputy General Manager, Parks and Recreation
• City Staff: Bronwen McRae-Smith, Social Planner II, Social Policy Projects Division
• City Staff: April Sumter-Freitag, Social Planner I, Social Policy Projects Division

Terms and Membership Composition

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; and
• 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
• 2 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

Remuneration

Advisory body members shall serve without remuneration.

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.

2019 meetings, agendas, and minutes

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 PDF file

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 PDF file (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 PDF file

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 PDF file (738 KB)
• View the committee's presentation PDF file (155 KB)