I am gonna call our meeting, the Monroe County Women's Commission to order. It is Thursday,
October 15th. And this is our monthly meeting. We do have four members present and one online so that
meets quorum.
The commission shall serve in an invited role to assist residents, businesses, and the government of
Monroe County in addressing issues of gender equity. The mission is to advance the status of women in
marginalized genders in all areas of county life. Did we get a minute? We did. We're not last month
because it is, we weren't meeting. But I emailed out September.
Yeah. We need to approve September. August. We didn't have the September meeting. Correct. Yeah. We
were to have approved August in September. Yes. Yes. OK. I didn't get any edits, but I don't know if
people had time to review them. I just took a look at them, so I'm OK with them. Do I have a motion
to approve the minutes for August? I move to approve the minutes for August. Do I have a second?
We're going to do roll call votes. Since Tiana is online, we will do roll call votes. Julie. No, we're
doing voting. Molly Otto.
I don't have any this month. Jennifer. Last month, I completed the women's build for Habitat for Humanity.
We did complete two homes. I think that's it. Tiana, do you have any updates you'd like to share? No, I don't.
Sorry, you're not feeling well, by the way. Julie, anything you'd like to update that's not included
in upcoming? Yeah, Freedom Schools effort is still ongoing. We did.
The NAACP branch here in Monroe County donated tickets for the resilience productions play tomorrow
century and we were able to hand those tickets over to students and parents in the community and they attended
and participated in the talk back after the play. So that was pretty cool. We've got a follow-up session
that we're hosting at the First Presbyterian Church this Sunday. And I think we've got some students
that are going to join us there. And we're going to do a little bit more talking about the play and
the topics that were covered in the history in Monroe County and potential programs for a freedom school
style program moving forward in the county. So it's pretty cool.
Anything else? Me, just a couple little community updates. As I said, on the board for the mineral fire
protection district, we have our community chili cook-off, which will be held Saturday, November 7th
from one to three at the community center, Van Buren community center. They do have information online
and it does support
our shop with a firefighter. All of the funds raised with that do go to support that. They are looking
for sponsorships for the event, which range from only one to $300, pretty small sponsorship.
Most of the, I really enjoy all of the events that the fire district has because it is very community oriented.
I enjoy that. This Sunday from four to six 30, Amy Oliver is coming to Indian Creek Township, which
is the township where I live and to do a meet and greet. And of course, as I'm running for the county
trust or the township trustee, I will also be there to meet and greet people in our township
beyond. So in that is at the Indian Creek Township Park. We have a really nice park out there and we're
working on a walking trail because it's not safe to walk out on county roads. So come walk on our plot
and help us wearing a trail. Also something that I do
is the Hoosier Action Committee. They have been going out and so they have been, I've heard they've
knocked on 5,000 doors. So they are doing a community conversation based on rental properties in the
county. As you may or may not know, the county,
Like the city has their, you know, that kind of, or whatever, I don't know how that goes. You know,
they approve rentals and you can complain to them. The county actually doesn't have anything like that.
And they are just trying to figure out what the housing issues are, the rental issues are in the county.
And 5,000 doors is a lot of knocks. That's a pretty big,
um thing but I would really be interested in hearing what uh information they have because it really
does I wish I would have known about it go along with you know our survey that we did and um anyway
so they're big event the people form a community conversation so they do have on their website a um
what's it called this is old lady brain no it's not a survey a like
No, but I, you know, when you sign like a for process, thank you. Old lady brain, sorry. A petition
that we even fill out for basic, their recommendations. And then, but their community conversation is
October 22nd from six to seven 30. The, and it is at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. I think, so that's
next Thursday. I think that'll be a really interesting
for housing in the county. And well, we won't meet again until after the election. I know our early
voting is going on for the midterm elections. Please make sure you vote. And then our election, I mean,
the election day is November 3rd. Yep.
Please go vote. Okay, that's all I have. I have one more. I'll be participating with the New Hope, not
New Hope, what is it? New Hope for Families Christmas Tree Auction. Doing that, we'll be putting on
a Christmas tree and the theme of our Christmas tree is It Takes a Village. So we'll put together a
Christmas tree and gifts and
And then people will come and bid on our tree. Is that a specific date, or is it ongoing? No,
I can get. And what's the group that's, is it? New hope. Oh, new hopes. OK, got it, yeah. So are you
part of the team? So me and a group of ladies, we have been
decorating the tree. Last year, we did a Indiana fever tree. And we decorated with Indiana fever colors.
And then we had gifts, Indiana fever. I don't know if we did something before that or not. This might
be your second year. I don't remember. But this year, it takes a village. And so we're going to have
like gingerbread theme. I was thinking village people, but you do you.
Well, it has to be kid friendly. And I'm going to get some tickets from like Western Skate Land, Frank
Southern, Wonder Lab, for so they can take their family to go hang out at some of those places. Nice.
That's all. OK. Old and ongoing business, we have
I mean, sorry, no, this is the right policy and data, which is, oh, wait, sorry. Before I move on, my
update is, as we know, because she sent it in the text about Eve, Commissioner Yarrow stepping down.
I did verify that that was an official resignation from the commission, and it is yes.
commissioners. Commissioner Madera is. Has acknowledged that and it would is will be currently seeking
a new member for us. It's something. Should we have those that had applied the last time when commissioner
Yaro was selected should we have them reapply if they're still interested or will they still on fire
they will be
is interested in being a part of the commission. I highly recommend applying and coming in. And there
is a lot of room to do some work. Maria would like to be promoted on the screen. Maria is here. Welcome
Commissioner Douglas.
there Maria can you hear me hello hello so I am driving but Julie do you have the NAACP free and fun
banquet event info handy or look it up
I know it's happening on Saturday, October 24th, and that tickets are available if you go to the mcbnacp.org
website. You can purchase tickets to attend the Freedom Fund banquet there. And those proceeds go towards
the scholarships that the scholarship committee gives out to
MCCSC high school seniors, IU students. Oh, and the MCCSC also includes people who are homeschooled
and then also IU students. And then we added a grad students award. And then also the McCluskey, Audrey
McCluskey family,
uh, gives $500 to a student who, um, for books, for, for, we don't do books that much anymore, but for
school supplies or whatnot. But anyway, all the proceeds from this Freedom Fund banquet goes into that
scholarship fund. Thank you. That it?
Maria, thank you for sharing. Yes, thank you. I'm sorry. I'm in like BNP. I understand. Also why I'm
thinking about to another event at my lovely township is on October 25th from six to seven PM at the
Indian Creek Lions Club.
The Indian Creek Community Association is putting on a trunk or treat. So it's a Sunday evening, a trunk
and treat and chili supper, and it is completely free. So if you feel like taking a beautiful drive
to the country, you can come out and trunk a treat and have some chili and meet your neighbors. Okay. Business.
The Policy and Data Committee, Commissioners Hurst, D. Douglas, and Hingle. Our purpose is to evaluate
county policy using a gender equity lens and become more grounded in who we are, who we serve through
data. My update is, today technically is the advertised deadline for our community survey, as it is
something that we manage
We don't really have to close it. It just kind of can be a moving deadline. It really is something to
feel like they have to sign it. I probably would like to keep it open up until at least after the 22nd,
if not further, because I really would like to work
with the Hoosier Action Committee to see if they could help us promote that. But I don't really have,
we haven't really discussed that at all. I do know the last time that I looked, we have about 200 responses.
And honestly, from the data that I could figure out the class,
probably had about 10. So, which I knew it had to be small because they were very long, but that's kind
of what I've come up with so far. And then, I mean, based on the committee, we can figure out how we want to,
fold that data into the work that the students did and then really promote, figure out how to make it
digestible information and promote it in the county as a tool for just really county demographics and
concerns that people have.
Uh, I really have. Susan, it's Maria. I have a question. Can you hear me? Hello? Yes. Okay. Um, I'm
confused and I'm curious about when you are referencing the Hoosier Action Committee, who exactly is
that? Is it not the Hoosier Action Committee? I know it's Hoosier Action.
I don't know about the committee. The only Hoosier Action organization that I'm aware of is simply Hoosier
Action. Yes, I'm sorry. It is HoosierAction.org. I don't know why, because I'm at our meeting. I guess
I keep adding committee. So yes, Hoosier Action. OK. Thank you. OK, thank you. Because they've been
in, they're an organization, very strong organization.
in existence as an organization for probably a decade now. So definitely not a committee. Thank you.
Oh, yes, you're right. Thank you. We did meet once. What notes would you? I don't have the notes in
front of me. So anything that you'd like to share from that?
There wasn't anything that is standing out in my brain from when we met. So we've figured out a combined
time for the data and policy subcommittee that's combined to start meeting. So that's probably the biggest
thing, because we met the first time at our new meeting time. So our next meeting is in a couple of
weeks. And if the survey is closed by then, then I think we'd have that data to talk about and what
we want to do with that next.
I don't know. I don't know. Yeah. Yeah. Um is there Maria. Is there anything you'd like to share about
the committee? I'm pleased that we found a meeting
the outreach committee. We have commissioners Eroge, Belton, and Otto with their purposes to elevate
the profile of Monroe County Women's Commission programs that support our mission. Do you have any updates
you would like to share? I don't have any updates. I don't have any updates. It's on my imperatives
to connect with
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I
don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.
create a relationship with Tandem would be great since they do similar works too. And they really seem
like quite an organization. So a very strong, determined human being. So that's pretty great. Anything else?
For new business, the only, it's not on here, but the only thing that we wanted to discuss I know is
making an adjustment to the start time of this meeting. Correct, Maria?
I mean, I know we've discussed it before and we know it's been difficult for some people with Thursday
or the 5.30. And I think currently the proposed change is 6 p.m. start. And to see anybody's thoughts,
objections, whatnot. We might need to check with the tech folks that are here, but I think we would
still have to be done at seven.
do like 6 to 7 30. Yeah, I think I find yes. Yeah, I hadn't I forgot to verify that but I had been working
on some other communications but yes. Is this like a voting thing to be vote.
First, we would need to see if it's OK, right? Yes, let's vote, and then we can verify that it is fine.
That's going to be a public schedule update that they have to do. I mean, it's essentially two months
until we come up with our new calendar year, which is also something everyone should think about, because
that is insane to think about, that it'll be January before we know it.
What the schedule? No. Oh, you're not talking about reappointments. Some of us are still not reappointed.
No, we are not. That I know of. Let's vote. The proposed change, I need a motion, is to propose
to change the meeting start time to six o'clock on Thursdays, on the third Thursday of the month. Julie
Hardesty. Well, I'll second it. Oh yes, first and second, sorry, you're right. First, second, yes, okay.
Okay, we'll do a roll call vote. Julie? Yeah. Jim? Yes. Molly? Aye. Maria?
Yes. Currently we'll say the motion passes to change the meeting time from 5.30 to 6.00 PM
pending verification from the county that that is accepted. So for right now we should consider next
month meeting still starting at 5.30 until we know that we can change it. I agree. Yeah.
so we don't get ourselves messed up. We've agreed that we want to start at six, but we're going to make
sure we can actually do that before, because the public schedule is still saying 530. Correct. Yeah.
So we. Yes. There is in November at six. Yeah. But until then, we're going to stick with 530. Yes. And
then the public notice will be updated. Public comment.
I would like, I guess, during public comment for our visitors to introduce themselves. Is that OK? So
we have two visitors in the room. And why don't you go ahead and introduce yourselves and tell us why
you're here. My name is Elena. My name is Elena. I'm Mara. We go to IU. We're both journalism students.
And we're covering the Women's Commission for an upcoming story we have.
And that's it. Well, thank you for coming. That's exciting. I appreciate it. I would definitely make
sure, I don't know if you have, is to talk to Molly Turner King, who is our accounting lawyer and kind
of our spokesperson for the commission. But I would definitely reach out and I can give you Molly's
email. A lot of times she would be listening, but I haven't seen her.
Yeah, she keeps us in line to make sure we're following all the rules, because it's hard to remember
a lot of open door policies and X, Y, Z of local government. Other than that, our next meeting will
be whatever day, the third Thursday. Hold on. OK. It's Maria again, of course. So I also wanted to bring up that
Senator Yoder is, unless Julie's already said this, so stop me if she has, that Senator Yoder is trying
to get her bill passed to do away with the sales tax on menstrual products again. So legislative session
will be starting up in January. And so any support that we can garner for that
I think it would be amazing. Thank you. Did anybody, I didn't, I had it on my calendar and totally missed
it. They did that virtual rally last Friday. Did anybody attend? You did? Yeah, I attended.
How was it? It was good. There were speakers from Period Action, the national group.
and we're giving information about period poverty and the problems that happen when women and people
who have periods cannot afford the products that they require and the fact that we're one of only 18
states in the country that still puts taxes on feminine hygiene products. Oh, I didn't know that. So
there's some interesting things. There's a petition
Uh, I think is it through period action? I believe it's, yeah. Yeah. I think period action has the petition.
Um, that is, is that at the federal level? Now I can't remember. Yes.
Yes, okay, thank you. There's a petition to try and get something enacted at the federal level, at Period
Actions website. Until then, it's each state having to work through this. I'm really glad that Senator
Yoder is trying to put this bill through, and we'll see what happens this legislative session.
She has tried, I don't know if it's seven times that number like rings in my head. I believe she's tried
at least seven years or seven sessions to get this pushed through. And like last legislative session
was the closest, the most sign-ons and support that it had received, but it still didn't go.
And I actually answered that question incorrectly about Period Action. Period Action is a national
organization, but they are working specifically in the states, in those 18 states, to get those termed
as well. So I believe that the petition is for Indiana specifically from the links that were provided
during that webinar.
Thank you, sorry, I don't have the details in front of me. No, I, yeah, no, I'm, yeah, thank you. Insanity.
Anything else? No?
I have something, I'm trying to figure out if it's something to talk about here at the commission or
if it's more of a subcommittee thing to bring up first, but just being in the community and encountering
folks that are experiencing homelessness. I've been contemplating what we can do as a women's commission
and what we can recommend to county commissioners.
because I find myself, like, I've been serving on this committee for several years, and I know a lot
about the organizations that exist to help. And, you know, in the moment when I'm actually seeing somebody
who's needing help trying to come up with options and ideas for things for them to try, and I still
couldn't come up with all of the things that could have been options. And they already knew about several
of the things that I was mentioning, but just something that's
some way in the county to provide a resource that gives people something to look at, some place, something
to go down and say, have I contacted all of these places? You know, people that- It doesn't exist? I
don't know. Because they, I know that nonprofits in the past have put together their efforts and have,
but it changes, right? Yeah, it's hard to keep it up to date.
And I think it's a problem that's been pervasive. I mean, the unhoused in Bloomington, I heard about
25 years ago when I didn't live here. And it was the same conversations that I am still hearing today.
So I like that you brought it up. And of course, we need to put efforts towards it. Jennifer, I'm sure
you have suggestions. I have a resource book for you. Just if you just text me, I can just slide it to you.
But maybe if we make it another focus. Well, I've just been contemplating, can the Women's Commission
just kind of tag something on? If there is a single place to go for all of those resources, can that
be something we include in our agenda every month? Is it something that we can just kind of make part
of what we're putting out there in the public forum so that the information is
more more more out there than it is otherwise because it's you know, I'm like, why don't I have that?
Why don't I know about it? Yeah. And I think it was updated. It's I want to say either last year or
2024, but it has more than it has food, housing. Yeah. No, I don't know what it is. The city has
published on their page, Homelessness Resources. That was last updated in August of 2026. And I don't
know what it has, but it has counseling, rent and utility assistance, legal assistance and advice. Is
this kind of maybe, not really? No, this is way more expansive. It's a legit book and I don't know who,
I don't know how I become. Yeah, I don't know.
I'm pretty sure me being out in the community is how I got it. Somebody was like, hey, here, I see you
at all these things here. This is a good resource. Yeah, yeah. And I don't know if we can use our public
agenda that way every month, but why not? I agree with that. Well, it does seem like something that
There was an article in the ideas recently or in 2024 anyway. Um, yeah, that we could be, I don't know,
promoting or educating or sharing share. Yeah. And potentially I'm also contemplating if there's anything
that we can recommend to the commissioners, the county commissioners regarding getting these resources
out there for the county wide.
Well, again, yeah, something that depending on what Jennifer has or the city has, does it include,
you know, county resources? Because as we know there, you know, the city and the county are not the
same thing. And so, um, I don't know. So that, that's it. So probably more as we go, but yeah, I'll
just give it to you. Thank you very much.
It is 6-11. I'm going to call this meeting adjourned. Thank you, everybody, and thank you, TSD.