NOCO NOW Meeting Tuesday, August 14, 2018Action Items:-Renew Membership if you have not already-Call about Global HER Act-Opportunities to help with mid-terms: voter registration and campaignsSee below for more informationMeeting Minutes:

• Social Time 6:30
• Meeting Called to Order by President, 7 PM
• Attendees (18) introduced themselves and shared which of the NOW pillars they were most passionate about. Reproductive Rights was the pillar most mentioned, followed by Economic Justice, although it was agreed that all six pillars are connected and each is important.
• President reported on:
  • FOCO NOW's presence at New West Fest Aug. 11, 12 as part of coalition of progressive organizations
  • Upcoming Candidate debates/forums
  • Fundraising possibility using grocery store certificates
    • Stephanie volunteered to contact King Soopers about the grocery store certificates program
• Treasurer Report
  • $40 expense for meeting space per month
  • $134 in checking account
  • 30 member renewals at @$7 is $210 is still owed to the chapter from National NOW
  • Members discussed possible fund raising opportunities
• Committee Reports
  • Legislative Committee Report
    • Voter Registration continues in partnership with FOCO Indivisible
      • New West Fest
      • Food Truck Tuesday
    • Elections
• Speaker: Rebecca Cranston, Candidate Colorado Senate District 15
  • Important race since GOP currently controls CO Senate by 1 vote
  • Considered one of most competitive races in CO and is gaining national attention
  • Discussed her background and why she entered the race
  • Answered questions from attendees
  • FOCO NOW members can help campaign with
    • postcard mailings
    • monetary donations
    • canvassing

• • HER (Health Empowerment Rights)
    • Call and/or use social media to ask our US Congress Representatives and Senators to support the Global HER Act (S.210/ H.R.671).
      • Introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY-17
      • The HER Act would repeal the Global Gag Rule (GGR) and create a permanent legislative barrier to its re-imposition, making international family planning funding permanent, regardless of who is in the White House
      • GGR denies U.S. aid from going to any foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) that in any way works (and even uses their own non-U.S. funds) to provide, refer, counsel, or advocate for access to safe abortion services in countries where it is legal.
      • The idea is to increase, not limit, access to international family planning programs to ensure that every woman, girl, and person seeking care can make their own healthcare decisions without exceptions.
      • More information at:

http://www.populationconnectionaction.org/fight4her-2-2/

https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/storage/advfy/documents/her-2017.pdf

• • Post Cards for Colorado
    • Pick up or return postcards at Whole Foods on Thursdays, 7 PM
    • Postcards to support Phil Weiser
    • Postcards to support Rebecca Cranston
• Announcements, VP
  • Importance of membership renewal
  • Distributed information from the National Women's History Project on "How Women Won the Vote"
    • 2020 is the Centennial of Women's Suffrage
    • Call to Action to plan "to honor the successful drive for votes for women in your state" in 2020

14 present, Deb James, president presiding

President welcomed all, introduced guests from Broad Spectrum CSU, a student Veterinary School club supporting LBGTQ veterinary students.

Legislative Committee update: Training on Feb 26th, 7-8 pm, Harmony Library. This is the first training on how to get involved in state level legislation. Additional trainings will be held roughly each month, taking those interested through how to get a law passed, how to lobby, etc. Will be detailed powerpoint to help people doing this on their own. Trainings are open to all. Will get info out through other local progressive group's newsletters. Working on a bill that states that any woman in police custody cannot have consensual sex.

Jo shared finance update: $275 in account at this time. Currently not being charged for website, but do have to pay for meeting room rental each month.

March is Women's History Month, and March 8 is International Women's Day. Please see separate calendar posting for details. Planned Parenthood Happy Hour Wed March 13, McClellan's (note: postponed due to severe weather, new date TBA on FB page and/or email).

If you wish to post announcements or events on the FB page or blog, please contact Deb, Erin, or Laura. Facebook is good for last-minute events, the blog is good for more in-depth or cross-linked information.

April 5-13, Human Rights Film Festival (CSU)—many good films coming.

Deb reminded everyone that Executive Board Elections are coming up in April. At this time, Annemarie has stated she will run for president, Rosemary for Treasurer, Jennifer for Vice President, and Claudia for Secretary. Members interested in running should contact Deb immediately.

April General Meeting will be elections and celebration of another great year—and treats!

Sharon (legislative committee) finalizing results for City Council candidate survey, this went out on email to members recently (mid-March).

Guest speakers: CSU Broad Spectrum (vet school), Kayla (they/them), Christina (she/her), and Zach (he/him). Shared the work of their organization, inclusion/understanding. Veterinarians will have diverse clients, need to be open to all to be successful in future careers. What's on intake forms, creating a safe workplace. Film suggestion to understand LGBTQ issues, Boy Erased, as well as Podcast Unerased. Inclusivity of transwomen is a feminist issue due to healthcare, safety, and other issues. Encouraged members to watch for "bathroom bills." Shared updates on bills to change gender on birth certificates. Shared that queer can now be used as a blanket term for LGBQT community, but limited to self-identifying as queer as not all LGBQT community is comfortable with it; those who like it like that it is non-binary. Cisgender means gender identity is the same as assigned at birth. Encouraged members to state pronouns when introducing to normalize that for all. They/them/theirs is often being used as a non-gendered pronoun, can be used as a singular pronoun. Can try y'all instead of you guys and womxn, latinx, mx to avoid binary. Watch for Pride events coming up in June. CSU Drag Show is largest in Colorado, fundraiser for Pride Resource Center at CSU, coming in April.

Some resources for understanding issues, especially for straight people who don't wish to offend but aren't sure whom to ask to find out more:
HRC includes a guide for talking with children about LBGTQ topics
A definition list in case you're not sure what something means or the correct term

Other organizations that are involved in LGBTQ issues 

NOW President opened meeting, reminded everyone of the 6 pillars of NOW.

Upcoming Events:
– June 25 at Cafe Vino at 5:30
–Aug 10 & 11th New West Fest table in front of church
–Various hikes and volleyball. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info on how to sign up.
–No July NOCO NOW meeting

Treasurer report:
Donations to cover our meeting took rentals for June and August, thank you to the local NOW members who donated! The donation funds from King Soopers are once per quarter, thus have not been distributed yet. A reminder that if you do not have King Soopers money yet to please sign up. Let the Treasurer know, or email the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. address. The group received $100 in membership dues from national.

Legislative Committee report:
Last meeting on May 28th, we had a discussion related to the topic at the last General meeting about county commissioners seeking to add to the jail without voter approval and how to get involved in that issue.
Next meeting is June 25 at Cafe Vino at 5:30. This is a happy hour so it's informal and fun!

Announcements:
New West Fest update. Church allowed us to set up on their lawn by sidewalk last year, as we can't afford the booth fees for NWF. Church said we can do it again this year, which is great. We will make a donation to thank them. We'll do it Saturday and Sunday during the day, August 10 and 11 and hopefully partner with Planned Parenthood. See newsletter for fun summer events (hikes, volleyball, etc).
The person updating the blog announced that she needs someone to take over the blog for the next year as she will be traveling. Email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to set up a time to get trained.
If you're interested in supporting Planner Parenthood with volunteering, sign up with NOW president and she will connect you. They are potentially interested in someone to be at a health liaison table inside the clinic, to provide information on PP's services.

Special Announcement regarding the 2020 celebration of Women's Suffrage:
Governor Hickenlooper created a commission called Women and the Vote, 2020, with events in every county. CO was the first state to give women the vote by popular vote. Installation of a sculpture by a Loveland artist to commemorate the suffragists may be placed in Washington, DC. This is sponsored by Neguse, Bennett, and Gardner. Next week is the hearing in the Senate. Monument is being sponsored by donations because government funding is very difficult to get. However, in general women have far fewer commemorative statues in public places than famous men, or male-dominated activities such as war, so this would be a great addition to our nation's public spaces and historical representation. Go to everywordweutter.org to find out more. A motion was brought up for our group to write a letter of support for the hearing for the statue next week and the motion passed. Can also sign up to help with Women Vote 2020, such as doing a suffrage presentation with the League. More info to come but if you have ideas please get connected with club leadership!

President introduced special guest, Joann Ginal, a member and our state Senator! Shared she has enjoyed joining the State Senate, quite a different experience than the House. 455 bills passed. One of Joann's bills was vetoed by the governor. Explained some of the political tactics used by the minority during the session. New leadership, new governor, lots of learning for everyone. Governor Polis was very involved. Explained why she did not support the bill to repeal the death penalty, which was not due to the idea behind the bill but rather because the hearing was moved to a new time and day with no notice, leaving out the opportunity for appropriate testimony. Will be brought up again next year with time for testimony. Vaccine bill will be coming back again next year, as well as supervised injection sites and others. Discussed drug importation bill that passed to allow reasonably priced medication from Canada to come to CO. Bill also passed to cap insulin costs—first state to pass this! Still working on the bill for drug price transparency. Bill requiring licensing of free standing emergency room facilities. Bill passed requiring senators to make at least two trips between the session to visit communities they represent. Shared several other bills that passed. Equal pay passed! Will continue to work in healthcare, senior issues, housing.
Encouraged us be involved in the legislative process. Contact info for your state reps and senators can be found here.

Meeting adjourned 

Action Items:

-Sign up for King Soopers fundraising. The website for signing up is
https://kingsoopers.com/communityrewards
-Find out more information on Larimer County Jail Expansion here (FB link)
-Contact County Commissioners regarding Larimer County Jail Expansion
-Contact NOCO NOW President for more info and to volunteer to liaison with local groups

-Legislative Committee Happy Hour May 29th, 5:30, Cafe Vino
–June 11th, next general meeting will feature Joann Ginal
-Book Club hiatus until next meeting Sept, date, book, and place TBD. Contact NOCO NOW email with suggestions.

The new NOCO NOW President opened the meeting with 22 people present.
New officers were introduced: Vice President; Treasurer; Secretary.

The Treasurer reported finances of the club and reminded people to sign up for the King Soopers non-profit fundraising program (see action items above for more info).

Legislative Committee updates:
-The legislative committee will no longer have a monthly meeting, but will have a social meeting to focus on issues and trainings (see events above).
-The next happy hour is at Café Vino on 5- 28-19 at 5:30.
-The Police Rape Loophole Act Bill will be followed in the next legislative session.

Other Updates:
-The happy hour with Planned Parenthood of Denver was productive and
NOCO NOW will collaborate with PP for future events. If anyone wants to
apply to be an escort at the local PP center, ask via the NOCO NOW email.
-Additionally, if you are interested in being a liaison with other local service groups that fit within the 6 pillars, please contact the President either via email or at am upcoming general meeting (see action item above).
-NOCO NOW will have an intern this summer. Her assignment will be to identify women owned and operated businesses in Larimer County and report back to us.

Guest Speaker with a presentation advocating against Larimer County Jail Expansion. Briefly, there has been a big increase in the number of people held pre-trial, and due to various factors, it's generally because they are unable to pay bail. The system is such that it's possible for a poorer resident to be held awaiting trial for a minor, non-violent crime, while a suspect in a more egregious crime is released to the community if they are wealthier. This can be a big issue for families struggling on lower rungs of the economic scale. Larimer County Jail is not a for-profit prison, but this means that our property taxes pay for housing people in the jail for $118/day. Currently the pre-trial population is greater than the convicted population on any given day. More information from the group that presented and contact information for County Commissioners is above in the action items.