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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEstablishing the South Bend Commission on the Status of WomenORDINANCE No. 5690 -74 Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, JUNE 24 IRENE K. GAMMON Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, JUNE 25, 19_L4 Clerk of Common Council City Clerk IRENE K. GAMMON ORDINANCE NO. 5690-74 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SOUTH BEND COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN. WHEREAS, it is the public policy of the City of South Bend to protect all of its citizens from the injustices of discrimina- tion, prejudices, and outmoded customs based on sex; and WHEREAS, discrimination and prejudices based on sex act as barriers to the full realization and potential of the basic rights of women; and WHEREAS, it is in the city's interest to promote respect, commitment to human dignity, economy, and general welfare of its citizens through the most efficient and effective utilization of the skills of all persons; and WHEREAS, all women should be assured the opportunity to develop their capacities and aspirations to the fullest; and WHEREAS, the City of South Bend desires to establish a commission charged with the responsibility of developing recommenda- tions to eliminate sex discrimination in all spheres of community life, for developing programs which will facilitate this process, and for developing recommendations for service which will enhance the role of women and assist them in making maximum contribution to the world around them. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana: SECTION 1 Establishment of the South Bend Commission on the Status of Women. (a) There is hereby established the South Bend Commission on the Status of Women, referred to herein as the "Commission ". (b) The Commission shall be composed of fifteen members appointed by the Mayor who are residents of the City of South Bend and who are willing to pursue a positive cause of action for achieving equal rights and responsibilities for all women. These appointees will serve three -year terms as members; however, the first Commission will have one -third of its membership appointed for a three -year term, one -third for a two -year term, and one -third appointed for a one -year term. (c) Successors to all members of the Commission shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years except when appointed to fill a vacancy in which case such appointment shall be for the unexpired term. (d) The Commission shall elect once a year a President, Vice President and Secretary from among its members. (e) All members of the Commission shall serve without compensation and any ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum. (f) The Commission shall meet not less than nine (9) times per year at the call of the President. (g) It shall take the concurrence of a majority of the Commission membership to take official action. SECTION II. Powers and Duties (a) To act as the central clearinghouse and coordinating agency for activities and information relating to the status of women in the South Bend community. (b) To accumulate information concerning instances of actual discrimination in practice against women as well as discrimina- tion in the law. (c) To stimulate research in the area of women's legal rights. (d) To educate the community on the status of women by publicizing in all appropriate ways information on their rights and obligations. (e) To review the whole range of services available to women to enable them to make their full contribution through their homes, their jobs, their participation in community life, and to take responsibility for strengthening existing services, and assisting in pursuing needed services, whether it be by commercial, cooperative, or voluntary agencies, or as a public service. (f) To enable women to participate fully in the development of the community in order that the community may benefit from the contribution of all of its members. (g) To stimulate an awareness among both men and women of women's full potential and of the importance of their contribution to the development of the community. (h) To establish and maintain a roster of qualified women for public and private employment and civic responsibilities. (i) To make recommendations to the Human Rights Commission regarding affirmative action programs for women. (j) To serve as an advisory board to city administration on sex discrimination and the status of women. (k) To institute long -range planning and investigation of sources of private funding for the Commission and its work. (1) To cooperate with the Governor's Commission on the status of women whenever possible. (m) To prepare and issue a report annually to the City Council and Mayor, describing in detail the progress made towards the elimination of sex discrimination. SECTION III. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Common Council, its approval by the Mayor, and publication as required by law. ME i�lplmq (• I �I Passed June 24, 1974, as amended. -2- f antutt frr 16part 'To tke (famnwo (Qouurd of toe (Q4tg of j+out4 Vend: Your Committee of the Whole to whom was referred AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SOUTH BEND COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN. Respectfully report that they have examined the matter and that in their opinion the ordinance should be recommended favorably to the Common Council, as amended: Delete subsection (h) in Section I. Odell Newburn Chairman FR C[ PgE99 PV Cl19 RING CO.