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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCITY OF ILM NHCCFW March 2026 Minutes CITY OF WILMINGTON/NEW HANOVER COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN A Joint City-County Commission NHC Government Building – Room 155 March 25, 2026 - 4:00 PM AGENDA Meeting called to order at 4:03 p.m. by Hayley Jensen. In Attendance: Sheila Evans, Hayley Jensen, Tracey Newkirk, Jen Wilson-Mathis, Beth Ann Bryant-Richards, Debbie Todd, Emily Mitchell Absent: Olivia Thames (ex); Jen Peterken (ex), Julie Potter (ex); Lindy Ford (ex), Judge Robinson-ex officio (ex) Staff Attendance: Travis Corpening, NHC Civic Engagement Coordinator Guests: Nina Davit Call to Order, Roll Call– Hayley Jensen, Vice-Chair Approve Minutes – February 2026 Meeting Minutes – motion to approve by Beth Ann Richards- Bryant – seconded by Emily Mitchel. All approved. Approve Agenda – March 25, 2026, Meeting Agenda- motion to approve by Jen Wilson-Mathis – seconded by Tracey Newkirk. All approved. Read NHC Commission for Women’s Bylaws & Articles – read by Debbie Todd. Guest Speaker: No speaker for today due to the luncheon debrief Old Business Luncheon Debrief: Group discussion Pros – Quality of speakers, pleasure with content, venue looked nice, food was delicious, the venue was great, and there was a brief discussion about needing a larger venue or more tables, like the format (welcome, keynote, and panel). Cons – Ticketing link; clear sponsorship information; donation separate from the ticket price, table seating was confusing, Q & A – maybe have or offer for only one or two people answer the question, timing of the program content, shortening the bios and perhaps have it only in the program and just a introduction of your name and your organization, be cognizant of those who are women who are not mothers, missed opportunity for the QR for the survey, need to ensure that we share who we are at the beginning of the meeting and what we do, AV equipment needs to be better, perhaps less people welcoming (etc., Stephanie Walker NHC Commissioner), not including the key note in the panel discussion. *2025 Luncheon survey was sent out by Tracey Newkirk to Jen Wilson-Mathis to edit for the 2026 luncheon survey. Survey discussion about the luncheon survey – add language for the party to agree to receive notification about the luncheon for next year. Tracey suggested setting deadlines for the entire process, such as confirming speakers and venues, by the end of the summer of 2026. In 2025, Sheila had a virtual meeting with all the speakers prior to the luncheon. There was a suggestion to do this again in 2027. Hayley Jensen was nominated to chair the Women’s History Month Luncheon, March 2027 – Beth Ann Bryant-Richards made the motion, seconded by Debbie Todd. All approved. Hayley accepted. New Business Monthly Speaker Recommendations – Shane Fernando from Thalian Hall - April Becky Hawke - new City of Wilmington Manager- May Debbie Todd – Senior Membership Director – New Hanover – June Public Comments - None NEXT MEETING - April 22, 2026 - NHC Government Center Meeting Adjourned at 5:02 p.m. Function of Commission The Commission shall be organized for the purpose of acting as an advocate for women and a resource of information on the status of women in New Hanover County for the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners (Board) and Wilmington City Council (Council): • To identify the status of women and assess the needs of women in New Hanover County (County) and the City of Wilmington (City); • To provide a status of women in New Hanover County report on an annual basis to the Board and Council; • To provide information and recommendations to the Board and Council on the needs and issues important to women as it deems necessary in improving and upholding the opportunities in employment, education and community services for all people, regardless of sex; • To work toward the betterment of the status of women with respect to employment and educational opportunities, health services, childcare services, welfare services, financial services, and community leadership opportunities; • To serve as an umbrella to coordinate and support all women’s initiatives, organizations, and networks in the County and the City including coordinating and cooperating with the YWCA and other organizations involved in activities on the status of women; and • To conduct educational seminars in collaboration with other organizations for residents and businesses in the County and the City.