SUBJECT
Title
SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS’ BYLAWS UPDATE FOR APPROVAL (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (Commission) was established by the County of San Diego (County) Board of Supervisors (Board) on May 26, 1970. The operations are set forth in San Diego Administrative Code, Article IV, Section 85, effective September 4, 1975. The Administrative Code establishing the Commission also governs some of the practical ways the Commission is run, some of which are also reflected in the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Bylaws (Bylaws), effective November 2006.
Section E.7. Bylaws of Advisory Committees of Board Policy A-74: Participation in County Boards, Commissions, and Committees states that each advisory committee will prepare bylaws, which must be reviewed by County Counsel and approved by the Board.
Today's action seeks Board approval of the revisions to the Commission’s Bylaws (Attachment A). The Commission’s Governance Committee met and forwarded their recommendations to the Commission. The Commission reviewed the recommended changes and voted to approve the Bylaws at its March 6, 2026 meeting. The motion to approve the Bylaws and forward to the Board of Supervisors for approval passed with a majority vote of members present. The vote was as follows: 10 Yes, 0 Abstain, 0 Oppose.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Approve the revisions to the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Bylaws.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (Commission) was established to promote policy and to provide an open forum for discussion and action to identify the needs and problems of women and girls throughout the county that are affected by public policy decisions, and to eliminate the practice of discrimination and prejudice on the basis of sex . The updates to the Commission’s Bylaws streamline and align them with current best practices. These changes will ensure that the Commission continues to operate efficiently and effectively to identify the needs and problems of women and girls throughout the county.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed action to update the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls’ (Commission) Bylaws contribute to many of the County of San Diego Sustainability Goals: Engage the community; Provide just and equitable access; and Protect health and wellbeing. In terms of sustainability in equity, economy, and health/wellbeing, it will support the Commission in ensuring Commissioners are able to identify and promote the needs of all women and girls throughout the county.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with these actions. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
On March 6, 2026, the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls approved the updated San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Bylaws. The vote was as follows: 10 Yes, 0 Abstain, 0 Oppose.
BACKGROUND
The San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (“Commission”) was established by the County of San Diego (“County”) Board of Supervisors (“Board”) on May 26, 1970. The operations are set forth in San Diego Administrative Code, Article IV, Section 85, effective September 4, 1975. The Administrative Code establishing the Commission also governs some of the practical ways the Commission is run, some of which are also reflected in the Commission’s Bylaws, effective November 2006.
The Commission’s Governance Committee met, discussed, and recommended changes to the Bylaws and forwarded their recommendations to the Commission. The Commission reviewed the recommended changes and voted to approve the bylaws at their March 6, 2026 meeting. The motion to approve the Bylaws and forward to the Board of Supervisors for approval passed with a majority vote of members present. The vote was as follows: 10 Yes, 0 Abstain, 0 Oppose.
The Commission has had an opportunity to work within the confines of their Bylaws and have decided to update the 2006 Bylaws to ensure the Commission can operate efficiently and effectively to identify and meet the needs and problems of women in girls throughout the county. A strikeout and underlined copy of the bylaws can be seen as Attachment A to this board letter. Below is a summary of the substantive changes and additions:
• Specification that the Commission’s work is focused on gender-based discrimination against women and girls
• The inclusion of Business and Financial Opportunities as one of the specified areas of study for the Commission
• Inclusion of “and girls” in most places that “women” is mentioned
• Revising the Commission elections timing to move from “at the last meeting of each calendar year” to being held “annually”
• Including that one of the duties of the Chair is to cancel meetings and to call for special meetings as needed
• Revising the term “ad hoc committees” to “committees” to show that the committees are permanent
• Allowing virtual attendance for commissioners in accordance with current law
• The specification that the calling of special meetings requires the majority of Commission members, not one third as previously included in bylaws.
• The option for public comment to also be made by telephone or other internet-based service option
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action to approve the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Bylaws (Bylaws) supports the Equity Strategic Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan by aligning the Bylaws with current best practices to ensure the Commission can be a model for the San Diego region, ensuring women and girls have equitable opportunity to thrive throughout the county.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A: San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Bylaws (Clean)
Attachment B: San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Bylaws (Strikethrough)