Okaloosa County BOCC — April 21, 2015 — OCCSW 2014 Annual Report — reading text

2014 Annual Report This report includes the activities and accomplishments of the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW) for the year 2014. The OCCSW was established in 1995 by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners with the purpose of recognizing and honoring women who have made significant contributions to the improvement of women and citizens of Okaloosa County. The Wall of Honor was established by the OCCSW in partnership with the University of West Florida to accept nominations from the public for women deserving recognition for the sacrifices made to help and encourage individuals in our community. In May 2014, a ceremony was held for the Women’s Wall of Honor recipients at the Fort Walton Beach campus of Northwest Florida State College/University of West Florida. The Okaloosa County Women’s Wall of Honor is displayed in a special room on the second floor of the campus library. A plaque displayed on the wall lists all the honorees, and a book with their bios and pictures is also maintained in the Wall of Honor room. The 2014 Wall of Honor inductees were Bev Bain, Dr. Naomi G. Barnes, Becky Belcher, Sallye N. Belton, Regina Bright, Ginger Boyd, Ranae E. Curtis, Margaret Mae Garrett, Tammy Magee, Char McElderry RN, Christie Owens, Jackie Pilcher, Judi Rutland, Lisa Snuggs, Janie Varner, Ginger Walker, Ouida Winters and Carol Wride. One hundred and sixty-two women have been inducted since 1997. Each year the OCCSW accepts and vets nominations to the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame, which recognizes distinguished County women who have made an important impact on women and citizens in our community. The nomination process is competitive, and OCCSW members select inductees in accordance with specified standards. A ceremony for all nominees was held at Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville Campus in conjunction with Women’s Equality Day in August. The 2014 Hall of Fame inductees were Ina Bobelle “Bobbie” Harrell, Kelly Humphrey, Aimee Shaffer and Linda Sumblin. Since 1995, 88 women have been inducted. Photos of all the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame inductees are on display outside the County Commission Chambers in the Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Building in Fort Walton Beach, the County Court House in Crestview, and the Niceville City Council Chambers. Barbara Wall (who completed her final term as OCCSW commissioner representing District 5 at the end of 2014) has been a member of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW) since her appointment by Governor Christ in 2010. She served as the FCSW’s secretary in 2012, and was elected to serve as its Vice Chair in 2013. Niceville native Gayle Jacobson is also a member of FCSW and ex officio member of OCCSW. The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women receives no public funding; it relies instead on support from our community. Financial contributions from local businesses, organizations and individuals enable OCCSW to continue its support of women in Okaloosa County through various events and projects, including the Women’s Wall of Honor and Hall of Fame, and the annual scholarship established in 2013. Additionally, OCCSW members provide food, beverages, and paper products for all OCCSW’s annual events. Commission funds were used in 2014 to purchase honoree plaques, certificates, corsages, picture frames and scrapbooks; to maintain the website; to fund the scholarship; and to renew membership in the National Association of Commissions for Women. The Commission also makes annual contributions to local charities. The 2014 recipients were the Okaloosa Continuum of Care, Family Life Ministries and Shelter House. Awareness of the accomplishments of the women of Okaloosa County has risen significantly as a result of OCCSW efforts, which were recognized by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce when it became the Commission’s first Gold Sponsor. The Chamber also volunteered to host an annual “networking” luncheon for Hall of Fame members. More details about the honorees, the events and our sponsors can be viewed at our website www.occsw.org. The OCCSW also maintains a roster of members who are available to speak to clubs and/or organizations concerning the status of women and their needs in Okaloosa County, as well as other topics of interest to all county residents. 2014 Highlights • OCCSW celebrated its 20th anniversary with special emblems on stationery and website. • County Commissioner Dave Parisot installed new officers in January 2014: Valerie McLaughlin, chair; Amy McBride, vice chair; Mary Blackwell, secretary; Dawn Johnson, treasurer; and Jeanne Rief, historian. • We began the year with $687.17 and ended in December with a balance of $2,406.70. We had two Gold Sponsors, one Silver Sponsor and two Bronze Sponsors for 2014. • We sent a two-member delegation to represent OCCSW at the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame induction. • In recognition of Women’s History Month, we asked the Board of County Commissioners and each city in the county to sign a Proclamation to proclaim the Month of March as Women’s History Month, and we partnered with NWFSC for its 2014 Women’s History Month program featuring Monica D. Knight and a panel discussion of prominent women from the fields of education, medicine and government. • We presented our 2013 Annual Report to the County Commissioners in April 2014. • We presented our second $1,000 scholarship to Hadley Finn in July 2014 through the NWFSC Foundation. • OCCSW nominee Kathy Foster received a 2014 Annual Achievement Award from the FCSW. • OCCSW conducted two local meetings to support the FCSW’s 2014 family survey: Your Voice Matters: A Conversation with Florida Women & Families. • Mary Burnette, a member of the OCSW Women’s Hall of Fame, was shortlisted again for the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. Although not selected for induction for 2014, she will be resubmitted in 2015. • The Nominating Committee presented a slate of incoming officers for 2015: Amy McBride, chair; Dawn Johnson, vice chair; Tammy Magee, secretary; Mary Florence, treasurer; and Jeanne Rief, historian. (They were installed in January 2015.) • The Fiscal Examination Committee examined the OCCSW account records to ensure funds were balanced, and the books were turned over to the incoming treasurer. • The OCCSW membership collectively logged 2,071.5 volunteer hours during 2014. So you see we had a very full and fun year. We are hopeful, with the support of the community and the Board of County Commissioners, that we can further our efforts to recognize the many women who have made – and continue to make – Okaloosa the great County it is today and to assist women to improve their status. Amy McBride OCCSW Chair