2014-2015 Season
Forums are held on the second Mondays of September, November, January, March, and May
at the Ventura County Community Foundation, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Camarillo, CA
from 5:15-7:00 pm:
5:15-5:40 Registration/Networking
5:40-5:50 Introductions and announcements
5:50-7:00 Program
After each forum, members are welcome to stay for a steering committee meeting from 7:00-8:00.
May 2015 / Sexual Violence on Campus
In 2011, the Department of Education sent guidance to college and universities that outlined the responsibilities to address forms of gender discrimination (specifically harassment, discrimination, and violence) under Title IX of the Education Amendments. The team at CSU Channel Islands that has been formed to address this issue, which includes administration, campus police, students, and the new Title IX Inclusion Officer, spoke about sexual violence, the university’s role in addressing and responding to the issue, and the prevention efforts being developed to address this important issue.
March 2015 / Retirement Planning
On March 9, 2015, Merle R. DiVita, CFP, CIMA, spoke about Retirement Planning for Women with a focus on the intricacies of taking Social Security benefits. Women are the most vulnerable population for potential errors in applying for social security benefits. This compounds a lifetime retirement deficit that many women will confront as a result of the disparities of gender bias in hourly and annual earnings that form the basis for determination of the monthly Social Security payment.
Special Presentation: Global Women's Rights
On January 19, 2015, VCWF and AAUW Camarillo co-hosted a special discussion with the following distinguished panelists fighting for women's rights globally: Amina Doherty is a young Feminist Art Activist who sits on several international boards and whom singer Annie Lennox recognized in 2012 as a women’s rights champion for change; Yvette Kathurima is the Head of Advocacy at FEMNET, the African Women’s Development and Communication Network, a Pan-African membership- based organization working to advance women’s rights; and Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, CEO of Global Fund for Women, is a speaker and author who serves on several international boards and working groups including the UN High Level Taskforce for Reproductive Health and the boards of CARE, IntraHealth and CHANGE.
January 2015 / History of Birth Control
The January 12, 2015 forum focused on the history of birth control. It was co- hosted by the Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network with current information and an educational and non-political discussion, complete with props and a video clip.
November 2014 / Pesticide Use Near Schools
The November 10, 2014 forum focused on pesticide use near schools in Ventura County. Ventura County has the highest number of schools and the highest number of students who attend schools near high pesticide use areas, according to a recent report released by the California Environmental Health Tracking Program. The forum was co-hosted by CAUSE, Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, Ventura, & San Luis Obispo, Inc., Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project, and Lideres Campesinas.
September 2014 / Economics of Early Child Care and Education
The 2014-2015 season opened with a film and discussion on Raising of America: Are we crazy about our kids?, co-hosted by First 5 Ventura County on September 8. We looked at the economic impact and cost-benefit analyses of investments in high quality early care and education.