After spending the last 12 months studying issues such as domestic violence, mental health and economic autonomy, the Women’s Commission for Oakland County says its work has just begun.
‘I think we had an outstanding first year,? said WCOC Chairwoman Wanda Lohmeier, a Clarkston resident appointed in January 2007 by Oakland County Commissioner Tom Middleton. ‘We started with no foundation; all of us were new and still, we were able to do everything we were charged with doing.?
As Middleton’s appointee, Lohmeier represents parts of Independence Township and Waterford, as well as the Village of Clarkston, where she and her husband John live.
The 27-member commission was originally created and authorized by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners as a one-year project to survey the status and needs of women in Oakland County.
Early WCOC housekeeping duties, Lohmeier said, included electing officers, drafting and approving bylaws, and ensuring the group was adhering to the Open Meetings Act and Roberts Rules of Order. The WCOC also planned and facilitated a public forum, held May 7, where members heard from a number of speakers representing legal, medical, social, educational, and other areas of specialization.
‘It was a tremendous success,? Lohmeier said. ‘A lot of our direction came from that forum.?
After the event, WCOC members decided on focus issues and formed Safety/Violence Against Women, Leadership, Economic Autonomy and Health and Wellness subcommittees.
The group is only the second of its kind in Michigan. Ingham County was first to boast such an assembly.
Lohmeier said each subcommittee put a tremendous amount of ‘effort and energy? into its work, noting the WCOC receives no public funding, and costs for photocopies, refreshments and other expenses were covered by donations.
But, she noted, in order to continue on successfully, the group will require a source financial support.
‘Funding is critical to the success of any project,? Lohmeier said. ‘You’ve got to have money.?
The WCOC, however, said it isn’t looking to the county to pick up the tab for its work, but instead has formed a finance committee and researched a number of grant and other funding opportunities.
The group is also working toward forming working partnerships with outside individuals and organizations.
‘Those are some of the reasons we asked for two-year approval and not one,? she said. ‘These kinds of things don’t happen overnight; they take time.?
While the WCOC as a whole hopes to move forward, not all members wish to continue with the group.
Of 25 women currently serving, Lohmeier estimated about 16, including herself, would like to continue working with the group. Others, she said, have job or family demands, or other commitments.
Still, Lohmeier said she had nothing but praise for each of her fellow WCOC members.
‘They all have the commitment and passion to serve,? she said. ‘They’re not elected and they’re not paid. These are service-oriented women committed to making things better.?
While Commissioner Tom Middleton isn’t a member of the General Government committee, to which the WCOC reports, he said Lohmeier has kept him apprised during the year.
‘She’s been doing a good job,? he said. ‘She got the chairmanship and brought everyone together; if she’s interested I would re-nominate her to continue on.?
But, he warned, as the WCOC already knows, county dollars are just not available.
‘This is going to be a really tight year,? he said. ‘The resolution that put the Woman’s Commission into existence didn’t provide any funding. As long as (the WCOC) doesn’t take money from Oakland County taxpayers, it’ll probably get renewed.?
Much of this year’s undertakings, he acknowledged, were structured to lay groundwork for the future.
‘You really can’t accomplish a lot the first year,? he said. ‘Maybe that’s another good argument for why they should continue to be authorized by the board.?
The 27-member WCOC is comprised of an appointee from each of the 25 Oakland County Commissioners, as well as two commissioners who serve as liaisons.
The WCOC’s report is on file with the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
While not yet on the agenda, the group hopes to make a formal presentation at the next regular commission meeting, scheduled for Jan. 22 at 9:30 a.m. in the Oakland County Courthouse Auditorium located at 1200 North Telegraph Road in Pontiac. Meetings are open to the public.
For more information, visit www.oakgov.com. Click on ‘Board of Commissioners,? then ‘Woman’s Commission for Oakland County.?