BACKGROUND: The official inception of the City of San José’s Domestic Violence Task Force was on August 28, 1997. The Task Force was initially established by former Mayor Susan Hammer and spearheaded by Council Member Alice Woody in an effort to improve awareness and to educate the citizens of San José about family violence issues. The purpose of the Task Force at that time was to “promote a collaborative, community effort to reduce and prevent incidents of violence in our families and communities.” Council Member Woody and the Task Force began the City of San José’s Walk Against Domestic Violence which has since become an annual event.

Vice Mayor Pat Dando became the Chair of the Task Force in 2001 and spearheaded the evolution of the Domestic Violence Task Force to the City's Family/Domestic Violence Advisory Board. The Advisory Board developed by-laws, as well as a formal mission. During this period, the Advisory Board also implemented the Hairdresser Project and launched several successful public awareness campaigns. In 2003, Council Members Nora Campos and Forrest Williams were appointed as Co-Chairs of the Advisory Board by Mayor Ron Gonzales.

MISSION: The mission of the City of San Jose’s Family/Domestic Violence Advisory Board’s is to inform and educate the public and policy makers about the impact of domestic and intimate partner violence; promote collaborative community wide campaigns; and raise awareness through activities, forums and public service campaigns.

LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS : Leadership & Collaborative Partners
The City’s Family/Domestic Violence Advisory Board is co-chaired by two Council Members appointed by the Mayor. The Advisory Board coordinates its efforts with the City’s Mayor Prevention Task Force and the Senior Commission. In addition, the Advisory Board work with like coalitions at the local, State, and Federal levels, including the following community based organizations to raise awareness and educate the public about family and domestic violence (partial list):
• Asian Americans for Community Involvement- Asian Women’s Home
• Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence
• Support Network for Battered Women
• Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office
• San José State University

MEMBERSHIP: Members of the Advisory Board include representatives from the community at large, public agencies, private agencies, City and County Departments and Commissions, and local domestic/ family violence service agencies.

MEETINGS: Meetings take place the fourth Wednesday of every month at 9:00 am at City Hall Wing Room 118. The Advisory Board meets at least eight times per year, with no regular meeting scheduled in July, October, November and December unless requested and approved by the Advisory Board.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS : The Mayor appoints two Council Members to spearhead the Advisory Board as Co-Chairs. In the event that only a Chair is appointed by the Mayor, the Vice Chair is nominated from amongst the members and voted on by the Advisory Board. The Chair is appointed for a term of two (2) years and the Vice Chair is appointed for a term of one year with an opportunity for a second term if nominated and elected by the full board.

In order to become a member of the Advisory Board individuals (or an individual from an organization) must attend three consecutive meetings. The Advisory Board's Executive Committee shall then accept nominations from active members provided there is a vacant seat. The full Advisory Board will vote on each new member.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Members are expected to attend all Advisory Board meetings. Attendance is recorded in the Advisory Board minutes.

For further information about the Advisory Board contact staff in the City Manager’s Office at 535-8101.