National association official urges Anchorage commission to use public hearings and targeted surveys to reach women with lived experience

Nancy Brumot, a board member of the National Association of Commissions for Women, told the Anchorage Women's Commission during its meeting that the national group is relaunching resources to help local commissions with outreach, networking and training.

Brumot described a shift from an annual in‑person convention to year‑round virtual programming, including quarterly “conversation forums,” monthly networking sessions and summer training, and said she would share registration and sample materials with the commission. "We are relaunching the entire organization," she said, and encouraged commissioners to sign up at nacw.org and participate in the January 28 virtual forum.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they plan to conduct a community needs assessment to identify gaps affecting women and girls across Anchorage — including unhoused women, Alaska Native and Asian Pacific Islander communities and women small‑business owners — and they will use the assessment to present prioritized recommendations to the mayor's office and assembly.

Brumot urged commissioners to lean on local nonprofits for outreach and to design public hearings that bring people with lived experience into the conversation. She described a Santa Clara County public hearing on unhoused women that drew more than 200 attendees; nonprofits helped with outreach and transportation, and witnesses were given time-limited testimony so the commission could develop actionable recommendations for elected officials.

Commissioners discussed a two‑pronged approach: a communitywide survey plus targeted listening sessions at community events to reach populations not well served by online surveys. Chair Christy said the municipality can host the survey on city tools and post materials to the city website, while the commission will draft the survey itself. Brumot cautioned that large, professionally run assessments can cost six figures but said a first pass organized by commissioners and volunteers can provide useful, actionable data.

Brumot also recommended building partnerships with universities, law schools and national organizations such as AAUW and Zonta, and offered to provide sample assessments and mentorship. She told the commission she would email event details and sample materials to staff contact Ashley so the group can follow up.

Next steps: Commissioners agreed to proceed with a modest commission‑led community needs assessment and to use results to request additional city support or funding if needed. The commission will reconvene Feb. 5 to report on committee work and next steps.