Minutes of Meeting
OHA State Board of Directors
January 9, 2010
ODFW Headquarters, Salem
Present: Fred Craig, President
Rick Williams, Vice President
Mike Vallery, Treasurer
Steve Hagan, Secretary
Bob Loper, Southwest Director
Bob Webber, Western Oregon Director, South Region (At-Large)
Bill Littlefield, Central Director
Fred Walasavage, Eastern Oregon Director (At-Large)
Don Schaller, Western Oregon Director, North Region (At-Large)
Joe Ricker, Midwest Director
Absent: Don Backman, Chairman
David McDonald, Southeast Director
Staff: Ty Stubblefield, Field Administrator
Duane Dungannon, State Coordinator
Al Elkins, Lobbyist
Guests: Ron Anglin, Division Administrator, Wildlife Division, ODFW
Steve Denny, ODFW
Duane Bernard, OHA Columbia County Chapter
Joanne Bernard, OHA Columbia County Chapter
Joe Purdy, OHA Capitol Chapter
Stuart Crosby, OHA Capitol Chapter
Myrt Kuhl, OHA Capitol Chapter
Ken Hand, Mule Deer Foundation
Frank Harris
The meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m. by President Fred Craig.
Approval of the Agenda:
The OHA Review Committee item is to be deleted. The Strategic Plan will be discussed during the President’s agenda item. The ODFW presentation is to be given after the field administrator’s report. Joe Ricker made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Bill Littlefield seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
Secretary's Report:
Consideration of the August 22, 2009 minutes is deferred until later in the meeting.
Bob Webber made a motion to approve the December 5, 2009 minutes as presented. Rick Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
Treasurer's Report:
Bob Webber made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. Rick Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
State Report (Duane Dungannon):
The magazine cost now is now set at $3.95 for newsstand issues. The election issue will have an envelope enclosed for ballot returns.
Field Administrator Report (Ty Stubblefield):
Ty met with multiple chapters regarding upcoming banquets. Banquet workshops were held in Burns and Eugene. Joe Ricker noted the good work by Ty in conducting the Eugene workshop. Bob Webber asked if chapters are having “fundraisers”, not banquets, are they eligible for a Les Schwab rifle? Ty gave an overview of the Les Schwab rifle raffle and will be discussing this with Les Schwab to determine their expectations. The Umpqua Chapter will have a summer BBQ and the Harney County Chapter will have a fundraiser.
Lobbyist report (Al Elkins):
1. Cougar Petition Update – This initiative is targeted for 2012. Fred Craig asked that this be added to the Organizational Committee agenda to be tracked.
2. Campbell Exchange Update
3. Land Closure Bill Draft Request Update – Originally would have liked to have gotten something done in this upcoming legislative session; opposition to that received from state agencies.
4. Oregon Caves Expansion Update – This bill is dead. Fred Craig gave an overview.
5. ODFW Hunter Orange Investigation for the Commission – ODFW directed by the ODFW Commission to explore rules regarding hunter orange. This led to a discussion with regards to OHA’s stance on the subject. Fred Craig pointed out the state board has a published position. Bob Webber wants OHA to be at the table. ODFW Hunter Education instructors to meet at the end of the month and will be discussing this issue.
Coquille Valley Wetlands Project presentation (Steve Denny, ODFW)
This is a proposed land exchange of isolated timberlands for wetlands. This would provide opportunities for public waterfowl hunting, wildlife viewing, fishing, etc. A discussion followed regarding the types of dollars associated with the project and potential conflicts of wildlife viewing vs. hunting opportunities.
Break at 10:18 am
Reconvene at 10:28 am
President: (Fred Craig)
The Strategic Plan was sent out to OHA chapter presidents in December with a request for chapter input. The desire is to keep the plan general at the beginning, with individuals tackling specific items which correlate with their interests. The question was raised: is this plan volunteer-oriented, or will the president be working directly with them? Answer: The volunteer would be the driver, with assistance given as requested. It was noted that there MUST be follow-through on the work. No single person will be tackling the six items listed in the Strategic Plan. A question regarding expectations of work product associated with each action item was asked. The concept of a facilitated meeting to flesh out action items was discussed. Rick Williams stated that the state board should plan a one-day meeting to address the Strategic Plan and that the associated volunteer for each item on the plan will come out of that meeting. Bill Littlefield proposed the expansion of a single board meeting to a weekend session to accomplish this task. Fred Walasavage noted that with this plan being of critical importance to the organization, any items left over after volunteering should be assigned.
The board moved into executive session at 10:45am
The board moved out of executive session at 11:01am
Bill Littlefield made a motion that Bob Webber contacts the appropriate law enforcement agencies to pursue recovery of missing funds from the Mid-Willamette Chapter. Bob Loper seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Moved into committees at 11:04am
Break at 12:59pm
Old business:
1. Report: OHA review committee – This item is removed from the agenda.
2. Report: OHA Web Presence Update – A sandbox website is in place in parallel to the existing site. Bill Littlefield has made a couple of chapter websites in the sandbox. Most functionality is in place and working. He will send an email to those interested in trying out the functionality.
3. Report: OHA Presence at Major Conventions – Rick Williams spoke at the Pioneer chapter on this subject. He brought up the marketing concepts and the chapter response was supportive of the idea. Bill Littlefield brought up the idea at the Prineville chapter and noted their response was supportive. He noted that the Bend chapter was also supportive. Rick Williams discussed possible options of fundraising and wants to talk to other chapters. He intends to bring a quote proposal to the March meeting.
4. Report: Mule Deer Initiative Committees – Fred Craig noted that Lakeview will be treating 32,000 acres of juniper. Murderers Creek also has money for juniper treatment. Dave Williams called Fred with a request to aerial gun for coyote out of the Warner Unit for deer that migrate into the Warner Unit. Fred approved the request. The cougar target areas in Steens and Warner are underway. Coyote control work will be done in the Heppner unit in the near future. The Forest Service captured 104 horses in Murderers Creek.
5. Report: Strategic Plan – This item was discussed in the President’s portion of the meeting.
6. Report: Youth Program (Wayne Elliott Memorial) –Bob Webber made a motion that the OHA state board fund a youth turkey hunt named the Wayne Elliott Memorial Youth Turkey Hunt for three years in the amount not to exceed $500 per year to be given away at the White River Youth Turkey Clinic. Joe Ricker seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote
7. Columbia County DOJ Records – Don Schaller will be pursuing recovery of a credit card machine and records.
New Business:
1. NE Director Applications – None have been received to-date. Ty Stubblefield requested help from Dave McDonald for assistance with regards to the new chapter.
2. Lincoln County By-Laws – Bob Webber made a motion the OHA state board approves the Lincoln County by-laws conditionally on amending Article IV, Section 5 to indicate that amendments to their by-laws do not become effective until approved by the OHA state board. Rick Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote; Mike Vallery voted “No”.
Committee Reports:
Organizational Committee:
Joe Ricker reported on the following issues discussed within the Organizational Committee meeting:
1. Decision Paper: Reimbursement update – In progress, deferred to next meeting.
2. Update: Document Control Policy – In progress, deferred to next meeting.
3. Decision Paper 1 Chapter Finance Info – Committee recommendation to send the proposed changed to the by-laws Article IV, Section 13 to the chapters for comment. This change is with regards to the addition of a “Signer with Limited Access (SWL)” to chapter accounts. Bill Littlefield made a motion to approve the decision paper OC #2A titled Oregon Hunters Association By-laws Article IV, Section 13. Bob Loper seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
4. Decision Paper 2 By-Law Change Art. IV – This item is tabled.
5. Decision Paper 3 Withdrawal of Funds – This item is tabled.
6. Decision Paper 4 A&H Policy – Committee recommendation to approve the decision paper with the amendment of the words “share in” to “share equally in” on the last line of the Amended Policy. Bob Webber made a motion to approve the decision paper Agenda Item OC #4 and Policy 09.2. Joe Ricker seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
7. Board Fiduciary Responsibilities distribution – The committee is in the process of determining the proper approach to tracking this category of document.
8. Discussion: Checklist concept – This item is tabled.
9. Cougar Petition – The committee has been tasked with the development of a position statement regarding this petition.
Wildlife Committee:
Fred Walasavage reported on the following issues discussed within the Wildlife Committee meeting:
1. Update: Sauvies Island Small Game Hunting – Raccoon hunting is currently not allowed at other management areas. The earliest the management plan will be considered would be the April ODFW Commission meeting. There is board consensus for Rick Williams to draft a letter commenting on the Sauvies Island Management Plan and route it to the board via email for comment.
2. Antler rules – These rules would allow ODFW to transfer antlers in their possession. Once the draft of the rules comes out, Al Elkins will send those out the board to solicit comments. This item has a February 1, 2010 timeline.
3. Discussion: Blaze Orange – Committee recommendation that the state board maintains its current position on this issue and is part of the process regarding rulemaking. Al Elkins will provide a draft letter statement to share with the board for comment. Recommend that Fred Craig and Don Backman meet with the ODFW director to state OHA’s position. Rick Williams stated he would like to be involved in that meeting.
4. Discussion: Feral Horse watchdog lead person – Dave McDonald is designated the lead person on this issue.
5. Discussion: Mandatory Reporting for Big Game – According to Ron Anglin, this will not be addressed until the 2011 legislative session. Al Elkins, Joe Ricker and Fred Walasavage will join an ODFW workgroup on this issue.
6. Discussion: Game Transportation Rules – “Home” / “Temporary Domicile” – This item is tabled.
7. Discussion: OSP Rulemaking Process – How much is too much? – This item is tabled.
8. Discussion: Anti-hunting pressuring Interior Secretary / aerial gunning – This item is tabled. A discussion was held regarding letter writing campaigns. Fred Craig will review the existing letter and send another version.
Other business:
Regarding the August 22, 2009 minutes, Rick Williams pointed out that “Mitsy Kelly” should be “Bitsy Kelley”. Bob Webber made a motion to approve the August 22, 2009 minutes as amended. Rick Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
TIP Program: To date there has not been a single request for a TIP reward for resource damage. This led to a discussion of adding resource damage to the TIP logo for promotional purposes.
Next meeting: March 13, 2010 in Salem
Proposed dates for this year:
May 15, Canyonville
July 10, Bend
August 21, Bend
November 20, Bend
Meeting adjourned @ 3:34pm
Steve Hagan
Secretary |
