Minutes of Meeting
OHA State Board of Directors
June 10, 2010
Elks Lodge, Bend
Present: Fred Craig, President
Rick Williams, Vice President
Mike Vallery, Treasurer
Steve Hagan, Secretary
Bill Littlefield, Central Director
Fred Walasavage, Eastern Oregon Director (At-Large)
Don Schaller, Western Oregon Director, North Region (At-Large)
Don Backman, Chairman
Gerald Slay, Southeast Director
Nancy Wells-Elliott, Northeast Director
Mike Ayers, Southwest Director (At-Large)
Absent: Joe Ricker, Midwest Director
Bob Loper, Southwest Director
Staff: Al Elkins, Lobbyist
Duane Dungannon, State Coordinator
Al Elkins, Lobbyist
Guests: Madeline Siniscal, Tillamook Chapter President
Ron Hendricks, Tillamook Chapter Board member
Dan Walasavage, Mid-Columbia Chapter
Ken Hand, Mule Deer Foundation
The meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m. by President Fred Craig.
Introductions were done around the room.
Approval of the Agenda:
Bill Littlefield made a motion to approve the agenda as printed. The motion was seconded by Don Schaller. The motion passed by voice vote.
Secretary's Report (Steve Hagan):
Chapters would like to see draft minutes posted on the website at the same time that the state board receive them. Mike Vallery stated he likes the concept but noted consideration of possible inaccurate information being published that may get corrected at a follow-up meeting. Rick Williams offered the idea of sending printed copies of the draft minutes to the chapter presidents. A discussion was held regarding watermarking the minutes. Fred Walasavage stated the positive of effective communication with chapters outweighs any possible negatives. Don Schaller made a motion to accept the minutes as printed. Mike Vallery seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
Treasurer's Report (Mike Vallery):
Rick Williams made a motion to approve the report as delivered. Bill Littlefield seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
State Report (Duane Dungannon):
A record number of people attended the state convention.
Meeting to be held with Lincoln County chapter on July 22, 2010 regarding the 2011 state convention.
Exploring outside funding sources for existing and new programs (foundations have to pass on 1% of their assets to non-profits annually).
Steve Hagan asked a question regarding the motion to move the state board meeting on the day of the state convention to Sunday. Duane stated that staff is available on convention day for questions when needed.
The state office is planning to retrieve a more complete list of hunters in Oregon. The intention is to have a mailing after the hunting season but before banquet season for the promotion of banquets and new membership. Banquet flyers will be included in the mailing.
Bill Littlefield asked to hear more input from Duane and Ty regarding the potential move/split of the state board meeting on state convention day. Both noted extended hours working on their part that is banquet related. Gerald Slay believes it is a good idea and that state board members would be able to assist more with the banquet.
Field Administrator Report (Ty Stubblefield):
Siuslaw Chapter – first meeting was relatively low turnout; another meeting was held, low turnout. Ty wants to know about the startup funding for the new chapter. He noted the local gun range has 600 members. Rick Williams asked about the number of OHA members in the area. Duane Dungannon stated currently there are 60 members. The state office is currently funding the mailing of the newsletter for this chapter. Duane offered that he would prefer to entertain the idea of the state office funding an event for this chapter.
OHA Chapter workshop at Diamond Lake: the 2011 event will also be at Diamond Lake. Ty’s goal next year is to get the state directors to the meeting so that chapter board members will be able to meet with them. Mike Ayers thought the meeting was a good one. Rick Williams noted that the state board meetings are open to everyone and would like to reiterate that. Don Backman stated that it is important to denote that the workshop is for the chapter board members, not the state board. Fred Craig stated that he has kept the state board invitation low-key so that the chapters drive the agenda. Fred Walasavage offered that perhaps it is time for align the state board meeting with the weekend of the workshop.
Chapters voted to have the next meeting June 4-5, 2011 at Silver Falls but it is booked at that time. The intention is to book it at Silver Falls for 2012. Ty noted he went over-budget on this meeting and sold a deck of cards for a gun to help offset this.
President (Fred Craig):
OHA Chapter Workshop:
- By-laws: The chapters in attendance formed a group to create one set of by-laws for the organization. Cindy Rooney (Umpqua Chapter President) is leading this effort. Currently there is lots of variation between existing chapter by-laws and some things are in by-laws that are not appropriate. Fred Craig would like to see the single set that is created incorporated into the state by-laws.
- Website: The chapters want to see this completed.
- Chapters are concerned about the condition of animals in the state of Oregon. Rick Williams asked if the chapters had brought up predator management. Fred Craig stated that the number one issue that the chapters brought up was the issue of antlerless harvest in areas below management objective. Don Backman offered that the makeup of the state board committees has been changed, and more board members have been added to the Wildlife Committee to tackle these types of issues. Rick Williams offered that the board has been involved in these issues in the past (examples: Mule Deer initiative, agent bill). Don Backman noted that awareness needs to be raised of issues that are being addressed by the state board. Ty Stubblefield stated his belief that the goal of this partnership committee is to gather all the wildlife issues facing the chapters. Steve Hagan asked about the intended interaction of the chapter partnership with the Wildlife Committee. Fred Craig stated that the directors are charged with bringing the issues to the wildlife committee and that he is state board liaison to the partnership committee.
Mike Vallery expressed concerns about the lack of involvement in the state board with the creation of the single set of by-laws. He would like to avoid the situation of potential state board disapproval of chapter developed by-laws due to legal or other issues. Fred Craig noted he is the co-lead on the by-laws creation effort. The intent is to develop a framework that all the chapters can fit within. Rick Williams asked if all chapters have been notified of this effort in order to obtain buy-in.
Break at 10:19am
Reconvene at 10:29am
Lobbyist report (Al Elkins):
- Wolf Plan Comments – Al offered a thank you to Fred Craig for getting them in on time.
- ODFW meeting on fines – Looking at language of the existing fine bills. May need to go to a two-tier fine structure. Another meeting on this subject in a couple of weeks.
- HSUS – The organization wants to draft a bill to disallow bounty hunting on coyotes and would like to know OHA’s position on such a bill.
- Dog Training Rules – Al needs to get a copy of Rick Breckel’s letter that was submitted as comments on the first draft of these rules.
- Blaze Orange – Al stated his belief that the commission intends to adopt the youth option at the October commission meeting.
- ODFW Budget – Offered for commission approval at the July meeting. Don Backman made a motion that the OHA state board offer no input on the ODFW budget. Bill Littlefield seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote, Chairman Don Backman voted “Yes”.
- Constitutional Amendment to Hunt and Fish – Al noted the need to organize with fishing groups. Referral of a constitutional amendment would be costly. He would like to get permission to continue working on this. Rick Williams asked if the Sportsman’s Alliance has given assistance on this issue. The consensus of the board is that Al to continue work on this effort.
Fred Craig noted the need to have Al involved in the budget process for other agencies (ODF, Oregon Parks & Recreation, etc.). The state board appears to being ignored by some of these agencies. Don Backman stated he has heard through the grapevine that Cottonwood Canyon State Park will not allow hunting (when the state board has explicitly requested that hunting continue to be allowed). Rick Williams offered support for continuing to get the attention of agencies by being involved in the budget process. Al to contact OPRD on the Cottonwood Canyon issue.
Rick Williams wants to continue to keep the blaze orange issue on the radar. Al noted that his expectation is of limited live testimony from hunting groups at this point due to the timing of the meeting (October 1, 2010 in Bend)
Don Schaller asked about the current status of the Campbell Land exchange. Al stated there has been no movement on that issue.
Lincoln County – Don Backman extended an invitation to the Lincoln County chapter president and board chair to offer their input on the concept of the officers in the Lincoln County chapter not being allowed to vote. The OHA state board has sent a letter to the chapter directing them to comply with existing state by-laws. The Lincoln County board chair believes that the OHA state board does not have the authority to direct the chapter to allow them to vote. Madeline Siniscal (chapter president) stated that this chapter has never allowed its president, vice president, secretary and treasurer to vote. There is no mention in the chapter by-laws of the ex-officio members not being allowed to vote, they just are not allowed to do so. Ron Hendricks stated that he has been a board member since chapter inception in 2003; he noted this is a personality issue, the board has never allowed the officers to vote. It was stated that the chair of the Lincoln County chapter believes that only the section of the state by-laws pertaining to chapters applies to the chapter itself. Bill Littlefield questioned why chapter officers are not allowed to vote. Don Backman stated that his perception of what he heard is that the board members do not trust the officers, and asked whether or not we are one organization. Ron noted that the Lincoln County chapter is trying to run their chapter as a business, not a club. Mike Vallery asked why anyone would want to take the responsibility of the officer positions without being allowed to have input into chapter business. Rick Williams noted the fiduciary responsibility of the entire board. Don Backman offered that the state board involvement in Lincoln County was originally limited to the investigation of alleged misconduct, and only became aware of the ex-officio board members not being allowed to vote as a side issue. Bill Littlefield asked if the “running the chapter as a business” is a situation where the board is above the officers. Ron Hendricks stated he does not believe this is the situation. Steve Hagan asked if a signed/dated copy of the existing Lincoln Chapter by-laws approved by the OHA State Board is at the state office. Don Backman answered they are not at the state office and he has a copy sent to him via email.
Break for lunch at 11:55am
Enter into executive session at 12:28pm
Moved out of executive session at 1:22pm
Bill Littlefield made a motion that Mike Vallery and Don Schaller write a letter to apologize to the affected parties for the inappropriate comments that were made by an OHA member/officer at the Lincoln County chapter banquet. The letter will be reviewed by the Chairman and President. Mike Vallery seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
Rick Williams made a motion that the OHA State Board send a letter to the Lincoln County chapter stating the decision regarding chapter officers voting on board issues (i.e. officers may vote in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order). The letter will also state that according to OHA By-laws a board member may only hold one position at a time. However, in the event of a vacant position the duties of that position may be performed temporarily by another board member. Bill Littlefield seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
Gerald Slay made a motion that the OHA State Board send a letter of non-compliance to Robert Folkers, the current Lincoln County Board Chair. Rick Williams seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.
Fred Craig made a motion to relocate the August 21, 2010 state board meeting to the Lebanon/Albany area. Mike Vallery seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote, Bill Littlefield voted “No”.
Old business:
- Update and action: Blaze Orange – Al continuing to work the issue
- Report: OHA Web Presence Update – Bill Littlefield reconnected with the web developer, who has simplified the tools to modify content. Bill will develop a basic chapter site for every chapter. Don Backman asked about the timeline for rolling this out, noting chapters want this done now. There is the need for a few chapter volunteers to help test what has been developed. Bill will send out contact information to chapters for volunteer recruitment.
- Sportsman’s show booth – Rick Williams made a motion to terminate the project. Fred Craig seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote, Steve Hagan voted “No”.
New Business:
- Lincoln County by-laws question - addressed earlier in the meeting.
Committee Reports:
Organizational Committee:
Mike Vallery reported on the following issues discussed within the Organizational Committee meeting:
- Signer with Limited Access – Decision paper language needs to be addressed and will be resubmitted at the August state board meeting.
- Decision Paper Rules – Issue will be addressed at the August state board meeting.
- State By-laws and Chapter By-laws: Addressed earlier in meeting
- Mid-Willamette By-laws – By-law language needs to be cleaned up before they can be approved.
Wildlife Committee:
Fred Walasavage reported on the following issues discussed within the Wildlife Committee meeting:
- Lobbyist Briefing – already provided
- Mandatory Reporting – Al to set up a conference call with Ron Anglin and Fred Walasavage to determine the status of the workgroup.
- Wolf Management Plan – Comments provided; no further action at this time.
- Federal Wild Horse and Burro Program – Comments due by August 2. Don Schaller to reroute the letter he previously offered for comment. Rick Williams made a motion that OHA send the letter. The second was not noted. The motion passed by voice vote.
- Constitutional right to hunt and fish law – Al Elkins will continue working on this issue.
- Dog Training Rules Draft – Rick Breckel from the Capitol Chapter drafted and sent a letter. Al Elkins will get a copy of the letter for review.
- Archery Technology Committee – OHA has been asked to participate on an ODFW committee regarding multiple archery technology issues including:
- Range finder attached to archery equipment
- Lighted nocks
- Expandable broadheads
- Crossbow use during archery season
Don Schaller made a motion that Fred Craig be the OHA representative on the ODFW Archery Technology Committee. Gerald Slay seconded the motion. Discussion: Rick Williams asked what authority Fred Craig would have with regards to this committee. Fred Craig noted initially his involvement would be fact-finding and any decisions to me made would be brought back to the board. The motion passed by voice vote.
- Harney County Archery Letter –Rick Williams made a motion that Steve Hagan craft a response letter from the OHA state board. Mike Ayers seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote. A draft version of the letter will be routed to the entire board via email with a short timeline for comment.
- Sage Grouse Management Plan – Currently up for review. Don Backman asked about impacts of wild horses on sage grouse habitat. Nancy Wells-Elliott made a motion to authorize the crafting of a comment letter regarding any issues found in the plan. The second was not noted. The motion passed by voice vote.
Fred Walasavage discussed what issues the Wildlife Committee will take direct responsibility for and which issues which will be sent to specific chapters/sets of chapters for local input. Duane Dungannon noted that emails are continually sent on a variety of issues for chapter input. Fred Craig noted that lots of information is sent to specific chapters with no feedback received. Rick Williams offered that many times individuals do not know how to comment or what should be in comments.
He also noted the importance of committee/full board review of letters that are drafted and the need to provide comments on those letters.
Other business:
Don Schaller stated that he will not be running again for the Northwest Director (At-Large) position in 2011.
Action Items:
Steve Hagan – board review of draft minutes
Ty Stubblefield – state director involvement at 2011 OHA Chapter workshop
Al Elkins/Duane Dungannon – determine current status on allowing hunting in new state park in Cottonwood Canyon
Mike Vallery/Don Schaller – draft a letter to affected parties regarding Lincoln County investigation
Rick Williams – draft letter regarding chapter officers voting
Gerald Slay - draft non-compliance letter
Duane Dungannon – relocate meeting
Bill Littlefield – create initial chapter sites for each chapter; also to sent contact information as request for volunteers for website testing
Don Schaller – route existing letter on wild horse issue to board
Steve Hagan – draft letter in response to Harney County chapter
Fred Walasavage – draft comment letter on Sage Grouse Management Plan
(Secretary note to the Organizational Committee Chair: from the notes it is implied that someone will be contacting the Mid-Willamette Chapter regarding by-law language but it was not explicit as to who has that action).
What worked? Don Backman noted he is finding it hard to move important items closer to the front of the agenda and would like input on this. He also believes breaking and informal talking at lunch was valuable in terms of getting to know each other.
What to improve?
Next meeting: August 21, Lebanon/Albany
Proposed dates for this year:
November 20, Bend
Meeting adjourned @ 3:45pm
Steve Hagan
Secretary |
