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Introductions – President Bill Bradshaw
President Bradshaw called the meeting to order at 7:10 AM and introduced the WDAFS Executive Committee: President-Elect Eric Knudsen, Vice President Don MacDonald, Past President Ken Hashagen, and Secretary/Treasurer Ed Cheslak. A quorum was determined and the ground rules and agenda for the meeting were noted. Items for discussion, including a proposed resolution and the proposed 2002 budget were distributed to the tables for membership review. Joe Margraff was appointed as parliamentarian.
First, let me say it is truly a pleasure and honor to have the opportunity to make these remarks and join the ranks of the many others who have served this, our largest and longest lived Division. The traditions, growth, and evolution of the Division are a work in progress, and I'm both humbled and proud to have been given the opportunity to be a part of it. It's been a fun and enriching year for me, and I believe a productive year for the Division, and as you'll hear over the next hour or so, a lot of people have been involved in making all of these things so. Division Committees have been functional and active, the chapters accomplished a tremendous amount of work, and plans are well underway for future meetings and accomplishments. I'm excited about the future prospects of the Division as well. We have strong and capable leadership waiting in the wings (for about another hour and 15 minutes), and I know the Division will only grow in visibility and relevance over the next several years. I'd be remiss by not taking a moment to thank two people who tackled some extra challenges on behalf of the Division this past year. Last spring, the Division was invited by the IAFWA to participate in a facilitated discussion to explore possibilities for heading off ESA listings. Chris Keleher (Bonneville, co-chair AFS ESA committee) Chapter agreed to represent the Division, and did so in very fine style. Right after the 2000 annual meeting in Telluride, Colorado, Henry Booke (Oregon) agreed to chair an ad hoc Committee charged with developing a long term funding mechanism to support Division grants to Chapters. Henry's contributions and experience have been invaluable, as we've worked toward this end. For some years now, the Division has supported Chapter activities by providing funding for such things as workshops and symposia, student travel to meetings, and publication projects. This grants funding has come from the annual budget stream and has hovered around 10,000/year recently. Over the last 4 years, income has averaged just under $31,000, spending has been just under $23,000, and current assets have reached about $100,000 maintained in checking, savings term-deposit accounts. While it works to fund grants from annual revenue streams, it also seems financially prudent to develop a long-term, self-sustaining, funding mechanism to do this. A dedicated, interest-generating fund, is an option that provides sustainability and also frees annual income for other purposes. This is basically the logic behind the draft proposal that was circulated in the last tributary and posted on the division website at about the same time. The Excom, which consists of all division officers plus Chapter presidents, discussed and modified the draft proposal, and ultimately approved the proposal before us today. It's now up to the membership and we'll decide on it in a bit, but I do think its passage will benefit the Division and Chapters. Well, time's up and we need to move on. Thank you for coming, and thank you again to all who've helped make this a great year for the Western Division.
Parent Society leadership: President Carl Burger, Past President Christine Moffitt, President-Elect Ken Beal, Executive Director Gus Rassam, Fred Harris, First Vice President, and Ira Adleman, Second Vice President and Past Presidents of the WDAFS.
The Division has $100,898 in various CD and savings funds and the checking account. This fiscal year, we experienced $33,678 in revenue, and $24,218 in costs. Presented the minutes from the 2000 annual business meeting. A motion to accept was seconded and approved by unanimous consent.
The proposed 2002 budget indicates total revenue of $35,248.50, costs of $34,460 leaving a surplus of $1,191.50. Some highlights of the 2002 budget include, in the miscellaneous category, $5,000 for publication of the WDAFS-sponsored Sustainability Symposium being held at this meeting. EXCOM travel is budgeted at $9,800 – the EXCOM has made excellent progress at attending almost every chapter meeting and we will continue to hold the EXCOM retreat since it was deemed a success last year. There will be two annual meetings within this fiscal year, because the Spokane meeting will be in April 2002, rather than in summer. A motion was made for acceptance of the proposed budget and it was approved by unanimous consent.
President Bradshaw recognized the outstanding participation of Chapter presidents, or their proxies, participating in this meeting: – Rob Gibson (CO/WY), Steve Elle (ID), Larry Brown (Cal/Neva), Bill Mavros (NPIC), Carol Ann Woody, (AK), Jeff Kershner (Bonneville), Allen Bingham (Alaska), Bob Hughes (Oregon), and Mary Knapp (Humboldt). The chapters have been very active and their reports were submitted to the EXCOM. AK, OR, and Bonneville chapters presented bid proposals to host the 2005 annual Society meeting. The winner will be announced at the Society business meeting later today.
Committee reports were previously reviewed and accepted by the EXCOM. Highlights to follow here for the benefit of the membership. The Committee reports are posted on web site.
Audit Committee – Knudsen reported for Carufel - Generally approved the WDAFS books but made several recommendations for better bookkeeping.
Environmental Concerns – Knudsen reported for Wunderlich -- Coordinated the WDAFS review and comments on the Columbia River Biological Opinion.
Bull Trout Committee – The Committee has completed the bull trout protocol.
Program and Local Arrangements committees – MacDonald -- Annual meeting planned for April 2002 in Spokane Washington. The meeting will be co-convened with NPIC, Sustainable Fisheries Foundation, the Transboundary Group and WDAFS. A handout about the meeting was distributed.
Time and Place - Knudsen reported for Dave Lentz - Time and Place conducted a survey of WD members to get opinions on whether the annual meeting should be shifted away from its traditional mid-summer timing. About 470 members responded, with 343 saying yes. When asked which months would be best for the meeting, March was first, with other spring months and the fall following in preference. The CAL-NEVA chapter has agreed to co-host the 2003annual WD meeting. Organizers are looking for a coastal location. The program will have a marine emphasis.
Newsletter editor – Knudsen reported for Paul Evans -- Paul is turning over the reigns of this important position so we need a replacement. Suggest a new committee, rather than just one person, would be more appropriate for this intensive assignment.
Student Scholarship Committee – Greswell
There were 26 applicants for the WD scholarships. We received applications from every state except NV and NM. The Committee awarded scholarships to: Darin Jones, University of Idaho; Michele Koehler – U of Washington; Jack Picollo – U of Alaska, Ph.D.; and Eileen Rice, Montana State, Ph.D..
Awards Committee – Ken Hashagan
The Award of Excellence was presented to Jim Martin at the Society's plenary session on Monday. Don MacDonald presented the Conservative Achievement Award to the Honorable David Anderson, Canada's Minister of Fisheries; the award was accepted by Ken Hashagen. The WD Award of Merit was given to Brad Shepard. Ken Hashagen presented a WD Award of Special Recognition to Allen Bingham for his outstanding service on the web site. Award of Special Recognition were also made this year to Venice Beske (Archivist) and Paul Evans for his tremendous work on the Newsletter.
There were 239 ballots. Of the two candidates for Vice President; Tom McMahon was elected over Ed Cheslak. Monica Hiner was elected over Chuck McCady for Secretary/Treasurer. Henry Booke was elected WD Nominating Representative.
As of the Society Annual Meeting on this Thursday, the slate of Officers will advance.
Bradshaw very briefly described a proposal for a Grants Funding Endowment set up to establish ongoing grant funding. The proposal will move $50k from WD savings to an investment fund. The target total in the investment fund is $100k. The proceeds from the investment fund will be used for the annual grants funding program, rather than funds from the Division's annual revenue stream. Henry Booke read a motion to that effect. The motion was seconded In subsequent discussion, a question was raised from the membership regarding any plan to build the endowment to the full $100K and why not do that before fund transfer? Knudsen commented that, as incoming President, he will appoint ad hoc subcommittees to 1) develop funding criteria 2) solicit contributions to build the fund further, and 3) select investments to maximize the return on the endowment. While the fund is growing to the target $100K, the Division will continue to try to fund $10K per year for grants from the annual revenue stream. The motion carried unanimously.
President Bill Bradshaw presented outgoing Past President Ken Hashagen with his Past President's plaque.
Announcements of other activities at the Phoenix meeting.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded. Motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:28 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ed
Cheslak
Secretary-Treasurer