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Western Division of the American Fisheries Society
EXCOM Teleconference Minutes
Date: November 16, 2004

Participants: Lynn Starnes (President), Bob Hughes (Vice President), Tom McMahon (Past President), Mary Whalen (Website), Tina Swanson (CA/NV), Matt Powell (MT), Patrick Goddard (Bonneville), Hilda Sexauer (CO/WY), Doug Olsen (OR) Shelley Spalding (Bull Trout), Eric Knudsen (Mexico Meeting), Colden Baxter (Bull Trout), Jason Dunham (Bull Trout).

Quorum

Because there were never more than two WD officers present at the same time, a quorum did not exist and no decisions could be made on the WD budget, work plan, October minutes, or Baxter-Dunham funding request.

Operations

Lynn Starnes requested that all WD ExCom members examine her Program of Work and Budget so that they can be prepared to vote on them on the next call. Chapters and Committee Chairs were reminded to examine the WD Program of Work and fit their work plans into it where possible to facilitate communication with the AFS Governing Board. Bob Hughes noted that he would not be available for the December call, but would send his proxy to Lynn .

Patrick Goddard requested that background, desired action, and deadline be provided along with emails from the President.

Hilda Sexauer asked about the most efficient way for chapters to contact other chapters. Patrick Goddard suggested going through the President, or by using the President's email list. Mary Whalen noted that most chapter contacts should be on the website (if chapter ExComs provide the updates). For emergencies, Lynne's hand line is 505 238 5445.

Hilda Sexauer requested that the President's emails be sent to all chapter officers, not just chapter presidents.

Mary Whalen and Lynn Starnes noted that neither had the complete list of all current chapter officers.

Eric Knudsen reminded participants of the 14 January 2005 deadline for symposium proposals at the 2005 annual meeting in Alaska . He also asked if any participants would be interested in a conference call to coordinate USA participation in the Mexico AFS meeting.

Doug Olsen noted that the ORCAFS representative on the WD's Ad Hoc Columbia Hydropower Biological Opinion Committee is Steve Haeseker. The ORCAFS letter on hatchery-wild salmon was sent to NOAA-Fisheries and the WD officers. Tom McMahon noted that such letters should also be sent to the AFS President and Executive Director.

Tom McMahon noted his concern that fund raising for the national meeting was progressing slowly. Bob agreed to contact Bill Bradshaw to determine who was contacting whom and when.

Web Site

Mary Whalen sought clarification on web postings. She was told that at its October meeting the WD ExCom agreed that such postings had to be approved by WD officers. She also requested minutes for August and October. The October minutes have not yet been approved (see above), and the August call was cancelled because of the annual meeting in Madison . Bob Hughes requested that chapter annual meeting dates and venues be updated on the web site (all but Hawaii 's dates are in the October minutes). Tom McMahon requested an alert that members nominate people for WD awards and officer positions.

Japan-USA Char Workshop Funding Request

The bulk of the call centered on a request by Colden Baxter and Jason Dunham, with support from Shelley Spalding, to help fund a Japan-USA char workshop. Jason and Colden requested $2-3K from WDAFS to stimulate additional funding from other institutions, towards a goal of $20K. The money would be used to subsidize travel expenses for six Japanese scientists to attend a bull trout symposium in Montana and to prepare a joint publication. The publication would compare and contrast the life histories, habitat requirements, and physiologies of bull trout and white spotted char, two sister species living on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean . The research on the two species is complementary, in that USA work has focused on ecology while Japanese research has concentrated on biology. The report would synthesize research and management similarities and gaps for the two vulnerable species, and if the entire $20 K were not committed, the committed funds would not be invoiced.

Next Conference Call: 21 December 2004 at 1330 MST, 1230 PST.

Respectfully submitted: Robert M. Hughes