Want to get more involved with ORTWS? Consider joining one of our committees! Scroll down for short descriptions and current representatives.
Recurring Monthly Committee Meetings
Communications and Membership Committees
To reflect the shifting nature of information exchange, the Communications committee develops outreach strategies to get information to our members and the public. Current projects include our social media accounts and this website. Please join this committee if you are interested in developing social media content and communicating with members about topical wildlife issues.
- 3rd Wednesday of every month 3:30 - 4:00pm PT
Current Communication Representatives: Vanessa Schroeder(chair), Alina Blankenship, Kim McCune,
Griffin Fosback, Eliana Pool
Current Membership Representatives: Alina Blankenship (chair), Kim McCune
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Conservation Affairs Committee
The Conservation Affairs Committee reviews regulations, environmental assessments, and proposals from state and federal governments concerning Oregon’s wildlife and habitats. It recommends actions to the executive board, often through written or oral comments. Along with the Legislative Affairs Committee, this work is key to ORTWS's efforts to influence wildlife management and conservation in Oregon. Committee members with biological expertise are actively addressing various wildlife conservation issues.
This committee meeting is back-to-back with the legislative affairs committee meeting as there is considerable overlap.
- 2nd Tuesday of every month 9:30-10:00am PT
Current Representatives : Trent Gianella (chair), Mikel Cline, Jeremy Thompson
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Legislative Affairs Committee
This committee identifies priority issues in upcoming legislative sessions, develops an agenda / strategies for development and passage of Chapter proposals, and develops appropriate responses to proposed bills. This committee is critical in providing unbiased information to the Legislators representing the State of Oregon. ORTWS provides information on wildlife issues to aid in public discussion of natural resource management in our state and promotes the application of sound science in resource management decisions.
- 2nd Tuesday of every month 9:30-10:00am PT
Current Representatives: Derek Broman (chair), Mikal Cline
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee was established to provide a venue for conversations about integrating diversity, equity and inclusion principles into the inner workings of ORTWS. We aim to provide informational resources and opportunities for growth among our membership, as well as making ORTWS more inclusive for all members of the wildlife profession.
- 2nd Thursday of every month 9:00-9:30am PT
Current Members: Betsy Glenn (Chair), Mikal Cline, Vanessa Schroeder, Emily Weidner, Shalynn Pack, Griffin Fosback, Jamie Bowles
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Student Affairs Committee
The Student Affairs Committee supports wildlife students and early career professionals by engaging students and faculty in Chapter activities and emphasizes career-long benefits and opportunities of active membership in The Wildlife Society. Activities and outreach efforts extend to colleges and universities within the Oregon Chapter, regardless of student chapter affiliation or accreditation status, to encourage and foster student and recent graduate involvement in the natural resources field.
Projects for this committee include the Mentorship Program, an upcoming Student Ambassador Program, and in 2025 the committee will collaborate with the Workshops Committee to curate a field skills workshop for students and early career professionals (coming Memorial Day weekend 2025).
- 3rd Wednesday of every month 1:00-1:30pm PT
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Workshops & Field Trips Committee
ORTWS provides seminars, workshops, field trips, and other training events to serve the continuing education needs of our members. This committee develops and organizes events that further the skills of wildlife professionals in the state of Oregon. Consider joining this committee if you have fresh ideas or would like to help organize workshops for the annual conference and throughout the year.
- 2nd Tuesday of every month 3:00-3:30pm PT
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Annual Conference Committtee
The Annual Conference is the largest event our board plans each year, and takes dedicated time and energy. We are always looking for members willing to pitch-in and bring new ideas to the table! Have a suggestion for something you'd like to see change from a previous conference? Get involved to help make that change happen!
Current Representatives: Jenniffer Bakke (chair), Mikal Cline, Nancy Doran, Jeremy Thompson, all other board members
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Audit Committee
We conduct an internal audit of our financial records each year, to ensure the chapter is being financially responsible and help support our treasurer. We are always looking for representatives with financial expertise to join this committee.
Current Representatives: Betsy Glenn (chair), Nancy Doran, Mikal Cline, Jenniffer Bakke
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Awards Committee
Current Representatives: AJ Kroll (chair), Mikal Cline, Alina Blankenship, Katie Moriarty, Nancy Doran
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Grants Committee
This committee meets a couple of times a year to solicit and review grant proposals.
Current Representatives: Betsy Glenn (chair), Mikal Cline, Jenniffer Bakke, Trent Gianella, Vanessa Schroeder, Ryan Baumbusch, Nancy Doran
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Scholarships Committee
This committee meets a couple of times a year to solicit and review scholarship proposals.
Current Representatives: Betsy Glenn (chair), Mikal Cline, Jenniffer Bakke, Trent Gianella, Vanessa Schroeder, Ryan Baumbusch, Nancy Doran
Contact: Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Nominations & Elections Committee
This committee meets a couple of times a year to solicit nominations for elections and ensure the voting process runs smoothly.