Year-Round Service

OFWIM Committees

Much of OFWIM’s year-round work is conducted through committees. Each committee has a chair appointed by the President. The Vice-Chair is the designated Executive Committee member identified in the bylaws or is appointed by the President.

Communications & Membership

Communications, Membership, and Outreach

Chair

Susan Watson

Vice Chair

Shefali Azad

Newsletter Editor

Amy Fehrenbach

Newsletter Content Manager

Susan Watson

Webmaster

Tim Owen

The Communications, Membership, and Outreach Committee is responsible for publishing a newsletter, managing the travel grant, helping organize and publicize the annual meeting, and maintaining the website, social media accounts, mailing list, and other communication and information-sharing mechanisms.

The committee also works to maintain and increase OFWIM membership by actively identifying and contacting potential members.

Current Priorities

Explore improvements to the OFWIM website.
Evaluate social media platforms and communication tools.
Continue developing the electronic newsletter.
Compile and digitize historical OFWIM documents, including newsletters and conference proceedings.

Annual Meeting

Conference Planning

Chair

Amy Fehrenbach

The Conference Planning Committee coordinates the development and implementation of the OFWIM Annual Conference.

The committee reaches out to relevant agencies, organizations, and schools in states surrounding the meeting location to build partnerships and generate awareness and interest in OFWIM.

Primary Responsibilities

Coordinate annual conference logistics and implementation.
Develop partnerships with nearby agencies and schools.
Build awareness and participation in the annual meeting.

Professional Development

Training and Education

Co-Chair

Lynn Barrett

Co-Chair

Amy Martin

The Training and Education Committee assesses the continuing education, information management, and technology training needs of fisheries and wildlife professionals.

The committee works closely with the Executive Committee to develop a comprehensive continuing education program for OFWIM members.

Current Priorities

Develop distance-learning opportunities on topics of interest to OFWIM members.
Publish bite-sized R tutorial videos and prior webinar recordings on the OFWIM YouTube channel.
Link training resources through the OFWIM website.
Announce outside training and educational opportunities through the OFWIM Community Portal.

Recognition & Leadership

Elections, Nominations, and Awards

Chair

Brandy Bachman

The Elections, Nominations, and Awards Committee develops and implements OFWIM’s award and recognition programs and prepares a slate of candidates for the organization’s annual elections.

Primary Responsibilities

Develop a slate of candidates for OFWIM officer positions.
Maintain the Student Scholarship Program.
Maintain the Innovation Award.
Coordinate on-site voting for Best Presentation and Best Poster awards at the Annual Meeting.
Prepare certificates for Service Awards presented at the Annual Business Meeting.

Supporting OFWIM Throughout the Year

Committee members support the organization beyond the annual conference by maintaining programs, developing professional resources, recognizing member achievements, strengthening communications, and expanding participation across the fisheries and wildlife information-management community.

OFWIM is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

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