Members Present: Mary Opperman, Jenna Deibel, Janet Hutchison, Jill Welborn, Holly Jewkes, Renee Roufs, Paul Smith, Susie Hermreck, Monty Greg, Cameron Scott, Ben Walen, Kit Dickey, Dan Stone, Gayle Casselman, Tom Casselman, Cynthia Harper, Dawn Alexander
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the future of the collaborative.
Some of our funding has not come in. We have some private funds, and some state funds, enough money to work for a few more months. There are limited grant opportunities right now, especially federal grants. There would possibly be some other types of grants we could apply for, with the lack of diversity of stakeholders in our collaborative right now, not sure if we would get those. Applying for grants takes time and we would run out of the limited funding we have. We would like to end on our own terms to close out with our contractors.
This collaborative does have a purpose, a venue for shared learning, and dialogue still does exist. Jenna, in her position as an Extension Forester, could offer quarterly science pub talks at a local business, after hours with topics of interest to this group. Share learning and dialogue but also create some momentum if we were to restart the collaborative.
Question asked to the membership: have we been meeting our purpose, are there other ideas to consider?
Main points brought up in the discussion:
From a forest management perspective, it is important to have collaboratives with representation from the public. They will continue to be important in the future in helping forests. Collaboratives are helpful in Info sharing and learning, understanding what we are up against with restoration needs and opposition that we need support in. Utilize shared learning to provide input into forest service projects. Forest Service wants input. Possibly focus on a particular project area to reengage groups.
Getting out in the field and seeing projects, work the Forest Service is doing is a big draw to members.
Consider going on hiatus until further notice. This would be easier to revive the group. We would need to speak to the foundation but would then have a startup fund rather than beginning with nothing. Idea to engage in pub talks and the forest service in the interim.
Need to engage with all entities that use our forests. Getting other groups to our meetings has been a problem. Science pubs could be a great way to keep engaged and get more groups to engage with us.
Possibly holding meetings at a different time of the day. Meetings every 3 months. Focus more on field trips and Forest Service projects.
The Executive Committee will come up with specific questions for the Foundation on money remaining, costs associated with going on hiatus and contacting our funders.
Great conversation, no final decision made today.
Executive committee will meet within next couple of weeks to develop a list of questions for the foundation to respond to.
Full group meeting May 20th. 1:00 City Hall in Prineville.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.
