Outdoor Writers Association of California President Gary Graham opened the meeting at 8 AM. The roll was called; present were: Gary Graham, Vice-President, Ken Jones, Kathie Morgan, Bill Becher, Craig Hanson, Jack Holder, Alexia Retallack, Bill Ryan, John Henigin. Zack Thomas, OWAC Executive Director and Shirley Miller, Secretary/Treasurer Also present was Carrie Wilson, past-president. Graham welcomed and introduced the newly elected board member, John Henigin and the returning members, Jack Holder and Kathie Morgan. Officer Elections: Gary Graham opened the floor to nominations
for President of OWAC. A discussion followed with remarks about
the way the president and vice-president have been chosen over
the years. Addressing this matter were: Jones, Wilson, Morgan,
Hanson, Retallack, Becher and Graham. Ken Jones, presently V.P.
has indicated he would be unable to serve as president for this
next year due to business commitments. Graham said he would continue the e-mail materials, increase
supporting member participation, update and revamp the web site,
continue to not publish a printed newsletter, streamline the
awards and make them important to everyone, reach out beyond
hook & bullet writers for an increase in membership, carry
on constructive conversations with board members, regular members
and supporting members and maintain a unified board to oversee
the organization. “I’d like to have more communication and feedback
with the general membership. They should know what were doing,
and what we may do in the future. I stated I’m a hook and
bullet person, the very foundation of which this organization
was founded, and that should not be lost. Many of our original
members have left OWAC, and I would like to see them return.
I would also like to find more full-time working members of the
outdoor community not just hook and bullet types.” Ken Jones nominated Gary Graham for president and Jack Holder
seconded it. AWARDS: Jack Holder, Awards Chair, said there were to be 55 presentations at the evening’s award’s presentation. This year, there were 156 entries received for judging. In addition to first place, there will be second, third and honorable mention. There was a short discussion regarding the large number of awards. It was suggested that the general membership be asked for their input regarding awards and a possibility of charging for entries. This will be discussed at a future board meeting. BY-LAWS Committee: Kathie Morgan reported that, along with Jack Holder and Alexia Retallack, they will continue on a diligent search for the proper wording of OWAC by-laws so they conform to present day standards and bring the by-laws in line with traditional practices of the organization. They are not ready as yet. CALIFORNIAN OF THE YEAR: Craig Hanson reported that Bob Franko, who was winner in 2006, is unable to attend this April meeting, but Tom Raftican will be accepting the award for Franko at this evening’s dinner. Hanson urged board members to talk to members during this meeting to get them to submit names for the 2007 Californian of the Year. If you have someone in mind to nominate for OWAC CA of Year and need more information, contact Craig at: sfangler@mindspring.com. All entries should be sent to Craig Hanson, preferably via e-mail. CRAFT IMPROVEMENT: Craig Hanson said that the speakers at the
Craft Improvement session during this conference will be: John
Henigin, an outdoor radio show host in Santa Barbara; Michael
Durbin, public relations representative from Toyota and Gary
Graham, owner of Baja on the Fly, flyfishing organization.. The
theme is “Marketing Yourself.” ELECTIONS: This was handled at the first of the meeting. Elections of board members to serve from 2007 to 2010 are Henigin, Holder & Morgan. Committee: Holder, Jones, Miller and Ryan . HISTORY: Kathie Morgan, Historian said that we are making history
and she is keeping the records in her OWAC file cabinet. If you
have questions about how things “use to be,” contact
Kathie at: fishrap@earthlink.net. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Zack Thomas reported that he had gathered
all the lists of members and supporting members, made phone calls
and sent out 3l5-40 invoices for those desiring them. He also
tracked down a number of old members. MEMBERSHIP: Gary Graham reported that currently we have 142
regular paid members, and 36 paid supporting members. At the
end of last year there were 153 regular and only 27 supporting. OUTDOOR OUTREACH: Ken Jones reported that OWAC has received
Outdoor Outreach applications from the following: Acorn Soupe,
Lassen Park Foundation, Yosemite Outdoor Adventures and Anza-Borrego
Foundation. Determination of grant awards will be voted on at
the Fall conference in Calaveras. PUBLICITY: Bill Becher will be sending out announcements to newspapers of all of our winners of awards this year. Make sure he receives you local newspaper information, via e-mail please: bb@becher.com SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE: Members Craig Hanson, Ken Jones, Bill Ryan, Jack Holder and Zack Thomas are working to find a conference site for Spring 2008. There are 8 major sites to be revisited If you have any suggestions, please e-mail either kenjones@pierfishing.com or z.Thomas@mac.com SUPPORTING MEMBERS: Zack Thomas reported on this above. TEAR SHEETS: Ken Jones has affixed all of the tear sheets from
previous conference on display boards and they may be viewed
during the marketplace and the conference activities. Since the
free membership for a tear sheet is not as productive as once
thought, Jack Holder moved that any one submitting a tear sheet
from a conference, especially Bishop now or others in the past,
will have their name placed in a hat and a drawing will be held
at the January board meeting for a winner of a FREE CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION (Value $80). Second by Bill Ryan. Vote passed PHOTOS FROM CONFERENCES: We would like to request members to send any photos from conferences to Zack Thomas. He will compile them and send a disc to our host in Bishop. TREASURER’S REPORT: Regular Savings account $1,290.62 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS OTHER BUSINESS: MEMBERSHIP CHANGES: There was a discussion of an “emeritus” or active retired or lifetime membership for OWAC members who have been members for a long time but no longer actually meeting membership criteria. There was a dialog on this subject, but no action was taken. BYLAWS Committee brought up a potential change in the bylaws dealing with when the General Meeting of OWAC should be held. They asked for board members thoughts on the subject. No motion was made since the Bylaws committee will consider all changes and bring them to the membership at a future date. Jack Holder moved the meeting be adjourned. John Henigin seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 11 AM Respectfully submitted, Shirley Miller
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