OISC Committees & Working Groups
OISC Committees
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee was formed in 2021 and includes the Chair, Past Chair, Vice Chair, committee chairs, and an Oregon Department of Agriculture representative. The purpose of the Executive Committee is to share information between Council committees, discuss priorities and assistance needed, create OISC meeting agendas, and make the OISC meetings more efficient and effective. This committee will hold a meeting every other month on the third Friday (1:00 pm – 2:00 pm).
Chris Benemann, Council Chair,
Wyatt Williams, Council Vice-Chair, Governance Chair
Michelle Delepine, Appointed Member Vice-Chair (exp. March 2026)
Vacant, Communications Committee Chair
Vacant, Education & Outreach Committee Chair
Vacant, Legislative Committee Co-Chair
Communications Committee | Chair: [Vacant]
The Communications Committee was established by motion in 2016. The committee plans for coordinated Council communications, including social media plans, news releases, website, and outreach materials. This committee meets as needed.
Members:
Anna Ramthun
Sam Chan
Chuck Fisk
Recognition & Awards Subcommittee
The Recognition & Awards Subcommittee (formerly Awards Subcommittee) was created in 2020 as a subcommittee of the Communications Committee. This subcommittee will support the planning and coordination of the OISC Awards.
Governance Committee | Chair: Wyatt Williams (Oregon Department of Forestry)
The Governance Committee reviews and proposes changes to the Oregon Invasive Species Council bylaws, first adopted in 2002. Chaired by the ex-officio member vice-chair. View the most up-to-date bylaws by clicking here.
Members:
Wyatt Williams
Josh Emerson
Michelle Delepine
Chris Benemann
Legislative Committee | Co-Chairs: Peter Kenagy (Kenagy Family Farm Inc.) & Vacant
The Legislative Committee tracks, reviews, and provides information for proposed legislation relating to the Council and invasive species management in Oregon.
Members:
Michelle Delepine
Tim Butler
Chuck Fisk
Christine Moffit
Clint Nichols
Rick Boatner
Education & Outreach Committee | Chairs: [Vacant]
The Education and Outreach Committee is a cross-agency body focused on outreach and education related to invasive species. This committee provides support for the outreach and education projects coordinated or supported by the council, including awareness campaigns, art projects, K-12 education projects, and outreach programs. This committee meets as needed and occasionally with the Communications Committee.
Members:
Arick Rouhe
Christer LaBrecque
Michelle Delepine
Sam Chan
Troy Abercrombie
Christine Moffitt
Invader Hotline Working Group | Lead: Jacob Rose (PSU/INR)
The Invader Hotline Working group was formed to develop a long-term, sustainable plan to support the OISC Invader Hotline’s online presence, now hosted at Oregon State University.
Education & Outreach Grants Working Group | Leads: OISC Coordinator and ODA Grants Admin.
The Education and Outreach Grants Subcommittee was formed to oversee the development and execution of the OISC Education and Outreach Grants program (2024-2026) made possible by SB5701 (2024).
Invasive Species Hub Working Group | Lead: [Vacant]
Originally, the Worst Invaders Working Group was created in 2020 to support updating Oregon’s Worst Invaders list; the HUB Working Group is transitioning to a support team within the OISC Education and Outreach Committee, as the HUB structure and initial dataset have been populated, and the HUB moves into as-needed maintenance and update mode. Future needs include activities and efforts to raise awareness of the HUB as a resource on invasive species of concern.
Oregon Invasive Freshwater Mussel Response Plan Working Group | Lead: Glenn Dolphin (OSMB)
This interagency group reflecting the ongoing efforts of OSMB, ODFW, and PSU/CLR, (the three entities charged with elements of invasive mussel prevention, detection and response) is working to update the 2013 Oregon Dreissenid Rapid Response Plan (amended in 2017) and incorporate new threats (golden mussels), lessons learned over the last decade of prevention and control efforts throughout the western US, and expanded partnerships and resources for mussel response.
Budget/Funding Committee | Chairs: Chris Benemann (ODA)
The Budget/Funding Committee is responsible for identifying budget and fundraising priorities for the Council and finalizing the OISC's biennial budget. Membership includes the past chair, the current chair, the rising vice chair, and the ODA representative. The committee is co-chaired by the OISC Chair and the ODA representative.
Other OISC Working Groups
Eastern Oregon Working Group | Chair: Vacant
The Eastern Oregon Working Group was created in 2019 as the first of regional working groups to expand the Council’s reach in regions of the state. Working Group members support event planning and identify invasive species topics and themes relevant to the region, as well as key stakeholders and industries in eastern Oregon that are vulnerable to the impacts of invasive species.
Pending