OISC Committees & Working Groups

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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

  • Peter Kenagy, Legislative Committee Co-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 committee focused on outreach and education related to invasive species issues. 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

The Invader Hotline Working group was formed to develop a long-term sustainable plan for supporting the OISC Invader Hotline’s online presence, currently housed at Portland 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.

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 budget for the biennium. Membership includes the past chair, current chair, rising vice chair, and ODA representative. 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