Engagement
The Alaska Chapter engages in policy through two primary mechanisms:
- Public Comments – Responses to specific government or agency policy proposals, coordinated by the Conservation Affairs Committee (CAC).
- Position Statements – Broader policy statements proposed and drafted by volunteers and approved by the full Chapter membership.
Conservation affairs committee (CAC)
The CAC exists to review and prepare public comments that share scientific information and perspectives to inform issues related to wildlife conservation and management.
© Jeff Wagner
Public comment process
Proposal
An issue is proposed to the CAC for engagement (either from within the CAC or by another Chapter member).
CAC Consideration
If there is not strong opposition to CAC involvement in the issue and at least one CAC member is willing to lead engagement, the Chair(s) inform the Executive Board about the request for public comments, along with the intended audience and timeline.
Executive Board Consideration
If a majority of the EB agrees that public comments are warranted, a subcommittee is formed led by CAC volunteers with potential for outside support, as needed.
An email may be sent by the Secretary-Treasurer to Chapter membership informing them of the topic on which the CAC is engaging providing an opportunities to join the subcommittee.
Drafting
The subcommittee creates a draft letter and shares it with the full CAC to provide an opportunity for comment.
Executive BoarD Review
Once the CAC has approved of the letter it is sent to the EB for review (ideally, with at least 2 weeks until the submission deadline).
Submission
If the EB approves the letter, it is signed and submitted on behalf of the Chapter.
*Note that while this is the typical process, sometimes an expedited process may be used due to short comment periods.
Position Statements
Per the AK-TWS Bylaws:
Two or more members in good standing may submit resolutions or statements to the Chapter’s Executive Board for consideration. Members that submit proposed resolutions must provide detailed justification for the proposed resolution by completing a Questionnaire for Alaska TWS Position Statements, adopted 2005, or a similar form approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII, SECTION 5
© Jeff Wagner
Process
Proposal
Two or more interested members submit a complete Questionnaire for Alaska TWS Position Statements to the Executive Board. If a majority of the Executive Board agrees that a resolution or position statement is warranted, an ad-hoc committee of members knowledgeable about the topic is formed.
Drafting
The Committee writes the initial draft or revises the document initially submitted by members.
Executive Board Consideration
Upon completion of the initial draft resolution or position statement by the Committee, the Executive Board assumes control of the document and may either (1) return the document to the Committee with requests for revision, (2) revise the document in preparation for release to members, or (3) accept the document from the Committee without further revision.
Membership Comment Period
When the draft has been approved for release by a majority of the Executive Board, the draft document will be distributed to members by email and members allowed at least 15 days to comment.
Revision
The Executive Board works with the Committee that drafted the document to incorporate appropriate revisions. The Committee then recommends to the Executive Board whether to approve or disapprove the revised document. This recommendation is advisory and does not bind subsequent actions by the Executive Board.
Voting
The Executive Board votes on whether to authorize a Chapter-wide vote. The final version of the resolution or position statement is distributed to Chapter members via email. Voting is conducted via an online ballot that shall remain open for 15-30 days.
Adoption
A resolution or position statement is adopted by the Chapter if it is supported by two-thirds of the Chapter membership that vote in the election.
Recent Submissions
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AK-TWS Submits Scoping Comments on the Tongass Land Management Plan Revision
The Forest Service recently announced their intent to revise the Tongass National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The notice…
Chapter Archive
Explore the Chapter’s digital archive where you will find more historical policy documents, correspondence, and more.
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