NSS Cave Conservancy Designation

Cave Conservancy Home

Requirements for Conservancy Designation

  • Agree with the purposes of the NSS
  • The major officers of the conservancy are expected to be NSS members.
  • Apply in writing by e-mail or hard copy to the Cave Conservancies Committee; provide a statement of intent to affiliate as a conservancy, a list of major officers, and any other information that describes the activities and purpose of the conservancy.
  • The Cave Conservancies Committee recommends action on approval to the Board of Governors, which has the authority to confer the NSS Conservancy designation.

What the Conservancy Designation Means

Each NSS Conservancy:

  • May use the following statement in its publications, stationary, promotional material and other places. "A Conservancy of the National Speleological Society"
  • Will be listed in NSS publications as a conservancy of the NSS
  • Will be listed as an NSS Cave conservancy on all the Cave Conservancy Committee web pages. Appropriate statistical and other information may be listed in this web site.
  • Are classified within a group of organizations referred to as "NSS activities." These presently include four groups of organizations. They are: NSS Expeditions, NSS Projects, Conservation Task Forces, and Conservancies. All of these NSS activities operate with autonomy from the NSS leadership. These relationships for the other activities parallel the ones listed here for conservancies and are defined in the Board of Governors Manual.
  • May participate more effectively in developing and recommending NSS policy related to cave conservancies.
  • May participate in the planning and presentation of conservancy educational functions such as the Annual Cave Conservancy Round Table held at the NSS Convention.
  • May have its members serve on the NSS Cave Conservancies Committee.
  • May have its members serve as expert trainers on conservancy topics.
  • Have convenient and low cost access to communication with NSS members.
  • Services are provided by the Cave Conservancies Committee as mutually agreed by the Committee and the Cave Conservancy.
  • May give up the designation at any time.

What Conservancy Designation Does Not Mean

NSS Cave Conservancies:

  • Are not internal organizations of the NSS, by virtue of this designation. A conservancy could also apply to become an internal organization of the NSS. That process is done by a committee in a different department and has a different set of criteria. Refer to the Board of Governors Manual for details.
  • Do not pay dues to the NSS. Conservancies could become institutional members, see that explanation later.
  • Does not receive a subscription to NSS News and Journal. The individual officers of the conservancy who are NSS members receive these publications.
  • Are not required to file an annual report. However, Cave Conservancies are encouraged to send a copy of any significant publication to the Cave Conservancies Committee, and the NSS Library. Other communication with the Committee is welcome.
  • Do not have any liabilities for this affiliation with the NSS. Liability is generally limited to officers, board members and some times staff or other leaders of incorporated associations. A long-standing legal principle in the United Stated holds that members and loosely affiliated organizations are not liable in any way for action taken by an organization with which they affiliated.