JRG Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting

February 24, 2009

By Chuck Waller, Secretary/Treasurer

The February meeting of the James River Grotto was held on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at the Brewer House ground floor activity room at Lynchburg College.

Board Meeting:

The board meeting began at 6:30 PM. Board members present were Paul Stern, Melanie Stern, Mike Frazier, Larry Sowers, Harry Sowers, Robbie Donovan and Chuck Waller. At the meeting it was decided that if you are to serve as a Board Member, JRG must be your primary grotto. Also if membership dues are not paid by the end of June, we will have to remove your name from the membership list.

General Meeting:

The general meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Members present were George Wortley, Matt Lair and New Horizon students, Ward Seymour and Laura Bianca. Larry Sowers, the new Safety and Techniques Chair is looking in to purchasing some new safety equipment for the grotto.

Welcome Visitors: David Collins and new member Howard Bussard.

Trip Reports: Mike Frazier and other members reported on trips to Crossroads and Marshall's Cave. And a brief report on some of our members dive trip to Florida.

Previous Meeting Minutes Update: None

Finance Report: The grotto current checking balance is $3,254.33. Lots of members present at the meeting paid their 2009 dues!

Committee Reports:

Conservation: WNS updates were discussed.

Safety & Techniques: A vertical training clinic is in the planning stages with Apple Orchard Falls as one of the possible sites.

Education: No report

Membership: The grotto is growing. We had several new memberships.

Website: Watch for website updates recognizing JRG / NSS Lifetime members.

Trips and Events:

Because of the current situation with WNS, the grotto has decided to reconsider some of its planned trips. Detailed updates are forthcoming.

General Discussion:

Paul Stern suggested that the grotto have another Cave Pack Contest. Watch your email for details.

Program:

Harry Sowers presented a slide show on the 2008 week long Mammoth Cave Restoration Camp that several JRG members attended.

Meeting Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.