JRG Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting
January 30, 2007
By Chuck Waller, Secretary/Treasurer
The January meeting of the James River Grotto was held on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at the Warren House ground floor activity room at Lynchburg College.
Board Meeting:
The board meeting began at 6:30 PM. Board members present were Mike Frazier, Matt Lair, Howard Kirkland, Neal Gunter, Paul Stern and Chuck Waller.
The JRG Executive Board for 2007 that was elected at the December 2006 Christmas Party and meeting are: Mike Frazier, Matt Lair, Howard Kirkland, Neal Gunter, Paul Stern, Harry Sowers and Chuck Waller.
The 2007 grotto officers were elected from the seven members of the Executive Board. Mike Frazier - President, Harry Sowers - Vice President and Chuck Waller - Secretary/Treasurer.
Committee chairpersons were also elected. Safety and Techniques Chairperson - Jim Tennant, Conservation/Education - Paul Stern, Membership - Howard Kirkland, Gear Master - Neal Gunter and Webmaster - Melanie Stern and Trip and Events Coordinator - Matt Lair.
General Meeting:
The general meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Members present were Jim and Bess Tennant, Melanie Stern and Whes Spangler. LC New Horizons staff members, Tom Landesman, Evan Miller and Ken Wood were also in attendance.
Welcome Visitors: Jacqueline Andrusky from Ferrum College was welcomed to the meeting.
Trip Reports: Harry Sowers and Chuck Waller volunteered at a cave gating project at Rapp's Cave in Greenbriar County, WV.
Mike Frazier and Paul and Melanie Stern took Melanie's at risk youth group to Link's and Tawney's Cave.
Paul and Melanie Stern also did a New Year's cave trip to Kentucky where they did Well's, Great Saltpeter, and Crooked Creek Ice Cave.
Chuck Waller, Paul and Melanie Stern and a group of Lynchburg College New Horizons staff attended the Carter Cave's Crawlathon in Olive Hill, Kentucky.
Paul Stern and Lynchburg College hosted a wilderness first aid class in which several grotto members participated.
Previous Meeting Minutes Update: No changes
Finance Report: Current treasury balance is $2,419.21.
Committee Reports:
Conservation: No report
Safety & Techniques: No report
Education: No report
Membership: No report
Trip and Events: Coordinator, Matt Lair, will be emailing everyone with details regarding specific caving activities. Links to different events will also be on the JRG website.
Web Site: Webmaster Melanie Stern has added a lot of updates to our website. Be sure to check it out.
Gear Master: Neal Gunter, JRG Gear Master can be contacted at (434) 525-5022 if you need equipment.
Trips and Events:
On Saturday, February 17, there will be a cave trip to Breathing Cave.
A possible trip to Porter's Cave is in the planning stage for March. The Spring VAR will be April 27,28 and 29. A trip to Marshall's and Aqua Cave is possible for May 6.
Check the JRG website for links to upcoming caving adventures.
General Discussion:
A Labor Day TAG trip was discussed. This will be a three-day weekend trip to rappel and ascend some amazing sinkholes in the Tennessee-Alabama-Georgia area. If you would be interested in making this adventure happen, please pass your thoughts along to Jim Tennant so that we can start making some long-term plans.
Meeting Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.
Program:
Following adjournment of the meeting, Jim Tennant attempted to present a slide show on his Pacific Crest hiking adventure. Due to some technical difficulties we will be watching this slide show at a future meeting.