JRG Meeting Minutes

Regular Meeting

October, 2007

By Chuck Waller, Secretary/Treasurer

The October meeting of the James River Grotto was held on Tuesday, October 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, Harry Sowers, Neal Gunter and Chuck Waller. Blue Ridge Grotto in Roanoke, VA is entertaining the idea of hoisting the Fall 2008 VAR and has contacted JRG to see if we would be interested in being a co-host with them. There is a lot of interest from JRG members to help. BRG is in the process of first locating a site at which to have the event.

General Meeting:

The general meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. Members present Melanie Stern, Larry Sowers, Ron Inge and Jim Tennant.

Welcome Visitors: Past members, Gary Novak and Robbie Donovan attended Tuesday nights meeting and have rejoined the grotto.
Laura Staman, Director of Outdoor Programs at Sweet Briar College and Co-Instructor Mike Hayslett along with students Aimee Savage, Sarah Doyle, Melanie Macone, Jenna Coy, Melissa Harabion, Regina Taurino and Sarah Jones were in attendance.

Trip Reports: Cavers who attended the Fall VAR gave reports on their trips to Mystic Cave and Simon-Mingo Cave.
Several JRG members have participated in this years Dixie Caverns Haunting and report that this year is as good as ever.
Also there have been trips to Porters and Crossroads Cave.

Previous Meeting Minutes Update: There was no DVD presentation at the end of the September meeting.

Finance Report: Current treasury balance is $2,859.76.
JRG has just renewed our internet domain name, jamesrivergrotto.com, for 5 more years at a cost of $43.45.

 

Committee Reports:

Conservation & Education: No report.

Safety & Techniques: No report

Membership: No report

Trip and Events: No report

Web Site: Webmaster Melanie Stern reports that our website is working great.

Gear Master: Gear Master Neil Gunter reports that all gear is accounted for and ready for use.

Trip Coordinator / Events:

The Bone-Norman Cave trip is scheduled for Saturday, November 17. Meet at the Park and Ride off route 460 at 7:30 AM.

Paul Stern has several trips planned to Porters Cave if anyone would like to help.

Paul and Melanie Stern have graciously offered to hoist our Christmas Party at their home on Saturday, December 8. Party details will be forth coming.

General Discussion:

Members voted to purchase a DVD on vertical rope techniques for our grotto library.

Crossroads Cave now has a designated parking area close to the cave. It is also rumored that Crossroads Cave has a new owner.

Meeting Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 PM.

Program:

The program after tonight's meeting was a DVD on Wind and Jewel Cave presented by Jim Tennant.