Is there an NSS program you'd like to become involved with? Not every committee position is listed on this web page! Committees nearly always need help and new blood, and often have projects on a list awaiting a volunteer. Contact an appropriate committee chairman or NSS Officer about taking on a project or joining a committee now. This is often how new NSS projects and programs develop and new committees are formed. It is also a part of how the Society remains a dynamic organization.

Click here for the list of Permanent Committees.
Click here to visit the Executive Search Committee
Click here to visit the Nominating Committee

The NSS Conservation Division would like to add a Volunteer Value Database Manager to its team. If you have database skills and are interested in an contributing time and expertise to the NSS, please read on.
Cavers give more time, labor, and expertise, spend more of their own money, and are recognized, particularly by Federal Agencies, for having more project persistence than any other land-using group in America. A name has been coined all this donated effort: Volunteer Value.
Volunteer Value represents huge contributions to caves on private, state, and federal lands. Cavers give significantly to the protection, exploration, scientific investigation, conservation, and preservation of cave and karst resources, and through the Volunteer Value program this important work is quantified, recorded and recognized.
By assigning dollar values to the time and expertise volunteered, we can assess the value of the work cavers provide to public land managers and private landowners. This documentation can be used for grant application processes, cave management proposals, and karst protection efforts.
Three simple forms have been created for recording caver contributions to cave-related projects, and calculating Volunteer Value. Copies of the forms can accessed electronically through the NSS Web site, www.caves.org . Click on Conservation and then on Volunteer Value.
Now we would like to create a national database to handle volunteer information for inclusion in NSS Biennial Reports, funding applications, and cave protection and management efforts.

If you have expertise and interest in database projects, and would like to play a major role in expanding this program, please contact Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker, NSS Conservation Division Co-Chairs, werks@zianet.com

The Board of Governers needs an electronic system by whcih members may indicate to the president their desire to speak or that they are ready to vote. This system also must record all votes taken, by name, and store them for use by the Recording Secretary in developing the meetin minutes. For a more complete description of the present and the desired voting system, please go here. If you can help, please contact the President at president@caves.org or Recording Secretary Jean DeVries, at devriesj@aol.com.

Corporate Report Committee Chair

This committee is responsible for publishing an annual Corporate Report of Society and Internal Organization activities, accomplishments and plans, as well as an audited financial statement. The report is specifically directed to federal and state agencies, grant awarding foundations, other conservation and scientific organizations, and individuals or groups with which the NSS needs to communicate. If you are interested in this position and/or have additional questions, please contact Gordon Birkhimer at president@caves.org for more information.   10/3/10

Grants Committee Chair

This committee is responsible for implementing a successful grant-writing initiative which will require solid advance planning and preparation. Grant proposals must be professionally organized paying special attention to detail and specifications. A successful proposal requires concise persuasive writing, while requesting reasonable and justifiable funding. The Committee Chair (or designee) will plan, research, organize, write and package proposals; submit proposals to the funder, and follow-up. The Committee Chair will be able to perform the duties of the position with minimal supervision. If you are interested in this position or have additional questions, please contact president@caves.org for more information. 2/10/11

Webinar Designer

The NSS is considering initiating a new webinar project to present topics of regional and national interest to the membership.  These might include updates on White Nose Syndrome, subjects such as geology, biology, photography, expedition reports, interviews with cavers, or any other subject of interest.  Ultimately, we would like to place these programs on our web site for use of our members and as potential grotto programs.  We are looking for a member who is experienced in working with webinars and would like to volunteer to work on this project.  Please contact Geary Schindel, Administrative Vice President at avp@caves.org or 210-326-1576 (cell) for more information.  3/12/11

Bylaws Committee Chair

This committee reviews proposed changes to our bylaws to be sure they are consistent withother bylaws and the constitution. They also provide advice on the meaning and/or wording of current or proposed bylaws. The Bylaws Committee reports to the President <president@caves.org>, who can provide more details. 10/25/11

Email your volunteer opportunities (with contact information) to webmaster@caves.org

Last Updated: October 24, 2011

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