Organizations Within the NSS

Several types of organizations exist within the Society. Generally speaking, the main groupings of organizations are Internal Organizations, NSS Activities, and Committees or Commissions.

Internal Organizations

IO's are chartered by the Internal Organizations Committee and include Grottos, Regions, Sections, and Surveys. Affinity Groups are also chartered by and report to the IO Committee. More information about IO's can be found in the Policy for Internal Organizations from the NSS Board of Governor's Manual.

A group of members or an existing Internal Organization of the Society may be designated a Project of the National Speleological Society if its scientific, technical, research or project goals would be advanced by such a designation.

Grottos
Nearly 200 local chapters, or grottos, located around the country, represent the bulk of the internal organizations of the Society. They usually conduct regular meetings and serve to bring cavers together within their general areas and coordinate activities. Many grottos publish a newsletter as a regular part of their programs.

Regions
Frequently, a group of grottos within a general geographic area will unite in a form of loose association called a region or regional association. Individuals within this geographical area who are not associated with any grotto may also belong to the region.

Sections
Society sections provide a framework to bring together cavers with similar specialized interests. While a few, such as the Cave Diving Section may require specialized skills for active membership, subscriptions to a section publication are available to those without that skill but with an interest.

Surveys
In almost every state containing a number of caves there is a group of Society cavers actively maintaining data on the caves and pursuing further exploration. Only a few of these have asked for Society charters as Internal Organizations; others are recognized NSS Study Groups and are independent.

Affinity Groups
Affinity Groups are not considered Internal Organizations of the Society, but are overseen by the IO Committee and, so, are listed here. Affinity Groups must have at least ten Society members, who will foster the Society goal of fellowship among those interested in caves, but, unlike sections, with common interests of their members not directly related to speleology.

NSS Activities

Certain activities by groups of Society members that promote the purposes of the Society may be designated as official Society functions. They are not Internal Organizations of the Society by this designation. They are known collectively as "NSS Activities." More information about IO's can be found in the Definitions and Policies for Society Activities from the NSS Board of Governor's Manual.

Cave Conservancies/Conservation Task Forces
Several cave managing organizations are affiliated with the Society as conservancies. These organizations agree to the purposes of the Society and are overseen by the Conservancies Committee. They are not considered Internal Organizations of the Society. Conservation Task Forces (CTF) are created by the Society to focus on major local-level cave conservation problems. The activities of Society members who work together as a CTF are coordinated by the Conservation Committee.

Projects/Expeditions
Projects and expeditions are self-described organizations within the Society that operate with autonomy from the Society leadership.

Committees and Commissions

Committees/Commissions also exist as entities within the Society to aid in the administrative and operational aspects of the Society. The structure of the Society and the distribution of committees/commissions can be seen on the Organization Structure page from the NSS Board of Governor's Manual. The list of Committees/Commissions with their own web pages can be seen by clicking here.

Special Commentary from the NSS IO Chair:
  What Can the NSS Do For Your Internal Organization? Click here to find out.