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Acts Index Manual ContentsCertain activities by groups of Society members that promote the purposes of the Society may be designated as official Society functions. The activities described in this policy, while they consist of Society members, are not Internal Organizations of the Society by this designation. They will be known collectively as "NSS Activities." The names of some of these activities are widely used generic terms. It is to be understood that this policy refers only to such activities specifically recognized by the Society. These activities and the policies relevant to them are as follows:
A trip to a remote area with the goal of substantial original exploration or discovery may be designated a National Speleological Society Expedition. The trip purposes, plans, and leaders must all be approved by the Board of Governors of the Society in advance.
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.
A group of Society members, or an existing internal organization of the Society may be designated a Conservation Task Force of the NSS. The basic objectives of a conservation task force are the investigation of one or more cave conservation problems, the reporting and publicizing of their findings and conclusions, the development of recommendations for local or national action, and implementing suitable action to resolve the problem. A conservation task force is organized to address a specific defined problem. The task force is expected to be dissolved when the problem disappears, is resolved, or becomes moot.
A group of individuals or organizations dedicated to cave conservation and having as one of its goals the acquisition, lease, and management of caves and karst properties may be designated a Conservancy of the National Speleological Society.
The following policies may apply to NSS Activities:
1. Each NSS Activity may identify itself as "The (chosen name) . . . ( Conservation Task Force, etc.) . . . of the National Speleological Society" or as "The (chosen name), a (Conservation Task Force, etc.) of the National Speleological Society." It may incorporate at its own discretion.
2. Except for conservancies, all members of the organizing body of such NSS Activities (committee, board, officers, etc) must be members of the Society. All officers of a conservancy must be members of the Society.
3. Any group seeking an official designation as a Society Activity should bring its request to the Board through the appropriate committee of the Society. The authority to make certain designations has been delegated by the Board to committee discretion as noted below.
| Activity | Arrangements Made By | Designation Conferred By |
| Expedition | Exploration Committee | Board of Governors |
| Project | Research Advisory Committee | Research Advisory Committee |
| Task Force | Conservation Committee | Conservation Committee |
| Conservancy | Cave Conservancies Committee | Board of Governors |
Other committees will be consulted as necessary. The committee having responsibility for each type of NSS Activity will establish suitable procedures and determine the format and content of an application.
4. Any NSS Activity may raise funds in any manner consistent with the purpose and practices of the Society, but normally through voluntary contributions, group membership dues, equitable distribution of expenses associated with the Activity, fees for goods and services, etc. The Society cannot acknowledge or otherwise verify donations made to NSS Activities unless the donations are received by the Society office or treasurer and recorded in the Society books.
5. The Society shall have no legal or financial obligation to such NSS Activities unless established by contract. Likewise no NSS Activity shall have legal or financial obligation to the Society other than that established by this policy. The Society may, through its regular procedures, be the recipient of contributions designated for use by any of the above Activities and may make awards and grants to these groups.
6. Each NSS Activity will report frequently (at least annually) or at the completion of an expedition, or project, to the Society membership through the sponsoring committee. Interim reports to the committee or the Board may be requested. Significant accomplishments or results by an Acitvity should be submitted to the editor for possible publication in the News or Bulletin.
7. The designation of the above NSS Activities shall terminate upon the submission of a final report, the completion of the group's purposes, dissolution of the group, petition by the group for termination, or determination by the Board of actions contrary to Society policy. The entity which conferred the designation (Board or committee) may terminate it upon evidence of inactivity.
8. Policies and plans of NSS Activities will be established by cooperation between the group and the officers of the Society. The separate and independent nature of conservancies is recognized, although those groups may bring problems to the Board for arbitration if they wish.
9. The Board of Governors may elect to review the official status of any NSS Activity at any time.
10. The designation of NSS Activity shall not confer upon the Society any right of control voer, or responsibility for, the equipment, methods, or techniques employed by the group, or the acts, omissions, or decisions of any of the participants.
4-7-05
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