ACT SECTION 41 — AFFILIATIONS

Where the goals of the Society are served by an association with another organization, and no obligation is assumed through this association that is contrary to the constitution or bylaws of the Society, the Society will seek to establish a formal association. The NSS representative(s) to the other group/agency shall be approved by the Board of Governors. Recommendations for representatives shall be sought from appropriate committees and Sections. Such affiliations and Society representatives shall be listed in any regular directory of the Society. The representatives to each association shall submit regular reports as requested. Any change in the Society's commitment to an organization, agency, or coalition must be approved by the Board of Governors.

The Society is an affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the AAAS is an affiliate of the NSS. Representatives to the AAAS in the field of biology and the field of geology and geography are NSS committee chairmen in the Department of the Executive Vice-President.

The National Speleological Society, in consequence of its purpose of supporting research in the geological sciences and in the conservation of geological resources, will seek membership in the American Geological Institute (AGI).

The Society appoints its Section of Cave Geology and Geography to act in all respects as its representative to the AGI, and authorized the Section to appoint delegates to represent the Society at AGI meetings. The NSS Board shall confirm such delegates and they shall be listed with the Executive Vice-President's Department.

Annual dues for Society membership in the AGI will be paid by the Society and included in the annual budget.

The National Speleological Society will join Bat Conservation International as a contributing member. Dues for membership will be paid each year and included in each annual budget. Publications received from BCI will be sent to the NSS Library.

The National Cave and Karst Research Institute Liaison Committee is established in the department of the President to act as liaison between the NSS and the National Cave and Karst Research Institute.

The role of an NSS liaison to another organization (including government agencies) is to ensure the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other agreement between the two organizations is fulfilled and continues to be valid, and to enhance the effectiveness of efforts of either organization on matters of joint concern, including: seeking and promoting ways the NSS and the other organization can work together and pursue co-operative projects and programs; encouraging the influence and participation of the Society in the other organization's activities; being a conduit for information between the two organizations; and fostering NSS visibility among scientists, land managers, and non-members in cave and karst related fields reached by the other organization.

The revised Memorandum of Understanding between the National Park Service and the NSS (Appendix AH, originally adopted 12-2-93) is approved.

The revised Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Land Management, the NSS, and the Cave Research Foundation (Appendix AF, originally adopted 6-11-84) is approved.

The NSS shall support the development of the Karst Information Portal, including providing non-sensitive material from the NSS Library, publications and periodicals for inclusion in the Portal. This may include, but not be limited to, the NSS Library catalogue, and indexes, table of contents, and text of the NSS periodicals and publications as determined by the NSS Operations Vice President, Librarian, Library Committee Chairman, and editors of the NSS News and The Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, and within the scope of copyrights.

The position of Karst Information portal Liaison is established in the department of the President.

9-15-07

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