ACT SECTION 86 — PUBLIC RELATIONS

Action should be taken to promote better relations between owners and managers of commercial caves and members of the NSS.

The NSS will supply free factual data and news releases about the Society's normal activities as an information service. The Society is under no obligation to provide information other than routine handouts such as printed brochures, publication lists, etc. to writers seeking assistance. Release of cave location information data should be made only on a basis of a classification system which considers (1) scientific importance, (2) scenic value, (3) hazards, and (4) owner's wishes. It should be available only to members having a legitimate purpose for requesting it. Certain data high in one or more categories may be classified as ``restricted from publication.'' Sale of data for industrial or commercial projects, other than publication, shall be made only with the approval of the Board. A specially appointed public relations officer should be appointed when ambitious projects are undertaken.

Public Relations activities should provide accurate, timely information about the NSS and its work. The task of Public Relations is primarily to service national press media and major newspapers across the country with stories about research and outstanding projects deserving national attention. Public Relations also assists with local publicity and will help make up special features for local media.

Grottos who are contacted by Scout groups should give serious consideration to their requests, not necessarily in doing just what they ask, but in some way meeting their needs because Scouts are going to be caving, with or without the NSS, and if we ignore them, we will simply alienate them. Grottos contacted should offer to train Scoutmasters so that they will become competent cavers. Cave exploring, other than simple novice activity, should be limited to High School age youth -- Explorer Posts or older Scouts only. Safety, conservation, and courtesy to cave owners should be practiced. The Boy Scouts may mail out a current listing of all Internal Organizations with the Policy Statement on Cave Exploring so that if any of the Scout units want or need help they will know where to go. (See Appendix G).

The Youth Group Liaison Committee in the Department of the Administrative Vice President is responsible for acting as a liaison between the NSS and youth groups that may include caving in their programs.

A permanent NSS/Commercial Caves Liaison Committee is established in the President's Department for the purpose of informing the National Caves Association and commercial cave owners of the information and talent resources of the NSS and to otherwise facilitate an exchange of information and cooperation between commercial cave owners and the NSS and its members.

The NSS Public Relations Committee is directed to expand the awareness of the existence of the National Speleological Society and its activities and goals to the general public. This committee will coordinate and support corporate marketing and public relations efforst of the NSS and its committees on a national level. the committee will work with the NSS committees to ensure that the NSS is represented as a dynamic, authoritative, and professional organization at caving and karst related events, and when dealing with outside associations, government agencies, and the press.

The NSS shall actively encourage the public information media to educate the public on the scientific aspects of caves and karst, foster a respect for the cave environment, ant inform the public of human activities that may degrade caves or their inhabitants. The NSS shall also encourage public information which recognizes the accomplishments of the Society and its members. The Society shall not seek exposure in public media whose purpose is to promote caving as a sport. The NSS shall respond to media inquires so as to portray the activity in a manner that does not encourage the general public to enter wild caves, but instead fosters respect for the cave environment, promotes safe caving practices, and directs those interested in caves to contact the Society. In our relations with the media the NSS shall encourage them to work with us to assure reliable, correct, and appropriate information.

The NSS will assume a leadership role in representing caver interests on landowner liability issues associated with cave accidents. Our goal is to foster an environment in which the cave owners are held harmless for accidents in their caves during trips for which the landowners received no fee.

Cross Reference

Appendix AM

11-16-03

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