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Congress of Grottos Issues(This page is the responsibility of the current Chairman of the Congress)
Congress IssuesIssues to be acted on should be from internal organizations of the NSS (I/Os) or authorized groups (see rules link below) and in the form of a motion, i.e. Loylahanna Grotto moves. Any member may submit an issue for discussion and is welcome to do so. Issues will normally discussed following properly submitted motions unless there is relevancy to the motion. Rules of the Congress of Grottos may be viewed at http://caves.org/nss-business/bog/app-q.html Previous reports of the Congress of Grottos may be viewed below A brief summary of supporting information for the motion is useful for those who may not be familiar with the issue. Items for discussion not requiring a motion may also be accepted, and will be on the agenda following motions. In order for publication to the NSS membership for consideration prior to convention, issues should be received by May 1, 2006. Issues will be published to I/Os through the e-mail and paper mailing system used by the I/O committee. This does not preclude accepting issues later. If you have an issue you would like to have considered by Congress, bring it up to your internal organization; grotto, region, survey, or section. 2009 Congress of Grottos Report Meeting called to order by Vice Chairman Clifton Colwell 2008 Congress Resolutions: NSS President Birkhimer discussed action or progress.
No motions from the floor. Peter Michaud nominated for COG chairman. Alicia Lewis nominated Vice Chair and Clifton Colwell nominated Vice Chair. Meeting adjourned at 1430. No motions from the floor. 2008 Congress of Grottos Report The Congress was called to order by Chairman Peter "Mudpuppy" Michaud at 1:07 pm. Motions considered: 1. The Long Term Planning Committee (Craig Hindman) moved: 2. The Richmond Area Speleological Society moved: 3. The Long Term Planning Committee (Craig Hindman) moved: 4. The Long Term Planning Committee (Craig Hindman) moved: 5. The Michigan Interlakes Grotto moved: 6. The Colorado Grotto moved: 7. The Dogwood City Grotto moved: 8. Dogwood City Grotto moved: 9. The Baltimore Grotto moved: Peter “Mudpuppy” Michaud was reelected Chair of the 2009 COG. The Congress adjourned at 4:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, Peter “Mudpuppy” Michaud
All NSS members are encouraged to bring issues regarding the NSS to the Congress of Grottos. The Congress serves as an advisory body to the Board of Governors. Issues raised at the Congress will be voted on and a report will be submitted to the Board of Governors for their review and action. This is your opportunity to be involved in the dark realm of speleo-politics. AGENDA 1. Reading of 2006 COG Report to the BOG. 2. Motion urging grottos to create "conservation chairman" 3. Motion urging grottos to create "landowner liaison" 4. Southern California Grotto discussion on drug production in caves. 5. Call for additional issues 6. Address to COG by the NSS Membership Committee 7. Announcements 8. Adjournment 2006 Congress of Grottos Report Congress of Grottos Report
2006 The congress was called to order @ 1345 pdt August 9, 2006 by chairman William Jackson, with 28 grottos, 3 regions, and 1 section represented. No issues were received prior to the meeting, no issues were raised at the meeting NSS president Bill Tozer reported to the congress on the response of the NSS board of governors to last years motions. The motion to create a new “caving innovation award” was not acted upon. In response to the “cave restoration and conservation fund” motion the NSS chose to restructure existing committees to allow spending for conservation and renovation projects. “new member packets” were available and grottos encouraged to take these materials to help target grotto members who are not members of the NSS. Election of officers for 2007
Meeting adjourned @ 1401 pdt Respectfully submitted, Clifton Colwell 2005 Congress of Grottos Report Congress of Grottos 2005 The Congress of Grottos met on Wednesday, July 6, 2005. Three issues were received and published prior to the meeting. NSS President Bill Tozer reported to the Congress on the response of the NSS Board of Governors to last year’s motions. No specific action has been taken on these motions, but both are being evaluated. Motions considered: 1. Florida Speleological Society moves:
Motion passed – 223 in favor, 50 opposed, 24 abstentions
2. Central Arizona Grotto moves:
Motion passed – 330 in favor, none opposed, 27 abstentions 3. Central Arizona Grotto moves:
Motion passed 333 in favor, none opposed, 21 abstentions
Election of Officers
2004 Congress of Grottos ReportCongress of Grottos 2004 The Congress of Grottos met on Wednesday, July 14, 2004. One issue has been received and published prior to the meeting. A second issue was received via letter approximately one month prior to the meeting. Motions considered 1. WVSS moved, Florida Speleological Survey 2nd: Should the NSS publish the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (Journal) electronically? Passed by show of placards. 2. WVSS moved, Michigan Interlakes Grotto 2nd: Should the printed copies of the Journal be an added cost option for regular members? FAILED 75 for, 90 opposed. 3. Nashville Grotto moved, San Francisco Grotto 2nd: The NSS would like to remain the sole publishing authority of the Journal. PASSED strongly by show of placards. Discussion Session Scott Fee, NSS President, discussed opinions amongst the members of the Congess regarding future publication of the Journal and publishing relationships. Election of Officers The current slate of officers was reelected by acclimation. Chairman, William N. (Bill) Jackson, Evans,
GA. Respectfully submitted, 2003 Congress of Grottos ReportMotions passed: 1. This proposal is a housekeeping change in order to bring the Rules into compliance with the changes we made last year. It is as follows: The Nittany Grotto proposes the following change to Section III. of the Congress of Grottos Rules of Procedure: Section III. A through D no change. E. Any collection of eight or more NSS members who are not members of a Grotto may receive representation according to the same schedule as for Grottos. F. Any NSS member may choose one, but only one, I/O to list him or her as being represented by that I/O regardless of the member's geographical residence or other I/O membership. If an NSS member is inadvertently listed by more than one I/O, he or she shall be disallowed to all I/O's until he or she has made their wishes known, or until dropped by all but one I/O. If the NSS membership shows an I/O affiliation for an NSS member, the NSS membership list is construed to be his wish. (NSS members may belong to multiple grottos, but must list only one on the NSS membership list as their representative.) G. All challenges to lists submitted by I/O's must name the specific individuals challenged and cite the specific clause of these rules under which the challenge is made. Such challenge must be in writing at least one week prior to the COG meeting, and if the cause of the challenge is shown to be removed by the meeting time the member(s) shall be allowed. Proposed change: Add to E. with the provision that the NSS member has designated no Primary Affiliation in the NSS database. Delete F and G. Discussion: We now determine vote allocations based upon the Primary Affiliation field in the NSS Database. We no longer determine allocations from the I/O membership rosters submitted as part of the annual report to the I/O Committee. Comment: This rule change does not require action by the Board of Governors. It is to be published as a change to the Congress rules.
2. Ohio Valley Region moves, second by Hawaii: Resolved, that the primary collection of the NSS Library should remain in Huntsville, under the direct control of the NSS. Duplicate copies of bound books and NSS publications may be lent to the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, but remain the property of the NSS. Comment: This item requires the attention of the Board of Governors and reply to the Congress at the next annual meeting.
Discussion Session Discussion of means of communication with internal organizations — e-mail, discussion board, possibility of Congress referendums, number of I/Os participating. Further action required by Congress officers and I/O committee chairmen.
Election of Officers Chairman, William N. (Bill) Jackson, Evans,
Georgia, reelected by acclimation. 2002 Congress of Grottos ReportFour resolutions were voted upon during the 2002 meeting. The first was received prior to the meeting. The remaining three were presented from the floor. Resolution #1: Nittany Grotto moves
that the counts for deciding how many votes to allocate for each I/O be
obtained from the NSS records rather than from the membership reports submitted
by the I/Os; and that the Congress rules be amended to reflect this change. Resolution #2: Evansville Metropolitan
Grotto moves; The Congress should continue to exist. Resolution #3: Vertical Section moves;
The Congress of Grottos is in favor of the NSS acquiring caves when practical
and appropriate and continuing the present policy of local stewardship or
ownership. Resolution #4: Central Arizona Grotto
moves: Request the Board of Governors to expedite publication of American
Cave Accidents. Elections: 2003 Congress of Grottos Officers Chairman: William N. (Bill) Jackson, Augusta Cave Masters; elected unanimously by acclimation. Vice-Chairman: Don Shofstall, Evansville Metropolitan Grotto: elected unanimously by acclimation. 2001 Congress of Grottos Issues1. Ohio Valley Region moved to change the name of the organization to the Congress of Internal Organizations. (Postponed from 2000.) (defeated)
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