The opening session of the 188th regular meeting of the NSS Board of Governors was held on June 23, 2001, at Rockcastle County High School, Mount Vernon, Kentucky. These minutes, when accompanied by corrections accepted by the Board, constitute the official record of the meeting.
The meeting was called to order by President Mike Hood at 9:06 A.M. Lee Stevens was present as Recording Secretary.
1. Roll Call and Announcement of Proxies
OFFICERS:
Mike Hood, President
Ray Keeler, Executive Vice President
Cheryl Jones, Administrative Vice President
Scott Fee, Operations Vice President
Paul Stevens, Secretary-Treasurer
DIRECTORS:
Hazel Barton
Linda Baker Devine
Thom Engel
Bill Halliday
Dave Jagnow
Douglas Medville
Gary Moss
Philip Moss
Jim Olsen
Dave Taylor
Bill Tozer
PROXY:
Bill Klimack for Bill Bussey
2. Approval of the April 7, 2001 Board of Governors Meeting Minutes
Taylor moved that approval of the April 7, 2001 Board of Governors Meeting Minutes be postponed until they are completed. Engel seconded.
By unanimous consent, approval of the minutes was postponed until the fall 2001 Board meeting.
3. Officer’s Reports:
A. President – Mike Hood
B. Executive Vice President – Ray Keeler
Ray announced that Norm Thompson would do the final editing of On Caves and Cameras.
C. Administrative Vice President – Cheryl Jones
In addition to her written report, Cheryl reported that:
President Hood requested the agenda be suspended to hear the report from the 2001 NSS Convention Committee. Agreed to by unanimous consent.
2001 NSS Convention
Convention Chairman Bill Carr welcomed everyone to Kentucky and reported that convention activities were in full swing with no major problems noted.
Jones moved that Bill and his staff be given a vote of thanks for their efforts. Agreed to by unanimous consent.
D. Operations Vice President – Scott Fee
Scott distributed the revised Membership brochure. He reported that limited quantities of these were printed and a full revision of the brochure would be done in the future.
E. Secretary-Treasurer – Paul Stevens
Paul reported that the Society is in good financial health. Last fiscal year closed with a surplus and that sufficient cash is on hand to publish the books the NSS plans to publish.
4. Committee Reports:
A. 2002 NSS Convention – Peter Grant and Kevin Harris
B. 2003 NSS Convention – Peri Frantz and Lynn Fielding
OLD BUSINESS
5. NSS Copyright Policy
Hood moved: The approval of the NSS Copyright Policy is postponed until an attorney specializing in intellectual property can review it. Halliday seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Absent: Jones
PASSED
6. Appendix AR, NSS Travel Policy
Tozer moved: Appendix AR, Attachment 1 to this agenda, is approved as the official travel policy of the Society. Devine seconded.
A. Stevens moved to amend: Under "Guidelines for Reimbursement", after the word "documentation" in item #4, insert "such as a detailed description of the expense and the date it was incurred."
B. P.Moss seconded. Agreed to by unanimous consent.
C. Keeler moved to amend: Under "Guidelines for Reimbursement", item #3, delete "100 Miles" and insert "300 miles." P. Moss seconded.
D. Stevens moved to substitute: Delete item #3 of the "Guidelines for Reimbursement." Jones seconded.
E. Halliday moved to refer the Travel Policy and all pending amendments back to the ad hoc committee for revision. Keeler seconded.
VOTE to refer:
Unanimously in favor
REFERRED
Note: Appendix AR is Attachment F to these minutes.
NEW BUSINESS
7. NSS Project Designations
7A. Lost River Cave Project
Keeler moved: The Lost River Cave Project, Indiana, is approved as a NSS Project.
P.Moss seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Mark Deebel (NSS #37025) is project coordinator.
440 E. Chippewa Ave.
South Bend, IN 46614-2621
deebel@mvillage.com
7B. La Venta Exploring Team
Keeler moved: The << U.S. >> La Venta Exploring Team is approved as a NSS Project.
Jagnow seconded.
It was moved that "U.S." be inserted before "La Venta."
Accepted as a friendly amendment.
Barton moved to postpone to the Friday agenda. Jones seconded.
VOTE to postpone:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Stevens, Keeler
POSTPONED
Peter Taylor (NSS #48775R) is the contact person.
203 E. Evergreen Ave.
Philadelphia, PA. 19118
(215) 248-4930
PLTaylor@compuserve.com
Recess
President Hood declared a recess at 12:05 P.M. for lunch and the closed meetings of the Directorate and the Board. The meeting will reconvene on Friday, July 27, 2001 at 9:00 A.M.
Reconvene
The continuation of the 188th regular meeting of the NSS Board of Governors was called to order by President Mike Hood on Friday, July 27, 2001, at 9:05 A.M. Lee Stevens was present as Recording Secretary.
8. Roll Call and Announcement of Proxies
OFFICERS:
Mike Hood, President
Don Paquette, Executive Vice President
Thom Engel, Administrative Vice President
Scott Fee, Operations Vice President
Paul Stevens, Secretary-Treasurer
DIRECTORS:
Hazel Barton (seated as noted)
Linda Baker Devine
Bill Bussey
Bill Halliday
Dave Jagnow
Bill Klimack
Douglas Medville
Gary Moss
Philip Moss
Jim Olsen (seated as noted)
Dave Taylor
Bill Tozer
PROXIES:
Ray Keeler for Hazel Barton
Dave Lester for Jim Olsen
9. Report of the Closed Session of the Directorate
Bill Tozer, Chairman of the Directorate, announced that he had been re-elected Chairman of the Directorate, that Scott Fee had been re-elected as Operations Vice President, that Don Paquette had been elected as Executive Vice President, and that Thom Engel had been elected as Administrative Vice President.
10. Election to Fill the Vacant Director’s Position
Hood moved: _______________ is appointed to fill the un-expired Director’s position created by the election of Thom Engel as Administrative Vice President. The person selected will serve until a successor is elected by the membership.
Note: Nominations to fill the blank were entertained. Voting took place until one candidate received a majority. The Board then voted to approve the motion with the blank filled.
Those nominated to fill the position:
Cheryl Jones
David Lester
Joe Levinson
Bill Klimack
Bill Stringfellow
Fee moved that the nominations be closed.
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
Bill Klimack was elected to fill the position on the third ballot.
Hood moved: Bill Klimack is appointed to fill the un-expired Director’s position created by the election of Thom Engel as AVP. The person selected will serve until a successor is elected by the membership.
VOTE to approve the motion with Bill Klimack as the elected
Director:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
11. Congress of Grottos Report
John LaMar Cole presented the Congress of Grottos report (Attachment G to these minutes).
12. Confirmation of E-mail Ballots
Hood moved: The results of the following e-mail ballots are confirmed:
Jagnow seconded.
A. Purchase of "Karst: A Fragile Foundation" Poster
Medville moved to amend the FY 2000-01 budget to transfer $250 from the Save the Caves Fund to the AVP Department for purchase of 1,000 copies of the poster "Karst: A Fragile Foundation."
Note: This motion passed with 14 votes in favor.
B. Support for IMAX Film Amazing Caves Reception at the Smithsonian
Jones moved: The AVP is authorized to spend up to $13,000 to co-host the Washington DC premier of "Journey into Amazing Caves" at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Johnson IMAX theater, with an invitation list that targets key government and national conservation organization officials.
Note: This motion failed with 10 votes against.
C. Support for IMAX Film Amazing Caves Reception at the Smithsonian
Jones moved: The AVP is authorized to spend up to $6,500 to co-host the Washington DC premier of "Journey into Amazing Caves" at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Johnson IMAX theater, with an invitation list that targets key government and national conservation organization officials.
Note: This motion failed with 10 votes against.
D. Support for IMAX Film Amazing Caves Reception at the Smithsonian
Jones moved: The AVP is authorized to spend up to $3,000 to co-host the Washington DC premier of "Journey into Amazing Caves" at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Johnson IMAX theater, with an invitation list that targets key government and national conservation organization officials.
Note: This motion passed with 11 votes in favor.
Taylor requested the President instruct the Recording Secretary to record the actual votes on each e-mail ballot in the minutes of this meeting.
VOTE to confirm the results of the e-mail ballots:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: G. Moss
PASSED
13. Appointments
13A. Project Underground Board of Directors
Hood moved: Peg Sorensen, Barbara Moss, and Amy (Johnson) Bern are confirmed as the 2001-2002 NSS members on the Project Underground Board of Directors.
Engel seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
13B. Research Advisory Committee
Keeler Moved: Dr. Donald McFarlane is approved as the Research and Advisory Committee Chairman. P.Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Jagnow
PASSED
Donald A. McFarlane
Associate Professor of Biology
W. M. Keck Science Center
The Claremont Colleges
925 North Mills Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711-5916
dmcfarla@jsd.claremont.edu
14. Cave Acquisition Restricted Fund Grants
14A. West Virginia Cave Conservancy
Medville moved: The NSS shall provide a grant of <up to> $5,000 from the Cave Acquisition Restricted Fund to the West Virginia Cave Conservancy towards the purchase of the Lightner's entrance of McClungs Cave and associated property, Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Fee seconded.
Tozer moved to amend, deleting the words "up to" in
the first sentence.
Fee seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Halliday
PASSED
VOTE on the amended motion:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
14B. Northeastern Cave Conservancy
Engel moved: The NSS shall provide a grant of $5,000 from the Cave Acquisition Restricted Fund to the Northeastern Cave Conservancy Inc. toward the purchase of the Sellecks Karst Preserve in Schoharie County, New York. P.Moss seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
15. Appendix "S," National Cave Rescue Commission Charter
Jones moved: Appendix "S" of Act 91-370 (The National Cave Rescue Commission Charter) is amended to read:
B. The Commission shall be governed by a Board of Regional Coordinators. Additional Regional Coordinators shall appointed by the <<Administrative Vice>> President of the Society <(President)> and approved by the <<NSS>> Board of Governors.
Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
16. Purchase of Karst Groundwater Models
Jones moved: $2,000 is allocated from the NSS Save the Caves Restricted Fund for the NSS Conservation Committee to purchase four Karst groundwater models.
Jagnow seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
17. NSS Brochure on Lava Tubes
Jones moved: The Conservation Committee may spend up to $1,000 from the Save the Caves Restricted Fund to produce a NSS brochure on lava tube<s> <<caves. >> <<The brochure’s text will be peer reviewed and>> <T> <<t>>he brochure will be made available for distribution at no charge. Jagnow seconded.
Halliday moved to amend: Insert the word "caves" after "lava tubes" in the second sentence and change "tubes" to "tube."
Accepted as a friendly amendment.
Medville moved to amend: Insert at the beginning of the second sentence "The brochure’s text will be peer reviewed and"; change the "t" in the next word to lower case.
Lester seconded.
VOTE to amend:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
VOTE on the amended motion:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
18. Committees
18A. Landowner Relations Committee
Jones moved: The NSS Landowner Relations Committee is established in the department of the Administrative Vice President. The committee is responsible for working on private sector landowner relations at a national level. The committee is also responsible for working with regions and grottos to help them with programs to develop and maintain good relations with landowners in their areas. The committee should regularly use the NSS News and the NSS web site to highlight and discuss landowner relations issues, practices and concepts. Bussey seconded.
Taylor moved to amend: Delete the words "Administrative Vice" before "President" in the second line. Keeler seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Devine, Klimack, Keeler, Taylor, P.Moss, Lester
Opposed: Jagnow, Halliday, Bussey, Fee, Stevens, Paquette,
Medville, Tozer
Abstaining: Engel
FAILED
VOTE on the motion:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
18B. Educational Grants and Scholarship Committee
Jones moved: The Educational Grants and Scholarship Committee is created in the department of the Administrative Vice President, with the responsibility of administering << or providing support for>> these programs. Bussey seconded.
Lester moved to amend: Insert "or providing support for" after the word "administering" in the second sentence. Stevens seconded.
VOTE to amend:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Engel moved to postpone consideration to the fall 2001 Board meeting.
Medville seconded.
VOTE to postpone:
In favor: Keeler, Engel
Opposed: Rest
Abstaining: Taylor
FAILED
VOTE on the amended motion:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Jim Olsen arrived at the meeting at this point.
18C. Annual Report Committee
Keeler moved: The Annual Report Committee is established in the Department of the Executive Vice President. The committee is responsible for publishing the NSS Annual report during the month of December each year. P. Moss seconded.
Stevens moved to fill the blank with "December." Halliday seconded.
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
VOTE on the motion:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
19. Convention Honorarium
Jones moved: Board Act 56-293 - Convention Honorarium, is amended to read:
56-293Convention <Honorarium> <<Committee Allowance>>
<A> $3,000.00 <honorarium> will be paid to the Convention Committee <to recognize their efforts to host the annual NSS National Convention. The honorarium will be included in the convention budget and may> to be disbursed or used in any way that is deemed appropriate by the Convention Chairman<. ><<, including payment of expenses otherwise not reimbursable from the convention budget (including travel)>> <This will be effective starting with the 1998 convention. > <<The Committee Allowance will be included in the convention budget. >> and Board act 56-615, Convention Committee Personal Expenses, is deleted.
Act 56-293 would then read: Convention Committee Allowance $3,000.00 will be paid to the Convention Committee to be disbursed or used in any way that is deemed appropriate by the Convention Chairman, including payment of expenses otherwise not reimbursable from the convention budget (including travel) The Committee Allowance will be included in the convention budget.
Stevens seconded.
A. Medville move to amend: Delete the phrase "including payment of expenses otherwise not reimbursable (including travel)." Engel seconded.
B. P. Moss moved to substitute:
"A $3,000 <grant> <<committee allowance>> will be paid to the Convention Committee to recognize their efforts and unreimbursed expenses to host the NSS National Convention. The <grant> <<committee allowance>> will be included in the convention budget and may be disbursed or used in any way that is deemed appropriate by the Convention Chairman."
By unanimous consent, the word "grant" was changed to "committee allowance."
VOTE on the motion to substitute:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Halliday
PASSED
VOTE on the substituted motion:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Halliday
PASSED
C. Taylor moved to suspend the rules to consider amending Act 56-615 at this time.
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
D. Taylor moved to amend Act 56-615: Delete all but the first sentence of the Act.
P.Moss seconded.
Medville moved to amend the amendment: Leave the text of Act 56-615 as it is and insert the words "committee allowance" for "honorarium." Stevens seconded.
VOTE to amend the amendment:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Halliday
PASSED
VOTE on the amended motion:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Halliday
PASSED
20. Act 88-379 - Research Grants
Jones moved: Board Act 88-379 Research Grants is amended to read: Recipients of grants, other than the Ralph W. Stone Research Award, <or> awards for scientific Research <<and grants from the Educational Grant and Save the Caves Restricted Funds>>, will be selected by the Research Advisory Committee and their names will be announced at the annual Convention. The Chairman of the committee will notify, in writing, each recipient of such a grant or award, enclose the check in the amount of the grant, and specify to the recipient those conditions under which the grant is made, as determined by the Board of Governors. Medville seconded.
Halliday moved to refer to the Executive Vice President. Fee seconded.
VOTE to refer:
Unanimously in favor
REFERRED
21. Cave Rescue Training Restricted Fund
Jones moved:
The NSS Cave Rescue Training Restricted Fund is established to provide scholarships to individuals to cover registration fees associated with cave rescue training administered by the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC), with the purpose of improving the cave rescue infrastructure<<. >> < within the United States. >
Selection of Individuals to receive scholarships will be at the discretion of the NCRC. Scholarships will be awarded based on the potential of selected recipients to improve the cave rescue infrastructure <within the United States> at any level, including roles as individual rescuers or in leadership positions. << The NCRC Board will establish criteria for the award of the scholarship. >> The NCRC National Coordinator may authorize payments from this Fund with the approval of the NSS Administrative Vice President. The scholarship award <will be sufficient to> << may >> cover << all or part of >> the registration fees (including food and camping) for <the National> << a >> NCRC rescue training course chosen by the applicant.
The fund shall initially grow without disbursement until it reaches a balance of $1,500. Thereafter up to 50% of the fund balance available on the last day of the NSS fiscal year may be disbursed in the following fiscal year, unless this would cause the remaining balance to fall below $1,000. <The balance of the account shall be used to increase the fund under the direction of the NSS Treasurer. > Stevens seconded.
A. Halliday moved to amend: Delete both occurrences of the phrase "within the United States." Keeler seconded.
B. VOTE to amend:
In favor: Halliday, Keeler, Bussey, Tozer, Olson, Paquette
Opposed: Fee, Stevens, Engel, P.Moss, Medville
Abstaining: Jagnow, Devine, Klimack, Taylor, G.Moss PASSED
C. Fee moved to amend: Delete the word "National" in the last sentence of the second paragraph; delete "the" and insert "a". Engel seconded.
D. Agreed to by unanimous consent.
E. Engel moved to amend: Insert a new sentence after "leadership positions." in the second paragraph "The NCRC Board will establish criteria for the award of the scholarship." Medville seconded.
F. Agreed to by unanimous consent.
G. P. Moss moved to amend: Delete the last sentence of paragraph three,
"The balance of the account shall be used to increase the fund under the direction of the NSS Treasurer."
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
VOTE on the motion as amended:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Hazel Barton arrived at the meeting at this point.
22. Contribution to the NSS Cave Rescue Training Restricted Fund
Jones moved: The NSS will seed the NSS Cave Rescue Training Restricted Fund with a $500 contribution. Devine seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Recess
President Hood declared a recess at 12:05 P.M. for lunch and the closed meeting of the Board.
Reconvene
The meeting was called to order by President Hood at 1:20 P.M.
23. Kentucky Trimodal Transpark
Jagnow moved: The National Speleological Society strongly opposes the construction of the Kentucky Trimodal Transpark immediately east of Bowling Green because it will cause irreparable harm to Mammoth Cave National Park, to Graham Springs Karst basin, to the Sinkhole Plain environment, and to the citizens of this region and the United States. Fee seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
24. National Park Service Memorandum of Understanding
Hood moved: The revised Memorandum of Understanding (Attachment 1 of this agenda) with the National Park Service is approved. Halliday seconded.
P. Moss moved to postpone consideration to the October 2001 Board meeting.
Fee seconded.
VOTE to postpone:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Absent: Tozer
POSTPONED
Note: This MOU is Attachment H to these minutes.
25. Fine Arts Salon
Stevens moved: Act 18-642 is amended as follows:
18-642 <Speleo> <<Fine>> Arts Salon Fund
The purpose of the <Speleo> <<Fine>> Arts Salon Fund is to support the Fine Arts Salon. The Salon Committee chairman, subject to AVP approval, may spend these funds.
Taylor seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Suspend the Agenda
P. Moss moved to suspend the agenda to consider items #26 through #31 together as a group at this time. Stevens seconded.
VOTE to suspend the agenda to consider items #26 through #31
together:
In favor: Halliday, Fee, Jagnow, Stevens
Opposed: Rest
Abstaining: Engel, Barton, G. Moss, P.Moss, Paquette
FAILED
26. Shelta Cave Preserve Fund
Stevens moved: The Shelta Cave Preserve Fund is established as a "temporary restricted" fund dedicated to supporting the management of Shelta Cave, including costs associated with removal of the current gate, construction and maintenance of effective sinkhole enclosures, cave environmental monitoring and other costs necessary to preserve and protect the cave. Engel seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
27. Library Restricted Fund
Fee moved: Any unspent funds in the NSS Library operating budget at the end of the fiscal year shall be transferred into the Library Restricted Fund. Stevens seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Tozer
PASSED
28. Litigation to Protect Caves Fund
Stevens moved: The word "Trust" is deleted from the title and text of the Litigation to Protect Caves Fund. P. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
29. Joe Ivy Endowment Fund
Stevens moved: The NSS request the NSF approve the following change to the NSS/NSF Trust Funds contract.
Joe Ivy Endowment Fund for Cave Exploration
1. This attachment to the contract between the Foundation and the Society pertaining to the NSS Trust Funds (the contract) describes the purposes and conditions of the Individual Fund known as the Joe Ivy Endowment Fund for Cave Exploration.
2. The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants by the Society to cavers to fund cave exploration trips, primarily to Mexico.
3. The Foundation shall reinvest the net income and capital gains distributions from the Joe Ivy Endowment Fund in the Joe Ivy Endowment Fund unless it is transferred to the Society as described in this attachment.
4. At the end of the fiscal year of the Foundation, the Foundation shall, upon the written request of the Secretary-Treasurer of the Society, transfer to the Society the lesser of the net income from the Fund, for that fiscal year, or the total amount of grants awarded by the Society during that fiscal year.
5. By a two-thirds vote, the Society's Board of Governors may require the return to the Society of any or all of the Fund that has not previously been distributed to the Society.
6. The Foundation shall report the Fund principal,
incremental and accumulated net
income, and capital gains in its annual within report to the
Society
7. This attachment has been approved by the Board of Governors of the Society on the day of 2001, and by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation on the day ________ of __________, 2001.
Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
30. NSF/NSS Contract Changes
Stevens moved: The NSS requests NSF agreement to the following changes in the NSS/NSF Funds contract:
A. Changes to the Basic Contract
Delete paragraphs #3 and #4 and modify paragraph #5 as follows:
<3. The term income, as used in this contract, means all the investment-generated funds, which are considered income in normal business practice. Capital gains distributions and similar returns are not to be considered income, and they shall be reinvested. The term net income, as used in this contract, is income less expenses chargeable to the NSS Funds (excluding commissions and similar investment expenses, which shall be deducted from the principal).
4. The Society and the Foundation agree that, for the purposes of this contract, all sessions and meetings of the Board of Governors of the Society held during the annual convention of the Society shall be considered one meeting. >
<5.> <<3.>> The Foundation may charge <<the>> <actual> expenses of managing its investments to the NSS Trust Funds. Such expenses shall first be prorated among the NSS Trust Funds and any other funds held by the Foundation according to their principal amount. The expenses of the Foundation chargeable to the NSS Trust Funds shall then be prorated among the Individual Funds according to their <net income> <<principal>>.
Renumber subsequent paragraphs as necessary.
B. Changes to the Stone Research Fund and the International Fund
Replace existing paragraph # 3 by
"3. Each fiscal year an amount equal to 5.5% of the total fund value shall be available for payment to the Society. The Foundation Annual Report, as described in paragraph 9 of the contract, shall specify the funds available. The Foundation shall transfer available funds to the Society upon request for reimbursement from the Secretary-Treasurer. Any funds not requested by the close of the second fiscal year following notification shall be retained in the fund."
C. Changes to the Sara Corrie Fund
Replace existing paragraphs # 3 and #4 by
"3. Each fiscal year an amount equal to 5.5% of the total fund value shall be available for payment to the Society. The Foundation Annual Report, as described in paragraph 9 of the contract, shall specify the funds available. The Foundation shall transfer available funds to the Society upon request for reimbursement from the Secretary-Treasurer. Any funds not requested by the close of the second fiscal year following notification shall be retained in the fund."
Renumber subsequent paragraphs as necessary.
D. Changes to the Mitchell, Bicking and Hauer Funds
Change the last sentence of paragraph #2 as follows:
"Such award shall not be more than <the net income, or> 5.5% of the total fund value <, whichever is greater, > (hereafter called the "available amount") for the year."
Change paragraph #4 as follows:
"4. In the event that no award is presented in any year, the total << investment return>> <net income> for that year shall be reinvested in the fund."
Paquette seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
31. Cave Preserve Fund
Stevens moved: The NSS requests the NSF to amend the contract between the NSS and the NSF to amend the NSS Cave Preserve Fund as follows:
CAVE PRESERVE FUND
1. This attachment to the contract between the Foundation and the Society pertaining to the NSS Trust Funds (the contract) describes the purposes and conditions of the Individual Fund known as the Cave Preserve Fund.
2. The purpose of the Cave Preserve Fund is to serve as a source of <income> <<funds>> to the Society <sufficient to provide> for the expenses of ownership of real estate, or any interest in real estate, which has been designated by the Board of Governors of the Society as a Cave Preserve of the National Speleological Society. <3. The Secretary-Treasurer of the Society shall certify to the Treasurer of the Foundation, at the end of each fiscal year of the Society, the amount expended for maintenance of Cave Preserves. > These expenses may include, but shall not be limited to, taxes, insurance, legal fees, and maintenance of signs, fences, and gates. The purchase price of any real estate purchased, or broker fees thereon, shall not be considered expense for the purpose of this agreement. <The Foundation shall remit to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Society an amount not to exceed the lesser of the net income of the Cave Preserve Fund or the expenses so certified. Any net income in excess of that remitted to the Society shall be reinvested in the Fund. 4. In the event that the Secretary-Treasurer of the Society shall not request reimbursement of any expenses within six months following the end of any fiscal year of the Society, all net income for that year shall be reinvested in the Fund. >
<<3. Each fiscal year an amount equal to 5.5% of the total fund value shall be available for payment to the Society. The Foundation Annual Report, as described in paragraph 9 of the contract, shall specify the funds available. The Foundation shall transfer available funds to the Society upon request for reimbursement from the Secretary-Treasurer. Any funds not requested by the close of the second fiscal year following notification shall be retained in the fund.
4. In addition to the amounts available annually, the Foundation, upon passage of a suitable resolution by 2/3 vote of the Board of Governors of the Society, shall transfer to the Society any part of the Cave Preserve Fund needed for extraordinary expenses of the preserves. >>
5. The Foundation, upon passage of a suitable resolution by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Governors of the Society, shall transfer any part, or all, of the Cave Preserve Fund to another of the Individual Funds.
6. The Foundation may make loans to the Society from the Cave Preserve Fund on passage of a resolution requesting such a loan by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Governors of the Society. The granting of such a loan, its amount, rate of interest, and terms of repayment shall be at the discretion of the Foundation, except that the total amount of such loans from the Cave Preserve Fund during one calendar year shall not exceed 20% of the Cave Preserve Fund, and the total of all such loans outstanding at one time shall not exceed 50% of the Cave Preserve Fund, with the loaned funds considered part of the Fund.
7. This attachment has been approved by the Board of Governors of the Society on the -________________ and by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation on the _________________.
Barton seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
32. Appendix AR – NSS Travel Policy
Tozer moved: Appendix AR is approved as the official travel policy of the Society. Medville seconded.
Taylor moved to amend: In item #5 of "Who Should Receive Travel," insert the phrase "such as:" after the words "Board of Governors".
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
VOTE on the amended Travel Policy:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Note: Revised Appendix AR is Attachment F to these minutes.
33. Open Discussion
Barton moved: The Board will entertain a period of open discussion for fifteen minutes. Taylor seconded.
P. Moss moved to amend: Delete "fifteen minutes" and insert "twenty minutes."
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
President Hood declared the floor open for discussion for a period of twenty minutes beginning at 2:40 P.M.
The following topics were discussed in open session:
1. Ted Kayes encouraged all Board members to join the NSS monthly donation program, "Stash-your-Cash." Cheryl Kayes reported that 110 NSS members have signed up for the program during the convention.
2. Janet Thorne strongly urged the Board to actively plan for the future expansion of the administrative facilities of the Society. She recommended this include expansion of our current storage capacity and library space.
3. Dave Taylor cautioned all Board members to exercise caution when passing certain motions that affect public policy.
4. There was also a brief discussion of the Congress of Grottos and mechanisms that might be employed to improve it.
President Hood declared the open session closed at 3:00 P.M.
34. Resignation
Bill Halliday announced that due to personal health concerns he would resign from the Board at the end of this meeting.
Fee moved: Our sincere thanks to Dr. Bill Halliday for his dedicated service to the NSS and the Board of Governors. Stevens seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
35. Director’s Election
P. Moss moved: An election shall be held at this time to fill the vacancy on the Directorate created by Bill Halliday’s resignation. Bussey seconded.
Halliday moved to postpone the election to the October 2001 Board meeting.
Stevens seconded.
VOTE to postpone:
In favor: Halliday, Jagnow, Barton, Stevens, Engel, Paquette,
Olson, Medville, Hood
Opposed: Devine, Klimack, Bussey, Fee, Taylor, P.Moss, Tozer, G.
Moss
POSTPONED
36. Appreciation
Hood moved: The Board of Governors expresses its appreciation to the 2001 Convention Staff for hosting our meeting and providing excellent meeting arrangements.
Fee seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
37. Adjourn
Taylor moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
President Hood declared the meeting adjourned at 3:13 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Stevens
Recording Secretary