The 196th regular meeting of the NSS Board of Governors was held on Saturday, March 20, 2004, at the San Remo Conference Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Scott Fee at 8:27 A.M. Lee Stevens was present as Recording Secretary.
Roll Call and Announcement of Proxies
OFFICERS:
Scott Fee, President
Don Paquette, Executive Vice President
Colin Gatland, Operations Vice President
Paul Stevens, Secretary-Treasurer*
DIRECTORS:
Hazel Barton
Linda Devine
Bill Klimack
Bill Liebman
Douglas Medville
Martha Mills
Gary Moss
Dave Taylor
Bill Tozer
PROXIES:
Rick Bowersox for Tom Lera, Administrative Vice President
Dave Dougan for Philip Moss
Walter Meurer for Dave Taylor as noted.
Barbara Moss for David Jagnow
Tom Rea for Cheryl Jones
Ted Kayes for Paul Stevens
*Paul was present for the entire meeting. He requested that Ted Kayes proxy for him because of his inability to speak due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
1. Approval of the October 18, 2003, Board of Governors Meeting Minutes
The Board unanimously approved the minutes of the October 18, 2003, Board meeting.
2. Officer’s Report Updates:
A. President
Don reported that The Taming of the Slough has been sent to the printer.
C. Administrative Vice President
Colin reported that Fragile Underground and Bats Need Friends are being reprinted and should be available the last week of March.
Roswell Jones is digitizing all of the slide programs in the Audio-Visual Library.
Ted reported that the NSS currently owes slightly less than $100,000.00 on the Great X mortgage.
3. Committee Report Updates:
A. 2003 NSS National Convention (California)
Chairman Peri Frantz reported that the convention was very successful. The books should be closed in the next few months and they expect a convention surplus of approximately $12,000.
B. 2004 NSS National Convention (Michigan)
Chairman Jean DeVries noted that everything is on schedule for this summer.
C. 2005 NSS National Convention Bid (Huntsville Grotto – Alabama)
Chairman Jim Hall spoke with the Board via a conference call and responded to questions from the Board regarding the Alabama bid.
D. 2006 NSS National Convention Bid (Cascade Grotto – Washington)
Chairman Michael McCormack presented the bid for the 2006 NSS national convention.
E. 2007 NSS National Convention Bid (Central Indiana Grotto – Indiana)
Chairman Dave Haun and Co-chairmen Bob Vandeventer presented the bid for the 2007 NSS national convention.
NEW BUSINESS
4. Appointments
Fee moved: Motion 4a through 4d be combined and considered as a single motion. Furthermore, the complete reading of these motions is waived.
Rea seconded.
VOTE to consider 4a through 4d as a single motion:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Medville
PASSED
Fee moved the approval of the appointments in the combined motion:
Bowersox seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Fee moved: Patricia Seiser, NSS# 28650, Five Foxboro Dr, Vienna, WV, 26105-1939 Phone: 304-295-5174 (h) and 304-295-5174 (w), e-mail: pseiser@earthlink.net is confirmed as the NSS/NCKRI Liaison.
4b. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies Editor
Paquette moved: Malcolm Field, NSS26915RE, 17120 Hughes Rd, Poolesville, MD, 20837, Phone: 202-564-3279, e-mail field.malcolm@epamail.epa.gov is confirmed as the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies Editor.
4c. Membership Committee Chairman
Fee moved: Eric Weaver, NSS 39218, 4559 Buxton Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45242; Phone: 513-791-1523, e-mail: weaverem@uc.edu confirmed as the Membership Committee Chairman.
4d. NCRC South Central Region Coordinator
Lera moved: Tim Comer, NSS 45978RE, 837 FM 155 LaGrange, TX 78945; Phone: 979-247-3478, e-mail: tim@texasroperescue.com, is confirmed as NCRC South Central Region Coordinator for the remainder of the term ending at the summer 2005 meeting of the NCRC.
5. Recess
President Fee declared a recess at 11:05 A.M. for lunch and the closed meetings of the Board and the Directorate.
6. Reconvene
President Fee reconvened the meeting at 1:50 P.M. All officers, directors, and proxies were present.
Bill Tozer, Chairman of the Directorate, reported that Scott Fee had been re-elected NSS President.
President Fee reported that the 2004 NSS annual awards recipients had been selected. The awards will be presented at the annual convention, which will be held this year in Marquette, Michigan.
Fee moved: _________________ bid to host the fall 2004 Board of Governors meeting in _____________________, on _________________ is accepted.
NOTE: The Board first votes to select the bid. The blank in the motion is then filled with the chosen bid and the motion is put to a vote.
Bids to host the meeting were received from Birmingham Grotto, Birmingham, Alabama for October 23rd and Cleveland Grotto, Cleveland, Ohio for September 18th.
A. Barton moved: The Board accepts the bid from the Birmingham Grotto to host the fall 2004 Board of Governors meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.
Devine seconded.
VOTE to fill the blank in the motion with the Birmingham bid:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Taylor, Dugan, Liebman, G. Moss, B. Moss
PASSED
B. Due to the fact that the annual convention is in mid July this year, the Board requested a meeting date later in the fall than October 18th. By unanimous consent the date portion of the motion was deleted.
VOTE to approve the motion with the Birmingham Grotto bid:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: B.Moss
PASSED
The motion reads as follows:
Fee moved: The Birmingham Grotto bid to host the Fall 2004 Board of Governors meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, is accepted.
Jones moved: Board Act 43-378 is amended to read:
<Research Grants> <<Ralph W. Stone Graduate Fellowship in Cave and Karst Studies>>
Pursuant to the agreement with the National Speleological Foundation, an annual grant, known as the Ralph W. Stone <Research Grant> <<Graduate Fellowship in Cave and Karst Studies>>, consisting of an amount specified in the <<NSS Operating>> budget will be given to a graduate student preparing a thesis on a speleological subject. <Nominations> <<Applications>> for this <grant> <<Fellowship>> shall be solicited from the membership by the Research Advisory Committee. The recipient will be selected <<from the applicants>> by a <group> <<sub-committee>> of at least three <persons> <<NSS members>> appointed by the Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee with the concurrence of the Executive Vice-President. <Such persons shall be members of the NSS and known to> <<The members of this sub-committee shall>> be professionally active in speleological research but need not be regular members of the Research Advisory Committee. The name of the recipient will be selected by the Executive Vice-President upon the recommendation of the Research Advisory Committee and will be announced at the annual <<NSS>> convention. The Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee shall notify, in writing, the recipient of the <grant> <<Fellowship>> and <enclose> <<arrange for the recipient to receive>> a check for the designated amount of the <grant> <<Fellowship>>. The only obligations required of the recipient will be <that> <<to give>> credit <will be given> to the Society when the work is published and <<to donate two>> <a copy> <<copies>> of the publication <will be given> to the NSS Library. <<Priority will be given each year to applicants who previously have not received the Ralph W. Stone Fellowship. >>
Barton seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
11. Policy for Closed Sessions of the Board of Governors
P. Moss moved: A closed session policy (Policy AV) is adopted.
Policy for Closed Sessions of the Board of Governors
This policy is intended to inform the Board and the membership about appropriate topics for discussion and vote in closed session. Additionally, it provides guidance on reporting of decisions made in closed session.
There are five topics that may be discussed in closed session:
1. Personnel issues.
2. Actual or potential litigation involving caves, the NSS, or associated persons or organizations.
3. Awards given by the NSS.
4. Plans and negotiations for contracts, such as the acquisition of real or intellectual property.
5. Convention bids.
<The President shall record individual votes cast in closed session and shall include them in the first minutes published following the announcement of the outcome of the vote. Multiple rounds of voting shall take place as required to determine the outcome and a final confirmatory vote for record. Only the votes cast for record shall be recorded. >
A Board member may reveal his own thoughts on closed session business whose outcome is known to the membership. No Board member may reveal information about other Board member's comments made in closed session. No Board member may discuss business whose outcome is not known to the membership without prior authorization from the Board.
Taylor seconded.
A) Tozer moved: Delete the first paragraph after Item 5.
Liebman seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Rea, Kayes, Taylor, Dugan
Abstaining: Paquette
PASSED
VOTE on the motion as amended:
In favor: Taylor, Dugan, Mills
Opposed: Rest
FAILED
Taylor moved: Bylaw I.B. (14)(c) is repealed.
I.B. (14) General members are at least seventeen years of age. These members do not receive publications, except as stated; but otherwise have all the privileges of Regular members.
(a) General members receive copies of Society periodicals no more than once per year, and such special publications or issues of periodicals as the Board of Governors may direct.
(b) Dues for General membership shall be set no lower than the amount which added to the cost of a subscription to the monthly periodical of the Society equals the dues set for the Regular membership.
<(c) The Board of Governors may abolish General membership by Act. In that event persons holding this membership shall have the option to extend their current status for two additional years. >
Devine seconded.
VOTE to repeal Bylaw I.B. (14)(c):
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
P. Moss moved: Bylaw IX is adopted. Publications and subsequent Bylaws are renumbered.
IX. Budget:
No unbudgeted expenditure equal or greater than ten percent of
the Society's annual operating budget will be approved at the
same meeting of the BOG during which the expenditure is proposed.
This bylaw does not apply to the annual approval of NSS budgets.
Taylor seconded.
Taylor moved: The motion is referred back to P. Moss.
No second, the motion died.
VOTE on the motion:
In favor: Dugan, Taylor
Opposed: Rest
FAILED
12c. Bylaw IV.B. Amendment
P. Moss moved: Bylaw IV.B. is amended as follows:
No member may serve simultaneously as a director and as an officer of the Society. No officer of the National Society shall simultaneously serve as an officer of a grotto or regional association. Only eligible members of the Society may serve on the Board of Governors. <<A Director serving as President Pro Tem, who acts as President no more than ten days, will not forfeit his Directorship. He may not vote as Director while acting as President. If he acts as President for ten or more days, then his Directorship is vacated.>>
Taylor seconded.
Medville moved: The motion is referred to the Bylaws Committee for a report at the fall 2004 Board meeting.
Kayes seconded.
VOTE to refer:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Mills, G.Moss
Abstaining: Dugan, Taylor
REFERRED
13. American Caving Accidents Restricted Fund
Stevens moved: The American Caving Accidents Restricted Fund is established.
Paquette seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Paquette moved: The Executive Vice President will pursue <a joint publishing agreement with the NCKRI> <<a cooperative agreement to jointly publish the Journal with the NCKRI >> for approval at the summer 2004 Board meeting. The EVP will keep the NSS Board informed of the progress, and provide drafts for review by the Board and the NSS Legal Committee.
Medville seconded.
Barton moved to amend: Delete “a joint publishing agreement with the NCKRI” and insert “a cooperative agreement to jointly publish the Journal with the NCKRI.”
Accepted by unanimous consent.
VOTE on the amended motion:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
15. FY04/05 Operating and Capital budgets
Stevens moved: The FY04/05 Operating and Capital budgets are approved.
(See NSS Fiscal Web page)
Mills seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
*Dave Taylor left the meeting at this point. Walter Meurer served as his proxy.
Jones moved: Act 43-609, NSS Young Investigator Award Program, is amended to read:
NSS Young Investigator <Award> <<Grant>> Program
The Young Investigator <Award> <<Grant>> Program is established for the purpose of investing in the future of karst science by supporting and recognizing outstanding research proposals by young Society members. The program is funded by money approved in the yearly Research Advisory Committee operating budget. (See Appendix AL)
Bowersox seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
17. Young Investigator Award (Grant) Appendix
Jones moved: Appendix AL is amended to read:
Appendix AL (Refer to Act 43-609)
Guidelines for NSS Young Investigator <Awards> <<Grants>>
Background - The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the National Speleological Society, Inc. (NSS) has established a program of small grants to support cave-related research by young members. Many of the karst scientists and scholars who have made the most significant contributions started off as young cavers and developed such a passion for understanding the various phenomena they encountered that they established careers around this pursuit. Today's young and curious cavers/scientists are the people who will be leaders in the field over the next generation.
Purpose - The purpose of this <award> <<grant>> is to make an investment in the future of karst science by supporting and recognizing outstanding research proposals by young Society members. The program is funded by money approved in the yearly RAC operating budget.
<Award> <<Grant>> Name - The <award> <<grant>> is called the National Speleological Society Young Investigator <Award> <<Grant. >>
Eligibility - NSS members under 22 years of age on the due date of the proposals are considered for <awards> <<grants. >>
<Award> <<Grant>>Amounts - <Awards>
<<Grants>> are made in amounts of up to a
maximum of $250 per project, for a yearly total of up to $500,
based on an annual review of research proposals by a panel of
karst scientists in a manner similar to that of the NSS small
grant program.
(The rest of the Appendix remains unchanged.)
Liebman seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Stevens moved: Act 15-019 is amended as follows:
Individual committee chairmen may open bank accounts to conduct Society business only with the permission of the Executive Committee. The <President, > Secretary-Treasurer, <<or his designee>>, and the committee chairman will have signature authority on such accounts. The NSS federal ID number will be used on the account. Checks themselves may be imprinted any way the committee desires.
Rea seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Jones moved: The NSS Spring Hill Cave Restricted Fund is closed. The balance is transferred to the Landowner Assistance Restricted Fund.
Kayes seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Lera moved: The Memorandum of Understanding between Project Underground, Inc. and the National Speleological Society, Inc. is revised and approved as outlined in Attachment 1 to the agenda of this meeting.
G. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: B.Moss
PASSED
Stevens moved: Act 83-659 is amended as follows:
83-659 Electronic Copies of Publications
Electronic copies of all NSS publications (News, Journal, books, music, etc.) in <Quark, PageMaker, or word-processor are> <<pdf or mp3 format shall be>> sent to the NSS Office within two (2) months of publication on <3.5 disks, > <100 MB Zip disks, > <<Compact Disk (CD)>> <<and or DVD >> or another media available to the Office with external labels specifying the publication, <creating software, creating hardware, > <<format, date>> and the name of the committee chairman submitting the disk. On receipt the NSS Office staff shall insure that the files can be opened <at least in a notepad> and make a copy of the material. The original copy will be dated then stored in a fireproof location at the office and the copy sent to an off-site repository. These electronic files will be read and recopied at least every three years and whenever the Office computers are replaced.
Klimack seconded.
A) Paquette moved to amend: Insert "and/or DVD" after "CD."
Accepted by unanimous consent.
B) Rea moved to amend: Delete "100 MB Zip discs."
Accepted by unanimous consent.
VOTE on the motion as amended:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Lera moved: The Potter Brothers Unit Management Agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the NSS (AVP Report Attachment C-1) and The Potter Brothers Unit Management Plan (AVP Report Attachment C-2) is approved.
Liebman seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Lera moved: The Geocaching Committee is established in the Department of the Administrative Vice President, Conservation Division. The purpose of the committee is to address the potential and recurring situation of placing geocaches in sensitive and potentially dangerous caves in addition to preventing cave locations being posted on the internet.
Hazel Barton, NSS38664, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, SC 344, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099, e-mail: hazel@cavescience.com is appointed chairman.
B.Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Barton
PASSED
24. On-Line Library Committee
Gatland moved: The On-Line Library Committee is established in the Operations Vice President’s Department to make the NSS Library more accessible and valuable to the NSS members by providing members internet access to:
1. A digital catalog of all books, periodicals, and other items in the library with an on-line search engine that allows Internet users to search the resulting data base for key words in the publication's author, title, subject, publisher, date of publication/copyright fields to determine what publications may have the information sought and whether those publications are in our library.
2. A searchable index of topics covered in each issue of the NSS News, NSS Bulletin, Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, and Speleo Digest.
3. A digital (PDF, Adobe e-books, etc.) collection of publications for which the NSS has copyright permission (Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, NSS News, Speleogenesis, Cave Minerals, On Call, On Rope, On Station, Caving Basics, etc.) which members can download for a specified period of time and other cave-related material which the NSS has permission to distribute electronically.
Paul Stevens, 44082 Natalie Terrace, Unit 101, Ashburn, VA 20147, paulstevens@adelphia.net, Phone: 703-724-7642 is appointed chairman.
Kayes seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Stevens moved: Acts 26-301, 26-302, 26-402, 26-487, 26-505, 26-511, 26-697, 26-709, 26-729, 26-736, 26-740, 26-745, 18-713, and Appendix F, are amended to substitute "Nature Preserve " for "Cave Preserve" and "Caverns Preserve." Act 26-577 is amended to substitute "Nature Preserves" for "Cave Preserves." The NSS requests the NSF amends Appendix G of the NSS Trust Funds contract to substitute "Nature Preserve " for "Cave Preserve."
Rea seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
26. 2005 NSS National Convention
Lera moved: The 2005 NSS National Convention bid by Huntsville Grotto to host a convention in Huntsville, Alabama is accepted. Jim Hall is appointed Convention Chairman. Act 56-624 is suspended. Mills seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: B.Moss
PASSED
*Note: Dave Taylor returned to the meeting.
27. NSS Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee
Lera moved: Act 26-578, NSS Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee, is amended:
The NSS <Cave and Karst > <<Real Property>> Acquisition Committee is established in the Department of the Administrative Vice President. This committee shall develop criteria for determining if a cave or karst land is suitable for ownership by the NSS <<or deserving of NSS support for acquisition by >> an NSS internal organization or <an>other responsible cave-interested group. <The committee shall also determine whether cave acquisition assistance from the NSS to other qualified persons or groups interested in obtaining cave or karst lands is needed for those properties meeting the suitability criteria. > Cave acquisition is defined as acquiring control of a cave or karst land by purchase, lease, easement, donation, or other contractual means. This committee shall study and make recommendations to the Board on proposals to acquire or manage new cave or karst properties and shall encourage Conservancies and other cave-interested groups to actively seek to identify caves suitable for acquisition. <<The committee shall also review all real property considered for purchase by or donation to the NSS. The committee will make a recommendation to the AVP regarding the suitability of the property for NSS ownership. These properties will include those donated and intended for liquidation by the NSS. >> < The proceeds of the sale of donated real property shall be dedicated to the Cave Acquisition Fund, unless the donor has specified another purpose.>
Gatland seconded.
Klimack moved: Delete the last sentence.
Kayes seconded.
VOTE on the motion to amend:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Taylor, Barton, Medville, Dugan
PASSED
VOTE on the amended motion:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Fee moved: The NSS authorizes the International Secretary or his designee to present a bid to the International Union of Speleology (UIS) to hold the 2009 International Congress of Speleology at the University of Texas, San Antonio campus, in San Antonio, Texas.
Kayes seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Gatland moved: Act 76-283 is amended as follows:
<<NSS>> Museum <<of Speleology>> <Established>
A permanent committee is established in the Operations Vice President's department to be known as the NSS Museum of Speleology. <<It is responsible for collecting, cataloguing, and photo documenting the NSS Museum collection. In addition, the committee will oversee the creation and maintenance of a virtual museum to be maintained on the NSS Web Page as well as pursuing a vision for future housing and permanent display of the collection. The committee will endeavor to establish a secure display of a portion of the museum at each NSS national convention.>>
Kayes seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Tozer moved: The "Grants from the NSS" Section of Appendix L is amended as follows:
Remove: <When an organization requests a grant from the NSS for cave or karst acquisition, it is reasonable for the NSS to want to ensure perpetual protection for the acquisition. A conservation easement is typically worth about 30-80% of the value of the land outright. Typically, the NSS is not granting that proportion of funding. Also, one of the reasons the NSS prefers to support others' acquisitions is prevent the NSS being a party to potentially divisive land management decisions. A conservation easement could obligate the NSS to conflict with the property owners, if the Board did not think that the land was being managed in a sufficiently conservative manner.
Instead of a conservation easement, the NSS shall request the right of first refusal in the event that the owner wishes to sell or dissolves. This right shall be conveyed to the NSS by means of an Option Deed. Suggested language (which should be checked for conformance with local law) is: In consideration of this donation, Donee agrees that the National Speleological Society, Inc. shall have a first right of refusal in the event of Donee's sale or donation of this property, or Donee's dissolution; and in the case of a sale the Society shall be credited with the unadjusted value of this donation against the purchase price. The sale price shall be no more than fair market value as determined by a qualified appraiser. >
Replace with: <<When an organization requests a grant from the NSS for cave or karst acquisition, it is reasonable for the NSS to want assurance that the grant money is used for the intended purpose. As such, upon approval of the grant by the NSS Board of Governors, the NSS and the grantee will enter into a written agreement such that at the NSS's discretion, the grantee will repay the full grant amount if 1) within one year, the grantee fails to take legal ownership of cave/property; or 2) within ten years, the grantee sells, transfers, otherwise fails to manage the property in good faith as outlined in the Management Plan in effect at the time of the agreement execution.>>
Rea seconded.
Vote:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Taylor, Dugan
PASSED
NEW BUSINESS
31A. Economic Analysis of Dues vs. Cost Per Member
Medville moved: The Secretary/Treasurer’s department will conduct an economic analysis of the impact that various classes of membership have on costs and revenues of the NSS. The analysis should take into consideration the contribution to fixed costs of each class. The results of the analysis will be reported to the Board of Governors at the fall 2004 meeting.
Kayes seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
32B. Cumberland Caverns Copyright
Paquette moved: The copyright for Cumberland Caverns is returned to Larry Matthews, who originally donated it to the Society, so that he can reprint this publication. The NSS has no intention of reprinting this book in the future.
Devine seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Fee moved: An open discussion is held for a period of time not to exceed 45 minutes.
Devine seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Mills
PASSED
President Fee declared the floor open at 4:20 P.M.
The following topics were discussed:
1. Geary Schindel announced that the Texas Speleological Association and the Bexar Grotto of San Antonio, Texas, will bid to hold the spring 2005 Board meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
2. Bill Liebman said he had reviewed the structural integrity report on the NSS office. After inspecting the building personally, he reported that the building is in good shape considering its age and only noted a few minor items in need of repair.
3. The Texas Speleological Association has asked permission to reproduce the Bill Culverwell drawing that is currently hanging in the NSS office. In the past, this drawing was reproduced by the Society as a poster and internegatives may exist from that printing. Efforts will be made to locate those internegatives, rather than unmount the print that has been achivally framed.
4. Roswell Jones announced that he has copies of the NSS A/V Library slide shows that he is transferring to CD if anyone would like to review them.
5. Hazel Medville reported that Jim Olsen has volunteered to continue to work on the hardware/software for the new NSS voting machine.
6. Ray Beach asked if any progress had been made obtaining a fire suppression system for the NSS Library. OVP Gatland responded that now that a structural evaluation of the NSS office building has been made that progress on this project could begin.
7. Peri Frantz urged the creation of NSS convention registration software that can be customized to the requirements of each national convention and would interface with the NSS chart of accounts.
8. Don Paquette proposed that a potential strategy to increase membership might be printing extra copies of the NSS NEWS and offering them for sale where the public could see them, i.e. show caves.
9. Rick Bowersox advocated distributing caving and caving safety information to outdoor equipment vendors in hopes of fostering cave education and safety.
10. On Dave Jagnow’s behalf, Barbara Moss thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve the NSS. (Dave’s term as a Director expires in July 2004).
11. Lee Stevens asked whether or not Cave Minerals of the World II is being sold in the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History bookstore.
34. Appreciation
Fee moved: The Board of Governors expresses its appreciation to the Southern Nevada Grotto for hosting our meeting and providing excellent meeting arrangements.
Klimack seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
35. Adjournment
Taylor moved: The meeting is adjourned.
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
President Fee declared the meeting adjourned at 5:07 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Stevens
Recording Secretary
Memorandum of Understanding between
Project Underground, Inc.
and The National Speleological Society
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is made and entered into by and between the National Speleological Society, Inc., hereafter referred to as the Society, and Project Underground, Inc., hereafter referred to as Project Underground.
Purpose
The purpose of this MOU is to provide a framework between the Society and Project Underground for mutual support and cooperative activities. Included within this MOU is
1) the advancement of the knowledge and appreciation by educators and young people of caves and karst, and the value of protecting and managing these resources; and
2) the initiation, promotion, and facilitation of the incorporation of cave and karst resource education within the national science curricula.
Statement of Mutual Interest and Understanding
Project Underground is a national non-profit organization providing interdisciplinary instructional programs through train-the-trainer and in-service workshop models. The environmental education programs are designed for use by K-12 classroom teachers, staff of show caves, parks, museums, and nature centers, or adults working with youth groups. Participants in Project Underground activities gain an understanding of the value of cave and karst resources and ecosystems and the impact of human activities to them.
The National Speleological Society is a volunteer organization of cavers and speleologists dedicated to the study and science of speleology and the protection of caves and their natural contents. The Society understands that education is fundamental to the long-term protection of caves and their contents.
It is the desire of both organizations to cooperate fully in matters relating to the creation, distribution, and effective use of educational materials developed to assist in educating others about caves and karst.
In consideration of the above premises, the parties agree as follows:
The Society and Project Underground shall support each other’s educational programs and initiatives and provide access to expertise and educational program information when it is requested by the other organization. This shall include, but is not limited to, permission to reprint copyrighted materials; distribution of each other’s materials at events and workshops; offering opportunities to participate in events and programs; and providing resources and contacts to support educational projects.
The Society and Project Underground shall each be recognized as a contributor in all printed, digital, audio-visual, and electronic materials associated with collaborative educational initiatives, programs, or projects.
Liaisons
The Society shall designate the Society’s Environmental Education Committee Chair to select a member of its committee to maintain a liaison with Project Underground. This person shall establish an effective working relationship with Project Underground, inform the Project Underground Board of Directors of upcoming Society business meetings, minutes, and opportunities, and be the conduit for Project Underground to the Society’s infrastructure. The Society shall also designate no less than three of its members to serve as directors of the Project Underground Board. These members are to be appointed and confirmed annually at the Society’s Board of Governors’ summer meeting.
Project Underground shall designate a representative of its Board of Directors to maintain a liaison with the Society, through the Society’s Education Division.
Modification and Termination
Effective date
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this MOU as of the last written date below.
National Speleological Society, Inc.
Approved (date)
/s/____________________________
Scott Fee, President
Project Underground, Inc.
Approved (date)
/s/_______________________________
Barbara L. Moss, Chairman
Attachment Two:
26-301 Shelta Cave 6-27-75
Shelta Cave is designated a Cave Preserve of the National
Speleological Society.
26-302 McFails Cave 6-27-75
McFails Cave is designated a Cave Preserve of the National
Speleological Society.
26-402 Trout Rock Property 7-1-83, 3-12-83
The NSS Trout Rock property shall be designated the "John
Guilday Cave Preserve".
26-487 Warren Cave Preserve 3-16-96, 3-9-91
The Warren Cave Preserve Committee in the Department of the
Administrative Vice-President shall manage the NSS's Warren Cave
Preserve, Alachua County, Florida.
26-505 Mill Creek Sink Property Donation 10-18-03, 3-16-96, 11-7-92
The NSS Mill Creek Sink Cave Preserve, Alachua County,
Florida, shall be managed by the Cave Diving Section of the NSS,
reporting to the Administrative Vice-President through the Cave
Ownership and Management Committee.
26-511 Schoharie Caverns Preserve Committee 4-17-93
The Schoharie Caverns Preserve Committee shall consist of the
Chairman, one representative eleceted or appointed from each
grotto in the Northeastern Regional Organization (NRO) and a NSS
member representative elected or appointed from any of the
Canadian caving groups that the committee may deem appropriate.
The committee will function in accordance with the Schoharie
Caverns Preserve Management Plan (See Appendix F). This Committee
reports to the Cave Ownership and Management Committee.
26-577 NSS Cave Preserves Committee 11-2-96
The NSS Cave Preserves Committee is established in the
department of the Administrative Vice President. This committee
shall manage all caves and karst lands owned by the NSS. All cave
management committees established to manage NSS-owned and managed
cave and karst properties and NSS Cave
Preserves shall report to this committee. Caves owned, leased, or
otherwise controlled by the NSS may be designated Cave Preserves
of the NSS by the Administrative Vice President.
All Society cave properties shall be managed in such a way as
to minimize the Society's liability in case of accident.
Specifically, all caves shall be managed in such ways as to
qualify under state or local landowner
liability exemption laws; to legally define unauthorized visitors
as trespassers under local law; and to inform authorized visitors
of the hazardous nature of the cave by requiring them to sign a
liability release.
26-697 Tytoona Cave Preserve Management Committee 4-7-01
The Tytoona Cave Preserve Management Committee is established
in the department of the Administrative Vice President. This
committee is responsible for enforcing both the NSS and Tytoona
Cave Preserve access guidelines per Appendix F (Management Plan
for Tytoona Cave Preserve).
26-709 Warren Cave Preserve Land Survey 10-20-01
Up to $1,000 is allocated from the current year's income from
the Cave Preserve Fund to resurvey the Warren Cave Preserve and
place monuments as needed.
26-729 Wells Cave Preserve 10-5-02
The Wells Cave Management Plan is approved and the NS
Administrative Vice President is authorized to accept the
property as an NSS Preserve.
26-736 Great Expectations Cave Preserve Management Committee 3-15-03
The Great Expectations Cave Preserve Management Committee is
established in the Department of the Administrative Vice
President. The committee is responsible for effectively managing
the preserve according to the Great Expectations Cave Management
Plan.
26-740 Potter Cave Preserve 3-15-03
The Administrative Vice President is authorized to accept the
Potter Unit donation as an NSS Cave Preserve following his
approval of the donation documents. The proposed cave preserve is
located in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Mr. Dennis Potter will be
made a Life Member of the NSS.
26-745 Mill Creek Sink Cave Preserve Management Plan 10-18-03
The September 2003 Mill Creek Sink Cave Preserve Management
Plan is adopted.
18-713 Cave Preserve Fund 3-23-02
The purpose of the Cave Preserve Fund is to serve as a source of 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. The Fund was established by donations and transfers of unrestricted funds and is being managed as if it consists of all donations. Each fiscal year an amount up to 5.5% of the total fund value is used for this purpose. In addition to the amounts available annually, the NSS by 2/3 vote of the Board of Governors of the Society, may transfer to the Society any part of the Cave Preserve Fund needed for extraordinary expenses of the preserves.
Attachments to the March 20, 2004, NSS Board of Governors Meeting
B Executive Vice President’s Report
B-1 Summary of Proposed Cooperative Agreement with NCKRI
B-2 Book Promotions for Taming of the Slough
C Administrative Vice President’s Report
C-1 Management Agreement – NSS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service For the Potter Brothers Unit
C-2 Potter Brothers Unit Management Plan
C-3 NSS Cave Preserves Detailed Reports
C-4 Memorandum of Understanding Between the NSS and Project Underground, Inc.
C-5 NSS/Hamilton Transfer Documents
D Operations Vice President’s Report
E Secretary-Treasurer’s Report
F 2006 National NSS Convention Bid – Bellingham, Washington
G 2007 National NSS Convention Bid – Marengo, Indiana
05-17-04