NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
175th Regular Meeting
Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall
Fifth Avenue
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
March 22, 1997
1. Roll Call, Announcement of Proxies, and Introductions
OFFICERS:
David E. Luckins, President
Fred L. Wefer, Executive Vice President
John M. Wilson, Administrative Vice President
G. Thomas Rea, Operations Vice President
Paul J. Stevens, Secretary-Treasurer
DIRECTORS:
Bob Addis
Dave Belski
Bill Bussey
Linda Devine
Maureen Handler
Louise Hose
Ray Keeler
Bob Liebman
William Mixon
Ed Sira
Tom Strong
PROXIES:
Shirley Sotona for Nancy Holler Aulenbach
President Luckins introduced Barbara Ritts who welcomed everyone on behalf of Pittsburgh Grotto and announced the schedule of events for the day. She also expressed thanks to all the grotto members for their help in planning the meeting.
2. Approval of Minutes
Corrections to the minutes of November 2, 1996 are as follows:
Item 6, Fall Board of Governors meeting: Levinson voted "Opposed" to the motion changing the meeting date from October 4, 1997 to November 8, 1997, and to the motion approving November 8, 1997 as the official meeting date.
No further corrections were made. President Luckins declared the minutes of the November 2, 1996 Board of Governors meeting approved as corrected.
3. Officer's Reports
A. President's Report - David Luckins - Attachment A
Additions to the President's report are as follows:
1. Bob Liebman noted that the NSS had received a $1,000.00 donation from the Ashland Oil Company. Steve Duncan, a member of the Carter Underground Speleological Society (an NSS grotto) and an employee of Ashland, nominated his grotto's conservation project for one of Ashland's community service awards. CUSS had donated manpower and materials to gate a sensitive cave in Carter Caves State Park, Kentucky. Ashland selected CUSS for an award, however a condition of the award requires the recipient to donate the monetary part of the award to a non-profit organization of their choice. CUSS decided to donate the money to the NSS and requested that it be used for cave conservation and management purposes. President Luckins expressed the Society's appreciation for the donation.
2. President Luckins announced that the NSS had received a $1,500.00 donation from the Greater Cincinnati Grotto which they request be used for cave ownership and management. President Luckins expressed the Society's appreciation for the donation.
3. Bob Addis reported that the new NSS attorney, Carl Dworkin, will be taking a more active approach to resolving the lawsuit regarding the Barton Hill Karst Preserve.
4. Ray Keeler reported that the U.S. Forest Service is attempting to initiate a pilot project in the Guadalupe National Forest that would charge fees for recreational activities on national forest land. Fees would be charged for numerous activities including caving. Hunting, fishing, backpacking, and camping would be exempt. Ray said that the SW Region was actively opposing these fees and that opposition to this plan is needed on a national level.
B. Executive Vice President's Report - Fred Wefer - Attachment B
C. Administrative Vice President's Report - John Wilson - Attachment C
Additions to the Administrative Vice President's report are as follows:
1. AVP Wilson reported that response to the NSS NEWS advertisements seeking chairmen for the Contemporary Cave Use Study Committee and the Cave Conservancies has been underwhelming. Doug Medville has offered to create a new ad that may generate a better response.
2. AVP Wilson proposed that the NSS study the concept of becoming part of the Land Trust Alliance. He recommended that the NSS become a member of the Alliance for one year and that during that time a study be conducted that would produce a report on the advisability of NSS cave properties becoming land trusts. A fact sheet about this organization was distributed. (Attachment C-3)
3. Progress on the proposed purchase of Tytoona Cave, Pennsylvania, is on hold. The lawyer for the seller has notified the NSS of new conditions for the sale therefore the Board cannot vote on whether or not to purchase the cave at this meeting.
4. AVP Wilson received a request from the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy for money and support to help prevent the destruction of the caves on the ridge. The caves are being threatened by rock quarrying activities. He recommended that no funds be given at this time since the NSS had not had time to study the proposal. He suggested the Conservancy request the funds at a later time.
5. AVP Wilson asked Carol Tiderman, Chairman of the NSS Conventions Division, to suggest methods that conventions could use to make session scheduling and registration more uniform.
6. Janet Thorne, Chairman of the Government Affairs Division of the NSS Conservation Committee, announced that the U.S. Forest Service has formally created the position of Forest Service National Cave Specialist. Mr. Jerry Trout, of Hereford, Arizona, has been appointed to the position.
D. Operations Vice President's Report - Tom Rea - Attachment D
Additions to the Operations Vice President's report are as follows:
E. SecretaryTreasurer's Report - Paul Stevens - Attachment E
Additions to the Secretary-Treasurer's report are as follows:
1. A copy of the Report ending January 31, 1997 is Attachment E-1 to these minutes.
4. Other Reports
F. 1996 NSS Convention - John Wilson
A copy of the 1996 Final Convention report is Attachment F to these minutes.
G. 1997 NSS Convention - John Wilson
AVP Wilson reported that all is going well with the 1997 convention plans.
H. 1998 Convention Report
AVP Wilson reported that all is going well with the 1998 convention plans.
President Luckins declared a short recess at 10:21 a.m.
The meeting was reconvened by President Luckins at 10:27 a.m.
General Orders (Unfinished Business)
5. Barton Hill Karst Preserve Expenses
Luckins Moved: The results of the mail ballot revising the 1996-97 Operating Budget to reflect an additional $2000 for Barton Hill Karst Preserve legal expenses are confirmed. Addis seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: None
Absent: Handler, Hose PASSED
6. Cave and Karst Acquisitions Committee Chairman
Luckins Moved: Doug Medville of Reston, Virginia, is appointed Chairman of the Cave and Karst Acquisitions Committee. Sira seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Belski PASSED
6a. NSS/NSF Trust Fund Contracts
Motions #7 through #20 were addressed as follows:
Minor words changes, agreed to by the NSS and the NSF, were made prior to the motions being read onto the floor.
President Luckins then asked if there were any objections to reading motions #7 through #20 onto the floor. No objections were made. Wilson seconded motions #7 through #20.
President Luckins asked if there were any objections to considering points of information regarding motions #7 through #20. No objections were made.
Hose moved that motions #7 through #20 be considered as a whole. Bussey seconded.
VOTE to consider the motions #7 through #20 as a whole:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
VOTE on the motions #7 through #20:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
7. NSS Trust Funds Contract with the National Speleological Foundation
Stevens Moved: Paragraph 3 of the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
3. The term income, as used in this contract, means all investment-generated money 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 unless other disposition is requested by a two-thirds vote of the Society's Board of Governors. The term net income, as used in this contract, is income less expenses chargeable to the NSS Trust Funds (excluding commissions and similar investment expenses, which shall be deducted from the principal).
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
8. NSS Trust Funds Contract with the National Speleological Foundation
Stevens Moved: Paragraph 5 of the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
5. The Foundation may charge 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 principle 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 principle amount.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
9. NSS Trust Funds Contract with the National Speleological Foundation
Stevens Moved: Paragraph 9 of the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
9. Each year within forty-five days after the end of the
Foundation's fiscal year and quarterly
thereafter, the Foundation shall report to the President
Secretary-Treasurer of the Society:
on the status of and changes in the
NSS Trust Funds and each Individual Fund. a) the current net worth of each of the
Individual Funds in the NSS Trust Funds, b) non-investment income
added to each of the Individual Funds since the prior report, c)
the income, net income, and capital gains distributions earned by
each of the Individual Funds since the prior report, d)
commissions and expenses charged to each of the NSS Trust Funds
since the prior report, and e) the portfolio detail for each
Individual Fund. The timing of such reports may be adjusted by
mutual consent of the treasurers of
both organizations. In addition, the Foundation shall
immediately notify the Society
President Secretary-Treasurer
of the Society of any occurrence which significantly
affects the NSS Trust Funds or the Foundation.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
10. NSS Trust Funds Contract with the National Speleological Foundation
Stevens Moved: Where appropriate the term A2/3 favorable vote@ is replaced by Atwo-thirds vote@ and the term Aprinciple@ is replaced by Aprincipal@ throughout the NSS Trust Funds Contract and its attachments.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
11. NSS Life Membership Trust Fund
Stevens Moved: Attachment A (Life Membership Fund) to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
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 know
as the Life Membership Fund. Before
the approval of this Attachment, this fund was known as the
Endowment Fund.
3. Annually, the Foundation shall return to the Society all net income from the
Life Membership Fund up
an amount equal to 100% of
the current regular membership rate for each living life member, and shall notify the Society President of
any net income exceeding that amount. Such excess net income
shall be invested in the Life Membership Fund unless other
disposition is requested by passage of a suitable resolution by a
majority vote of the Board of Governors of the Society before the
end of their second meeting following such notification.
not to exceed 5.5% of the Fund's total value. Investment returns
in excess of the above will normally be reinvested, 1) to seek
growth to cover future dues increases, and 2) to cover periods of
lower investment returns during market downturns. Any disposition
of monies from this Fund other than those described above, must
be approved as per paragraph 4 of this Attachment.
4. Upon passage of a suitable resolution by a 2/3 favorable two-thirds vote of the Board of
Governors of the Society the Foundation shall transfer to another
of the Individual Funds any part of the Life Membership Fund in
excess of an amount necessary to fund the membership payments
specified in paragraph 3 of this attachment plus additional funds
reasonably sufficient to provide for foreseeable future increases
in membership payments due to increased Society dues. The
Foundation shall annually notify the Society President Secretary-Treasurer of its estimate
of the amount of such excess funding available and describe the basis for their estimate.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
12. NSS Headquarters Trust Fund
Stevens Moved: Paragraph 3 of Attachment B (Headquarters Fund) to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
3. The Foundation will reinvest the net income and capital gains distributions from the Headquarters Fund in the Fund.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
13. NSS Ralph W. Stone Research Trust Fund
Stevens Moved: Attachment C (Ralph W. Stone Research Fund) to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
3. The Foundation's annual report, as described in Paragraph 9
of the contract, shall specify the amount of net income, or 5.5% of the total Fund value, whichever is
greater, (hereafter called the Aavailable
Amount) from the Ralph W. Stone Research Fund. Such net income available amount shall be held
available for use by the Society for one year following such
notification. Upon the award of a research grant or award by the
Society, the Society Secretary-Treasurer shall request
reimbursement from the Foundation Treasurer. The Foundation shall
reimburse these requests. from
the net income defined above to the extent of the request or the
net income, which ever is less up to the available amount.
Upon the expiration of the one year specified above, any portion
of the available amount over that requested by the Society shall
be reinvested in the Fund.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
14. NSS Mitchell, Bicking & Hauer Trust Funds
Stevens Moved: Attachment D (James G. Mitchell Trust Fund) to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
2. The purpose of the James G. Mitchell Fund is to provide
income to the Society to be used as a cash award known as the
James G. Mitchell Award. The James G. Mitchell Award was
established in 1965 to be given for the best scientific paper
presented at any of the sessions of the annual convention by a
member (or members) of the Society 25 years old or younger who
has applied or been recommended for the award. Such award shall
not be more than the net income, or 5.5%
of the total Fund value, whichever is greater, (hereafter called
the Aavailable amount@) of
the Fund for the year.
3. The Foundation's annual report, as described in Paragraph 9
of the Contract, shall specify the amount
of net income available amount for the
James G. Mitchell Award. After the award has been presented, the
Foundation shall remit
reimburse this amount to the Treasurer of the Society
request up to the available
amount. Any excess shall be reinvested in the Fund.@
Attachment E (Lew Bicking Trust Fund) shall be changed as follows:
The total of such award shall not be more than the net income, or 5.5% of the total Fund value, whichever
is greater, (hereafter called the Aavailable amount@) of
the Fund for the year.
After the award has been presented, the Foundation shall remit reimburse this amount to the Treasurer of the Society
request up to the available
amount. Any excess shall be reinvested in the Fund.
and the (Peter M. Hauer Trust Fund) shall be changed 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 Aavailable amount@) of
the Fund for the year.
After the award has been presented, the Foundation shall remit reimburse this amount to the Treasurer of the Society request up to the available amount.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
15. NSS Cave Preserve Trust Fund
Stevens Moved: Attachment G (Cave Preserve Trust Fund) to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
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. This expense 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.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
16. NSS Vandalism Deterrence Reward Trust Fund
Stevens Moved: Paragraph 3 of Attachment H (Vandalism Deterrence Reward Fund) follows:
2. The purpose of the Vandalism Deterrence Reward Fund is to
pay any rewards which may be required to be paid as a result of
the Society's standing offer of a $500
reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of
persons guilty of violating cave protection laws. The conditions
under which these rewards will be paid are described in the
Society's Cave Vandalism Reward Policy (Appendix W to the Acts of
the Board of Governors of the Society) which
is made part of this agreement by reference
and its successors.
3. The principle of the Vandalism Deterrence Reward Fund is intended to be used to pay said rewards and the administration costs of the program. The Foundation will reinvest the net income and capital gains distributions from the Vandalism Deterrence Reward Fund in the Fund.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
17. NSS International Trust Fund
Stevens Moved: Attachment I (International Fund) to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
3. The net income and capital gains distributions from the International Fund shall be reinvested in the Fund unless transfer to the Society is requested by passage of a suitable resolution by a majority vote of the Board of Governors of the Society before the end of its second meeting after the Foundation's annual report.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
18. NSS Merle and Bill Stephenson 50th Anniversary Trust Fund
Stevens Moved: Attachment L (Merle and Bill Stephenson 50th Anniversary Fund) to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
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 Merle and Bill Stephenson 50th Anniversary Fund. Donations were solicited only until December 31, 1986.
3. Donations to the Merle and
Bill Stephenson 50th Anniversary Fund will be accepted only until
December 31, 1986.
-4
3. The principle principal of the Merle and Bill
Stephenson 50th Anniversary Fund will be invested to maximize its
return until 2035. All net
income and capital gains distributions
will be invested in the Fund until that date.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
19. NSS Holding Fund
Stevens Moved: Attachment M (Holding Fund) to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds is amended as follows:
2. The Foundation shall reinvest the net income and capital gains distributions from the Holding Fund in the Holding Fund.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
20. NSS Endowment Fund
Stevens Moved: The NSS approves the following attachment to the contract between the NSF and the NSS pertaining to NSS Trust Funds:
NSS Endowment 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 NSS Endowment Fund.
2) The purpose of the Endowment Fund is to generate income and capital gains for approved projects and needs of the Society as determined by the Board of Governors.
3) The Society and others may periodically provide funds for the Endowment Fund.
4) The Foundation shall invest funds in the Endowment Fund until December 2006 so as to emphasize growth of the capital investment. Thereafter the Foundation shall invest so as to emphasize either growth, or income, or both in accordance with written notice from the Society. Unless otherwise directed by the Society the Foundation shall reinvest the net income and capital gains distributions from the Endowment Fund in the Endowment Fund.
5) By a majority vote the Society's Board of Governors may require the return of any or all of the net income and capital gains earned by the NSS Endowment Fund during the preceding fiscal year.
6) By a two-thirds vote the Society's Board of Governors may require the return of any or all of the NSS Endowment Fund.
7) The Foundation may make loans to the Society from the Endowment Fund on passage of a resolution by the Society's Board of Governors requesting such a loan. The granting of such 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 Endowment Fund during one calendar year shall not exceed 20% of the Endowment Fund, and the total of all such loans outstanding at one time shall not exceed 50% of the Endowment Fund, with the loaned funds considered part of the Fund.
8) The Foundation shall report the Endowment Fund principal, incremental and accumulated net income, and capital gains in its reports to the Society.
9) This attachment was approved by the Board of Governors of the Society on March 22, 1997 and by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation on _____.
VOTE: See Item 6a PASSED
21. Criteria for NSS Cave Ownership
Wilson Moved: The Cave Acquisition Policy Criteria
for NSS Cave Ownership identified in Attachment C-1 is
adopted. Addis seconded.
By unanimous consent, the title "Cave Acquisition Policy" was deleted and replaced with "Criteria for NSS Cave Ownership."
Hose moved to refer Attachment C-1 to the Administrative Vice President with direction to combine it with the present Appendix L of the Board of Governors Manual, Guidelines for the Acquisition of Cave Properties by the NSS, and report at the summer 1997 Board meeting.
Belski seconded.
VOTE to refer:
In favor: Addis, Hose, Keeler, Wefer
Opposed: Rest FAILED
VOTE on the main motion:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Belski PASSED
22. NSS Policy for Cave Conservation and Guidelines for Salons and Publications
Wilson Moved: Attachment C-2 and Appendix H are referred to the Congress of Grottos, and the Conservation and Management Section, for evaluation and recommendations.
Liebman seconded.
By unanimous consent, the motion was amended adding "and the Conservation and Management Section,".
Hose moved to amend, deleting "Congress of Grottos." Strong seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Hose, Mixon, Keeler, Belski, Strong
Opposed: Rest FAILED
VOTE on the motion to refer:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Hose, Mixon, Belski, Strong REFERRED
23. Internal Organizations Policy
Mixon Moved: The Internal Organizations Committee is instructed to interpret strictly the requirement in Bylaw VII. E that the common interest of members of a Section be related to speleology. Keeler seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Rea, Bussey, Sotona
Abstaining: Handler PASSED
New Business
24. Affinity Groups
Wilson Moved: The Internal Organizations Committee shall maintain a list of Affinity Groups, groups of at least ten NSS members that will further the NSS goal of fellowship among those interested in caves but, unlike Sections, with common interests of their members not directly related to speleology. Affinity Groups are not Internal Organizations and do not have the privileges and obligations of Internal Organizations, but they shall be listed in the Members Manual. The purposes of an affinity group shall be compatible with the purposes and policies of the NSS. The Internal Organizations Committee shall review applications for Affinity Group status.
A. Keeler moved to amend, striking ", but they shall be listed in the Members Manual."
Belski seconded.
B. Belski moved to substitute for the motion to amend, "and they shall not be listed in the Members Manual." Strong seconded.
VOTE on Belski's motion to substitute:
In favor: Mixon, Keeler, Rea, Belski, Strong
Opposed: Rest
Abstaining: Liebman FAILED
C. Devine moved to substitute for the motion to amend, "and they may be listed in the Members Manual." Bussey seconded.
VOTE on Devine's motion to substitute:
In favor: Bussey, Devine, Stevens, Wilson
Opposed: Rest
Abstaining: Wefer FAILED
VOTE on Keeler's motion to amend:
In favor: Keeler, Wilson, Stevens, Strong, Belski
Opposed: Rest
Abstaining: Wefer FAILED
D. Wilson moved to amend, adding two sentences: "The purposes of an affinity group shall be compatible with the purposes and policies of the NSS. The Internal Organizations Committee shall review applications for Affinity Group status." Bussey seconded.
VOTE on Wilson's motion to amend:
In favor: Sira, Addis, Keeler, Wefer, Liebman, Wilson, Stevens, Devine, Bussey
Opposed: Hose, Mixon, Strong, Belski, Sotona
Abstaining: Rea, Handler PASSED
E. Addis moved to amend, inserting the phrase "at least ten" after "groups of" in the second line. Hose seconded.
VOTE on Addis' motion to amend:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Wilson PASSED
VOTE on the motion as amended:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Mixon, Strong PASSED
Recess
At 12:30 p.m., President Luckins declared a recess for lunch and the closed meetings of the Directorate and the Board.
Reconvene
President Luckins reconvened the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
Report of the Closed Session of the Directorate--Bill Mixon
Bill Mixon, Chairman of the Directorate, announced that David E. Luckins had been elected President-elect.
Report of the Closed Session of the Board--Dave Luckins
President Luckins reported that the Board had selected and/or approved the NSS Award recipients for 1997.
25. Conservation Support Bylaw Amendment
Mixon Moved: Bylaw 1A is amended to read:
Applications for membership must be accompanied by payment of dues or life-membership fee. Applicants must signify that they support the goals and conservation policies of the Society.
Keeler seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
26. Spring 1998 Board Meeting
Luckins Moved: The Spring, 1998, Board of Governors meeting will be held in Huntsville, Alabama on March 21, 1998. Sira seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Mixon PASSED
27. Planning Committee
Luckins Moved: The NSS Planning Committee is a permanent
committee in the President's Department. The NSS Planning
Committee is established to assist the Board of Governors and the
Officers Executive Committee in
developing and maintaining a comprehensive strategic plan for the
future of the NSS. Liebman seconded.
The motion was amended by unanimous consent, deleting "Officers" and inserting "Executive Committee."
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
28. Planning Committee Chairman
Luckins Moved: Tom Pollock, of Freehold, New Jersey, is appointed chairman of the NSS Planning Committee. Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
29. FY97/98 NSS Budgets
Stevens Moved: The FY97/98 NSS Office and Corporate Operating Budgets and the FY97/98 Capital Budget are approved. Addis seconded.
29A. Executive Search Committee Budget
Mixon moved to amend the FY 97/98 Corporate Operating budget is to provide $50.00 for the expenses of the Executive Search Committee. This expense item is to be included in the Department of the President for accounting purposes. Bussey seconded.
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
Belski moved to amend, deleting the $5,000.00 line item for Project Underground from the Administrative Vice President's budget. Keeler seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Hose, Strong, Belski, Sotona, Bussey
Opposed: Rest
Abstaining: Devine FAILED
VOTE on the amended motion:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
30. International Support Restricted Fund
Stevens Moved: The NSS International Support Restricted Fund is composed of funds received from the NSS AInternational@ Trust Fund held by the NSF and from other sources. Its purpose is defined by Act 65-431. Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
31. Salon Policy
Stevens Moved: Act 79-554 is amended by inserting AAppendix U states the policy for accepting and judging entries.@ Appendix U is amended to delete Aphoto@ so that the policy applies to all salons. Acts 79-263, 79-387, 79-406, and 79-479 are deleted. Liebman seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
32. NCRC Southwest Region Coordinator
Luckins Moved: Harry Burgess, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, is confirmed as Southwest Region Coordinator of the NCRC. Belski seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
33. Contemporary Cave Use Committee
Luckins Moved: Garrett Czmore of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, is appointed chairman of the Contemporary Cave Use Committee. Wilson seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
34. Officer Assistants
Wilson Moved: Officers may appoint staff assistants to help them in managing their committees, subject to confirmation by the Board. Staff assistants serve at the pleasure of the officer, or until the end of the officer's term. Staff assistants are committee chairmen.
Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Mixon, Keeler, Belski
Abstaining: Handler, Strong PASSED
35. Administrative Vice President Staff Appointments
Luckins Moved: Doug Medville, of Reston, Virginia, Carol Tiderman, of Fulton, Maryland, Dave Jagnow, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Hazel Medville, of Reston, Virginia, are confirmed as staff assistants in the department of the Administrative Vice President. Wayne Marshall, of Seffner, Florida, is confirmed as a staff assistant without portfolio.
Stevens seconded.
By unanimous consent, consideration of this motion was postponed until after Item #36.
36. Staff Appointments-Secretary/Treasurer
Luckins Moved: David Irving, of Beaver Creek, Ohio, Chief Accountant, William Stringfellow, of Atlanta, Georgia, Chart of Accounts Coordinator and Marla Steele, of Denver, Colorado, NCRC Chief Financial Officer, are confirmed as staff assistants in the department of the Secretary-Treasurer. Addis seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
37. Reconsideration of Item #35
Luckins Moved: The following persons are confirmed as staff assistants in the department of the Administrative Vice President:
Doug Medville, of Reston, Virginia, Chief of the Cave and Karst Acquisitions Division
which is composed of the Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee, the Cave Ownership and Management Committee, the Contemporary Cave Use Study Committee and the Land Owner Relations Committee.
Carol Tiderman, of Fulton, Maryland, Chief of the NSS Conventions Division which is composed of the Convention Development Committee, the Congress of Grottos, the Junior Speleological Society and the Photo Salon Committee.
Dave Jagnow, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, Chief of the Conservation Committee Division which is composed of the Conservation Committee and the Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission.
Hazel Medville, of Reston, Virginia, Chief of the Education Division which is composed of the Educational Opportunities in Speleology Committee, the Environmental Education Committee, the National Cave Rescue Commission, the Safety and Techniques Committee and the Television/Video Production Committee.
Wayne Marshall, of Seffner, Florida, is confirmed as a staff assistant without portfolio.
Mixon seconded.
Hose moved to amend, deleting the name of Wayne Marshall. Bussey seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Belski, Mixon, Hose, Bussey
Opposed: Liebman, Sira, Keeler, Wefer, Wilson, Rea, Stevens,Strong, Devine
Abstaining: Addis, Sotona, Handler FAILED
VOTE on the motion:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstaining: Handler PASSED
38. Land Trust Alliance Membership
Wilson Moved: The NSS will become a Supporter Member of the Land Trust Alliance for one year with the intent of evaluating the benefits of full membership. Sotona seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
39. Tytoona Cave Acquisition.
Doug Medville, Chairman of the Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee, led a short discussion about NSS purchase of Tytoona Cave. He conducted a straw vote of the Board members on the following options:
1. Should the NSS own and manage Tytoona Cave as one of its preserves? Eleven directors voted in favor.
2. Should the NSS purchase the cave and protect it until local group can assume ownership? Fifteen directors voted in favor.
3. Should the NSS abandon efforts to purchase and protect the cave? One director voted in favor.
40. International Exploration Fund
Wefer Moved: Act 18-454 is amended by deleting the following from the third sentence:
Handler seconded.
VOTE to postpone:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Wilson, Stevens
Abstaining: Wefer POSTPONED
41. Speleo Digest Honorarium
Wefer Moved: Act 82-557 is amended as follows:
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
42. US Exploration Restricted Fund
Stevens Moved: Funds in the NSS US Exploration Restricted Fund are transferred to the NSS Sara Corrie Memorial Fund, held by the National Speleological Foundation. Act 18-523 is deleted. Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Keeler PASSED
43. NSS Web Site Advertising
Rea Moved: The NSS World Wide Web site may accept advertising as long as it is obvious that the NSS does not endorse or recommend the advertiser. All such advertising shall comply with Appendix V. Bussey seconded.
Hose moved to amend, adding a final sentence: "All such advertising shall comply with Appendix V." Bussey seconded. Agreed to by unanimous consent.
VOTE on the amended motion:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
44. Internet Committee
Rea Moved: The Internet Committee is established in the Department of the Operations Vice President with the responsibility of managing all aspects of the Society's presence on the Internet including e-mail and the World Wide Web. Hose seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
45. Internet Committee Chairman
Luckins Moved: Joshua Abdulla, of Carmel, Indiana, is confirmed as Chairman of the Internet Committee. Stevens seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
46. Science Fair Award
Wefer Moved: Act 43-512 is amended read as follows:
Handler seconded.
Wefer moved to amend: "$700.00 will be added to the Research Advisory Committee's budget for this purpose." Agreed to by unanimous consent.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Mixon, Keeler, Rea PASSED
47. NSS Audio/Visual Librarian
Luckins Moved: David Socky, of Roanoke, Virginia, is appointed NSS A/V Librarian.
Liebman seconded.
Handler moved to amend, inserting "temporary" before "NSS A/V Librarian" and adding "until it can be advertised in the NSS NEWS." after "Librarian."
No second.
VOTE:
In favor: Liebman, Sira, Keeler, Rea, Wilson, Stevens,
Handler, Bussey
Opposed: Addis, Hose, Mixon, Wefer, Strong, Belski,
Sotona, Luckins
Abstaining: Devine FAILED
Note: This vote in no way reflects on the nominee. On numerous occasions the Board has directed the Officers to advertise vacant committee positions in the NSS NEWS in order to provide an opportunity for anyone interested to apply. This vacancy had not been previously announced. In order to comply with the Board's directive, President Luckins voted to create a tie, causing the motion to fail. The position will be advertised in a future NEWS.
New Business Generated by Discussions in the Meeting.
48. NSS Convention Registration Software
Wilson Moved: A NSS Convention Registration Software Committee be established in the Administrative Vice President's department to manage and define the registration process and provide standard registration software to be used by all NSS convention committees. The Convention Registration Committee will support each convention to use the software and will store each convention's registration data for long term use. Hose seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Mixon, Belski PASSED
49. NSS Convention Session Committee
Wilson Moved: A Convention Session Committee be established in the Administrative Vice President's department to manage the convention sessions and provide continuity and guidance to the convention staffs. Purpose: This committee will work with the convention staffs to insure proper session contacts are maintained, call for papers are timely, facility requests are collected and abstracts are forwarded to the program editor. Hose seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Mixon, Rea, Belski, Handler PASSED
50. Chestnut Ridge Conservancy
Liebman Moved: The NSS donates $1,000.00 from the Save-the-Caves Fund to the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy to assist them in paying legal costs in their fight to preserve Bear Cave Ridge, Westmorland County, Pennsylvania, and the 20 plus caves on the ridge.
Mixon moved to postpone consideration to the summer meeting. Wilson seconded.
VOTE to postpone:
In favor: Hose, Mixon, Wefer, Wilson, Liebman
Opposed: Rest FAILED
VOTE on the motion:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Hose
Abstaining: Wefer PASSED
51. Suspension of the Agenda
Luckins Moved: In accordance with Act 04-472, the agenda is suspended for
informal discussion among all present for up to minutes. Addis seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Liebman, Sira, Addis, Hose, Keeler, Wefer, Stevens,
Belski, Bussey, Devine
Opposed: Mixon, Handler
Abstaining: Rea. Wilson, Strong, Sotona PASSED
The following topics were discussed:
1. Barbara Belshaw suggested that an overhead projector would be useful so that the audience and the Board could view the text of new business motions or other documents under discussion.
2. Ray Keeler suggested changing the election of the Operations Vice President to coincide with the election of the Secretary-Treasurer. Currently the Secretary-Treasurer is elected at the fall Board meeting and he/she takes office at the spring meeting. This allows time for an orderly transfer of accounts and gives the Secretary-Treasurer-elect an opportunity to become familiar with the job. The Operations Vice President oversees all of the functions at the NSS office and changing the election date would afford that person time to become familiar with the activity at the NSS office.
3. Bob Liebman asked the current disposition of the NSS trailer. AVP Wilson responded that the decision had been made to sell the current trailer and to rent trailers in the future as needs arise.
52. Appreciation
Liebman Moved: The Board of Governors expresses its appreciation to Pittsburgh Grotto for its excellent meeting arrangements and warm hospitality. Further, the Board of Governors congratulates the Pittsburgh Grotto on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary as an NSS Grotto and expresses our appreciation for the many significant contributions made by the Pittsburgh Grotto and its members to the NSS during those fifty years. Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
53. Adjourn
It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor PASSED
President Luckins declared the meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Stevens
Recording Secretary
Appointments
Josh Abdulla (37177)
2744 Towne Drive
Carmel, IN 46032
<jabdulla@caves.org>
Garrett Czmore
Star Route Box 24
Huntingdon, PA 16652
(814)643-3067
<tytoona@aol.com>
Dave Irving (7894RL)
PO Box 340547
Beavercreek, OH 45434
(513) 237-0647
<irving@infinet.com>
Dave Jagnow (8177RL, FE, CM)
1300 Iris #103
Los Alamos, NM 87544-1300
(505) 662-0553
<djagnow@roadrunner.com>
Wayne Marshall
2623 Tulip Tree Circle
Seffner, FL 33584
(813)681-3629
Doug Medville (7073 RL, OS, CM, FE, LB)
11762 Indian Ridge Rd.
Reston, VA 22091
(703) 860-0134
<medville@patroit.net>
Hazel Medville (8772 RL, FE, LB)
11762 Indian Ridge Rd.
Reston, VA 22091
(703) 860-0134
<medville@patroit.net>
Tom Pollock (19540 RL)
21 Kingsley Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
(908) 294-6634
<tjpollock@aol.com>
Marla Steele (32006RL)
7660 Warren Cir. #207
Denver, CO 80231-5371
(303) 761-2858
William Stringfellow (13128 RL, FE)
204 Lake Court
Woodstock, GA 30188-3212
(770)751-1257
<bills89@idt.vivid.net>
Carol Tiderman (10604 RL)
7600 Pindell Schools Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
<tiderman@erols.com>
Attachments to the Board of Governors Meeting
March 22, 1997
President's Report - Attachment A
Addendum to the President's Report - Attachment A-1
Executive Vice President's Report - Attachment B
NSS Science Fair Award Report - Attachment B-1
Administrative Vice President's Report - Attachment C
Acquisition Criteria for NSS Cave Ownership - Attachment C-1
AVP Recommendations for Cave Conservation Guidelines for Editors and
Salon Chairmen - Attachment C-2
1994 National Land Trust Survey - Attachment C-3
Operations Vice President's Report - Attachment D
Secretary-Treasurer's Report - Attachment E
9-month Report, May 1996 through January 1997 - Attachment E-1
1996 NSS Convention Final Report - Attachment F