The 198th regular meeting of the NSS Board of Governors was held on Saturday, November 6, 2004, at Virginia College–Technical, Pelham, Alabama. President Scott Fee called the meeting to order at 9:03 A.M. Kitty Wooldridge was present as Recording Secretary.
OFFICERS:
Scott Fee, President
Gordon Birkhimer, Executive Vice President
Steve Ormeroid, Administrative Vice President
G. Thomas Rea, Operations Vice President
Paul Stevens, Secretary-Treasurer
DIRECTORS:
Hazel Barton
Linda Devine
Cheryl Jones
Joe Levinson
Bill Klimack
Bill Liebman
Douglas Medville
Martha Mills
Gary Moss
Philip Moss
Kevin Smith
Bernie Szukalski
PROXIES:
Ted Kayes for Paul Stevens
Kelly Norwood for Hazel Barton
Chuck Lundquist for Douglas Medville
Peri Frantz for Bernie Szulkalski
By unanimous consent, the Board approved the July 12 and 16, 2004, Board of Governors Meeting Minutes.
A. President – Scott Fee
Scott reported that the annual fund raising appeal letter was mailed November 1, 2004. The letter highlights Great Expectations Cave but is not limited to that effort. He also reported that the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) application should be completed by January 1, 2005.
Scott mentioned that the NSS use of underground easements for access and use of Great Expectations Cave where the cave underlies private properties is not yet resolved. Further clarification is being sought regarding the mineral rights on the private lands that overlie the cave to the west of the Great X Preserve.
B. Executive Vice President – Gordon Birkhimer
Gordon reported that the 2001 Speleo Digest, designed by Scott Parvin, will be going to the printer by November 10, 2004.
Also, he has the proof of the November 2004 Members’ Manual and asked that members check it for accuracy.
C. Administrative Vice President – Steve Ormeroid
Steve reported that, except for some minor grammatical changes, the John Guilday Caves Management Plan is ready to be put in place. There is a motion to that effect on the agenda.
D. Operations Vice President – G. Thomas Rea
Tom reported that Stephanie Searles has started her maternity leave and Camille Mueller, former Operations Manager, has been hired to fill in (part-time as a contractor) until Stephanie returns.
Tom noted that the 2004 Convention T-shirts have been found and are for sale in the bookstore.
E. Secretary-Treasurer – Ted Kayes for Paul Stevens
Ted reported that the audit should be completed before Thanksgiving. This will permit the CFC application to go forward. The audit and IRS Form 990 will match this time.
2004 NSS National Convention (Michigan) – Steve Omeroid
The financials will be completed prior to the end of the year.
2005 NSS National Convention (Alabama) – Jim Hall
The convention logo has been adopted. It consists of a rack and a space ship. The facilities have been determined and some contracts for those facilities have been finalized or are close to being finalized. Jim presented prepared material showing photos of the facilities, including the "shower truck," the registration form, and layout of the guidebook. There are 70 pre-registrations at this point.
Stevens moved to amend Act 28-389 (Dues Structure) as follows.
Effective <May 1, 2001> <<January 1, 2005>>, the dues of the Society are as follows:
| Number of Years Paid |
Regular |
Associate |
Family |
Limited |
| One | <$33.00> <<$40.00>> |
<$22.00> <<$28.00>> |
<$6.00> <<$7.00>> |
<$12.00> <<$20.00>> |
| Two | <$64.00> <<$78.00>> | <$43.00> <<$55.00>> |
<$11.00> <<$13.00>> |
<$23.00> <<$39.00>> |
| Three | <$94.00> <<$115.00>> |
<$63.00> <<$80.00>> |
<$16.00> <<$19.00>> |
<$33.00> <<$57.00>> |
Institutional Dues will be <$70.00> <<$100.00>> per year, Regular Life Membership will be <$600.00> <<$800.00>> and Family Life Membership will be <$300.00> <<$400.00>>.
Family members in the immediate family of a member accepting the prepayment option must prepay at the same time for the same number of years.
Limited Members will receive annually the Members manual and American Caving Accidents as published. <Existing membership application forms may be modified by interlineation or supplemented to provide for Limited Membership. >
The periodical subscription rates shall be changed to be consistent.
Jones seconded.
Effective <May 1, 2001> <<January 1, 2005>>, the dues of the Society are as follows:
| Number of Years Paid |
Regular |
Associate |
Family |
Limited |
| One | <$33.00> <<$36.00>> |
<$22.00> <<$25.00>> |
<$6.00> <<$7.00>> |
<$12.00> <<$15.00>> |
| Two | <$64.00> <<$70.00>> |
<$43.00> <<$49.00>> |
<$11.00> <<$13.00>> |
<$23.00> <<$29.00>> |
| Three | <$94.00> <<$103.00>> |
<$63.00> <<$72.00>> |
<$16.00> <<$19.00>> |
<$33.00> <<$42.00>> |
Institutional Dues will be <$70.00> <<$75.00>> per year, Regular Life Membership will be <$600.00> <<$720.00>> and Family Life Membership will be <$300.00> <<$360.00>>.
Family members in the immediate family of a member accepting the prepayment option must prepay at the same time for the same number of years.
Limited Members will receive annually the Members manual and American Caving Accidents as published. <Existing membership application forms may be modified by interlineation or supplemented to provide for Limited Membership. >
The periodical subscription rates shall be changed to be consistent.
Mills seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: P. Moss
Abstained: Liebman
PASSED
VOTE on the motion as amended:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: P. Moss, Smith, Liebman
PASSED
Rea moved: Charles A. (Chuck) Lundquist (214 Jones Valley Drive SW, Huntsville, Alabama, 35802; Telephone, home 256-883-8926, office 256-824-2684, FAX 256-824-6848, E-mail lundquc@email.uah.edu) is confirmed as Chairman of the NSS Library Committee.
Devine seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Fee moved: The National Speleological Society supports the following resolution of the XI International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology held in May 2004.
1) The highest national and international institutions should recognize the relevance of the geological heritage of volcanic caves. In particular, geodiversity in and around volcanic caves should be given high priority in conservation management plans.
2) As part of the natural patrimony, volcanic caves should be considered a key factor in sustainable economic development of volcanic areas.
3) Studies in volcanic caves need to be strengthened, with particular attention to mineralogy of speleothems, cave microbiology, and other research areas of outstanding importance.
4) Because of the environmental sensitivity of many volcanic caves, it is very important to develop elaborate monitoring of indicators of environmental quality.
5) Official entities should assure equilibrium between tourism and conservation of the vulcanospeleological patrimony.
6) A broad database should be developed for the 100 most important volcanic caves of the world.
Klimack seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: None
Abstained: Levinson, Rea
PASSED
Birkhimer moved: Act 83-705 is amended to read:
83-705 <Annual> <<Biennial>> Report Committee
The <Annual> <<Biennial>> Report Committee is established in the Department of the Executive Vice President. The committee is responsible for publishing the NSS <Annual> <<Biennial>> Report during the month of December << in even-numbered years>>.
P. Moss seconded.
Rea moved to amend by adding to the end of the last sentence "in even-numbered years."
Agreed to by unanimous consent.
VOTE on the motion as amended:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Birkhimer moved: Act 27-<342> <<341>> is amended to read:
The use of the NSS <name, initials,
and/or> logo is subject to the control of the <<NSS Executive Vice President>> <Executive Committee>.
Kayes seconded.
Levinson pointed out that the correct Act number is 27-341.
Correction was accepted by unanimous consent.
Frantz moved to amend by adding to the end of the sentence "in accordance with NSS policy."
No second, the motion died.
Jones moved to amend by deleting "name, initials, and/or."
Klimack seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Lundquist
PASSED
P. Moss moved to refer the motion.
Liebman seconded.
VOTE to refer:
In favor: P. Moss, Liebman
Opposed: Rest
Abstained: Norwood
FAILED
VOTE on the motion as amended:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Jones moved: Act 09-594 is amended to read:
The NSS Planning Committee in the President's Department is established to <assist in developing and maintaining> <<lead, and facilitate for the Board, the development and maintenance of>> a comprehensive strategic plan for the future of the NSS.
Devine seconded.
After some discussion, Kayes moved to call the question.
VOTE to call the question:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Frantz, Lundquist, P. Moss
PASSED
VOTE on the motion:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: P. Moss, Lundquist
Abstained: Liebman
PASSED
P. Moss moved: Act 26-578, is amended to read:
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 other responsible cave-interested group. 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. >
Levinson seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Abstained: Frantz, Norwood
PASSED
Jones moved: Board Act 18-528 is amended to read:
18-528 John Guilday Cave<<s Nature>> Preserve Restricted Fund 3-23-02, 08-06-9
The purpose of the John Guilday Cave<<s Nature>> Preserve Restricted Fund is to provide funds in support of NSS operation and maintenance of the John Guilday Cave<<s Nature>> Preserve property in Pendleton County, West Virginia. The Fund was established by donors. These funds may be spent by the John Guilday Cave<<s Nature>> Preserve Committee chairman subject to the Administrative Vice President’s approval.
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Levinson
PASSED
Stevens moved: Bylaw I.B (Membership:Dues) is amended by adding:
(15) Conservation Members are <regular> members who have an interest in <supporting> <<providing additional support for>> NSS <cave conservation and educational> activities. Conservation Members have all the privileges of a regular member.
(16) Conservation Life Members are life members who have an
interest in <supporting> <<providing additional
support for>> NSS <cave conservation and educational>
activities. Conservation Life Members have all the privileges of
a life member.
Rea seconded.
Several word changes were proposed:
In (15), delete "regular"; delete "supporting" and replace with "providing additional support for"; delete "cave conservation and educational."
In (16), delete "supporting" and replace with "providing additional support for"; delete "cave conservation and educational."
Jones moved to amend the motion to include the above word changes.
Smith seconded.
VOTE to amend:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Smith moved to postpone the vote on the amended motion.
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE to postpone:
In favor: Lundquist, Smith
Opposed: Rest
FAILED
VOTE on the motion as amended:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
At 12:02 P.M. President Fee declared a recess for lunch and the closed meetings of the Board and the Directorate.
President Fee reconvened the meeting at 3:03 P.M. All were present.
G. Moss, Chairman, reported that Paul Stevens was re-elected as Secretary-Treasurer.
President Fee reported that no actions were taken by the Board in closed session.
Stevens moved: Act 28-389 is amended by adding:
Conservation Member annual dues will be $100.
Conservation Life Members will be Life, Family Life, Outstanding Service, or Honorary Members who pay an additional contribution of $1,000 for this purpose.
The difference between the dues for a Conservation Life Member and those for Life or a Family Life Member will accrue to the Endowment Fund. <<The expenditure for conservation and education activities will be equal to or greater than the amount of the difference between annual conservation dues and regular member dues that were paid during the preceding fiscal year. >>
P. Moss seconded.
Klimack moved to add to the end, "The expenditure for conservation and education activities will be equal to or greater than the amount of the difference between annual conservation dues and regular member dues that were paid during the preceding fiscal year."
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Rea, Smith
PASSED
VOTE on the motion as amended:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Rea moved: Family Life Members or spouses of deceased Life Members who contribute $1,000 to become Conservation Life Members will receive the status of ordinary Life Members with all the privileges of a life member.
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Ormeroid moved: The revised management plan for the John Guilday Caves Nature Preserve, dated November 2, 2004, is accepted.
Liebman seconded.
Devine noted that in the plan the "Department" of Natural Resources should read the "Division" of Natural Resources. This was adopted by unanimous consent.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Rea moved: The Office Automation Committee is re-established in the Operations Vice President Department. The committee is responsible for maintenance of the software supporting the NSS Office functions.
Klimack seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
21. On Caves and Cameras Proposed Book Budget
Birkhimer moved: The FY 04/05 Capital Budget is amended to include <<$18,535 to publish 1,500 hardbound>> <500 hardbound, 500 softbound)> copies of On Caves and Cameras with the following budget line items:
$0
Author expenses (postage, telephone, etc.)
$500 Honorarium for designing and
laying out the issue.
$<<500>>
Editing, proofreading, and indexing
$<75> <<3000>>
B/W halftones, scanned color images, and color seps
$<14,000><<11,700>>
Printing and binding.
$<0><<2835>>
Shipping
$75
Miscellaneous
$<14,650><<18,535>>
Total
Norwood seconded.
Smith moved to change to "1,000 hardbound" with the related cost changes of "$9,970" for printing and binding and "$2,200" for shipping, for a total revised cost of "$16,245."
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE to amend:
Unanimously opposed
FAILED
VOTE on the motion:
In favor: Rest
Opposed: Klimack, Liebman
PASSED
22. Commercial Vendor Sales of New Books
Birkhimer moved: The NSS will maintain a moratorium on commercial vendor sales for a period of three months when a new publication is released.
Kayes seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: Birkhimer
Opposed: Rest
Abstained: Devine
FAILED
Fee moved: An open discussion is held for a period of time not to exceed 45 minutes.
Devine seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
President Fee declared the floor open at 4:33 P.M. The following topics were discussed:
NSS Credit Card – Ted Kayes encouraged the use of the NSS credit card.
On Caves and Cameras – Dave Irving recommended that the retail price should be set around $38.00. Bill Liebman reported that Emily Davis would like to see it sold under $40.00.
Possible Repercussions of New Conservation Membership Category – Philip Moss raised a concern that opening membership to noncaver organizations might increase traffic within caves. This provoked considerable discussion about the merits of the NSS connecting with like-minded conservation organizations. Several felt that this effort would not impact the number of people who are truly interested in cave exploring. Some felt that the NSS should maintain an open door and encourage responsible caving. A point was raised about the need to recruit cavers among the younger generation in order to maintain interest in and funding of cave conservation. Scott Fee estimated that in the last five years not one student grotto has been chartered. There was discussion about the reasons for this—possibly too many hoops to go through to become chartered; a lack of continuity, i.e., a committed faculty member; and grottos operating in secrecy.
NSS Discussion Board – Sharon Faulkner encouraged participation in the NSS discussion board. She also encouraged members of the Board of Governors to participate.
NSS Office Automation – Jim Hall expressed hope that an updated system could be implemented. Tom Rea agreed but asked who might be willing to volunteer to write a new program. It was suggested that we apply for a grant to get funding for new software. Donna Cobb, the Grants Chairperson, expressed willingness to write the proposal. She noted that the request must be specific and identify the type of software needed and the cost.
President Fee closed the open discussion session at 5:18 P.M.
Fee moved: The Board of Governors expresses its appreciation to the Birmingham Grotto and VC Tech for hosting our meeting and providing excellent meeting arrangements.
Lundquist seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
Smith moved: The meeting is adjourned.
Mills seconded.
VOTE:
Unanimously in favor
PASSED
President Fee declared the meeting adjourned at 5:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kitty Wooldridge
Acting Recording Secretary
12/13/04