NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL
SOCIETY, INC.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
180th Regular Meeting
November 7, 1998
Meeting called to order at 9:12 by Fred Wefer, President.
Scott Schmidtz of Southern California Grotto made some welcoming comments.
1. Roll Call and Introductions
OFFICERS:
Fred L. Wefer, President
Ray Keeler, Executive Vice President
Douglas Medville, Administrative Vice President
Mike Hood, Operations Vice President
Paul J. Stevens, Secretary-Treasurer
DIRECTORS:
Nancy Holler Aulenbach
Dave Belski
Bill Bussey
Stephen Fleming
Louise Hose
Dave Lester
Bob Liebman
Gary Moss
Philip Moss
Ed Sira
Dave Taylor
Bill Tozer
All present.
Approval of the August 3 & 7, 1998 Board of Governors Meeting Minutes.
Philip Moss moves that the minutes of the August 3 & 7, 1998 Board of Governors Meeting Minutes be approved as published.
Gary Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
3. Officer's Reports
President’s Report - Attachment A (Curl’s reference to a poster is the NSS/TNC display); (Bob Liebman about fund raising committee, why vacant?; D. Irving thinks that the deal went through and previous chairman resigned due to this problem; what is the status of VISA/MC deals; Fred will look into it.)
B. Executive Vice President’s Report - Attachment B (Speleo Digests being printed quickly; five to be published this year hopefully. A 1981-1990 Index for Speleo Digest, maybe, if budgeted. Special pubs problem - Cave Minerals of the World 2 not selling fast enough. Question from Philip Moss: why isn’t selling? Re-price? Marketing to general public through museums and mineral shows. NSS News on time and within budget. Journal requesting a digital cameral in the budget. American Caving Accidents next issue December 1998 (two years). Two open committee chairman Research Advisory and International Exploration. Need to discuss publication of a Master’s thesis on Hydrology of a Cave Spring in Florida; should we think about publishing it in some format, small press run with peer review? Living on Karst question from Bill Halliday suggests that George Hubbard needs a deadline and if he doesn’t meet it then give the task to someone else. Members Manual has wrong area code for office on the front page. Formatting problems in the EVP report)
C. Administrative Vice President’s Report - Attachment C - Tytoona Cave Preserve dedication in early October. Signed cooperative agreement with MCNP in September. Letter to Carlsbad NP to be written by Conservation Committee; response from park saying that no permit has been requested. IMAX film, Nancy Holler Aulenbach discussed cameras and lighting, heat from equipment, never on more than 20 seconds, usually just two camera people and two cavers in cave at a time; conservation ethic seems strong, lots of questions; no decision yet on future sites for shooting; Louise Hose did not appreciate the implication that she instigated a letter writing campaign. Conventions and vacant committee positions. Bill Bussey asked for 1999 Convention report and convention software and how user friendly the registration software is. Ray Keeler, is it a problem with the short planning period and Kentucky bids. Bob Liebman question on convention bids and waiting one board meeting between proposal and accepting a bid; why isn’t there a motion to make this procedure part of the acts of the board. Conservation Committee correction - the total NSS contributions to Region 3 USFS is $100,000 rather than that amount to several units.
D. Operations Vice President’s Report - Attachment D - Attachment 3 NSS/SCCI MOC is withdrawn from the report. NSS Convention registration discounts. Library Committee Chairman vacant. Contract for Library inventory, NSF contributed $5000 to hire someone to upgrade the catalog from cards to computer listing. Museum web page to have a virtual museum since we don’t have a physical space. Audio Visual fee increase will be effective in January 1999. Dave Lester reported problems with Audio Visual Committee administration. Philip Moss commented on the office job descriptions and asked are there salary obligations (none for salaries; some for book store sale bonus; why not publish for the Board. Mike Hood said that he is looking into new Bookstore policy.
Secretary-Treasurer’s Report - Attachment E - Bookstore sales at 50% of projected; contributions at about 25%; income propped up by oil well sale; NSF trust fund and market effect; library museum trust fund and life membership changes agreed to by NSF but NSF does not think that life membership changes are the right way to go; status of the ledger master and dac-easy books; need to stop keeping two sets of books and software so far $3500 invested in training office to handle ledger master. Bob Liebman questions on Cave Minerals of the World 2 and overseas distribution ( Urs Widmer is European distributor; only has 200 copies and has not asked for more; new marketing ad for Europe and US from Urs along with calendar sale form.) Ledger Master training is by the software writer. Bill Halliday asked about the accounting for the Cave Legal Defense Fund; Dave Irving reported that the fund is a restricted fund so it isn’t in the operational budget; Tom Rea doesn’t put everything sent for the web site up) Louise Hose question about travel funds and honoraria; should the Journal editors be listed; Paul Stevens - yes. Bill Bussey asked when will we stop using dac-easy; Irving and Office hope that there is agreement by October 1998; if there is agreement then will stop using dac-easy; major milestone will be when all checks are written on Ledger Master, sales and contributions already on Ledger Master. Dave Lester questions signature policy; currently there is no need for multiple signatures needed; Lester proposes that a policy be written for dual signatures; insurance for NSS. Bob Liebman asked about cave rescue in NY and whether a bill was sent to rescuee; Emily Mobley said that there were sufficient funds collected in NRO to cover the costs; currently no one is out any money.
4. Committee Reports
F. 1998 NSS Convention - William Shrewsbury - not present to give report
1999 NSS Convention - David Kesner - changes from report - Volcanospeleology session chaired by Stephan Kempe; pre-registration; web page up; registration software program okay but has lots of tiny bugs, slow to fix; caterer sold business new owner agrees to banquet but have to find other caterer for Howdy Party. Philip Moss asked how many pre-registered (between 50-60). Nancy Aulenbach asked about photo salon space and banquet - high school bought covering for the gym floor-. Ray Keeler asked about speleo-art display, planned. Bob Liebman asked about security - hiring 24 hour police officers to support security with more than one on duty during periods when attendees are off site. Will note extras in pre-convention publicity. Can the convention allow workers to work at the convention without registering? Philip Moss brought up convention scholarships, i.e., work to pay for registration. Bob Liebman discussed suits and use of facilities by volunteers. Doug Medville feels that non-member volunteers shouldn’t need to pay to volunteer. Peri Frantz said that special badges could be issued and given minimal registration. Gary Moss suggested that the special registrations be included in the budget and that you pay the minimal registration from the honorarium. Bill Tozer said that the real concern is abuse; how many people are we talking about (5-10). ( Fred Wefer absent) Gale Beech said that the key is the honorarium. Doug Medville asked about staffing; they are still staffed thinly; there will be a Nation solicitation via Cavers Digest. Doug Medville also asked about food service; a meal plan will be available, but they are having problems providing vegetarian meals. (Fred Wefer returns) Slide show and video tape will be sent to the Audio Visual Library.
Future Convention Proposal. Peri Frantz proposal for Junior College in Porterville, CA for 2002 or 2003. Near Sequoia NP; Joel DeSpain (Cave Specialist at Sequoia NP) will work with the convention. School has at least 3 rooms that seat 100+. Other facilities are: small studio for print salon; large room off campus for photo salon; Howdy Party about 5 miles from college. College is air-conditioned. Doug Medville wanted to know why not 2001; Peri mentioned ISF Congress in Brazil. Convention would be the first week in August. College would like to hold one week seminar where registered students would attend NSS technical sessions. Philip Moss asked about access from airports - Bakersfield and Fresno and Villas closest airports. Weather is hot and dry. Pool available with hot tub next to pool. Maps of college and slides available this weekend. Committee being formed.
I. Congress of Grottos - no one present - Doug Medville reported that Gary Storrick is the new chairman and he is planning to set up a web site and is willing to take action from the Board.
J. Other Reports - none
OLD BUSINESS
5. Interim Director Appointment
Wefer moves: The appointment of Dave Lester, to fill the Directorship vacancy created by Ray Keeler being elected Executive Vice President at the August 3, 1998, Session of the Board Meeting, is confirmed.
Philip Moss seconded.
Note: See NSS Bylaw IV. A. (1) (b).
VOTE:
In favor: rest
Abstaining: Lester
PASSED
6. Board Meeting Presiding Officer
Wefer moves: Bylaw IV. E(1) is amended as follows: "... <The President of the Society, or in his absence, the vice-presidents in order of cumulative seniority in office, shall preside at meetings of the Board of Governors. >
<<The President of the Society, or in his absence the attending <officer> <<vice president>> whose current continuous tenure as an officer of the Society has been longest, shall preside at meetings of the Board of Governors.>>
Bill Bussey seconded.
Note: This motion is continued from the 07 August 1998 Session of the Board Meeting because of a substantive amendment to the motion during that Session. Because it is a bylaws amendment and because the Preliminary Agenda containing this motion was mailed to all Board members at least one month prior to the meeting, the motion requires a 2/3 affirmative vote to pass, provided there are no substantive amendments. If there are substantive amendments, a unanimous vote in the affirmative is required for
passage. See NSS Bylaw XIII. A.
Ed Sira substitutes:
The President of the Society, or in his absence, the <officer> in order of cumulative seniority in office, shall preside at meetings of the Board of Governors.
Doug Medville seconded.
Vote to substitute:
In Favor: Tozer, Bussey, Hood, Stevens, Medville, s, G. Moss, Sira, Aluenbach.
Opposed: Taylor, Lester, Belski, Liebman, P. Moss, Hose.
Abstain: Fleming
PASSED
Vote on substitute motion:
In favor: rest
Opposed: Hose, Lester, Fleming, Belski, Liebman
Abstained: Stevens
PASSED
NEW BUSINESS
7. Appreciation for Gurnee Donation to the NSS Library
Wefer moves: The Board of Governors, on behalf of The National Speleological Society, Inc., expresses its appreciation to Jeanne Gurnee for her recent donation of 26 cartons of books and ephemera related to caves, geology, exploration, cave exploration events, and cave organizations from the personal library of Jeanne and Russell Gurnee. Liebman seconded.
Discussion: Restricted contribution (can’t sell); books have suffered smoke damage; majority must be kept boxed so they do not damage other books in the library; books have been already accepted by the NSS.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
8. Establishment of Cave Restoration Committee
Medville moves: The Cave Restoration Committee is established as a permanent committee within the Department of the Administrative Vice President.
WITHDRAWN
9. Unlimited Omega Agenda Items-1
Bussey moves: Act 04-197 is amended as follows: "Act 04-197 -- Timing and Completeness -- Final Board meeting agendas shall be prepared and distributed to the Board a minimum of three weeks prior to the meeting and every effort shall be made to have all motions on the agenda. <<Following the completion of all items of New Business on the printed agenda, Directors and Officers may add those items of business that they feel are relevant to the agenda.>>"
Paul Stevens seconded.
G. Moss moves to substitute. Stevens seconded.
Substituted act:
"Act 04-197 -- Timing and Completeness -- Published Board meeting agendas shall be prepared and distributed to the Board a minimum of one month prior to the meeting and every effort shall be made to have all motions on the agenda. <<Following the completion of all items of New Business on the published agenda, Directors and Officers may add those items of business that they feel are relevant to the agenda.>>"
VOTE to substitute:
In favor: Aulenbach, Hose, Hood, Stevens, Medville, Keeler, G. Moss, Fleming
Opposed: Tozer, Sira, Bussey, Belski, Liebman, P. Moss, Taylor
Abstaining: Lester
PASSED
Hose move to refer to the Executive Committee; Belski seconded.
Hose and Belski withdraw motion to refer.
Stevens moves to refer items 9 and 10 to the Executive Committee to codify the agenda process in section 9 of the Board Manual in accordance with the sense of the board discussion. Gary Moss seconded.
VOTE on referral:
In favor: Tozer, Aulenbach, Sira, Bussey, Hood, Stevens, Medville, Keeler, G Moss, P Moss, Lester, Taylor
Opposed: Hose, Fleming, Belski, Leibman
PASSED/Referred to the Executive Committee
10. Unlimited Omega Agenda Items-2
Bussey moves: Appendix J., II., D., 1 is amended as follows: "New business will be an agenda item. Questions that could have been placed on the agenda in regular order should not be introduced as new business, but reserved for the agenda of a subsequent Board Meeting. Appropriate matters to introduce in new business are:
a. Motions arising from board discussions of previous motions or discussion.
b. <Urgent matters not included in the agenda due to lack of time.> <<Questions that were not placed on the printed agenda as new business but which members of the Board believe are relevant to the agenda, may be introduced as new business following completion of the items on the printed agenda.>>"
REFERED to Executive Committee (see item 10.)
11. NSS A/V Library Restricted Fund
Hood moves: Act 18-524, the NSS A/V Library Restricted Fund, is amended to read: "The purpose of the "NSS A/V Library" restricted fund is to provide funds for NSS A/V Library programs, equipment, or equipment maintenance. These funds may be spent by the A/V Library chairman subject to <AVP><<OVP>> approval."
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
12. NSS Museum Restricted Fund
Hood moves: Act 18-526, the NSS Museum Restricted Fund, is amended to read: "The purpose of the "NSS Museum" restricted fund is to provide funds for NSS Museum capitol equipment. These funds may be spent by the NSS Museum chairman subject to <AVP><<OVP>> approval."
G. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
13. NSS National Convention Honorarium
Philip Moss moves: The $3,000 convention honorarium is made retroactive to the 1997 NSS Convention. No money will be transferred to the convention chairs until the 1997 convention travel money dispute is resolved to the satisfaction of the Board. If the Board determines that money is owed to the NSS by members of the 1997 NSS National Convention staff, the $2,500 difference in honoraria may be deducted from that amount.
Bussey seconded.
Hose moves to table. Belski seconded.
VOTE to table:
In favor: all others
Abstained: P. Moss
TABLED
14. NSS Library Restricted Fund
Hood moves: Act 18-525, the NSS Library Restricted Fund, is amended to read: "The purpose of the "NSS Library" restricted fund is to provide funds for NSS Library capital equipment. These funds may be spent by the NSS Library chairman subject to <AVP><<OVP>> approval."
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
15. Conservation Research Grants
Medville moves: Act 88-288 (Conservation Research Grants) is repealed.
Note: Act 88-288 reads as follows: "88-288 -- Conservation Research Grants Up to five annual grants totaling [sic] no more than $500 shall be made to qualified individuals or groups for scientific investigation of cave conservation problems, or for speleological research which will directly contribute to cave conservation, or the solution of environmental problems in karst or pseudokarst areas. Determination of grantees will be made by the Conservation Committee and grants will be administered by the Research Advisory Committee under the guidelines it uses for other research grants and under Directive [sic] 88-080. The funds will be taken from the Save-the-Caves Fund."
Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
16. Conservation Grants
Medville moves: Act 50-321 (Conservation Grants) is amended to read: The Conservation Committee is authorized to spend up to <$2,000> <<$3,000>> annually from the Save-the-Caves Fund to make grants of up to <$750> <<$1,000>> to Internal Organizations, Conservation Task Forces, Conservancies, or individuals for specific projects, <<including the scientific investigation of cave conservation problems, speleological research that will directly contribute to cave conservation, and the solution of environmental problems in karst or pseudokarst areas.>> Recipients of these Grants shall submit written reports to the Society as stipulated by the Chairman of the Conservation Committee.
Sira seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
17. Convention Surplus
Stevens moves: The convention surplus from the prior NSS National Convention may be considered operating income in the subsequent fiscal year budget, subject to compliance with Act 18-598.
G. Moss seconded.
Note: The NSS Fiscal Year runs from 01 May of one year through 30 April of the next calendar year.
Note: Act 18-598 reads as follows: "18-598 Convention Surplus Restricted Fund The NSS Convention Surplus Restricted Fund is established to provide funds to cover NSS convention deficits. A minimum of 25% of the Convention surplus shall be allocated to this fund so as to reach and maintain a $15,000 balance. Any excess of that necessary to maintain a $15,000. balance will accrue to the General fund. The implementation of this Act will be delayed until after the 1998 NSS Convention."
VOTE:
In favor: rest
Opposed: P. Moss, Taylor
PASSED
18. Life Membership
Aulenbach moves: Bylaw I. B. (5) - (9) is amended to read as follows:
"(5) A <<full>> fee for life membership shall be established by the Board of Governors. <<Everyone has an age-discounted life-membership fee calculated as follows: For people less than 60 years old, the discounted fee is equal to the full fee;>> for people from 60 though 89, the full fee is reduced by 2.5 percent for each year over 59; and for people over 90, the discounted fee is 25 percent of the full fee. For a person who is a sustaining or family-sustaining member, the discounted fee is calculated based on the full fee in effect at the time the person became a sustaining or family-sustaining member, provided that there has been no subsequent lapse of two years or longer in the member's status as a sustaining or family-sustaining member. In all other cases, the discounted fee is based on the current full life-membership fee.>> A person may become a life member by paying <this amount> <<the discounted fee>>. An eligible person may become a family-life member by payment of one-half of <this amount> <<the discounted fee>>. In addition, members may establish a life-membership account by making a payment toward life membership of at least one-tenth of the current <<full>> fee or by becoming a sustaining or family-sustaining member. <Sustaining or family-sustaining membership establishes a total required payment for the account that is equal to the life-membership fee at the time the person became a sustaining or family-sustaining member, provided that there has been no subsequent lapse of two years or longer in the member's status as a sustaining or family-sustaining member. Otherwise, the total required payment is always equal to the current life-membership fee.> Additions to an account may be made through sustaining or family-sustaining dues or other payments to the Society for this purpose. A member seventeen years of age or older whose account reaches the <total required payment> <<member's discounted life-membership fee>> becomes a life member; an eligible member may elect to become a family-life member when his or her account reaches one-half <its total required payment> <<the member's discounted life-membership fee>>. A life-membership account is not refundable. Money in such accounts shall be placed in the <Endowment (Life Membership)> <<Life Membership>>Fund.
(6) A life member is an individual who is exempt from payment of dues and has all the privileges of a regular member. Any surviving spouse of an honorary, outstanding service, or life member is entitled to and shall be offered life-membership status.
(7) A family-life member is married to an outstanding-service, honorary,or life member. In the event of the death of the spouse, the family-life member will become a life member. In the event that a family-life member is divorced from the spouse, the family-life member's life-membership account will be credited with the amount necessary to bring it to one-half the <<member's>> current <<discounted>> life-membership fee, unless it already exceeds that amount, and the required total payment will be set to the <<member's>> current <<discounted>> life-membership fee. The divorced family-life member's class shall become regular with dues expiration in two months. A family-life member may make additional payment toward life membership into his or her life-membership account at any time. Family-life members do not receive publications, but otherwise have all the privileges of regular members.
(8) A sustaining member is an individual who pays dues that are regular member dues plus, for each year, one-tenth the current <<full>> life-membership fee. Eleven-tenths of the amount paid in excess of regular dues will be credited to the member's life-membership account. Sustaining members have all the privileges of regular members.
A family-sustaining member is married to an outstanding-service, honorary, life, or sustaining member. Dues of a family-sustaining member are current family-regular dues plus, for each year, one-twentieth of the current <<full>> life-membership fee. Eleven-tenths of the amount in excess of the current family-regular dues is credited toward the life-membership account of the family-sustaining member. If a family-sustaining member's spouse should die while a sustaining member, any excess in the spouse's life-membership account over the amount in the surviving member's account will be credited to the survivor's account, and, if the total in the account does not entitle the surviving member to life membership. The survivor's membership class shall become regular for the remainder of his or her dues year. If the spouse should die an outstanding-service, honorary, or life member, the surviving member will become a life member. Family-sustaining members do not receive publications, but otherwise have all the privileges of sustaining members."
Keeler seconded.
Note: As this is a Bylaw change and the agenda was distributed to Board Members by e-mail and snail-mail at least one month prior to their consideration, a two-thirds majority is required for passage. Only minor changes of language from that presented above may be allowed at the time of adoption.
Attachment F: Proposed Discounted Fee Life Memberships and Estimations of Ending Value to NSS
VOTE:
In favor: rest
Opposed: Belski, Fleming
PASSED
19. Amendment of the Bylaws
Gary Moss moves: Section XII. AMENDMENT OF THE BYLAWS, A. (3) is amended to read: (3) If 5 percent of the voting members of the Society have signed a petition within a fifteen-month period requesting a referendum on a proposed amendment to these Bylaws, the amendment must be submitted to the voting membership along with the next NSS election of directors that has a deadline for nominations at least thirty days after the signed petition has been given to the President of the Society, unless the proposal amendment has been previously approved by the Board of Governors as provided above. If the proposal receives a two-thirds favorable vote of <all ballots returned> <<ballots returned and marked concerning the proposal>> the amendment to the Bylaws will become effective when the elected directors are seated.
Bussey seconded.
Note: Changes the method of tallying votes to concur with Robert’s Rules of Order
VOTE:
In favor: rest
Opposed: Belski, Tozer, Liebman
PASSED
Note: As this is a Bylaw change and the agenda was distributed to Board Members by e-mail and snail-mail at least one month prior to their consideration, a two-thirds majority is required for passage. Only minor changes of language from that presented above may be allowed at the time of adoption.
20. Journal Article Copyright
Hose moves: Act 81-345 is replaced by the following:
The National Speleological Society requires all authors to grant a non-exclusive copyright to the NSS prior to publication of their manuscripts in the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies unless they place the paper in the public domain.
Lester seconds.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
21. Conduct of NSS Elections
Gary Moss moves: Appendix X, Policy For Conduct Of NSS Elections is amended as follows: The second paragraph "6" is renumbered "7" and paragraphs "7" through "11" are renumbered "8" through "12." A new section "13" is added to Appendix X as follows: "13. When required, the President may put a Bylaw referendum, along with a pro and a con position statement, on the ballot to be voted on. The same general procedures for the Director's election shall apply to the Bylaw referendum except that the final results shall be given first to the President for action, then to all the other members of the Board."
Bussey seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
22. NSS Life Membership Trust Fund
Gary Moss moves: The NSS Life Membership Trust Fund (Attachment A of Appendix C, National Speleological Foundation (NSF), of the Board Manual) agreement is amended as follows: Paragraphs "5" and "6" are to be renumbered "6" and "7." The following new paragraph "5" is added: "5. Ten percent of the minimum excess value in the Life Membership Trust Fund, as determined by the NSF Annual Report to the NSS, shall be transferred each year from the Life Membership Trust Fund to the Endowment Fund, upon notice from the NSS Treasurer. This transfer is to take place after the NSS Board of Governors Meeting held at the NSS National Convention, on any excess value remaining after other transfers in accordance with paragraph 4. A majority vote of the Board can reduce or eliminate this transfer in any year. This amendment is effective with regard to the excess as of April 30, 1999.
Bussey seconded.
Note: NSF will go along with it but they are not in favor of it. This changes the NSS/NSF contract.
VOTE:
In favor: G. Moss, Sira, Bussey
Opposed: Rest
FAILED
ADJOURN for lunch and closed meeting at 13:17.
The open meeting of the Board re-adjourned at 16:01.
Dave Belski, the Chairman of the Directorate, announced that Paul Stevens was re-elected Secretary-Treasurer during the closed meeting of the Directorate.
Fred Wefer announced that an Investigative Committee was formed to investigate a member whose conduct may be detrimental to the Society. Issues related to the controversy over travel funds for the Executive Planning Committee of the NSS National Convention in Missouri were also discussed.
23. McFails Cave Preserve Chairman
Wefer moves: Thomas C. Rider (NSS 29680) is confirmed as Chairman of the McFails Cave Preserve in the AVP Department.
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
24. Barton Hill Karst Preserve Chairman
Wefer moves: Thomas D. Engel (NSS 13832) is confirmed as Chairman of the Barton Hill Karst Preserve in the AVP Department.
Hose seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
25. Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission Chairman
Wefer moves: Jay Jorden (NSS 14356) is confirmed as Chairman of the Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission in the AVP Department.
Sira seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: rest
Opposed: Keeler
PASSED
26. NSS Library Donation Policy
Hood moves: The NSS Library will not accept donations or gifts with stipulations or conditions unless a minimum $500 endowment accompanies the donation. The Library, with the approval of the OVP, has the right to donate, sell, auction, or give away any book or item in its inventory as necessary for the maintenance of the library, unless an endowment accompanied the item.
Leibman seconded.
Lester moves to amend the removal of "a minimum $500 endowment". Accepted by Hood.
Keeler moves to amend changing "will" to "may" and insert "suitable" in front of endowment. Accepted by Hood.
Keeler moves to amend to insert "$500" in place of "suitable". P. Moss seconded.
VOTE to amend:
In favor: Bussey, Keeler, P. Moss, G. Moss
Opposed: rest
Abstaining: Hood
AMENDMENT FAILED
Motion with friendly amendments
Hood moves: The NSS Library may not accept donations or gifts with stipulations or conditions unless a suitable endowment accompanies the donation. The Library, with the approval of the OVP, has the right to donate, sell, auction, or give away any book or item in its inventory as necessary for the maintenance of the library, unless an endowment accompanied the item.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED with friendly amendments
27. Congress of Grottos Issue
Stevens moves: The Congress of Grottos is requested to consider the desirability of the Society providing cave rescue insurance as an NSS membership benefit. The annual cost appears to be approximately one dollar per member for $2,500 coverage per incident with coverage limited to incidents within the United States of America.
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
28. Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy
Medville moves: The Mid-Atlantic Karst Conservancy is designated as a Conservancy of the National Speleological Society.
M. Hood seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
29. Expanded Role for Public Relations Committee
Bussey moves: Act 86-361 is amended as follows: The NSS Public Relations Committee is directed to expand the awareness of the existence of the National Speleological Society and its activities and goals <on the part of> <<to>> the general public. <Public awareness of the NSS is to be increased via periodic news releases to the various national news services.> <<This committee will coordinate and support corporate marketing and public relations efforts of the NSS and its committees on a national level. The committee will work with NSS committees to ensure that the NSS is represented as a dynamic, authoritative, and professional organization at caving and karst related events, and when dealing with outside associations, government agencies, and the press.>> <Additionally, the Public Relations Committee shall develop and distribute "press relations guidelines" to internal organizations.>
Hood seconded.
Hose moves to remove proactively. Bussey accepts change.
VOTE:
In favor: rest
Absent: Taylor
PASSED
30. Suspension of the Agenda
Liebman moves: In accordance with Act 04-472, the agenda is suspended for informal discussion among all present for 30 minutes.
P. Moss seconds.
VOTE:
In favor: rest
Opposed: Keeler
Abstaining:
Absent:
PASSED
ISSUES
Monthly Mailing schedule change; are issues combined? Is it still sent out or is it just electronically? How do you get on the electronic copy list?
Lava Beds National Monument Research Center: CRF has agreed to help raise the money for this project. The center will consist of housing for the researchers and is expected to cost less than $10,000. Multi-discipline project includes surface and underground studies. Would like to be able to list the NSS as a supporting organization in the fund raising material.
National Cave and Karst Institute has been established by the United States Congress as an un-funded organization within Carlsbad National Park. Viewed initially as an interpreted center.
Demographics: Should statistical studies be done periodically? Do we need to update the information?
Caves versus Processes: Too much time spent on administrative processes instead of cave issue. It may mean that the BOG agrees more on the cave issues. Seventy Committees represented in the reports of the officers.
31a. Ewa Karst, Hawaii Resolution
Medville moves: The National Speleological Society supports the efforts of Alan Ziegler, Ph.D. to save an 8-acre tract of the Ewa Karst on the island of Oahu, Hawaii containing Coralloid Cave and other caves and karstic pits (locally called "sinkholes") containing extensive deposits of fossil and subfossil bird bones and other biological and geological values. The Society urges the Campbell Estate to reserve and dedicate this tract to scientific study, education, and such public enjoyment as is compatible therewith, without further modification of the natural enviroment of this area.
Aulenbach seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
31b&b’. NSS LIBRARY/MUSEUM BUILDING TRUST FUND
Stevens moves establishment of the NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund to hold moneys designated for the purchase of land and the construction of a building or buildings to house the NSS Library, or the NSS Museum, or both either in separate buildings or combined in the same building. The purpose includes the design, construction and outfitting of an appropriate building or buildings including all normal and customary offices, display areas, stacks, archive facilities, research rooms, storage facilities, utilities, and equipment such as environmental and fire prevention and control systems appropriate to the irreplaceable nature of the collections to be housed in the Library or Museum. Procuring furniture, computer equipment, and other capital items associated primarily with the outfitting of an NSS Library or Museum also are proper uses of the moneys in the Fund. Such a building or buildings may, or may not, include existing structures, or portions of existing structures, located on the present NSS property in Huntsville, Alabama. After completion of the construction and outfitting of a central facility or facilities to house the NSS Library, or the NSS Museum, or both, any remaining moneys in the Fund may be used for the acquisition of speleologically-significant publications and memorabilia to be housed in the NSS Library and/or Museum. No moneys from the Fund will be used to pay for the ordinary operation of the NSS Library and/or Museum including such expenses as personnel salaries. Decisions regarding the use of this fund for the above purpose shall be at the discretion of a two-thirds majority of the NSS Board of Governors.
Second, to place this under NSF management.
Stevens moves the approval of Attachment __, the NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund attachment to the NSS Trust Funds Contract with the National Speleological Foundation.
"NSS LIBRARY/MUSEUM BUILDING TRUST FUND (Attachment __ to the contract)
1. This attachment to the contract between the Foundation and the Society pertaining to the NSS Trust Funds (the contract) describes the purpose and conditions of the Individual Fund known as the NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund.
2. The NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund was established by action of the Board of Governors of the National Speleological Society to hold moneys designated for the purchase of land and the design, construction and outfitting of an appropriate building or buildings to host NSS Library and/or Museum facilities, with any residue available for acquisition of speleologically-significant publications and memorabilia to be housed in the NSS Library and/or Museum.
3. The Foundation shall transfer any part or all of the NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund to the NSS upon notification of passage of a suitable resolution by a two-thirds vote of the NSS Board of Governors requesting funds for the above purpose.
4. Until this fund attains a size deemed sufficient by the NSS Board of Governors to permit consideration of construction, it shall be invested by the Foundation for a primary goal of capital appreciation with all income and capital gain distributions reinvested.
5. The foundation may make loans to the Society from the NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund on passage of a resolution requesting such a loan by a two-thirds vote of the NSS Board of Governors. The granting of such a loan, its amount, rate of interest, and terms of repayment shall be at the discretion of the Foundation, except that the total amount of such loans from the NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund during one calendar year shall not exceed 20% of the NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund, and the total of all such loans outstanding at one time shall never exceed 50% of the NSS Library/Museum Building Trust Fund, with the loaned funds being considered part of the Fund.
This attachment has been approved by the NSS Board of Governors on __________ and by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees on ___________. "
Bussey seconded.
VOTE on 31b & 31b’:
In favor: all
PASSED
31c. Hose moves: The Conservation Committee Chair is directed to write a letter to Secretary of Interior, Bruce Babbitt, thanking him for his recent actions to protect the karst environment in the Doniphan-Eleven Point District of the Mark Twain National Forest and, consequently, the
Ozarks National Scenic River.
Aulenbach seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
31d. Hose moves: President Fred Wefer is directed to review and, if deemed appropriate by him and the Conservation Chair, co-sign the petition currently being drafted by the Sierra Club to Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, asking for the withdrawal from mining activity of the federal lands in the recharge area of the karst springs flowing into the Ozarks National Scenic Riverway, Missouri.
P. Moss seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
31e. Bussey moves that the NSS gives the Cave Research Foundation permission to list the NSS as a supporting organization in fund raising and publicity material for the Lava Beds Research Center.
Hose seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all
PASSED
31f. Leibman moves: Acceptance of an NSS Convention bid by the Board of Governors will not occur at the same meeting of the BOG during which the bid is presented.
Belski seconded.
Hose moves to refer to the AVP. G. Moss seconded.
VOTE to refer:
In favor: Sira, Hose, Taylor, Lester, G. Moss
Opposed: rest
Abstaining:
Absent:
Motion to refer failed.
VOTE:
In favor: Tozer, Aulenbach, Sira, Medville, P. Moss, Bussey, Fleming Taylor, Leibman, Belski
Opposed: Hose, Hood, Stevens, Keeler, Lester
Abstaining: G. Moss
Passed
32. Appreciation
Liebman moves: The Board of Governors expresses its appreciation to the Southern California Grotto of the NSS for our excellent meeting arrangements.
Hose seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: all:
PASSED
33. Adjourn
P. Moss moves that the meeting be adjourned. Keeler seconded.
VOTE:
In favor: All
PASSED
President Wefer declared the meeting adjourned at 17:27.
Respectfully submitted,
Hazel E. Medville
as corrected November 25, 1998