National Speleological
Society
Department of the President's Report
April 7, 2001
Table of Contents:
President's Report
AGI Outreach Liaison
Awards Committee
Board Arrangements Committee
Bylaws Committee
Fund Raising Committee
Government Liaison Committee
International Secretary
Legal Committee
Logistics Committee
Membership Committee
National Cave and Karst Management Symposium
Coordinator
Nominating Committee
NSS/KWI Liaison Committee
NSS/TNC Liaison
Planning Committee
Public Relations Committee
Recording Secretary
Secretary to the Board
Show Caves Liaison Committee
Youth Groups Liaison Committee
Board Meeting System Ad Hoc Committee
Spring Hill Cave Lawsuit Ad Hoc Committee
Travel Policy Ad Hoc Committe
NSS License Plate Ad Hoc Committee
NSS 60th Anniversary Ad Hoc
Committee
NSS/NCKRI Ad Hoc Committee
Mike K. Hood
4668 Airway Road
Riverside, OH 45431-1368
(937) 252-2978
president@caves.org
There are 26 committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the President (PRES). In this report, I provide the name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the chair of each committee or organization, followed by their report. The committee and sub-committee chairs have provided the information in this report, although I’ve made some spelling, formatting, and minor editorial adjustments. If necessary, my comments are provided in Italics following the committee’s report.
PLANS:
I have finished my first term as President and am thoroughly
enjoying myself. I am running for reelection for another term,
and if elected will continue to pursue the various projects I
have in the works and begin work on other proposed programs.
PROGRESS:
Our application to participate in the Combined Federal
Campaign was submitted.
I would like to see the NSS/NCKRI Ad Hoc Committee designated as a permanent committee in the President’s Department. A motion to do this is on the agenda. I feel a permanent liaison with this organization is prudent and beneficial to the NSS.
I awarded Certificates of Appreciation to Ms. Caroline Widner, Mr. John Tierney, and Carter Caves State Resort Park.
Wrote a letter to the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection concerning the Greer Industries permit to continue mining in the vicinity of Hellhole. Subsequently, the permit was approved and I’ve received correspondence from both the division and Greer Industries indicating they would not be mining in the vicinity of Hellhole.
Wrote a letter to Arizona Highways urging them not to hold a planned cave photo workshop.
Wrote a letter to the U.S. Postal Service supporting the proposed Carlsbad Caverns postage stamp.
Wrote a letter to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management concerning the BLM’s position on the Capitan Reef National Monument proposal.
Spoke at various grotto meetings and at the 20th Annual Carter Caves State Resort Park Crawlathon in January 2001.
Attended the premier of the IMAX film, Journey into Amazing Caves, at the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History on March 6, 2001.
Responded to various interview requests about caves, Karst, and the NSS.
PROBLEMS:
There are no significant problems at this time.
Carol Zokiates (Liaison)
620 McDaniel Drive
Christianburg, VA 24073-3872
(540) 382-5437
zokaites@usit.net
No report received.
Bill Tozer (Chairman)
9698 S 150 West
Pendleton, IN 46064
(765) 778-3259
wtozer@aol.com
Committee Members:
Gale Beach William J. Stevenson Outstanding Service Award and
Honorary Member
Evelyn Bradshaw Member at Large
Bill Bussey Certificates of Merit
Donald G. Davis Member at Large
Michael D. Dyas Member at Large
B. Scott Fee Spelean Arts & Letters Award
Daniel Fong Member at Large
Jeanne Hill Conservation Award
Cato O. Holler, Jr. Peter M. Hauer Spelean History Award
Mike K. Hood Member at Large
Pat Kambesis Lew Bicking Award
Charles V. Larson Member at Large
Charles A. Lundquist James G. Mitchell Award
William Mixon Fellows of the Society
G. Thomas Rea Member at Large
Geary M. Schindel Member at Large
Gordon L. Smith, Jr. Best Paper on a Show Cave Award
Linda Starr Member at Large
Lee Stevens Member at Large
George Veni Science Award
Plans:
The AC will provide recommendation for the 2001 awards to the
BOG at the spring meeting. After the BOG meeting, the AC will
begin preparing the Awards program for the 2001 Kentucky
convention. Plans are to have photos for all recipients so that
they maybe displayed with a power point program.
Progress:
The 2001 award nominations are in and look very good. The
award nominations have been submitted to the AC for evaluation.
The nominating material for OS and HM has been distributed to the
BOG so that they may select these awards at the spring meeting.
The BOG, at the fall meeting, passed an amendment to the Bicking,
Conservation, Arts & Letters, and Science which states
"preference will be given to those not holding the OS or HM
award."
Problems:
There are no problems at this point. The process is moving along
according to schedule.
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
(908) 294-6634
TJPollock@aol.com
Plans:
Packets on how to host BOG supplied to Texas, Tampa and Ohio. No
responses as yet. Summer session will be held at convention in
Kentucky, the fall session in Phoenix.
Progress:
I'm pleased to report that this meeting was listed in the NSS
News Calendar. The problem of non-listing was resolved by
recruiting a higher class of caver - ones who can read.
Problems:
None.
The Dayton Underground Grotto has prepared a bid to host the spring 2002 Board of Governors meeting in Dayton, Ohio. The motion is on the agenda.
Jim Borden (Chairman)
7 Marron Lane
New Paltz, NY 12561
(H)(914) 255-4663
(W)(914) 433-2892
jimborden@ibm.net
jborden@us.ibm.com
No report received.
Ted Kayes (Chairman)
8031 Whittington Dr
Richmond, VA 23235
(H)(804) 272-4310
(W)(804) 346-3697
tckayes@richmond.infi.net
Plans:
The Stash the Cash program that Cheryl Jones put together is
going to receive primary focus at the Convention. A gift will be
given to each member that signs up to give $10 or more. The plan
is to go from two participants at the end of last year to a 100
by the end of summer.
Progress:
The annual campaign letter went to all regular and life members
of the Society. So far just over $7,000 has been received from
it. The pins for members of the Stephenson Group have been
received and the first two have been presented. The Group now has
more than a dozen members, who have either given the Society more
than $10,000 or designated the Society as the beneficiary of a
testamentary gift. MBNA has sent a mail solicitation for NSS
credit cards to the members. It was signed by the President and
prominently features the NSS logo. A note was put on the
discussion board regarding the NSS Credit Card.
Problems:
The annual fund raising letter was late in going out and that
probably reduced the response. It should not happen again.
Hazel Medville (Chairman)
11762 Indian Ridge Road
Reston, VA 20191-3525
(703) 860-0134
Hazelm@patriot.net
Plans:
Try to establish a contact in the US Fish and Wildlife
Service. Continued work on the NPS agreement, possibly contact
National Cave and Karst Research Institute about a future MOU
(I’ll talk to Werkers and others at the BOG meeting), and
continue to correspond and communicate with the national cave
specialists in the various agencies.
Progress:
I have contacted all the US government agencies with whom we
have agreements and have received replies from the National Park
Service, the Forest Service and BLM through their national cave
specialists. Ron Kerbo of the NPS and I are drafting a revised
MOU with the main change being a non-discrimination clause. I met
with Jim Miller, Jerry Trout, and Cheryl Jones at USDA in
Washington to discuss NCKMS symposia and other issues on January
30.
Problems:
None.
John L. Moses (Secretary)
6900 Hueco Tanks #1
El Paso, TX 79938
(H)(915) 921-0535
(W)(915) 857-1135
(F)(915) 856-3556
johnmoses@excite.com
Eleanor Larson (Committee Member)
Tom Lera (Committee Member)
Plans:
The 13th International Congress of Speleology (ICOS) will be held
at the National Convention Center in Brasilia, Brazil, July 15 -
22, 2001. Information on registration for the Congress and pre-
and post-Congress field trips is on the Congress web site at:
http://www.speleobrazil2001.org.br/br2001_i/index.html
While travel plans are incomplete, I intend to attend the 2001 ICOS. The NSS International Secretary represents the NSS at the ICOS.
Progress:
Answered various correspondence addressed to international
secretary or sent to NSS relating to international issues.
Reviewed proposal, sponsored by NSS member, from Romanian speleologist for cooperative exchange with NSS. Unfortunately, deadline for submittal did not allow sufficient due diligence on financial commitment required of Society. Recommended that the proposal be re-submitted again in time to line up financial support.
Problems:
None
Joel B. Stevenson (Chairman)
1509 BB&T Building
Asheville, NC 28801-3406
(H)(828) 669-0126
(W)(828) 255-7703
(F)(828) 254-1793
cavelaw@bellsouth.net
Plans:
I will continue to be available if needed. Additionally, an NSS
member who is actively involved in law enforcement has contacted
me. He is interested in collecting data on prosecutions under
various cave protection laws. I will continue to correspond with
him with the goal of making the collection of that data a legal
committee project.
I would like to see the Society adopt guidelines for retaining counsel - including a requirement that the retained counsel have adequate malpractice insurance. In some situations, the people involved will have a choice of counsel, but there will be times when they will have no idea of who to retain or how to find them. The Committee should be charged with the duty of finding counsel in those situations, and with serving as liaison with retained counsel in all cases.
At a minimum, I would like to see a requirement that counsel be retained to represent the Society in connection with each convention, to review all contracts, to review the tort liability release, and to be available for consultation and to take whatever steps to protect the Society interests from whatever may arise during the convention. I am not as concerned about formal representation on our book contracts. Our people are knowledgeable, and I have not seen anything in all of the book contracts I have looked at over the years that would be improved by paying a lawyer to do anything.
Progress:
I have corresponded via email with Cheryl regarding contracts and
liability waivers for the 2001 and 2002 conventions. It appears
that those matters are progressing satisfactorily. I have
reviewed the pre-publication contract for Caves and Cameras and
it seems satisfactory. The Barton Hill litigation is still
unresolved. Our attorney in New York, Carl Dworkin, tells me that
Baumann's attorney failed to file for a trial date as the Court
had directed him to do and that this has placed the Plaintiff
"in limbo." Since we are the Defendants, any mistake by
the Plaintiff that keeps the case out of court is probably to our
advantage.
Problems:
None to report.
Roswell Jones (Chairman)
1051 Roosevelt Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1036
(H)(412) 367-3522
wrj4822@sgi.net
My report is the same as usual. I plan to continue to support the President and the board with the equipment to hold the Board meetings.
Again because of work requirements I can't make the next meeting, but I will make sure that the voting machine will be there.
William Karpowicz (Chairman)
291 Willard Avenue
Westbrook, CT 06498-7809
Committee Members -- Their Assignments:
Colin Gatland -- Canada, TX, and OK
Jay Landt -- GA and FL
Ernie Coffman -- NV, HI, and CA
Bob Liebman -- Member At Large
Marty Brown – AR
Marge Nelson – CA
Elaine Hackerman -- KY and OH
Jennifer Pinkley Bennett -- AL, MS, LA, and TN
Hal Joerin -- MI, IN, and WI
Gayle Smart – NM
Bill & Mary Klimack -- PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC
Bill Karpowicz -- NY and New England
Jerry Zimmer -- AK, WA, ID, and OR
Plans:
The Membership Committees role in the NSS has been
stagnant over the three plus years. That will change this year.
If everything goes as planed, the Membership Committee will
assist the I/O Committee in gathering information from the
grottos for the I/O report and Membership Manual.
Progress:
Committee members are aware of and attending local caving
events as representatives of the NSS. We also managed to get
involved with some of the decision making process in regards to
the new membership category. We did get involved a bit late, but
I think the members had some valid points both pro and con on
this issue. Plans are in the works to get any members of the
committee attending the Kentucky Convention to meet with the I/O
Committee to form a plan for next year.
Problems:
In December 2000, I sent out e-mails and snail mail to all
the committee members to confirm their involvement. Some needed
to bow out for various reasons, some never replied or their
e-mail and/or snail mail bounced so, we need to fill four
positions, (New York / New England), (Missouri / Kansas),
(Colorado / Utah / Wyoming) & (Kentucky / Ohio). I have
placed an ad in the NSS News looking for volunteers to fill these
positions.
In regards to the "General Membership" Category, the Membership Committee was very much split on this issue; I’ll try and do the members ideas and concerns justice with a summary.
On what would be the PRO side, most feel that anything that encourages cavers to become members and those who are already members to stay members is a good idea. The feeling that some people feel that the cost of membership is too much to bear and tend to drop out and a category that allows them to be member and foregoing the publications would be beneficial to the society’s growth. The feeling that a category like this would help students and those on a fixed income who are trying to make ends meet stay involved in the society.
On the CON side, there is the potential for those who are looking for a way to stay a part of the society but just don’t want to pay the dues. I see those as cavers who may want to use the credentials of being a NSS member to gain access to caves, otherwise out of their reach. If those people change their status purely for money reasons, even though they have been paying their dues over the years, this would be a negative impact on the society. Additionally, those in the new category would not receive publications, which would reduce the information flow within the society and lessen the society's ability to communicate about cave conservation or other topics important to the society. Also this would remove the tangible benefits of membership, and might increase the questioning of membership value (in any category) and be detrimental to the Society in the long run. The new category will not support the NSS publications at best, and will likely undermine them. If a large proportion of the Society opts not to subscribe, the BOG may be placed in the uncomfortable position of having to justify continuing to publish at the expense of other Society activities. The NSS would have a very different perception without publications. If the Journal goes away, it would be more difficult to justify our relationship with the AAAS. And without that bona fide, we lose influence when negotiating conservation legislation on Capitol Hill or in state capitals. The lower dues would reduce the NSS income. While this may be acceptable, it is not a good managerial decision to implement the plan without analysis. Finally, the category was proposed to assist in encouraging low-income membership. Students already receive a discount (which may be adjusted without requiring a new category). If the desire is to provide a membership to those in a financially difficult position we should offer grants. Grants would more fairly deliver this without the problems involved in a new category.
Recommendations: (1) that the BOG not act on the proposed category until the more information is available (See #2).
(2) Gather data. The Membership Committee will (a) conduct a membership survey to estimate how many members would switch categories and to gather opinions, and (b) canvass grottos to estimate how many potential new members would join if the new category is offered.
(3) The Membership Committee will investigate the idea of a One idea that my help would be a bi-yearly payment option, where the member can pay the normal dues in two payments with a small service charge. For example, a regular member pays $33.00, the special membership category could allow 2 payments of $17.00 each. Of course this open up a can of worms when it comes to paperwork, but it's just an idea. The Committee will gather information regarding the additional administrative burden and make a recommendation.
(3) Establish a grant program to award memberships to those with financial need. The Committee will draft guidelines.
(4) Provide grottos with inexpensive NSS displays to advertise the Society. Provide larger displays to the cave events like Speleofest and OTR. The Committee will explore this idea.
(5) If the new category is adopted, consider a campaign to enlarge the Journal's subscription base by advertising to all colleges and university libraries with a earth science departments.
These are the concerns and thoughts of the Membership Committee, I hope they are insightful and will help with some decisions in the future.
NATIONAL CAVE AND KARST MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM COORDINATOR:
Cheryl Jones (Coordinator)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
McLean, VA 22102
Phone/Fax: (703) 442-8499
cherylj@erols.com
Plans:
The NCKMS will be held October 16-19 in Tucson.
Progress:
Progress continues by the USFS Region 3 hosts.
Problems:
None
Barbara Ann am Ende (Chairman)
18912 Glendower Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1833
Phone: (301) 216-0932
Plans:
I have coordinated with Bob Hoke who will have the
ballots/platforms printed and mailed. I will be caving until
March 6th. When I return, I will assemble the platforms and
ballot to a printer ready version for Bob. I expect that to take
about a week. Hopefully the ballots will be mailed by early
April.
Progress:
I have asked 48 NSS members to run for the BOG. Nine people have
agreed, and one is a "maybe."
Problems:
There seem to be no significant problems. I would have rather had
a couple more candidates, but the lack of more candidates is not
for lack of trying on my part. Perhaps one or two more will turn
up by the time I return on March 6.
Vacant
Rane L. Curl (Liaison)
2805 Gladstone Ave.
Ann Arbor MI 48104-6432
Phone: (734) 995-2678
Fax: (by prior arrangement) (734) 995-0289
ranecurl@umich.edu
Rob Robbins (Committee Member)
Nothing has changed from our last report. There have been no inquiries and Tina, my contact with TNC, has a new major responsibility with TNC that is taking all her time.
Thomas J. Pollock (Chairman)
21 Kingslet Way
Freehold, NJ 07728-1628
(H)(908) 294-6634
TJPollock@aol.com
No report received.
Jay Jorden (Chairman)
11201 CR 132
Celina, TX 75009-2527
Home and manual fax: (972) 382-2458
Work: (972) 991-2100
jjorden@texoma.net
David McClurg (Committee Member)
Jack Hissong (Committee Member)
Sandra Hissong (Committee Member)
Plans:
(1) Work continues on updating the background sheet that
accompanies news releases and responses to media organizations,
along with (2) restructuring of a ``press kit'' and committee
files. Development time and input are necessary. (3) The
committee is working on an outline for a PR workshop at the next
convention, as well as (4) an NSS News article.
Progress:
Members of the NSS Public Relations Committee have, in the four
months since the last report, continued to field media inquiries
and promote the Society's safety and conservation goals. Also,
the committee is aiding the Society's Cave Conservation and
Management Section's publication efforts and contributing to the
Society's Conservation and Management Section newsletter.
Details: The committee worked with researchers for ABC-TV's "World News Tonight" for a report on John Sheltens and Sheltens' work at Wind Cave. An inquiry from MSNBC on a caving feature it wanted to do was also fielded. Committee members have also sent material in conjunction with the upcoming release of the IMAX film. Reporters for dailies working on caving articles, freelancers and researchers for publishers and the electronic media continue to dominate the contacts by letter, telephone and e-mail.
Feedback: Clippings from earlier efforts continue to come in. The committee plans to work with a media columnist for the NSS News.
Problems:
As always, please let me know of any specific PR concerns or
needs, either from the officers or the board.
Lee Stevens
44082 Natalie Terrace Unit 101
Ashburn, VA 20147
A corrected copy of the minutes of the Nov '00 meeting was distributed to the Board in mid December '00. I'm waiting for a progress report on the voting equipment. Hazel Medville has agreed to take the minutes at the April '01 Board meeting if I am not able to attend.
Vince Kappler
10 Hollyhock Way
Newton, NJ 07860-5371
(H)(973) 579-2116
vkappler@nac.net
Plans:
The manual only goes to 19 persons now; therefore the web must be
the resource of choice for the vast majority of members needing
personnel information. The manual update mailed in January was 50
pages. The personnel section (pgs. 4.25-4.38) was over 25% of the
mailing. 19 people inserted personnel pages in their manual that
were out of date within a week. I will work with the officers to
identify personnel changes as they occur and forward them to Tom
Rea. (Tom already copies me on the changes sent directly to him.)
I will continue maintaining the personnel section for the
archives and office copy, but delete it from the general mailing.
Thus the web will soon become more accurate and up-to-date than
the pages the officers and directors receive in the mail. This
will reduce printing and postage costs even further.
Progress:
The BOG manual revision, authorized at the June 2000 meeting, has
been completed. The manual has been reduced by about 200 pages
and should be less cumbersome to users. The last two updates
averaged 26 pages less than previous packets. Information sheets
about the revisions were included in mailings and a page
checklist was included in the January mailing. The list is down
to nineteen (19) persons receiving the manual.
I continue to maintain the complete manual (or "old version") on disk and provide a hard copy of all changes to the office, the archives, and to the recording secretary. Revisions to the complete manual are also sent to Tom Rea for posting on the web.
Although I now print and collate two versions of the manual, I actually spent less time preparing the January mailing. We are saving postage with the revised updates.
Problems:
None.
Gordon Smith (Chairman)
9850 N. Skyline Dr.
Floyds Knobs, IN 47119
Home & Work: (812) 945-5721
Fax: (812) 945-6891
glstis@aol.com
Plans:
Attempting to get the NCA to participate in the NSS preview of
the IMAX film in DC. Working with Cheryl Jones and John
Scheltens. I hope to personally attend openings In Louisville and
Indianapolis and perhaps Cincy and/or DC.
Progress:
Attended NCA annual meeting at Kartchner Caverns in November.
Visited Colossal Cave, Grand Canyon Caverns and Kartchner during
visit to AZ.
Problems:
The NCA does not have any "political" problems at the
moment that exposure to the DC crowd will help. In addition it is
difficult for them to see how a film about cave exploration will
be of specific help to the show cave industry. And there is not a
line item in the budget for the IMAX Premiere. But I am working
to overcome these problems. Other than getting the NCA to
contribute to the IMAX showing everything else is under control I
think.
YOUTH GROUPS LIAISON COMMITTEE:
Jack Hissong (Chairman)
8716 Quarterhorse Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46256
(H)(317) 841-0687
Plans:
We will continue to respond to the calls and letters we
receive. It has been several years since we had a meeting at a
NSS convention of those who work with Scouts and youth groups.
This might be the year to do it. One of my best contacts is Bill
Simpson of Cincinnati. He has Scout groups in the caves around
Mt. Vernon, KY as frequently as once a month. I have had some
preliminary talks with him about holding a meeting to share
stories and methods.
Progress:
The main thing we do is to respond to letters and phone calls
from either NSS members or members of the public who are involved
with youth groups. The main groups we hear about are Boy Scout
units, but it is sometimes Girl Scouts, church groups, youth
camps, nature centers, school classes, or anyone who may have an
interest in caves. The interest or inquiry can range from a
referral to a commercial cave, to a request for information about
bats, to a slide show about caves, to advice on equipment or
safety or rules, to a formal request for some real cavers to take
them on a wild caving experience. Most of these inquiries are
answered quickly over the phone or by letter attaching some
brochures. Others need hands-on local assistance. I do have
contacts and loose lists of NSS members in most every geographic
area who have shown a willingness to take these referrals, and
work with local groups to answer their needs.
Problems:
None.
BOARD MEETING SYSTEMS AD HOC COMMITTEE:
Lee Stevens (Chairman)
44082 Natalie Terrace Unit 101
Ashburn, VA 20147
A supplemental report should be ready by the Board of Governor’s meeting.
SPRING HILL CAVE LAWSUIT AD HOC COMMITTEE:
Cheryl Jones (Chairman)
1865 Old Meadow Rd. #202
McLean, VA 22102
Phone/Fax: (703) 442-8499
cherylj@erols.com
Plans:
To stay informed of the trial action expected this spring and
arrange financial assistance for Ms. Beckner when the time
arrives.
Progress:
None. Awaiting the trial.
Problems:
None.
Bill Tozer (Chairman)
9698 S 150 West
Pendleton, IN 46064
(765) 778-3259
wtozer@aol.com
Cheryl Jones (Committee Member)
Dave Lester (Committee Member)
Doug Medville (Committee Member)
Gary Moss (Committee Member)
Plans:
The report will complete the original directive of the BOG.
Unless additional work is required, the task will be finished.
Progress:
A detailed report is in the works to present at the April BOG
meeting.
Problems:
No major problems at this point, other than the need for time.
NSS LICENSE PLATE AD HOC COMMITTEE:
Phil Roke (Chairman)
(H)(540) 752-1148
(W)(202) 366-5884
proke@hotmail.com
Plans:
Same as last report.
Progress:
The letter to the States requesting information has been drafted
and will be sent electronically to all the States. A report
detailing the findings will be available for the annual meeting
in Kentucky.
Problems:
None. Proceeding as planned.
NSS 60th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee:
Mike Hood (Chairman)
4668 Airway Road
Riverside, OH 45431-1368
(937) 252-2978
president@caves.org
Plans:
Continue organizing the 60th Anniversary
Celebration to be held Tuesday evening of convention.
Progress:
Colin Gatland and I are producing a multi-projector slide
show on the history of the NSS that will be shown at the Tuesday
night celebration. I’m also planning to invite all
three-digit NSS members and past Presidents to the celebration
and recognize them for their many years of support to the
Society. I’ve been coordinating this event with convention
chairman, Bill Carr. He’s ensuring all our needs are being
met. He is also arranging to have sheet cakes for the
celebration. It should be an entertaining evening.
Problems:
None.
NSS/National Cave and Karst Research Institute Ad Hoc Committee:
Dr. Penny Boston (Chairman)
7097 Redwing Place
Longmont, CO 80503
(W)(303) 530-2661
pboston@complex.org
No report received.
Penny and I agree this ad hoc committee needs to be a permanent committee in the President’s Department. We both feel continued relations between the two organizations are important to the NSS and the NCKRI. A motion is on the agenda to create a permanent committee.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL K. HOOD
President,
National Speleological Society, Inc.