Table of Contents:
President's Report
AGI Outreach Liaison
Awards Committee
Board Arrangements
Committee
Bylaws Committee
Fund Raising Committee
Grant 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/NCKRI Liaison
Committee
NSS/TNC Liaison
Planning Committee
Public Relations Committee
Recording Secretary
Secretary to the Board
Show Caves Liaison
Committee
Spring Hill
Cave Lawsuit Ad Hoc Committee
NSS
Library Infrastructure Ad Hoc Committee
NSS Office Software
Committee
Scott Fee, 317-889-7345, scottfee@pipeline.com
There are 23 committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the President (PRES). In this report, I provide the name, 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.
For detailed address information of any committee chair, please refer to the NSS Members Manual or go to: http://www.caves.org/nss-business/Board/table-4d.html#President
Alternatively, you may contact me directly and I will furnish you with the appropriate contact information.
Plans:
Progress:
Ad Hoc Committees:
Problems:
The Internet postings for both the Fund Raising Chairman and Planning Committee Chairman have had less than lackluster responses.
Carol Zokiates (Liaison), 540-382-5437, zokaites@usit.net
Progress:
Every year AGI puts together packets of information and lesson
plans to send to over 10,000 teachers around the country. This
year they asked the NSS for activity ideas. Project Underground
worked together with the NSS and decided to send the activity
"Sinkholes in a cup" to be included in the packet. This
is a great activity on how sinkholes form.
Plans:
to stay in touch with the AGI group.
Problems:
none
Bill Tozer (Chairman), 765-778-3259, wtozer@aol.com
Committee Members:
Barbara am Ende, Gale Beach, Evelyn Bradshaw, Bill Bussey, Donald
G. Davis, Michael Dyas, Scott Fee, Dr. Daniel Fong, Jeanne Hill,
Dr. Cato O. Holler, Jr., Mike K. Hood, Roy Jameson, Pat Kambesis,
Charles V. Larson, Dr. Charles A. Lundquist, William Mixon, G.
Thomas Rea, Geary M. Schindel, Gordon L. Smith, Jr, Linda Starr,
Lee Stevens, Dr. George Veni.
Progress:
The Awards committee recommendations were presented to the Board
at the March meeting. These and the HM and OS awards were
designated at that meeting. Recipients have been notified so that
they may attend the convention. The HM and OS certificates have
been prepared. Everything is on schedule for the convention
awards program.
Geary Schindel 11310 Whisper Dawn, San Antonio, TX 78230 (210) 479-2151 gschindel@mindspring.com has been appointed sub chairman for conservation award.
Plans:
The power point program of award winners will be prepared for the
awards presentation. The annual Awards committee meeting will be
held at the convention. This year the first hour of the meeting
will be open to the membership. The intent is to describe the
different awards, provide suggestions on how to write a
nomination, and answer questions.
A call for nominations will be sent to the NSS NEWS for the September issue.
The committee is also working to develop an Awards page for the NSS website.
Problems:
As always, the awards committee needs support of the Society by
providing good nominations for all awards.
Mike Hood (Interim Chairman), mhood@caves.org
Plans:
I was asked to serve as the interim chairman of this committee,
pending confirmation by the board. My immediate plans are to get
the committee organized, review the Arrangements for a Board of
Governors Meeting pamphlet, and begin “beating the
bushes” for future meeting hosts. I also plan to beef up the
web page to add some other features. The one Andy Niekamp
designed on the NSS home page is good and provides all the
necessary information. I simply want to build on it.
Progress:
Not much progress to report since I just got started. However, I
will report that I am in contact with Mike Poucher of the Cave
Diving Session to assist him with the upcoming Florida Board
meeting in October.
Problems:
None.
Tom Rea (Chairman), 765-653-4423, tomrea@caves.org
Progress:
No Bylaws were presented for review.
Plans:
Respond when my cage is rattled.
Problems:
None.
Ted Kayes (Chairman), 804-272-4310, tckayes@earthlink.net
Progress:
A fund raising letter for Great X has been composed. It was
mailed the last week of June. The artwork for the Great X t-shirt
has been completed.
Plans:
Make convention attendees aware of the "Buy a vertical foot
of Great X campaign" and debut the complimentary Great X
T-shirt for those who contribute $100 or more. Assist Scott in
finding a fund raising chair who has the time to devote to it is
needed by the Society.
Problems:
The current chairman will not be attending the California
Convention, and someone will be needed to focus the Convention
attendees on the Great X mortgage. [Bob Montgomery and John
Scheltens will be coordinating the Great X fund raising during
convention.]
Vacant
Plans:
Considering the scope and current need of the NSS to obtain
solicit grants, the President decided to create two or more
subcommittees within the Grants Committee.
Progress:
NSS News and Internet ads have been run. Donna Cobb has been
appointed as indicated below.
Problems:
The subcommittee structure will be reviewed for effectiveness and
evaluated by the Fall Board Meeting.
Vacant, Cave Acquisition Grant Subcommittee Chairman
Plans:
Advertising for this subcommittee.
Progress:
Both Doug Medville and Hazel Barton have submitted grant
applications to assist the Society with reduction of the Great X
debt load. This was unsolicited and is much appreciated.
NSS Office and Library Grants Subcommittee Chairman
Donna Cobb, 205-987-0872, dndcobb@bellsouth.net
Progress:
Jennifer Pinkley and I are actively researching and developing
plans to begin the submission of grant requests to a variety of
foundations and government programs on behalf of the NSS. We have
purchased several grant directories (one for non-profit
organizations, one for non-profit libraries) and other materials
towards our efforts to obtain funding for a variety of stated NSS
goals. To this end, we are noting organizations that are good
fund-raising targets and beginning the initial process of
determining to which we will submit our requests.
Jennifer and I have spoken to experienced grant writers and specifically on Jennifer's part, to those involved in the submission of cave related grant proposals (Shelta Cave re-gating project, for example) to get ideas from them. We are actively seeking out anyone and everyone who can offer assistance towards our financial goals, members willing to assist with volunteer activities and donations.
Plans:
Jennifer has spoken to the NSS office staff about what kinds of
things they may need that we could fund with grants (equipment,
etc.) and we are working towards setting up a meeting with people
who are interested in discussing this. We hope to work out our
scheduling issues to get together in the next month, but the
office staff also needs time to develop a long-term goal list
that we can work from.
Issues Needing Attention:
* We need to nail down a budget for the immediate needs of the NSS office.
* To gain a clearer understanding the political structure of the NSS and all of it's subcommittees and entities we are to deal with on the various grant requests/ issues needing our attention.
* Once we understand the financial needs of the NSS as a whole, to begin the submission of multiple grant requests to fund the recognized, immediate needs and whatever issues may come about in the future.
* We need to identify NSS members and political officers willing to volunteer their time and services in an effort to save costs and for the addition of their roles to our granting organization submissions.
Problems: We are experiencing some scheduling problems with the NSS office staff and those we believe can offer assistance in developing proposals as listed in the NSS amended grants list. Although our initial focus has been the office infrastructure and access issues, we believe protecting the valuable and irreplaceable documents and books should be a main priority at this time. We are unable to write any grant applications until we actually know what the library needs, and have a budget calculated.
Hazel Medville (Chairman), 703-860-0134, Hazelm@patriot.net
Progress:
Sent NSS Convention invitations to government officials with
offers of free day passes. Received word from Jim Goodbar that a
revised BLM/NSS MOU is in the works; the current MOU was signed
in 1984.
Sent invitations to state, BLM, and NPS personnel to attend the convention on Tuesday at the expense of the Government Liaison Committee. Also sent invitations to several BLM staff for Friday. Jerry Trout of the US Forest Service has not gotten back to me with a list of invitees; the request was sent out in late May. The Government Panel will be held Tuesday afternoon following a Conservation and Restoration session.
Plans:
Work with Jim Goodbar on an updated BLM/NSS MOU (see the Board
Manual, appendix AF,
http://www.caves.org/nss-business/Board/app-af.html). Work with
Louise Hose and our NCKRI Liaison on a NCKRI/NSS MOU.
Periodically ask other committee chairman about their communications with federal government agencies.
Continue to act as a Liaison between the NSS and federal and state agencies, as needed, and to work with grottos and other internal organizations and committees to smooth their work with government agencies.
Problems:
None.
NCKRI/NSS MOU and possible Loan Agreement (Also see Presidents report)
Progress:
The actions on the library agreement and a possible MOU are at a
stand still while the new NCKRI Director redefines the
organization and its goals.
Plans:
Work on the MOU should resume possibly in the fall. I'll talk to
Louise Hose at Convention and try to create a timeline for the
task. Any work on a Library agreement will be delayed until after
the Fall Board and the NCKRI planning session.
Problems:
None.
John L. Moses (Secretary), 915-921-0535, johnmoses@excite.com
Eleanor Larson (Committee Member) Santa Barbara, CA
Tom Lera (Committee Member) Falls Church, VA
Plans:
Co-host (with George Veni) a Thursday luncheon workshop at the
NSS to discuss pros and cons of NSS bidding for 2009
International Congress of Speleology (ICOS). Also, a flyer will
be given to convention registrants asking for their input and
willingness to participate in an ICOS. The results of both will
be reviewed with the NSS Board on Friday to provide background
for a proposed Board resolution calling for formation of ad hoc
NSS committee to prepare bid for presentation at 2005 Athens,
Greece ICOS.
Progress:
Problems:
Following March 2003, Board of Governors meeting action,
which transferred $12,000 from the International Support Fund to
another NSS fund, the level of grants which can be made is in
question. According to NSS Treasurer, Paul Stevens, “The
amount that can be used as International Grants (both Intl.
Participation and Intl. Partnership) is 5.5% of the new (reduced
by $12,000) principal. That will be roughly $2,100 if the stock
markets haven't changed it greatly in the past year. We have
gotten no intermediate reports from the NSF during the past
fiscal year; so I don't really know how we have been doing. I
don't expect to see their final FY figures until just before
Convention, so we won't really know until then what the maximum
grant level will be.”
Joel B. Stevenson (Chairman), 828-669-0126, cavelaw@jbs-law.com
Progress:
Problems:
None of which I am aware at this time.
Plans:
I will continue to respond to inquiries.
Roswell Jones (Chairman), (H) 412-367-3522, wrj48221@attbi.com
Plans:
The voting machine will be in California for the Board meeting. I
hope to be there as well. I’ve received most of the parts
that as I need, so I will begin the construction of the voting
stations soon. Jim has informed me that he wouldn’t be ready
with the rest of the voting machine until the fall board meeting.
Progress:
I answered some questions from the Convention staff about Audio
Visual needs for the board meetings. Additionally, I suggested
that arrangements should be made to supply more power outlets for
the Board, since so many of the Board members are now using
laptops during the meeting.
Problems:
None at this time.
William Karpowicz (Chairman), carbidekid@prodigy.net
Colin Gatland: Canada, TX, OK Ernie Coffman: NV, HI, CA
Marty Brown: AR Hal Joerin: MI, IN, WI
Bill Klimack: PA, DE, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC
Bob Liebman: Member At Large Marge Nelson: CA
Jerry Zimmer: AK, WA, ID, OR Ryan Brown: CO, UT, WY
Melanie Coleman: CO, UT, WY Robert J Hall: NY, NJ
Bill Karpowicz: NY, New England
Current Plans:
After serving the NSS for over 15 years in his capacity as
Membership Committee Chairman, Bill has decided to step down from
this position. He will continue to serve in this capacity until
we can name an either an interim or permanent replacement.
Cheryl Jones (Coordinator), 703-442-8499, cherylj@erols.com
Plans:
Progress:
2003 Symposium is coming together.
Problems:
None
Montana Autumn Spencer (Chairman), 423-396-4521, Cavrbab@earthlink.net
2003 NSS Nominating Committee Members:
Joseph D Marchese, 48495RE, Verification Teller
Dave Belski, 7875RL, CM, FE, Southwestern Region
Craig Cantello, 41176RE, Eastern Region
Elaine J Hackerman, 9048RL, FE, Southeastern Region
Plans:
Progress:
Problems:
Our budget exceeded again this year. I provided Scott
with explanation supporting the $107.76 overage including having
an additional loose page in the ballot to accommodate all of the
candidates, postal increase from last summer, omission of tax
from the printer/mailing house's final quote, and a small number
of US ballots having to be mailed 1st class due to a membership
file issue at the Office which has been resolved. This year was
an invaluable step in the learning process and I feel confident I
am now in a position to better anticipate and support my budget
needs for the fall proposals to avoid exceeding budget in the
future.
Kelly Norwood (Chairman), 770-723-9040; kellyutana@aol.com
Background:
At this year’s International Conference on Karst Hydrology
and Ecosystems (Bowling Green, Kentucky), partially sponsored by
the Karst Waters Institute (KWI), Ms. Emily Davis and Dr. John
Mylroie graciously agreed to meet with me to discuss KWI
activities. Since this is the first report from a liaison in this
volunteer position with the NSS, I’d like to take this
opportunity to clarify a bit about the KWI for those who may not
know.
The KWI is a not-for-profit entity dedicated to forwarding cave and karst science by doing the following:
To accomplish these goals, KWI has sponsored several conferences, symposiums, and workshops covering various topics in karst science, including karst biota, geomicrobiology, karst and climate, paleo karst, and, most recently, karst hydrology and ecosystems. These educational sessions serve as a forum for scientists to meet and share the results of their latest discoveries and the outcomes of their research. They are generally scheduled as a need occurs for a particular topic about karst science. The sessions have been held at various locations across the United States and overseas. KWI will also publish proceedings from many of these events to provide scientific information to any interested party.
To aid in government research and cave management, the KWI is finishing the manuscript for cave management with the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI). This is a scientifically based management plan, which will be provided to federal land managers and sold to others outside the federal government who desire scientific cave management for their properties.
Aside from sponsoring karst events, aiding in research, and publishing scientific information, the KWI promotes further scientific accomplishments of prominent karst scientists. Each year, they present the KWI Karst Award to a deserving person (or group of people) for specific contributions to karst science.
The KWI is not a membership-based organization. Their funding is through grants from various educational entities, conservation groups, research groups, and several private individuals. The "members" of KWI includes only the Officers and the Board of Directors.
Plans:
The KWI’s latest endeavor is the Interdisciplinary Workshop
on Epikarst, to be held in Shepherdstown, West Virginia on
October 1-4, 2003.
My plans are to get all KWI information out to the NSS membership, and to promote open communication between NSS scientists (of which KWI persons are included) about their science projects. I also want to promote environmental research (since that is what I do for a living and am most interested in) by getting KWI sponsored conferences and workshops posted on EPA conference, session, and continuing education web boards/lists.
I will be posting information about the Interdisciplinary Workshop on Epikarst on various caving web and email discussion boards in late June to early July 2003.
Progress:
I had previously posted information about the International
Conference on Karst Hydrology and Ecosystems on various caving
web and email discussion boards including the NSS Discussion
Board on the NSS web page, Cavers Digest (private), and TAG-NET
(private).
I have attended my first scientific conference, which was partially sponsored by the KWI, and met with KWI individuals at that conference. I highly recommend these conferences to those that are interested in karst science.
I have discussed posting KWI sponsored conferences on the EPA web pages with Dr. Carol Wicks, NSS-KWI Liaison for the KWI. Since I am familiar with the EPA web pages, this may be something that, in the future, I can do for the KWI on their behalf, with their permission of course.
Problems:
I need to research other caving email groups and web discussion
boards for posting conference information. This would reach a
greater number of potentially interested persons.
David Jagnow (Interim Liaison), 505-898-3100, David@Jagnow.com
Progress and Activities:
Special thanks are in order to Dr. Penelope J. Boston who has
served as Liaison for the past couple years. Now that Dr. Boston
has accepted a position at New Mexico Tech, the NSS is seeking a
new Liaison for this position. Scott Fee has appointed David
Jagnow to serve on an interim basis until the position is
advertised and filled.
The Institute's Director, Dr. Louise Hose, made a presentation to the NSS Board of Directors at the Utah Board meeting. Funding is becoming available to design and build the Institute's Headquarter Building in Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Plans:
Work continues on the development of a Cooperative Agreement
(MOU) between the Society and the Institute. We are also
researching ways in which we can all benefit from better
organization and development of the NSS Library. Dr. Hose has
most recently asked the NSS to halt development of both of these
projects until later this fall when the Institute's status is
better defined.
The association of NSS and NCKRI is promising. It has been slow to develop because of delays in hiring the permanent director. Now that Dr. Hose is on board, the pace of activities and frequency of contact has accelerated. We anticipate that this will continue into the future.
Problems:
None
Rane L. Curl (Liaison), 734-995-2678, ranecurl@umich.edu
Rob Robbins (Committee Member)
Progress:
No new developments to report.
Plans:
I will continue to try to obtain responses from TNC
Problems:
Not hearing from TNC (but not wanting to "pressure"
them).
Vacant (I expect an ad to appear in the July NSS News)
Jay Jorden (Chairman), 214-202-6611, jjorden@texoma.net
Committee Members: David McClurg, Jack Hissong, and Sandra Hissong.
Progress:
Members of the Public Relations Committee have fielded several
requests for information in the months since the last report. All
the responses included a strong safety and conservation message.
The committee also continued to help Jim C. Werker and Val
Hildreth-Werker, NSS Conservation Division co-chairs, with PR
material for an upcoming book on cave conservation and
restoration.
Details:
The latest of several contacts included an NSS member and
freelance writer living in the New York City area who wants to
sell an article on caving to an “outdoors” magazine
like Outside. Besides background information on the
activity in which he has already gained some familiarity, he was
given pointers on more realistic targets for freelancing such a
piece, given that Outside weighs in regularly with staff
bylines on caving.
Plans:
Publicity efforts will also include distributing more items under
the heading "conservation flash," with news of interest
to newsletter editors and others from the Cave Conservation and
Management Section.
The background sheet the committee also sends in response to
media inquiries is being updated; work also continues on
restructuring of a “press kit” as well as providing
information for the proposed web site. Development time and input
are necessary.
Problems:
As always, please let me know of any specific PR concerns or
needs, either from the officers or the board.
Lee Stevens, leestevens@starpower.net
Progress:
The minutes for the last Board have been distributed and posted
on the web.
Plans:
Continue recording minutes of future Board meetings.
Problems:
None.
Vince Kappler, 973-579-2116, vkappler@nac.net
Progress:
Plans:
I will prepare the update from the minutes of the next meeting
for posting to the web and mail to recipients as quickly as
possible.
Problems:
None.
Gordon Smith (Chairman), 812-945-5721, glstis@aol.com
Progress:
I have visited several show caves in the area and spoke with
others on the phone. Business has been down at most show caves
this spring with no turnaround yet. So most cave owners are
concentrating on staying in business and meeting payroll.
Plans:
I will visit as many show caves this summer as time allows. I
will be representing the NSS at the NCA Convention this October
at Lake Shasta Caverns in Northern California.
Problems:
None that I am aware of.
Cheryl Jones (Chairman), 703-442-8499, cherylj@erols.com
Plans:
Continue to stay in touch with Sharon Todd, the landowner's
daughter, to arrange to cover Ms. Beckner's outstanding legal
bills. Also continue to discuss with Sharon and Ms. Beckner their
wishes for the future of the cave.
Progress:
On Feb. 24, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied the application
for permission to appeal that was filed by the Bishop family
against Ms Beckner, the owner of Spring Hill Cave. This means the
dismissal of the lawsuit is affirmed. (The Bishops had filed a
lawsuit against Ms Beckner after their (non-caver) son died after
sliding down a pit in Spring Hill Cave.)
The order apparently states that the Court of Appeals decision is to be placed “for publication,” which means the case will become a part of the reported case law in Tennessee, and will give the opinion precedencial value.
The Tennessee law protecting landowners from liability for accidental injury or death in the caves on their property was upheld. This is great news for all cavers and all cave owners.
I have been in touch with Ms Beckner's daughter, Sharon Todd, and her husband Ron. The insurance company covered all the legal expenses involved in the court case, however apparently Ms Beckner also used the services of her private lawyer. I have expressed again our interest in covering any outstanding legal or other expenses that Ms Beckner may have as a result of defending herself in the lawsuit. Sharon is to get back to me on this.
Ms Beckner wants to donate (or perhaps sell?) the cave to a caving organization. I have discussed this with Southeastern Cave Conservancy Chairman Diane Cousineau, and she will have someone follow up with Ms Beckner and the Todds.
Problems:
None that are within our control
Paul Stevens (Chairman), 703 724-7642, paulstevens@adelphia.net
Progress:
See http://www.caves.org/committee/library/
1) adopted “look” of the NSS Home page [background, font color]
2) changed the focus from the NSS Board to NSS web users
3) converted "Speleogenesis" and "On Rope" to ebook format as a test of the conversion process
4) posted the following publications for on-line viewing through a browser using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.x.
5) continued to edit and augment the Index data base. Currently it covers the 1954-82 NSS News, the 2000 Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, the1940-84 NSS Bulletin, the 1956-87 Speleo Digest, Caving Basics, On Rope, On Station and Speleogenesis. I am working on the index for Cave Minerals of the World now.
6) attempted to obtain permission from "Cave Books" for the NSS to use "A Guide to Speleological Literature of the English Language" as an ebook or with a search engine. However after discussions I perceive "Cave Books" will not allow the NSS in the foreseeable future to host the "Guide to Speleological Literature" on the NSS web unless the NSS pays "Cave Books" $9K to recover its publication investment. I believe this cost exceeds the value of hosting the content on the web.
Plans:
Continue to build the index of NSS publications and convert NSS
publications to Adobe ebook format. When we have an inventory of
ebooks ask for Board approval of a $5K capital budget for Adobe
Content Server (http://www.adobe.com/epaper/ebooks/main.html)
so we can loan ebooks to NSS members over the web. Longer term:
build an inventory of cooperating-grotto publications for the
on-line library.
Problems:
None
Jim Olsen, 435-649-1598, jolsen@novonyx.com
Progress:
A prototype voting machine was created and displayed at the
spring 2003 Board meeting in Utah.
Plans:
The software committee is working on addressing the voting
machine software problem. A prototype was created and
displayed at the spring 2003 Board meeting in Utah. Jonesy
is creating the individual voting stations and I am creating the
interface boxes. The plan is to debut the system at the
Fall Board meeting. Once the system is completely
assembled, it will be tested by the Salt Lake Grotto in a mock
meeting. This will ensure that the system is reliable and
ready to go.
Future plans are to complete the desired functionality in the new voting system and software, based on feedback from the Fall meeting. Additionally, the software committee would like to obtain the NSS database, and begin to explore the possibility of creating programs to automate some of the membership tasks currently being done manually today.
Problems:
None.