National Speleological Society
Administrative Vice-President’s Report
August 3, 1998
Table of Contents
Cave Management
Division
Cave and
Karst Acquisition Committee
Cave Conservancies
Committee
Closed Cave Database
Committee
Contemporary
Cave Use Study Committee
Land Owner Relations
Committee
NSS Cave Preserves
Committee
Conservation Division
Conservation Committee
Cave Restoration Committee
Vandalism
Deterrence Reward Commission
Education Division
Educational
Opportunities Committee
Environmental
Education Committee
Project Underground Report
National Cave Rescue
Commission
Safety and Techniques
Committee
Television Video
Production Committee
NSS Convention Division
Convention
Development Committee
1998 NSS Convention
1999 NSS Convention
2000 NSS Convention
Convention
Registration Software Committee
Congress of Grottos
Junior Speleological
Society
Salon Coordinator
Attachment C-1 Management Plan for the Tytoona Cave Preserve
Attachment C-2 Report on Missouri NSS Convention Travel Reimbursement Issue
Attachment C-3 Reports of NSS Cave Preserves
Douglas Medville
11762 Indian Ridge Rd
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 860-0134
medville@patriot.net
The Department of the Administrative Vice President consists of 16 Committees, two Commissions, and three NSS Convention Committees. Within these are 17 Conservation Task Forces, ten Cave Preserves, five NSS Conservancies, and several Sub-Committees. In all, the AVP deals with about 60 people in this Department.
In this report, I provide the name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the Chair of each organizational entity, followed by the Chairman’s report. The information in this report has been provided by the Committee and Subcommittee Chairs although I have made some spelling, formatting, and minor editorial adjustments. Where I feel it is useful to do so, my AVP comments are provided in italics, following the report’s text. In these comments, I add some context-setting remarks, my viewpoint, or additional information.
AVP Department Notes
Revised Management Plan for Tytoona Cave Preserve
At the Huntsville BOG meeting on March 21, the Management Plan submitted for the NSS Tytoona Cave Preserve in Pennsylvania was referred back to the AVP for revisions. This plan has been revised to bring it into conformity with NSS Guidelines for Cave Management Plans (Appendix Z) and is attached as Attachment C-1. Specifically, Sections on Surface Management, Access Policy, and Future Plans have been added. The content of this document is very similar to that of the BOG-approved Management Plans for the Guilday Cave Preserve in West Virginia, which also has an open access policy and the McFails Preserve in New York, which also has diveable sumps.
Cooperative Agreement with Mammoth Cave National Park
Progress continues to be made on implementing this Cooperative Agreement, under which NSS volunteers will be reimbursed for their expenses while participating in Restoration Camps at Mammoth Cave National Park. Several conversations have taken place between Joel Stevenson, Chair of the NSS Legal Committee, the NPS attorney in Atlanta who has reviewed the CA, the MCNP Contracting Officer, Paul Stevens, Ted Kayes, and myself. These conversations concern Article XI in the CA calling for the NSS to "defend, indemnify and save harmless MCNP from claims, suits or actions of every kind" due to an injury occurring as a result of our work in MCNP. To limit our liability, we have been asked to suggest alternative language, which Joel has done and has sent to the NPS attorney. Also, for a nominal amount of money ($50), Ted Kayes, Chair of the NSS Insurance Committee, points out that we can make MCNP an additional insured party under our liability policy ($1MM per occurrence, $2MM total). When the indemnification issue is worked out and we receive a final version of the Cooperative Agreement, this will be submitted to the BOG for approval.
Missouri NSS Convention Travel Reimbursement
Following the 1997 NSS Convention in Sullivan, Missouri, members of the Convention’s Executive Planning Committee (EPC) were reimbursed for some of their travel expenses incurred in setting up the Convention. This practice had not been followed by previous NSS Convention Committees and as the responsible Officer, I was asked to look into the circumstances of this event. Following the NSS BOG meeting in Huntsville, I wrote to all members of the EPC and then spoke with three of the EPC members, including the Convention Chairman. I also had e-mail correspondence with the Convention’s Treasurer, my predecessor as AVP, and many BOG members. My findings, conclusions, and recommendations are found in Attachment C-2 of this report. As a result of this event, several motions will appear on the agenda; the effect of which should be to make it clear that travel expense reimbursement is not a permissible expense item in a convention budget and to generally tighten up convention financial practices.
Sale of NSS Interest in West Virginia Gas Wells
The NSS has a working interest (part ownership) in three gas wells in West Virginia, donated to the NSS several years ago. We have been approached by the owner of the remainder of the well’s working interest with an offer to sell our share of the wells for $5,000. I have consulted with NSS members who were involved in the original acquisition of our working interest in these wells and discussed this with the EC. Upon receipt of a written offer, I will place a motion on the agenda to sell our interest in the gas wells for the asking price.
IMAX Film
John Scheltens, Chair of the NSS Television Video Production Committee is in touch with MacGillvray Freeman, the company that will produce an IMAX film on caves. He is discussing the role of the NSS in this film regarding development of a story line and educational materials that are to be produced in conjunction with the film. Details are found in John’s Committee report.
Mike Hood (Chairman)
23 Wells Ave
Dayton, OH 45431-1420
(513) 252-2978
mhcaver@aol.com
Plans: No new plans to report at this time. Bill Carr will likely report that he has had some problems with getting information on closed caves from some people. This was to be expected and will take some time to work out.
Progress: All committees are functioning and I see no reason for my getting directly involved with them. They are keeping me informed of their activities, which is all I ask from them.
Problems: No major problems reported by the committees other than Bill's. I expect he'll have more details in his report.
Cave and Karst Acquisition Committee
Ray Keeler (Chairman)
22354 N. 68th Drive
Glendale AZ 85310-5239
(602) 561-2917
rkeeler@pcslink.com
Progress: One Cave has seen purchase activity since March 1998. Fogelpole Cave (NW entrance) in Illinois is up for sale. A query via Philip Moss, President of the Illinois Speleological Survey, Inc. for contributions from the Save the Caves Restricted Fund was received in mid-April. Of the $30K asking price, approximately $22.5K had been offered in pledges. Money is available in the Save the Caves Restricted Fund. No other communications were exchanged until a last minute query for status prior to this report. There is not enough information at this time to place a motion on the agenda for BOG consideration.
Plans: Follow progress of the above and keep the BOG informed.
Problems: None.
AVP Comment: During the last two BOG meetings, the NSS has voted to acquire Tytoona Cave in Pennsylvania and to contribute $5,000 toward the acquisition of Sullivan Cave in Indiana. It would be good to describe these accomplishments in an NSS News article in order to show the members that the voluntary contributions that they are making to the Cave Acquisition Fund are being used for that purpose. This should stimulate more contributions which will enable us to support other NSS-affiliated groups wanting to acquire caves (e.g., Fogelpole Cave in Illinois).
John M. Wilson (Chairman)
9504 Lakewater Ct
Richmond, VA 23229-6010
(540)568-2989 (work)
wilso3jm@jmu.edu
Plans: All people involved with cave conservancies will have the opportunity to meet at the conservancy round table on Friday morning 7 August 1998 at the NSS Convention held at the University of the South, Tennessee.
Progress: SCCI and IKC have acquired significant caves recently. These are exciting times for the land trust concept. One may expect continued progress in the acquisition of cave properties by conservation oriented people.
The Cave Conservancy Committee Web page, a section of the NSS Web site, now exists. It is in draft form as this report is being written. I received the URL and password from Joshua yesterday and I am in the process of posting all of the committee pages. After several weeks of review by people associated with various conservancies, all the additional information needed should be on the site. The URL is: ww.caves.org/committee/ccc/ .
Problems: None to report at this time.
AVP comment: John has created a great Cave Conservancies web page with links to every Cave Conservancy that that has a web site as well as to other general purpose Conservancies such as The Nature Conservancy. I encourage all NSS members to cruise through this good addition to the NSS web site.
Closed Cave Database Committee
Bill Carr (Chairmen)
212 Lyness Ave
Harrison, OH 45030-1586
(513) 367-5092 (home)
robinhd@one.net
Plans: To organize a nation-wide closed caves database. The database will include all types of cave closings by reason for closure: bat hibernation, landowner requests, etc. I want to see this database used as an educational tool to inform people about what caves we should be visiting, what times of the year they are closed and why they are closed. I plan on keeping the database up to date on a weekly basis. It is my hope after the database is mostly complete that the NSS will adopt it as their closed cave list and have it listed on the NSS web page for all cavers to use as an online reference.
Progress: Progress is slow but is moving in the right direction with most of the south east caves being entered into the new database. I still need more input from the other grotto's in the west. I believe it will come in time.
Problems: The only problem I have encountered is replies to my emails about the closed caves in their area. Out of some 50 emails I only received a few replies. I don't give up easily and I will keep at it to get the most up to date database ever done on closed caves.
AVP Comment: Bill appears to be off to a good start. There’s a lot of closed cave information out there and he’s making an effort to obtain it. One area where he’ll need help is in obtaining information about cave access limitations on federally owned properties in the west. Here, it may make sense to provide information on a jurisdiction basis rather on a cave-by-cave basis: e.g., the database could say: ""all caves in the Lincoln National Forest have access limitations. Contact (NSS contact) for information about specific caves". This would educate out of area cavers who want to go caving on federal lands that they may have to first obtain a permit, speak with a specific ranger or official, or that the cave they’re interested in is closed seasonally or year-round.
Contemporary Cave Use Study Committee
Garrett Czmor (Chairman)
Star Route Box 24
Huntingdon, PA 16652
(814) 643-3067
gccaver@vicon.net
Plans: This plan is concurrent with the previous plan issued at the last Board of Governors meeting. There is not too much new to report except some progress has been made in some areas while problems exist in others. The CCUS participation continues to grow at a moderate pace, which is good. I've focused on items in this report that are either left over from previous plans or are addition to those plans. Item numbers should correspond to each other through out this report. To summarize, the CCUS is alive and well.
1. To get CCUS participants to return data on schedule (either
by book or disk).
2. To encourage others to use the software program.
3. Create a CCUS web site.
4. Create a CCUS logo.
5. Keeping data separate by year and by cave status (such as
restrictive gated vs. non-gated).
6. Reprint of CCUS manual.
7. Printings of additional register books.
8. Have the 1996 data compiled into a printout report.
9. Have the 1997 data compiled into a printout report.
10. Find out what CCUS software problems might arise with the
year 2000 dilemma.
11. Find out if it's possible to convert or rewrite the software
program into a Windows 95 based format (the present software is
strictly DOS).
Progress:
1. Some participants started late, while a few others are
reactivating in the program. About half of the data has been
turned in for 1997 despite the deadline I placed for Feb. 1998.
2. Not much progress here but all the participants know of the
options available (book or disk)
3. Still in the planning stage.
4. I will probably go with the design on the 1997 manual but with
additional artwork showing the letters NSS and CCUS.
5. Scattered years data in single books are showing up less then
before.
6. A reprint of the CCUS manual will probably occur this year.
7. New books will have to be printed within the next month or
two. Supplies are about exhausted.
8. Some 1996 data has been compiled but there are problems (see
Problems).
9. Not possible yet (see Problems).
10. Have not approached this problem yet (or if it is a problem),
but will contact Tim Kilby who designed the software program.
11. Will also contact Tim Kilby about this.
Problems: I issued a deadline for each year to close out by December 30 and have the data to me either in book or disk form by sometime the following February. Very few have done so for one reason or another. This is a bit frustrating even though I realize everyone is a non-paid volunteer in the program. Perhaps with more reminders sent out I can turn this situation around. Obviously, this is a problem beyond my control. Its estimated that 45% of households have a computer now (do they know how to use it may be another question), but only about 22% of the CCUS participants use the CCUS software. This may be a problem that only time can turn around.
Past data by book comes in mixed years. Although this might make it easier for the book participant to service by, it does make it harder for the computer operator who has to separate the data. Again, I will stress to others how important it is to separate the data. The requirements are not that time consuming but many book participants in the past have been accustomed to placing books in a cave and then to forget about it for a couple of years. This has been a poor practice that I plan to turn around.
Much of the 1996 data is incomplete and is horribly mixed with previous years. Many new people started in the CCUS that year and some reactivated shortly after. I plan to compile this data (1996) with whatever else is with it into a series year that will reflect perhaps the previous 3 years as well. At best, it will show averages of several years rolled into one as well as restricted caves and those open to the public.
The 1997 data will be compiled hopefully into two parts. One for all open caves that everyone can visit and the other for very restricted or gated caves that usually only cavers are allowed in during certain times of the year. This will begin when all the data is returned (which of course is overdue).
The "2k yr Dilemma" will be soon approaching. It could mean disaster for the software program. I will check into this to see if it will be of serious concern or not and what is needed to fix it.
Some have spoken to me about the problem of using the CCUS DOS based program with Windows 95 (and now Windows 98). Sometimes it does not work well under the Windows environment. However, it does work great if you go into the DOS mode using Windows. If at all possible, I will check and see it is possible to make the CCUS software a Windows-based program. Since Windows is the most widely used format, this would make it more attractive for others to try.
Land Owner Relations Committee
Bill Thoman (Chairman)
4905 Ralph Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45328-3801
(513) 251-7357
speleo@juno.com
Plans: Continue to keep landowner issues in the lime light. Several skits were put on at a local grotto meeting. The intent of these skits was to illustrate through acting how we sometimes "come off" to people we encounter in the caving area. I am monitoring "caver" appeal of these skits and might develop them further if I find they are helpful to others.
Progress: Several area grottos have started Land Owner Relations Committees. If nothing else it might help keep the issue in front of more cavers at the local level. Ed Sira's manual has done what I wanted to do. His section on Land Owner Relations is simple, but to the point. It is a good manual, especially for beginning cavers. I will recommend folks get a copy when they want something in print.
Problems: None really. Some time ago I asked if the NSS has an official policy on Land Owner Relations and found we really don't. Are we going to address any of this or should we just let sleeping dogs lie?
AVP Comment: In our correspondence, I pointed out to Bill that we could write such a policy and that it would say something like: we want to treat landowners and their caves with respect, we want to be good guests, to comply with visitation regulations for caves on public property, etc. This is pretty obvious stuff and if it makes people feel good, or can be used to get cavers to treat landowners better, then it can be done. Otherwise, I feel that it would be a motherhood policy that states the obvious.
Gary Bush (Chairman)
2630 Stonegate Dr
Jacksonville, FL 32223-0702
(904) 268-7638
gbush@jaxnet.com
I. GENERAL
The Preserve Managers reports I've received are attached for the record. As is my custom, I've also summarized the status of each report in Section II of this report.
Plans: I will schedule a Preserve Manager's meeting at the NSS Convention in Sewanee, TN this summer.
Progress: All projects are OK.
Problems: The Preserves all are reported to be in good condition. Tytoona Preserve needs their revised Management Plan to be approved by the NSS Board of Governors.
II PROPERTY STATUS
A summary of the property status reports received is given below. The full text of these reports is found in Attachment C-3.
McFAILS CAVE (NY): A wetter-than-normal Spring has reduced the number of trips into the cave. Only 5 trips were logged since last November. Replacement of the broken gate has been delayed, but should occur soon. Clean-ups of weather damage is on-going. A near-incident occurred in April, but was quickly resolved. Details are in the attachment to Emily's report.
SHELTA CAVE (AL): All's well. Guided tours took place at the Spring Board meeting. More are planned during this year's NSS Convention in nearby Sewanee, Tennessee.
JOHN GUILDAY CAVE PRESERVE (WV): No report received.
KINGSTON SALTPETRE CAVE PRESERVE (GA): All's well at the property. A day-long outing for Georgia teachers is scheduled for the end of June. A school group visited the property in late March.
BARTON HILL KARST PRESERVE (NY): All's well with the property. There have been 15 trips, totaling 103 people, into the cave since mid-February. Emily and the NSS lawyers are planning a meeting at the property this Summer with Neil Bauman and his lawyer, to discuss Mr. Bauman's issues.
WARRENS CAVE (FL): No Report received.
DONALD R. RUSSELL PRESERVE (OK): All's well in Oklahoma. No issues with the property or the bats.
SCHOHARIE CAVERNS (NY): Vandalism was reported in the cave, but couldn't be substantiated. A large Elm tree sustained wind damage. The mowing contract, paid for by donations, is working out well. The property finances are well supported. They should allow several major renovation projects this year. Clean-ups are also underway.
ALACHUA SINK PRESERVE (FL): A very wet Spring has caused some flooding of the Sink. No dives have been reported since last summer. The committee has completed several major renovations on the property. Good diving conditions are expected this Summer. All's well!
TYTOONA CAVE PRESERVE (PA): The Committee is very concerned that the Board pass the revised Management Plan. Several projects are underway. The on-site register indicates that at least 474 visitors signed in during 1997. A fund-raiser has been started to cover the purchase costs of the property. The county tax assessor has denied our request for a tax exemption. They "don't give those anymore." All's well with the property.
David H. Jagnow (Chief)
David H. Jagnow (Chairman)
1300 Iris St., #103
Los Alamos, NM 87544-3140
(505) 662-0553
djagnow@roadrunner.com
Cave Conservation Division Structure
Cave Conservation Committee
David Jagnow, Chairman (Administration)
Ron Kerbo (Underground Wilderness Subcommittee) (closing down)
Al Krause (Conservation Grants Coordinator)
John McFarlane (Fauna Protection Coordinator)
Jo Schaper (Conservation Task Force Sub.) (new Chair)
Jim Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker (Resource Preservation)
Cave Restoration Committee (Co-chairs to be appointed by BOG)
Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission: Jay
Jorden—(Acting Chairman)
Commissioners:
Gale Beach
George Huppert
Tom Rea
John Wilson
Plans: Fundraising is a major concern at this time. I plan to write an article for the NSS News encouraging donations to the Save The Caves Fund. I also plan to investigate other possible grants for conservation funding. As part of this grantsmanship, I plan to continue to encourage the NSS to publish a formal Annual Report that is necessary for most grant applications. I greatly appreciate Doug Medville's efforts to work up an Annual Report. I have also been invited to serve on the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies Advisory Board for a three-year term.
Progress: USFS (NM & AZ) Cave Fee Demo—For the time being, the USFS Region 3 (NM & AZ) has decided to temporarily drop the idea of charging cave entrance fees. Alternatively, they are working cooperatively with the caver volunteers to accomplish their cave management/conservation goals. Our first major volunteer "regional" is planned for July 4th weekend, but the high Guads have been extremely hot and dry. We are planning restoration, trail building, surveying, and I will be leading a number of non-obtrusive bat exit counts. We have developed a system for tracking volunteer hours, miles, and time, but a complete reporting system still needs to be developed.
USFS, Oregon, Klamath National Forest—Steve Knutson, Co-Director of the Klamath Mountains Conservation Task Force, expressed frustration that the Scott River District of KNF is still stonewalling any management of the Marble Valley area—the biggest concentration of solutional caves west of the Continental Divide and the greatest alpine cave concentration in the US (30+ miles of cave survey). I am working with Jerry Trout to encourage proactive management/conservation of this pristine cave resource. Problem is the USFS sees these wilderness caves as managing themselves, and are hesitant to put a cave management plan in place until they see rampant vandalism.
NPS, BLM, USFS, Lead Mining Threatens Ozark Caves—Latest word from Jo Schaper is that the Doe Run/USFS permit request for the Mark Twain National Forest (Missouri) has gone to Joel Leshly in the office of Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of Interior, for a decision. We have heard that over 4000 letters were received by the USFS on this issue. Resolution soon. For more information, contact Jo Schaper <JoSchaper@aol.com>.
Inter Agency Agreement—I helped Jerry Trout edit the new Inter-Agency Agreement between NPS, BLM, USFS, and Fish & Wildlife Service. I believe the agreement will be signed sometime this fall. It calls for cooperative efforts in protecting all cave resources.
Speleothem Conservation—The UIS Mineralogy Commission's Working Group for the Conservation of Speleothems and Caves of Mineralogical Interest has established a mailing list for all speleothem conservation related correspondence. To subscribe, email <Majordomo@axell.org> with the message: <subscribe uis-conservation>. Philippe Axell (Belgium) has established a new web site for anyone interested in helping prevent the sale of speleothems. We still need NSS members with expertise in US legislation and international law. For more information, contact Philippe Axell at: <axell@tornado.be>
NOLS LNT Caving Booklet—In June, I edited the National Outdoor Leadership School, "Leave No Trace" booklet for caving. John Gookin, Liz Tuohy, and Ericka Houck (curriculum editor) have been working on this 20-page, 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" booklet for several months. This will be an excellent addition to the caving literature. I suspect we will see a fall publication date. For more information, contact Liz Tuohy at: <liz_tuohy@gateway.nols.edu>.
Bats Need Friends Brochure—The Bat Education CTF (Jackie Belwood & Debbie Buecher) are again working with Jim (Crash) Kennedy (BCI) to produce a new color version of this brochure. Due to hectic schedules this past year, I'm afraid not much progress has been made. I hope we can get everyone together at Convention.
Movie—Anyplace Wild has been working with Peter Jones to plan and film "Caving in New Mexico". This 24-minute movie was filmed in the Guadalupe Mountains (Hell Below Cave & Cottonwood Cave) on December 15-21, 1997, and will air either late this summer or early fall as Episode 5. Check with your local PBS TV station to determine the airing time in your area. Peter Jones, Lois Lyles, Dave Jagnow and Annie Getchell (host) participated in the filming. The movie will carry a strong cave conservation and restoration message to the public.
Langdons Cave Vandalism, IN—Aaron Atz witnessed the November 22, 1997, vandalism (formation removal and killing bats) that occurred in Langdons Cave (state owned). Robert Grant, 20, or Marengo Indiana, was charged with two misdemeanors (breaking and taking cave formations and squashing bats) and pleaded guilty to at least one of the charges. He was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, 5 weekends in the Harrison County Jail, and 1 year of probation. This is only the second major prosecution for cave vandalism in Indiana, both of which were reported by members of Indiana Karst Conservancy. For more information, contact Aaron Atz <aaron@disknet.com>.
Allegany State Park, NY—I worked with Tim Marlett (Enchanted Mountain Caving Club) to work up signs for cave entrances in Allegany State Park. We discovered that NY has no cave law (never passed in 1990).
Georgia DNR—I wrote a letter to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources encouraging them NOT to pass legislation prohibiting bats from the mobile exhibition education programs.
Idaho, Oil Dumped in Cave—Working with Idaho BLM to post reward and figure out how to clean up oil that was recently dumped in an Idaho cave.
Bolting in Caves—(No recent progress that I'm aware of.)
Problems: Budget—Not enough funding to do all the conservation work that really needs to be done.
Federal Liaison—(Again) When Janet Thorne resigned as Director of the Government Affairs (Division) of the Conservation Committee some time back, I lost a very valuable and dedicated volunteer. Janet still serves as Chairman of the National Cave Management Steering Committee. I have been unable to locate a quality replacement for Government Affairs, and John Scheltens has suggested that perhaps this position should be moved to the control of the NSS President. Scheltens is correct that the Federal Liaison should interact with Federal officials on more than just Conservation matters—although Conservation seems to occupy the bulk of our discussions. Doug Medville, while attending the Cave Management Symposium, pointed out that our involvement with federal land managers, policy makers, and legislators is only going to increase with time, and that we had better have our act together, organizationally. Under the NSS/USFS MOU, the national contact person for the NSS is already defined as the NSS Conservation Chairman. Many of us need to maintain good working relations with Federal officials. Medville has suggested that we form a Working Group (and include one or two NSS Directors having similar interests). I would ask the NSS EC and BOG for resolution of this position/committee. It is a very important position.
AVP comment: The NSS deals with federal agency officials on many matters involving cave management, access issues, science, fauna protection, etc. This is a cross cutting activity in that several NSS Departments and Committees deal with federal agencies and need to know what contacts other NSS Departments and Committees are having with these agencies. To have a single person be the NSS federal agency liaison is insufficient. I would like to see a separate NSS entity (call it a Working Group for the sake of argument) be formed. This group would coordinate NSS/federal activities and would communicate with each other and with the rest of the NSS about issues and problems involving federal agencies: e.g. bolting in caves, GNIS, management policies for caves. The group could consist of say, two Directors, two or three officers, and a couple of Committee Chairs. I intend to prepare a motion to this effect for the BOG to consider.
UNDERGROUND WILDERNESS SUBCOMMITTEE (Ron Kerbo) (No Report).
I plan to disband this subcommittee due to lack of action on publishing previously collected materials.
AVP comment: Apparently, Rob Stitt has these materials.
CONSERVATION GRANTS SUBCOMMITTEE:
Summary: No applications for conservation/conservation research grants have been received this year nor are any carried forward from last year.
Progress: None. (No Conservation Grants applied for or awarded this year to date. $2,500 Available.)
Problems: Recurring concern that Conservation Research Grants, per se, are relatively indistinguishable from general cave-related research grants otherwise exigent, too nominal ($500) to support any substantial research, and otherwise little requested or well-utilized.
Plans: Propose BOG terminate the existing Conservation Research Grant program and apply its current funding to either the Conservation Grant Program or the NSS' Research Grant Program or to the specific support of the Cave Restoration Committee's research and productions or some comparable effort.
AVP Comment: Last year, a $500 Conservation Research Grant was awarded to the Huntsville Grotto to support the purchase of automated temperature logging sensors and software to conduct research into changes in environmental conditions in Shelta Cave, Alabama. This is a good example of how these funds can be used. I hope that other groups will apply for this funding. The suggestions made above about applying these funds to other conservation or research activities are fine, if these funds can be effectively used as part of these activities.
FAUNA PROTECTION SUBCOMMITTEE (Don McFarlane, Chairman)
(No Report)
RESOURCE PRESERVATION SUBCOMMITTEE
(Val Hildreth-Werker & Jim Werker)
Plans: Convention—The Conservation & Restoration Workshop is scheduled for a full day during the 1998 NSS Convention in Sewanee. Through coordinating with Rob Stitt and George Huppert, the Conservation Session and Conservation Management Section Meeting and Luncheon are included and scheduled as part of the workshop day.
Progress: Book—Work is progressing for the NSS publication, "Techniques for Cave Conservation, Ethics, and Restoration". The schedule has been sent to contributors. We have outlines for the sections. Contributors are slowly submitting their work. We are working in cooperation with Dave McClurg for guidelines, schedules, and tips.
Video—The potential NSS/NOLS/interagency video companion to the brochure entitled, "Caves . . . Conservation & Ethics" is partially funded. We are working closely with the USDA Forest Service in developing the outline, script, and schedule to meet National Forest Foundation funding requirements and deadlines over the next 18 months. We continue to seek additional funding sources for this professional educational video that will address cave conservation, safety, and ethics. We need to find out about potential NSS funds designated for this type of educational video. Cooperators expect this video to be suitable for national distribution.
Display—Arrangements are being made for the Forest Service to transport the display on restoration techniques to the 1998 NSS Convention in Sewanee. The Forest Service did take the display to the National Karst and Cave Management Symposium in Bellingham, Washington, October 7-10, 1997. Illustrating proven methods of speleothem restoration, formation repair and trail management, the display content is aimed at a general audience of people interested in caves and provides educational material on conservation, ethics, and cave restoration techniques. The joint NSS/Forest Service restoration exhibit is housed by the Guadalupe Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest. The display was designed and produced by Val Hildreth-Werker and Jim C. Werker, Co-Directors of the Resource Protection & Preservation Subcommittee. The project will be highlighted in the NSS News before the end of the year.
Slide Shows—As we put together the slide shows on Formation Repair, Cave Restoration, and Leave No Trace Caving Ethics for the NSS library, workshops continue with various groups.
WORKSHOPS/PROJECTS—
-Four workshops are scheduled around the country during July and August, 1998. Cave Restoration, Formation Repair, and Conservation Ethics workshops will be held at Mammoth Cave, the NSS Convention in Sewanee, Carlsbad Caverns, and the Forest Service Guadalupe Mountain Caves. Potentially, workshops will be held during the fall in Utah, the Guads, and for Missouri cavers.
-We are scheduled for formation repair at Mammoth Cave. Our work will focus on techniques for repairing gypsum formations and helictites.
-Repair and restoration projects continue in Southwestern U.S. Caves.
-Work is also progressing on a techniques video for speleothem repair.
-Restoration projects continue in Lechuguilla Cave. We led six expeditions in 1996, four in 1997, and we have four scheduled for 1998. The trips focus on the development of restoration techniques that will avoid disturbing microbiota and virgin surfaces. Ideas are often discussed to reduce future impacts as cavers explore and study the cave.
-We presented a paper on Microbial Preservation, Trail Definition and Restoration in Lechuguilla at the National Cave Management Symposium in Washington, October 1997.
-The infrared photo monitoring project of the Mexican free-tail bat colony of Carlsbad Caverns continues to be successful.
NSS News—We continue to submit articles and announcements to the NSS News.
Cave Fees—We urge every NSS member, grotto, and section to stay abreast of cave fee and cave conservation issues in the political arena. Positive comments supporting caver volunteer projects and refuting the USDA Forest Service Fee Demo Plan will continue to be useful, especially now that the Forest Service may be more positive about caver projects across the country. Please send copies of your letters and inquiries for archiving to: werks@worldnet.att.net
Problems: (None)
AVP Comment: I continue to be amazed at the incredible amount of work and enthusiasm that the Werkers are putting into cave restoration activities: workships, books, meetings, in-cave work, etc. I hope that they can keep on doing this and not burn out.
NSS FEDERAL LIAISON SUBCOMMITTEE (vacant)
(This subcommittee may be consolidated under the office of President. See "Problems" above.)
CONSERVATION TASK FORCE SUBCOMMITTEE (Jo Schaper, Chair)
Plans: I plan to establish better communications with most of the CTFs, and to rebuild the CTF data base.
Progress: Upon assuming the role of Conservation Task Force Coordinator in March, I sent out letters and e-mails to all known CTFs. I received replies from Sloans Valley CTF, Yucca Creek Karst CTF (inactive), Klamath Mountains CTF, Boone Karst CTF, Sullivan Co.(NY) and Germany Valley CTF, all via e-mail. Steve Knutson of Klamath
Mountains has been sending a report every month or so. There have been legal developments concerning the Sloan's Valley Karst, which Hillary Hopper has been keeping us up to date upon. Bill Halliday contacted Dave Jagnow re a situation involving Laniakea Cave and cooperative efforts between the Hawaii CTF and Hawaii Grotto to
more effectively present karst issues to local officials. Klamath Mountains has been working to promote an environmentally friendly version of the general management plan at Organ Caves National Monument.
I was contacted by David Robison of Snellville, GA in regards to establishing a CTF in that area. I returned the call, spoke to his wife, and arranged a return call time. Despite three attempts, he has not returned my call. A follow up letter has not been answered. According to a email I received yesterday, the Doe Run/USFS permit request for the Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri, has gone to Joel Leshly in the office of Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of Interior, for a decision. My source says over 4000 letters were received by USFS on this issue. Due to it being a federal election year there is political pressure locally to resolve this issue, which has been hanging for a year.
Problems: Lack of communication and basic information: I hope to be introduced at one of the conservation sessions at the upcoming Convention, so that people who may be hesitant to contact me because they don't know me will have no such future inhibition. I am collecting emails and other communications in an attempt to rebuild the CTF files, last seen in the hands of the former CTF coordinator.
CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT SECTION (Rob Stitt, Chairman)
AVP Comment: Yes, I know that this is not an NSS Committee but the Section’s activities are closely related to our Conservation Committee’s work and it makes sense to me to include a Section Report.
I have two Cave Conservationists ready to print and send to Evelyn. I've been promising myself to get them out "tonight" for two weeks, but other things end up intervening. At this point I'm not absolutely sure I will make it to convention.
The Section web page is in need of update. I've started several things but haven't got them loaded yet. I will be moving to the new site on the NSS server "Real Soon Now". I've decided to not reorganize the site, as I had planned, but to just move it, and clean it up later. I will still maintain some links in to the old site.
I'm still looking for a new publisher for the Cave Conservationist but have concluded that if no one steps forward I can probably keep doing it, once I get caught up. There is no problem getting text material. The hang up is cover graphics.
My other projects (Underground Wilderness, Symposium proceedings, Conservation Policy review) are sort of on the back burner. Not to mention the three major balls that I have in the air at my day job.
I did volunteer to help the 1999 NCMS get its web page started and have the beginnings of that up.
AVP Comment: Rob has plenty on his plate now. We should get the text of the Underground Wilderness document from him and give it to someone who will put it on the front burner.
(vacant: Co-Chairs to be appointed)
This Committee will be responsible for managing the Restoration Camps held at Mammoth Cave National Park under the proposed Cooperative Agreement between the NSS and MCNP. The position of Committee Chair was advertised for in the June 1998 NSS News and two responses were received. Because their interests are complementary (one would like to be Camp Manager and the other would like to keep track of expenses and reimbursements), the names of both people will be submitted for confirmation as Committee Co-Chairs.
Cave Vandalism Deterrence Reward Commission
Jay R. Jorden (Acting Chairman)
11201 County Road 132
Celina TX 75009-2527
(214) 382-2458
jjorden@texoma.net
No report received.
Hazel E. Medville (Chief)
11762 Indian Ridge Rd
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 860-0134
medville@patriot.net
Educational Opportunities Committee
Steve Stokowski (Chairman)
10 Clark Street
Ashland, MA 01721-2145
(508) 881-6364
caversteve@aol.com
Environmental Education Committee
Barbara L. Moss (Chairman)
7713 Shreve Rd
Falls Church, VA 22043-3315
(703) 573-1068
ke4bvq@amsat.org
Progress: USGS Packet—The Packet has been released. Report given at Mach BOG meeting in Huntsville. To get the packet, FAX request to 303-202-4693 on school letterhead; e-mail to <infoservices@usgs.gov>; Write to USGS Information Services, Box 25286, Denver CO 80225. Project Underground: Carol Zokaites has submitted a written summary of activities (see below). Continuing to respond to letters sent by teachers and students to the NSS office. Target stores have listed the NSS as a source of information in their Winter 1998 Environmental Issue. Project Underground and the NSS are mentioned in their class activity newsletter (have to write to get copies of that).
Plans: The EEC is keeping track of their time spent on EEC business, in order to provide a cost estimate for the NSS contributions for Project Underground and related activities. This information can be used as ‘matching funds' on grant applications. We are waiting to hear from the IMAX people as to our potential involvement with educational materials related to the IMAX Caves film project. Several teachers from around the country are developing the necessary paperwork for creating an Education Section.
Problems: None at this time.
Project Underground Report (Carol Zokaites)
Progress: The facilitator training workshop in West Virginia, March 24-25, was very successful. It was attended by 22 educators who can now lead teacher training workshops for Project Underground. Five additional Project Underground workshops have been held so far in 1998. That means over 100 educators have been trained in how to teach about caves and karst in the classroom this year! Seven more workshops are planned already for this summer in West Virginia, South Dakota, Ohio and Virginia. Project Underground will also hold a one day facilitator training at Convention, on Wed. I have received lots of interests in this workshop from all around the U.S.
I am helping the Cave Conservancy of the Virginias (CCV) with the reprinting of Living On Karst. The first 10,000 copies have been distributed and more are being printed this summer. Project Underground received a $3,000 grant from CCV to sponsor workshops in Virginia and West Virginia, we also received a $1,000 sponsorship from the Merck & Co. in Va. RASS continues to help Project Underground with funding.
Project Underground has received lots of in-kind support from Terri Brown and the Virginia Karst Project, part of the Virginia Dept. Of Conservation and Recreation.
Work has been started on reprinting the Project Underground activity guide. We are adding new lesson plans and some additional content areas. Let us know if you have any suggestions.
Plans: Continue supporting the Virginia and West Virginia programs and the facilitators in others states. Update the Project Underground Activity Guide. Create some additional education materials.
Problems: Funding—Project Underground is growing rapidly and it will take more funding to keep up. There is a lot of time involved in running the program and a lot of costs in supplying teachers with materials to use in the classroom.
National Cave Rescue Commission
Bernard (Butch) M. Feldhaus (National Coordinator)
5416 Hunter Village Drive
Ooltewah, TN 37363-7004
238-7009 (home)
(423) 751-8549 (work)
(423)238-7269 (fax)
e-mail: bfeldhaus@csi.com
Board of Regional Coordinators (BORC)
John Appleby (Eastern Region Coordinator)
David Ashburn (Training Coordinator)
Harry Burgess (Southwestern Region Coordinator)
Sam Chewning, MD (Medical Coordinator)
Amanda Clark (Central Region Coordinator)
John Evans (Northeast Region Coordinator)
John Gookin (Rocky Mountain Region Coordinator)
John Green (South Central Region Coordinator)
William E. Maher (Western Region Coordinator)
Henry Nicholson (Diving Coordinator)
Mimi Ortiz (Caribbean Region Coordinator)
Jeff Parnell (Southeastern Region Coordinator)
John Punches (Pacific Northwest Region Coordinator)
Officers and Staff
Harold Chrimes (NCRC Equipment Manager)
Rick Deel (Education Board Member)
Andy Franklin (NCRC Discussion and Administrative List Manager)
Bryan Lavender (Education Board Member)
Barb Ritts (Education Board Member)
Bruce Smith (Education Board Member/NCRC Curriculum Coordinator)
Bill Stringfellow (Acting NCRC Financial Officer)
Kathy Welling (NCRC Recording Secretary)
Vacant (NCRC Inventory Officer)
Vacant (NCRC Records Officer)
Progress: Preparations for the "NCRC Seminar 1998" at the DuBose Conference Center in Montagle, TN, are nearly complete. The seminar will be offered the week before the 1998 NSS Convention at Sewanee, TN. It appears that this seminar will set an attendance record for seminars offered in the continental United States (Puerto Rico has had larger ones).
Preparation for the "NCRC Seminar 1999" at the Lava Beds National Monument, CA, are underway. The team putting together this seminar is way ahead of the game and there is every indication this seminar will be outstanding.
Revisions to the "Manual of U.S. Cave Rescue Techniques" are nearing completion with an expected release date of Fall 1998. The manual will be field tested at this summer’s seminar. The comments gained during this event will contribute to the final revision of this long awaited revision.
During this summer’s seminar, a considerable amount of newly revised curriculum will be pilot tested. This continues the trend of the last few years of upgrading the NCRC curriculum to contain a more diverse information-set for our students (and Instructors!).
The newly developed NCRC Seminar Registration software will be pilot tested during this summer’s seminar. The goal of this package is to provide a uniform format and requirements for all reporting done with regard to NCRC training. It is hoped that this package can be extended to the financial aspects of these training events as well.
Plans: The Board of Regional Coordinators (BORC) will conduct its annual meeting Tuesday of the week of the NSS Convention. The theme of this meeting will be much the same as all convention meetings: "This meeting will be open to the public and provide a forum for the Commission to present recent accomplishments and future plans to the Society membership and solicit membership feedback." We have had great luck with this format the past few years.
The following appointments will be up for consideration at this summer’s BORC meeting:
Southeastern Region Coordinator
Caribbean Region Coordinator
Medical Coordinator
Training Coordinator
Inventory Officer
Records Officer
(Permanent) Financial Officer
(One) At-Large Education Board Position
Hopefully over the course of the next year, all NCRC training records will be moved to the NSS Office in Huntsville, Alabama. The office staff indicates that there is room for these records in the white house. The proper retention and maintenance of these records is of paramount importance as they could become court documents one day.
The alignment of the NCRC business processes with those of the NSS will continue. Hopefully with the appointments of (permanent) Financial, Records and Inventory Officers this alignment will be expedited.
Mike Gunderloy, the NSS Inventory Manager, is developing an Inventory Control (software) package for the NCRC to use. The target date for full implementation is the NCRC Seminar 1999 in July, 1999.
Problems: During the January 1998 Board of Regional Coordinators meeting many changes were made to the ways in which the NCRC does business. As with any realignment, there have been problems which have delayed their full implementation. These problems are being dealt with on a case-by-case basis, and with as much respect for the feelings of the persons involved as possible. Unfortunately things cannot happen instantaneously for the NCRC, which is probably good in the long run.
Safety and Techniques Committee
William Cuddington (Chairman)
3412 Hutchens Ave., SE
Huntsville, AL 35801
(205) 536-2177
miriambl@aol.com
Progress: STC members were instructors at two Vertical Section Workshops this Spring. Several STC articles have been published in the NSS News this year.
Plans: To continue to write articles for the N.S.S. News. Also, to continue to help with Vertical Section Workshops. STC will try to have a meeting at this year's N.S.S. Convention.
Problems: No problems now or in the foreseeable future.
Television Video Production Committee
John P. Scheltens (Chairman)
303 North River St
Hot Springs, SD 57747-1626
(605) 745-4366
102370.2314@compuserve.com
Progress: The production company of MacGillvray-Freeman of Laguna Beach, California is going to produce an IMAX film on caves. (This is the same company that recently released 'Everest'.) Filming is expected to be done this fall & winter. Exact details have not yet been developed by the company.
Here is a brief synopsis of what is going on (at least as far as the film company has been willing to relate):
MacGillvray-Freeman WILL make a cave IMAX film. It will be the most costly cave film ever made. It is expected to be shown to a world wide audience. The viewing audience is expected to be in excess of 100 million over a five year period. They just finished Everest and have two films on their docket right now. One is on dolphins, the other is Caves. Filming is expected to take place this Fall and Winter. The film is partially funded (@$1.1 million) with a grant from the National Science Foundation. This places several requirements on the film to include having a sound science theme to the film and having educational materials developed with the film for student learning packages.
MacGillvray-Freeman has been contacting many cavers in the last couple of months to seek information on cave, cavers, film-makers and a host of other topics. I know that some of you have been contacted. I have been trying to get them to focus the searches through the NSS instead of trying to reinvent the wheel by themselves. I think I am starting to get through as they are beginning to realize that we all know each other.
They have already made some decisions about the film (Why? I don't know.) These include:
They want part of the film shot in Lechiguilla.
They are willing to develop special equipment and cameras to meet the unique conditions of filming in caves.
They are already training some of their people in rope work and caving techniques.
Four people have been asked to serve as a Science Review Panel (Part of the NSF requirement). The good news is that three of these people are NSS members: Art Palmer, Kim Cunningham, and Tom Zannes. The 4th is Carol Bartlett (Carol is a school teacher. I don't know if she is a caver.)
Plans: What I have proposed to MacGillvrey-Freeman is the following:
Form a 10 person strategic Caver "Think Tank" to help their script writers flush out ideas, concepts and locations.
Once their script has been developed, use our in-house committee network to recommend the best people for each location, identify key members and critical resources need, and help facilitate landowner relations.
Recommend increasing the number of individuals on the science review panel to insure complete and thorough review of all topics covered.
Recommend a separate review panel that monitors accurate and correct portrayal of caving equipment, techniques, conservation and safety.
Assist in developing the educational materials ( maybe even us doing them entirely) that will accompany the film.
Insist that the NSS is recognized in the film credits and that a message be clearly stated that anyone who sees this film who is interested in knowing more about caves or has an interest in going caving to direct them to the NSS.
The information that I am looking for right now is the following:
1. MacGillvrey-Freeman wants a core group of three or four NSS members to be their direct advisors concerning ideas, resources and locations. Who should we recommend?
2. MacGillvray-Freeman is looking for a 'Young-Scientist' to be in the film. Their definition of young is under 35 years old. The individual, obviously, cannot be camera shy. Who should we recommend?
Problems: This film will be viewed by many millions. It is expected to have a significant impact on caves. The questions is whether this is good or bad. The answer is probably both.
MacGillvray-Freeman wants the NSS to be involved in this film. To what degree yet is still uncertain. I will continue to stress the importance of the NSS's role, our concern about conservation, safety and an accurate portrayal of the science. I know this message is getting to them since they have already spoken with many of our members.
I looks like in the next month or two, we should have most of the answers as to where the film is headed and what part we will play.
Carol Tiderman (Chief)
Convention Development Committee
Carol Tiderman (Chairman)
7600 Pindell School Rd
Fulton, MD 20759-9725
(410) 792-0742
tiderman@erols.com
Report not received.
AVP note: We still do not have a bid for the 2001 NSS Convention. A bid to have a 2002 NSS Convention in Maine will be presented at the BOG meeting.
William Shrewsbury (Chairman)
PO Box 4444
Chattanooga, TN 37405
(615) 886-3296
taglite@bigfoot.com
Progress: Within 30 minutes of Louise Hose's comments at the BOG meeting in Huntsville, a list of Session Chairs (and Section Chairs, where a Session Chair was not appointed) was sent to the Caver's Digest, the TAG-Net and appeared on our web site. I would suggest that the next time she has trouble finding out who the Session Chair is for a paper that she attempt to contact the Sessions Chair for the Convention, the Chairman for the Convention, check the Members Manual for the Section Chair, and finally the NSS Office, in that order. One of us will definitely have an answer.
After a discussion with Pat Kambesis concerning her ability to assist editing abstracts, it has come to my attention that Louise is apparently not aware of Pat's background. Primary edits were still solicited by Session (and Section) chairs; Pat, who is more than qualified in several major fields (both in degrees and working experience), assisted only when needed. It was our intention in the beginning to put qualified personnel in each of our chair positions.
The campground crew is hard at work preparing a city for 1,000+ campers. Water lines have been run everywhere, brush work is about finished.
Final room assignments are being done as the last of the Session Chairs finally call back.
The 1998 NSS Convention Guidebook, "Journeys through TAG" (the spine has "NSS Convention 1998" on it) is about to be delivered to us from the printer. We should have it within the week for early mail outs. The Program Guide is going to the printers right after the 4th of July weekend. The late printing date was to accommodate last minute changes to the program schedule as needed.
The new Convention Software will print name badges on demand. Since we are using the 4"x3" top-loading badges, we are printing the badges on an 8"x11" (not a typo) sheet of paper. The reverse side of the page will contain the absolute latest (copied off on 8/1) schedule. Every attendee will have a schedule of events hanging around their neck all week. Per their request, copies of the software are being sent to several committee members on 6/29.
Plans: Additional water line work on July 11th will finish that area. The campus will mow all fields 1 week prior to Convention. We will do some gravel work, bush hogging and final field prep on 7/18. We will do shower work on the 25th, along with power for Vendors. On 7/31 we will have our campground tent setup, port-a-johns delivered, and shower setup finalized. We open Registration at 12:00 CST on 8/1, and it will stay open till 8/3 at 6:00 P.M., when it will close for the Howdy Party. Registration will re-open at 8:00 A.M. Tuesday and maintain the normal schedule for the week.
Problems: I would suggest that some pressure be put on the Session Chairs to notify the Convention Sessions Chair at least 3 months in advance of Convention of their room and A/V needs. Our deadline has come and gone, and some Sessions are just now calling in asking "I don't see us on the web site, why not?" Luckily, our crew realizes that some items are yearly, and have penciled them in anyway. All will be accommodated.
David W. Kesner (Chairman)
12567 W. Demeyer St
Boise, ID 83713
(208) 939-0979
drdave@micron.net
Mike Backe (Co-Chair)
HC 33, Box 3249
Boise, ID 83706
(208) 336-6878
mikebacke@rmci.net
Progress: The last meeting of the 1999 NSS Convention Committee was held June 21, 1998 at Owl Cave near Gooding, Idaho. This was a very well attended meeting with cavers from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. This was due in part to the fact that it was in conjunction with a gating project and a survey project.
Peggy Kesner, Treasurer, (in abstentia) reported that most costs have been finalized and prices set. Registration cost will be as follows: Principal $99.00 until May 1, 1999 and $105.00 after that; accompanier $89.00 and $95.00; children $35.00; non-NSS surcharge $30.00; pets $20.00; camping $15.00 per person per week; RV hook-ups $50.00 per week; geology field trip $35.00; additional guide books $15.00; meal ticket (13 meals) $70.00.
Jim Hathorn, Facilities Chair, has finalized arrangements for all facilities and has contracts signed for all but the high school (see problems below). He has been in contact with many of the vendors and worked out what should be an ideal setting for both indoor and outdoor vendors.
Charlie Wilkerson, Social Chair, reported that he has found a third caterer for both the howdy party and the banquet. He has not had a chance to talk with them yet. He presented several variations of artwork for the T-shirts and the group decided on one.
Jennifer Dorman, Registration Chair, presented the final layout for the registration form. It was unanimously approved. As soon as the form is printed and the Registration Software is received she will start accepting registrations.
Brian Hagen, Logistics Chair, reported that he can get school buses to shuttle people to and from the photo salon at CSI for $150.00 a day per bus with no charge for mileage.
Sam Lair, Promotion Chair, reported that the Convention promotional presentation is near completion. It will be a Power Point presentation of approximately 7-8 minutes followed by a 5-6 minute slide show of the area lava tubes. Lu Smith reported that the mascot is nearing completion as well.
Mike Backe, Co-Chair, reported that he persuaded Terry Maley to lead the geology field trip. Terry wrote the book "Exploring Idaho's Geology".
Ken Storey, Publication Chair, (in abstentia) reported that the letterhead was done and printed. The registration form will be printed as soon as the final layout is approved. Tom Kline, Guide Book Editor, gave a deadline of January 31, 1999 for submission of anything for the Guide Book.
Hal Smith, Program Chair, reported that he has been in contact with many of the section chairs and is accumulating data on what will be need for each.
Val Schmidt, Caving Coordinator, reported that cave mapping has been going extremely well. There should be no problem having enough quality maps for the guide book.
Plans: The next meeting of the 1999 NSS Convention Committee will be at the 1998 NSS Convention in Sewanee, Tennessee. Day, time, and location will be decided once we get there and announced in the Daily Rag. This meeting is in addition to both the NSS Convention Planning Meeting on Monday and the Convention Planning Workshop on Friday.
We will continue surveying and mapping caves for the guidebook.
Sam Lair will work on putting a self-running promotion together for the 98 Convention. This will probably consist of a loop video tape and travel and informational brochures. He is also starting work on the official web site.
Mike Backe is looking into getting Micron Electronics to donate a laptop computer to the 1999 NSS Convention Committee to be turned over to the NSS at the end of the Convention.
Starting with the meeting at the 98 Convention we will be lobbying hard for additional help.
Problems: Several problems have risen lately. Our original budget did not take into account the lowered cost of children and the actual number that attend. This was quickly adjusted and is reflected in the current budget. It is amazing that no one had caught that mistake until now.
We were just recently told that the 99 Convention will be the test case for a new measure that gives any new NSS member a $30.00 credit towards convention registration. We have not budgeted for this. I have requested the number of new NSS members each year for the last five years, but as yet have not received it. I was told that we would not be held responsible for any red ink this may cause.
Jennifer Dorman still has not received the registration software. A call to William Shrewsbury found that it was shipped several weeks ago and never arrived. He is going to resend it immediately.
Peggy Kesner still has not received the accounting software.
Jim Hathorn ran into a problem when getting the contract for the Filer High School. Their lawyer would not accept my signature, saying that the contract must be with the NSS and not a Committee thereof. Once the contract is complete and approved it will be sent to Paul Stevens for the official NSS signature.
There is a problem with the photo salon that has yet to be clarified. The Convention Planning Manual states that the Photo Salon Equipment Committee is to supply the screens, projectors, lenses, etc. for the photo salon, but Paul Stevens has requested that we supply six Ektagraphic projectors and suitable lenses.
One of the biggest problems continues to be the site of the banquet. No ideal situation has been found. The best choice so far is using the three largest fairgrounds buildings with food service in one and meal seating in the other two and everyone back to the food service one for the awards ceremony. Other choices include using the school gym (the school is pretty much against this), setting up a tent (fairly expensive), and holding it off site (transportation needed). All possibilities are being looked into at this time.
I am unaware if the NSS Convention Program Chair position has been filled yet. I do not know what the duties and responsibilities of this position and that of the NSS Convention Registration Chair are or how they affect the planning, organization, and running of the 99 Convention.
AVP note: There is no NSS Convention Session Committee (or Chairman). The Act creating this (Act 56-591) was repealed at the Albany BOG meeting.
Kelley (Deacon) Deem (Chairman)
PO Box 924
Fairmont, WV 26555-0924
Progress: On May 2 we held general staff meeting, during the spring VAR in Draper, Virginia. We decided to add a new staff position—Cave Access Coordinator—because of the many caves in West Virginia that have varying degrees of access.
Jeff Bray volunteered for this position.
The second draft of the NSS Convention guidebook was distributed for proofreading and additions. It is our plan to also make the guidebook a WVASS Bulletin. One geology field trip to the South Branch Valley in Pendleton County is being planned.
We've located four large tents in the Randolph County area that can be used during the Howdy Party, etc. for little or no cost. In an effort to make the convention more affordable the banquet will be an option on the registration form; however all will be welcome during the awards presentations that follows the banquet.
Bart Rapp prepared our convention logo design, which is pending minor changes. Registration numbers one and two are being prepared by Rick Banning for the auction at this year's convention in Sewanee.
Bob Hoke prepared a draft of the facilities contract and submitted it to the Randolph County Board of Education.
Plans: A small convention meeting will be held during the 1998 NSS Convention in Sewanee. The Memorandum of Understanding between NSS CON 2000 and The Robertson Association should be finished by July 27, 1998. Work is continuing on the short video to be presented at Sewanee. We're also continuing work on several areas such as transportation, pre- and post-convention trips, and a second geology field trip.
Problems: All goes well. We're still looking for a permanent secretary so we can let Bob Hoke off the hook as temporary scribe.
Convention Registration Software Committee
Kathy Welling (Chairman)
8679 S State Road 243
Cloverdale IN 46120-9696
(765) 653-6352
kathyd@ccrtc.com
Progress: The latest version of registration software was shipped on June 5, per e-mail from William Shrewsberry.
Plans: To "test drive" the latest version with Cave Capers data; verify with '99 Convention Registrar Jennifer Dorman that she got her copy of the software.
Problems: 1) CD not yet received.
2) Can't get to the computer because I busted my ankle at Speloefest and the computer is upstairs, which is why my daughter is typing this for me.
Carol S. Jackson (Chairman)
4784 Silver Lake Dr
Evans GA 30809-9758
(706) 863-7019
olebat@aol.com
Report not received.
Duane A. Vore (Chairman)
328 Jenny Lane
Centerville, OH 45459-1737
(513) 433-1787
davore@erinet.com
Report not received.
Paul Stevens (Chairman)
5964 Seabright Rd
Springfield, VA 22152-1738
(703) 451-7663
plstevens@aol.com
No report received.