National Speleological Society, Inc.
Executive Vice-President's Report
03 August 1998
INTRODUCTION
(1)
AMERICAN CAVING ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE
(2) AAAS
REP
(3) AGI
DELEGATE
(4) AAAS
REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY
(5) U.S.
EXPLORATION COMMITTEE
(6)
INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMMITTEE
(7)
RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(8) SPELEO
DIGEST COMMITTEE
(9) SPECIAL
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
(10)
JOURNAL OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES
(11) NSS
NEWS
(12)
MEMBERS MANUAL COMMITTEE
(13)
PERMISSION TO REPRINT
Attachment
B-1, Appendix AL, Guidelines for NSS Young Investigator Awards
There are twelve committees, commissions, publications, etc. in the Department of the Executive Vice-President (EVP). A thirteenth item has been added here to cover permissions to reprint from NSS publications and to use the NSS membership list, which I handle myself.
In this report a numbered block of information is provided for each of these items. In each block the committee is first identified, followed by the name of the committee chairman (editor, coordinator, whatever) and the most recent mailing address that I have for that person. Additional communications information (Phone, FAX, and E-mail) is also included. The names of other committee members deserving recognition (as supplied by the committee chairmen themselves) are listed next. Each report then follows a format called P3, that is Progress, Plans, and Problems. For those not familiar with this format, let me explain.
Under the heading Progress is given information about progress the committee has made since the previous report. This includes items covered under Plans in the previous report, as well as items not anticipated in theprevious report. Progress is normally written in the past or present tenses.
Under the heading Plans is given information about progress the committee intends to make between the current reporting period and the next reporting period. Plans will normally be written in the future tense. Many (perhaps most) of the plans will end up being mentioned under Progress in the next report to the Board of Governors (Board).
Under the heading Problems is given information about actual problems which prevented more progress and anticipated problems which will impede the plans. Typically these are problems with which the committee needs help. Normally encountered, everyday problems with which the committee is used to dealing will not normally be mentioned here.
Background information may be included under any of these headings, but will normally be included under the heading where a subject is first introduced.
The information given under Progress, Plans, and Problems is supplied entirely by the committee chairman, although it may have been edited. These headings appear for all committees whose chairmen supplied reports.
The last item in the block has the heading EVP Comments under which I occasionally add some additional information not provided by the committee chairman.
(1) AMERICAN CAVING ACCIDENTS COMMITTEE
Bill Putnam (Chairman)
1865 Eagle Summit Ct
Lawrenceville, GA 30043-6669
Home & Work: (770)
822-0003
Fax: (770) 682-5536
Pager: (404) 690-6348
E-mail: putnam@scci.org
George Dasher (Committee
Member)
Butch Feldhaus (Committee Member)
John Gookin (Committee Member)
Louise Hose (Committee Member)
Dave Hughes (Committee Member)
Progress
I am currently working on the manuscript for American Caving Accidents (ACA) 96/97 which will contain: about 90 incident reports, the usual statistics and analysis, a follow-on to Bill Elliot's article from the last issue, an article on the National Cave Rescue Commission, and possibly another feature article on vertical caving techniques. The size will be about 30% smaller than the 94/95 issue, since the number of reports is closer to that of a typical ACA issue. With this next issue ACA will be caught up and back on schedule.
I had intended to publish in May or June but was delayed by work and travel commitments and shifted the date to August. More recently, I have talked with Fred and I understand that there are budget and U.S. Postal Service mailing permit concerns which lead us to conclude that publication in December will be better. That is fine with me, but I would like to move to a summer publication if possible for the following issue. I feel that the earlier distribution will be more timely for the readers.
I would like to use EBSCO Media in Birmingham, Alabama, again for the printing, but due to the longer time between issues I will need to go through the quotation process again to make sure they still have the best price.
The ACA web site has been installed on the NSS server. I'm working on an improved interactive report form, and on updated incident lists for 96 and 97. I will be adding incident indexes and statistics for prior years later this summer. I am still looking for volunteers to type in back issues of ACA for publication on the web site.
Plans
(1) Publish and distribute ACA
96/97 in December 1998.
(2) Make the full text of all published issues of ACA available
on the ACA page of the NSS web site.
(3) Collect material for ACA 98, to be published in July 1999.
Problems
None.
Kathleen Lavoie
Dean of Arts and Sciences
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh State University of New York
Plattsburgh, NY 12901-2681
Home: (518) 562-1154
Work: (518) 564-3150
E-mail: lavoiekh@splava.cc.plattsburgh.edu
Progress
None.
Plans
To create a poster on the association between the NSS and American Association for the Advancement of Science for display at the NSS National Convention, to increase awareness of this link among our members.
Problems
None.
Harvey R. DuChene
7216 E Bentley Circle
Englewood, CO 80112
Home: (303) 688-5315
Work: (303) 695-3672
E-mail: hduchene@compuserve.com
Progress
I attended the meeting of the Committee for Environmental Affairs of the American Geological Institute (AGI) on 19 May in Salt Lake City, UT where I was pleased to report that all of the chapters for the Environmental Primer "Living on Karst" have bee forwarded to George Veni. George is in the process of integrating the chapters and will return the composite manuscript to all of the authors for their review. Once this review process is complete, George will forward the manuscript to Steve Stow, AGI Editor for the Environmental Awareness Series of publications. The subjects covered by other primers in preparation include Petroleum and the Environment, Metal Mining and the Environment, and Soils and the Environment. The format will be glossy 8 X 10 with abundant illustrations and a writing style aimed at people with 8th grade reading skills.
George continues to seek funding in support of the karst booklet. To date, he has secured a $1500 grant from RASS, and is working on a larger loan/grant from NSF.
Kudos to Louise Hose who caused an article on Cueva de Villa Luz, Tabasco, Mexico to be published in Geotimes Magazine. A similar article appeared in Earth Magazine.
Plans
I am currently preparing a short "biography" of the NSS for publication in Geotimes as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of AGI. The biography, along with similar features for all of the other member societies, will appear later this year.
Problems
I was unable to attend the AGI Member Society Meeting on 18 May because the Frontier 737 jet I was scheduled to take to Salt Lake City was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration.
I will not be able to attend the AGI meeting held in conjunction with the Geological Society of America meeting in Toronto, Canada, this fall, and will be seeking a proxy to go in my place. This minor problem should be solved during the meeting of the Geology and Geography Section during the NSS National Convention later this summer.
(4) AAAS REP-GEOLOGY & GEOGRAPHY
Daniel L. Chess
19 Tavano Road
Ossining, NY 10562
Home: (914) 941-0114
Work: (914) 945-2479
E-mail: dlchess@watson.ibm.com
Progress
I received some mailings from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) concerning committee changes in the Geology Section. The changes were necessary after the death of Gene Shoemaker in July 1997. The preliminary program for the 1999 AAAS Annual Meeting should be out in August 1998. The meeting is scheduled for San Diego in February 1999.
Plans
Continue representing the NSS in AAAS Geology and Geography matters.
Problems
No problems.
(5) U.S. EXPLORATION COMMITTEE
C. William Steele
724 Crestland Dr
Bartlesville, OK 74006-8831
Home: (918) 333-5761
Work: (918) 336-9170
Fax: (918) 336-6407
E-mail: Oksteele@aol.com
Progress
A $250 grant from the Sara Corrie Fund was made on 10 April 1998 to the Mount Rainier Steam Cave Project. The request for a grant was received from William K. Klimack of Dayton, Ohio.
Plans
The committee's plan for the immediate future is to launch an effort to raise additional money to add to the Sara Corrie Fund. We will advertise the availability of grants from the Sara Corrie Fund in an issue of the NSS News later this year. The committee will meet during this summer's NSS National Convention in Tennessee.
Problems
None.
(6) INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION COMMITTEE
Jay Arnold
10031 Downeys Wood Ct
Burke, VA 22015
Home: (703) 250-6668
E-mail: jarnold@ap.org
Progress
No applications for expedition status are pending.
Plans
Respond to requests as they come in.
Problems
After more than ten years in this position, I have asked to be replaced. I feel it is time for some new blood, new energy, and new ideas. I hope the Board will continue to think that supporting exploration by NSS members outside the United States is a worthy goal of the Society.
EVP Comments
Because of the timing of Jay's resignation, I plan to let the new EVP (who will take office only one month from now) choose his replacement. The position will, in accordance with Board Act 40-498, be advertised in the NSS News.
(7) RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Christopher G. Groves
(Chairman)
Center for Cave and Karst Studies
Department of Geography and Geology
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Home: (502) 796-8361
Work: (502) 745-5974
Fax: (502) 745-6410
E-mail: chris.groves@wku.edu
Carol Wicks (Ralph W. Stone
Award Advisor)
Tom Kane (Committee Member)
Allen McCrady (Committee Member)
Joe Meiman (Committee Member)
Art Palmer (Committee Member)
Tom Poulson (Committee Member)
Phil Reeder (Committee Member)
Progress
During the Spring 1998 cycle of the NSS Small Grant Program Mr. Jeff Timmons was awarded $500 for his proposal "Geochemical Analysis of the Impact of Humic and Fulvic Acid Rich Peat Drainage Waters on Karst Landscape Development."
Plans
The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is establishing a program of small grants to support cave-related research by members of the Society who are under 22 years of age on the due date for the proposals on any given grant cycle. I have received comments of support for this proposal from the Board and the RAC, but no suggestions for substantive changes.
The present proposal follows:
Many of the karst scientists and scholars who have made the most significant contributions started off as young cavers and developed such passion for understanding the various phenomena they encountered that they established careers around this pursuit. Today's young and curious cavers/scientists are the people who will be leaders in the field over the next generation.
The purpose of this award is to make an investment in the future of karst science by supporting and recognizing outstanding research proposals by young Society members, who will generally be through undergraduate college age. The program will be funded by money approved in the yearly RAC operating budget.
The program will be administered the first year (FY98) by RAC chairman Chris Groves. The committee proposes the following guidelines for the program.
The award will be called the National Speleological Society Young Investigator Award. Awards will be made in amounts of up to a maximum of $250 per project, for a yearly total of up to $500, based on an annual review of research proposals by a panel of karst scientists in a manner similar to that of the NSS small grant program. NSS members under 22 years of age on the due date of the proposals will be considered for awards.
The proposal will include: (1) a narrative of up to four double-spaced pages describing the motivation for the study and presenting a clear statement of the objectives and methodology to be used, including a brief discussion of the pertinent literature as appropriate; (2) a detailed budget; (3) a copy of the most recent transcript or other academic record at the time of application; (4) a brief statement of up to 250 words on the experience and interests of the applicant; and (5) two letters of recommendation, preferably including one from a mentor who will provide guidance on the project.
Due to the varying circumstances and resources available to young NSS members, the guidance of a mentor will not be a requirement of the program, but will be strongly encouraged and may bear on the results of the review of proposals. Since the purpose of the award is to encourage the development of quality scholarship, proposals should be developed around solid research methods and principles; however, the reviewers will recognize that many young investigators lack significant research experience. A key goal of the program is for the committee to provide guidance where appropriate.
There will be a lifetime limit of two awards, which may be either for separate projects, or continuation of a previously-funded project, if justified by an additional proposal and progress report. The scope of project subjects considered for funding will be conceptually similar to that of the Ralph W. Stone Award and Small Grant Program, generally to include the study of cave and karst-related phenomena from any scholarly perspective. Acceptance of proposals for review with respect to content area will be at the discretion of the program administrator, and the appropriateness of projects may also form a basis for the opinions of reviewers.
There will be an annual proposal review cycle, with the first deadline of 01 February 1999. Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of at least three scientists or others familiar with the subjects, with each reviewer evaluating all proposals submitted. Awards are to be made by 15 April of each year, so that funds will be available to the investigator for summer programs and expended before the end of the NSS fiscal year.
Since this is an internal NSS program, print or electronic publicity of the program will be made in NSS sources only, including the NSS News, the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, the Society's web page, or other NSS outlets as appropriate. Initially, a call for proposals will be published annually in the October and November issues of the NSS News and the summer or fall issue of the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, although the advertising schedule will be at the discretion of the program administrator.
The committee appreciates very much both the creative vision of Fred Wefer in the suggestion of this award and the financial support of the Board for the program. We would be happy to hear suggestions from or have further discussion with the Board on the details of these proposed guidelines.
Problems
Happily, none at the moment.
EVP Comments
The above guidelines have been written in the form of an Appendix to the Board Manual (Appendix AL) and included as Attachment B-1 of this report. A motion is on the agenda for the upcoming Board meeting to formally establish this program.
Scott Fee (Chairman)
2501 Gable Blvd
Birmingham, AL 35215 -2862
Home: (205) 854-7487
E-mail: scottfee@usa.pipeline.com
1988¾ Mark and James Adler
1990¾ Scott Fee & Company
1991¾ Eileen C. O'Malley & VPI Cave Club
1992¾ Jennifer Bennett & Huntsville
Grotto
1994¾ George Jaegers & Family
1996¾ Sheilarae Carpentier Lau & Boston
Grotto [COMPLETED]
1997¾ Kim Metzgar & Loyalhanna Grotto
[COMPLETED]
1998¾ Dave Luckins & Michigan Interlakes
Grotto
I reported in February, ". . . I believe it is possible to have the Speleo Digest series current within three years." At this time, I feel more confident that ever that the series will, in fact, be current no later than 01 July 2000.
The inventory of the 1987 and 1995 Digest is dwindling at 45 and 51, respectively (as of 10 June). The 1996 Digest was put on the market in March with 500 copies having been printed. We currently have an inventory of 272 (as of 10 June). Each Digest that is being published is being promoted with a text-based advert. in the NSS News. Additionally, a classified advert. is running continuously to give a reminder of the Speleo Digest availability. This activity is revitalizing sales of the Speleo Digest as indicated by Joshua Abdulla who is monitoring the sales activity via the NSS Web Site.
The most exciting news is the creation of the Speleo Digest Web Site [http://www.caves.org/pub/speleodigest/]. Through the volunteer efforts of Scott Parvin (NSS 29,279), we have designed a very useful tool for potential buyers to review and promote the Speleo Digest.
The initial page gives a history and overview of the Speleo Digest (it is the Forward which appears in each book). At the bottom of that page, you have the option to visit a particular Speleo Digest Year. Currently we have 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997 available on line (1994 only mentions its expected publishing date at this time).
At each Speleo Digest Year Page (1993, 1995, 1996, and 1997) you can review the Promotional Advert. (Summary), Publications Represented, Table of Contents, Title Index, Author Index, and Cave Index (by state or alpha). If you decide to buy after viewing this limited information, you can hit the "Buy it Now" button which takes you to the NSS Speleo Digest Bookstore Shopping Cart. Conversely, if you are at the NSS Bookstore site and you want to review the Speleo Digest information, it is linked back to that particular year's page.
If you have not seen the Web Site, please log on and check it out. And for those of you who don't have Internet access yet, be reassured that no articles or detailed information of any kind is posted on this web site. You still must be an NSS Member to purchase this impressive book.
Unfinished, or Recently Published Digests:
1998: Dave Luckins & Michigan Interlakes Grotto
Progress
1. 132 newsletters have been read. (One additional packet remains to be opened.) 2. 62 articles have been identified for publication. These articles are given second review by members of the committee for checks against various NSS policies and practices. 3. Requests for electronic copies of 32 of the 62 accepted articles have been sent to the authors (written on 04 June 1998). 4. The newsletters that were rejected are being subjected to a second, independent, review to make sure no gems were over looked. 5. All page masters have been set. This means master formatting has been done for the title pages, chapter pages, and article pages.
Plans
Stay on schedule.
Problems
I have been struck by the lack of original graphics and maps in so many of the '98 newsletters. Could the cost of publication have editors scrambling to fill their trip reports and trying to save space by eliminating graphics? One thing is for sure: there was a whole lot of caving going on at the grotto level in 1998.
1997: Kim Metzgar & Loyalhanna Grotto [COMPLETED]
Progress
Approximately 500 were delivered to the NSS on 15 June 1998. Thirty of them were pre-sold. They are now available from the NSS Bookstore and are selling fast!
Plans
Drop this year from the Speleo Digest Committee Report.
Problems
The NSS cash flow situation prevented us from printing the book sooner.
1996: Sheilarae Carpentier Lau & Boston Grotto [COMPLETED]
Progress
The 1996 Speleo Digest was delivered to Scott Fee for final review on 26 January 1998.
A total of 500 copies were delivered to the NSS in March 1998. Only 272 remain in inventory as of 10 June 1998.
Plans
Drop this year from the Speleo Digest Committee Report.
Problems
None.
1994: George Jaegers & Family
Progress
Slow but continuing. The selection process is finished. The preparation process is finished and I am editing (with the help of others) for content, spelling, mistakes, etc. I have started Desk Top Publishing (DTP) and am about 40% of the way to building a draft document. I have a lot of partial sections in DTP files (history, caves, equipment, humor, etc.) but none of these is complete yet. I am still adding to each as I get the almost final edits. I still have about half the graphics and maps to either scan or cleanup in the paint program.
Plans
Continue putting things together as quickly as possible. I plan to print out sample sections for you as soon as my computer is revived. The earliest time I think I can reasonably get camera ready copy to you is now sometime mid to late July 1998. A more conservative time would be mid August 1998.
Problems
I am still rounding up article editing from helpers and it is taking longer than I anticipated. My computer crashed and that has put me several weeks behind. In addition, my real job has granted me extra work over the last month which has left me with little time to work on anything. Consequently I am getting behind but expect to get things back on track in the next week or two.
1992: Jennifer Bennett & Huntsville Grotto
Progress
Since my last report, I've farmed out typing to some new folks. I just received 15 articles and some scanned graphics and I'm expecting another 15 in the next week or so. Even though the new folks live out of state, it's working out really well. I sent them packages with the articles I needed typed and included a big stamped self-addressed envelope so they could mail everything back to me when they were finished. One person sent me his articles on a zip disk and it worked great! I've mostly been scanning graphics over the last month.
My best guess is that we are about 50% done with typing. Layout is proceeding as articles and graphics are completed, so layout is running just behind, maybe at 40%.
Bill Torode has volunteered to compile a bibliography of caving articles for 1992 that appeared in non-caving publications (like National Geographic, etc.). This sounds like a good idea to me since nothing like this currently exists. It would be a good source of reference for those interested. It wouldn't take up much room since it would just be a standard bibliography listing publications, titles, authors, etc. I would like to add this.
Plans
I need to go down to the NSS Office and look for additional articles from states that are currently pretty skimpy. I'll probably do that in June. Otherwise, just continue plugging away at typing, scanning, and sucking in new typing volunteers.
Problems
Some of the maps aren't scanning very well because the originals aren't very clear to begin with. I'm probably going to use the old paste-up method for some of the maps that I want to include but that don't look that great scanned.
1991: Eileen O'Malley & VPI Cave Club
Progress
You could say that I'm completely done with the selection process, but I may do more searching to "fill out" some of the states in the description section. I'm hoping to dig up just a few more articles. I'll be able to get those typed/scanned quickly. We have completed the typing process as well (see Problems).
I'm just beginning the DTP, so there's not much progress to speak of. I have maybe 25% of the graphics scanned.
Plans
Type any extras, keep scanning, and call it a day. Earliest time I could deliver camera ready copy is end of August 1998. Mid to late September 1998 is probably a more reasonable estimate.
Problems
I had trouble keeping my typists, as they come from a student population that's busy during the year and leaves in the summer. Scott helped me out by posting to TAG-NET and asking for typing volunteers. He e-mailed me a list of people from several states and I sent out articles and disks to about ten folks.
Both Scott and I exchanged e-mails with the volunteers answering questions and asking about progress. A few of them e-mailed the typed articles in advance of sending the newsletters back. We asked for a 30-day turnaround, which we were pretty close to. All told it was probably about a month and a half, but I never could have gotten that many articles typed in that period of time with my student volunteers.
1990: Scott Fee & Company
Progress
Considering this box has been staring at me for the last three months, I decided to open it on 01 June since the 1991 Typing experiment was so successful. Although I am not committing at this point to edit it myself, I have reviewed 50% of the newsletters during the last 10 days and mailed 150+ articles to nine caving typists who are on the regional mailing list known as TAG Net. I expect a 30 day turnaround. As of 15 June I have received back two typing envelopes resulting in 24 articles (some of which are very long) being prepared, numerous graphics being scanned, and basically making steady progress. Not bad for 15 days!
Plans
To find a dedicated DTP volunteer.
Problems
It is over seven years old and apparently we have no files from the previous volume editor.
1988: Mark and James Adler
Progress
[Note: Mark divided the Newsletters in half with his brother James.] We are currently "finished" with the selection process. I put the word finished in quotes, because it is always possible that we will receive other submissions from grottos we have solicited information from.
I have scanned in all of my documents and have begun working on maps, etc. The majority of my documents scanned in fine and needed only minor corrections, but there are some that had such a horrendous typeface that the Optical Character Reader program was unable to read them. These, approximately 30, still need to be typed.
Regarding the other half of the newsletters: James said that most of his should scan in as well, but that there were several grotto's newsletters that would probably have to have the articles typed.
Plans
James is going to be coming here to help me do a bunch of stuff at some point during the month of June. [Note: James lives in Indiana and Mark lives in Virginia.] We are going to talk about the layout and do a couple of the States from which we have very little information. That will give us both a feel for how the layout will go and how much space each article will take up. I imagine several more months will be necessary to truly get things together, but we'll get to working on a couple of chapters so we can at least submit that to you for approval.
Problems
We are having a shortage of good material. I have gotten a mixed response from some grottoes who published material that we do not have. Other than that, I haven't run into too many problems (besides some personal stuff) other than my computer crashing SEVERAL times over the past three months.
(9) SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
David McClurg (Chairman)
104 Graves Ct
Vallejo, CA 94591
Phone: (707) 642-5528
Fax: (707) 642-5528
E-mail: dmcclurg@halcyon.com
Gale McCoy (Committee Member)
Tom Rea (Committee Member)
Barbara Ritts (Committee Member)
Urs Widmer (Committee Member)
General-Cost Estimates¾ To help the decision making process by the NSS Executive Committee, we have prepared, at the request of EVP Fred Wefer, a detailed cost and profit estimates for all NSS books now in production or under consideration. These will be regularly updated as publications proceed through the creative and production cycle.
General-Archival Copies¾ This committee prepares two back-up archival copies of layouts for current NSS books. These copies are also indispensable for revisions and new editions. At first, archival copies were kept on floppy disks, and more recently, on 100 MBytes Zip disks; however, we have experienced some problems with Zip disks, problems which appear to make them marginal for long term archival use. So far we haven't lost any data from Zip disks, but we've had to transfer files onto new Zip disks from four Zip disks that developed ominous clicking sounds and were becoming erratic.
Current wisdom says that CD ROM copies are now best for archival use. They also serve well for distribution to printers and pre-press companies and are better than Zip disks for this because they hold 650 MBytes. They are also cheaper, costing only about $2 each in quantities of 10. A CD ROM Recorder sells for $400 to $500. This committee would like to purchase a CD ROM Recorder for archiving and distribution purposes. We will be discussing with the NSS Executive Committee the possibility of sharing the cost of this equipment which would also be used about 50/50 on committee and non-committee projects.
Unfinished, or Recently Published Books:
CMW-2
CAVE MINERALS OF THE WORLD, by Carol Hill and Paolo Forti
Progress
To encourage additional sales of CMW-2, this committee designed an attractive, informative full-color promotional flyer for direct mail use. Besides the flyer mailing, the overall CMW-2 promotion includes publicity, offers of review copies, and special incentives to groups like show cave owners and wholesalers who supply libraries. The final version of the flyer serves all three purposes we planned for it:
Originally we made up three separate versions, one for each purpose. But when we priced them out the cost was prohibitive. Short run four-color printing is still pricey. (And to our surprise it's most expensive using the new direct-to-plate digital printing that trade-press gurus say will be the wave of the future.)
The NSS Office sent the mailer to the following mailing lists, especially assembled by this committee for the purpose:
The list of 80 library wholesalers is especially important. It turns out that two-out-of-every-three books sold to libraries come via wholesalers. From two lists with over 650 wholesalers of all types, we extracted a list of 80 wholesalers who specialize in supplying science texts to libraries.
The parallel publicity effort began with the mailing of a news release and a quarter-size image of the cover printed on our ink-jet printer to 216 science editors. (Jay Jorden blessed the draft of the news release we wrote.) This publicity list has 20 science columnists by name at national magazines. We have offered them a review copy and hope that several will take us up on it.
Plans
Office manager, Camille Mueller, will track CMW-2 sales for three or four months to check on the results of this promotion.
Problems
None.
ON ROPE II
ON ROPE, by Bruce Smith and Allen Padgett
Progress
Sales of On Rope-II are satisfactory, but are a bit below the historical level of 5,000 copies per year.
Plans
We may want to consider designing a flyer to mail to a few specially prepared lists of recreational book sellers and wholesalers if this rate continues.
Problems
None.
SPELEOGENESIS
SPELEOGENESIS: The Evolution of Karst Aquifers, edited by Alexander Klimchouk
Progress
This scientific book is now nearly complete. At our request, this committee has received about one fifth of the chapters in final form (text and illustrations) so we can check for any possible production problems. Files are being sent as attached E-mail files. We expect to have the complete manuscript and all drawings before 01 September 1998. The book will be produced with standard one-color text pages with a four-color laminated cover.
Plans
In the next weeks we will prepare some initial layouts for the editor to check over. The style of the layout will be similar to that used in Cave Minerals of the World.
Problems
We will need to spend more typesetting time than originally estimated to enter math and chemical equations for this book. Four of the chapters have heavy math content with hundreds of chemical and mathematical equations. These were created with the Equation Editor in Microsoft Word and become graphic objects in the text. We can read the text and equations in the Word files perfectly (sent as E-mail attached files). But the text filters in the layout program, Pagemaker, can only translate about 25% of the equations. So we will need to copy the bulk of them from Word and paste them into Pagemaker one by one. This works fine but takes more time.
We also tried using Quark Express, the other main page layout program, but it has the same problem. Technical Support at both Microsoft and Adobe are sorry (even sympathetic), but can offer no sure solutions. Both felt it's possible that if I upgrade from Word 6 to Word 98 (which is what editor Klimchouk uses) more equations might be readable in Pagemaker. So I'm going to upgrade and may seek some partial help on the $130 cost at a later date.
CAVE RESCUE
CAVE RESCUE MANUAL, coordinated by Butch Feldhaus, written by various members of the National Cave Rescue Commission
Progress
We understand that portions of this book are now circulating for review.
Plans
When the revisions are complete (perhaps fourth quarter 1998), committee member Tom Rea will begin production.
Problems
None.
ON CAVES AND CAMERAS
ON CAVES AND CAMERAS, Techniques and Technology of American Cave Photography, edited by John Van Swearingen and Norman Thompson
Progress
About 85% of this book has been received by the editors. British cave photographer, Chris Howes has signed on to write the introduction to the book. Many of you will recall that Howes is famous for his stunning b/w photos in the NSS photo salon. He is also the author of a well-regarded book on cave photography that is somewhat more technical than our book and many feel is more oriented to b/w photography.
Plans
Color photos are being carefully selected now for use in the 32 page full color section and on the two covers. The target completion date for manuscript and illustrations is still December 1998. It will go into production then with a completion date in time for the 1999 NSS National Convention.
Problems
Other than the usual recalcitrance of a few authors, this book is on track.
CAVE MANAGEMENT
U.S. CAVE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, editorship is vacant
Progress, Plans, and Problems
This book is still in limbo. There is nothing new to report. The current editor is gone. A new editor has not been found. We may have some news after the Section meeting at the 1998 convention.
CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
TECHNIQUES OF CAVE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION, edited by Jim Werker and Val Hildreth-Werker
Progress
This book is a manual for speleothem repair and restoration. It doesn't replace the long-lost cave management book mentioned above. While the Werker book covers some aspects of cave management, the emphasis is on preservation by educating all cave visitors-cavers and non-cavers-about their impact on the cave.
Plans
Sections include:
Problems
None, other then the slow progress always experienced with multi- author books.
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS
CAVES OF THE GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS, by Michael Queen
Progress
This new book continues to make slow, careful progress. The quality of the photos so far compares very favorably with the Lechuguilla book from Speleo Projects. The text will be considerably expanded and broadened to describe the geology, history, and exploration of each cave. Personal stories and anecdotes of the cavers who made the original discoveries will be included. It should be a fascinating book and very appealing to our membership and cavers everywhere.
The book will cover Carlsbad Cavern, Lechuguilla, Cottonwood, Three Fingers, Madonna, Virgin, and several other caves on Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Lincoln National Forest, and Bureau of Land Management lands.
Plans
This committee is working on a publishing agreement between the NSS and author Queen.
Problems
None.
(10) JOURNAL OF CAVE AND KARST STUDIES
Louise D. Hose (Editor)
Department of Environmental Studies
501 Westminster Avenue
Westminster College
Fulton, MO 65251-1299
Home: 573-642-4399
Work: 573-592-5303
Fax: 573-592-1217
E-Mail: HoseL@jaynet.wcmo.edu
James A. Pisarowicz
(Production Editor)
343 N. 9th St.
Custer, SD 57730
Home: 605-673-5582
Work: 605-745-4600
E-Mail: pisaro@rmii.com
BOARD OF EDITORS
David Ashley (Life Sciences)
George Huppert (Conservation)
Doug Medville (Exploration)
Ira D. Sasowsky (Earth Sciences/Journal Index)
Marion O. Smith (Social Sciences)
Patty Jo Watson (Anthropology)
Betty Wheeler (Book Reviews)
ADVISORY BOARD
Penelope Boston
Rane Curl
Andrew Flurkey
Horton Hobbs
David Jagnow
James Mead
James Nepstad
Margaret Palmer
William B. White
Progress
Volume 60, Number 1 appeared in member's mailboxes in early April as scheduled. Volume 60, Number 2 is presently being laid out and is expected to be mailed on time. It is a special issue on Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico with guest editor Dr. Carol Wicks. The queue of reviewed and recommended papers is becoming more manageable thanks to the large December 1997 and April 1998 issues. Four articles are already accepted for the December 1998 issue and Jim has the material for layout. With the summer break, I have been mostly able to catch up on correspondence, etc. Jim, however, is in his high season at his work.
Plans
Jim is working with Joshua Abdulla on setting up the web page, as time allows. I will try to move any slow points along this summer before I become busy again with the academic year. I have been making efforts to move advertising ahead.
Problems
Maybe we have been too busy to notice but I can't think of any problems that arose this trimester. I continue to be bothered by my lack of visibility of our expenditures. I have not yet (as of 19 June 1998) seen any information on the printing or mailing cost for the April issue, for example. But, so far, this hasn't resulted in any budget overruns.
Dave Bunnell (Editor)
320 Brook Drive
Boulder Creek, CA 95006-9717
Phone: (408) 338-3853
E-mail: nssnews@caves.org
Bonnie Crystal (Virtual
Caving)
Bill Cuddington (Techniques and Safety)
Camille Mueller (Huntsville Happenings)
Bert Ashbrook (Advertising Accountant)
Peri Frantz (Down Through the Decades)
Daniel Hazelton (Technology)
Dave Jagnow (Conservation)
Bill Klimack (In the Media)
Elizabeth Rousseau (Proofreading)
Bob Springston (Newsletter
Review)
John W. Stembel (International News)
Lysa De Thomas (JSS Journal)
Progress
Bert Ashbrook has accepted the advertising accountant position. This is the only change in staff since the last report. I completed the last fiscal year within budget, though I ran close.
I had a long talk with my newsletter reviewer, Bob Springston, about his lateness with his column. He promises to do better and I will keep on top of getting him to write.
I have been getting more features on USA caves recently, trying to balance all the foreign caving articles.
Plans
Continue with the same format, which seems to be popular, but with more use of the color section to go with the feature article. Solicit more articles on major U.S. discoveries, which seem less forthcoming than those on foreign expeditions (albeit by American cavers).
I'm going to shoot photos myself at the NSS National Convention this year, so I don't end up short on the photo coverage, as I did for Missouri by relying on their people.
I also plan to introduce some product reviews, such as one for the new Tag-lite II and the Flashbar, among others.
Problems
Many times I am faced with the dilemma of waiting for material to complete an issue, and deciding how long it is worth delaying. Columnists have held things up a number of times.
I was asked why the March and April issues were out so late in the month. Different factors were involved. Conservation issues always seem to get delayed by people wanting to squeeze things in at the last minute. In this case, I waited longer than I wanted to for Dave Jagnow's column. After the negatives had been sent to the printer, Dave asked if it was too late to change a page. Though it cost us several more days, Dave and I felt it was important to forestall a letter-writing campaign that didn't consider an agreement that had just been reached between the forest service and the NSS, and the changes were made to his last page.
April was delayed about a week in getting from me to Terry Raines (the printer), partly due to travel. Other factors appear, however, to have added to its delay afterward, apparently problems with the mailing list disk from the office. I spoke with Camille Mueller who is making sure to have these to the mailer on time, but in April the disk itself had to be mailed again. There are clearly vagaries in the bulk mailing, though. Most people get their issues within 10 days of its mailing, but for whatever reason, some get their issues up to a week later. There is no way around that, other than mailing first class.
Also, Terry didn't get right on it when it arrived. Our plan is to have the negatives in his hands by the 7th of the month, for the next month. That gives him two weeks to print the issue, then the mailer should have it (ideally) by the 21st of the month. I've had a talk with Terry about getting things going more quickly. When I know an issue may be later than usual, I always try to get the color stuff to him sooner so he can get a head start on that, since color sides are printed first, then black and white. This wasn't always working (as in April, when he was waiting for the rest). We've discussed this and he says he'll make sure he gets the stuff going sooner.
EVP Comments
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Scott Fee for handling the job of NSS News Advertising Accountant for the past many years.
Lois Bergthold
(Chairman/Editor)
PO Box 23252
Albuquerque, NM 87192
Phone: (505) 842-6631
E-mail: lois@rt66.com
Vince Kappler (Board
Information)
Evelyn Bradshaw (Grotto Information)
Bill Bussey (Section Information)
David Taylor (Survey Information)
Office Staff (Members Listing)
Progress
The 1998 Members Manual was shipped to Malloy Lithographing on 18 June. Delivery was later than expected due to a number of late items. Because of the extended time allowed for return of balloting, the new Board members were not available until very recently. In addition, Ted Kayes was kind enough to furnish a number of photos of Board members that I was missing. Finally, the Secretary/Treasurer report came to me fairly late in the game, which made me unable to format the front pages until I knew how long that report would be.
I could have sent the Members Manual to the printer sooner, but I decided that a somewhat later Members Manual with more accuracy was preferable to a more on-time manual with obsolete or incomplete information. The printer assures me they will be able to ship them to the membership before the NSS National Convention. I have made it clear that this is an important deadline.
The Speleo Services Directory was a modest success; it ended up 1 1/2 pages long including a 1/6 display advert., netting $450 additional for the Members Manual budget. The Manual will be an additional 8 pages longer this year to accommodate the BOG photos, winning newsletter covers, and the Speleo Service Directory. I saved money on the cover production by having the negatives produced by a service bureau, so that, along with the revenue from the Speleo Services Directory, will offset the additional 8 pages.
Plans
Bluelines will come in a couple weeks, and I plan to turn them around as quickly as possible in order to expedite the printing. The mailing house is the same as last year, so there is no new ground to cover in that area. I have yet to contact them for pricing. Unfortunately, we cannot shop for a mailing house because the printer I've selected uses this mailer exclusively. Their rates are competitive as far as I can tell, so it's a moot point.
Problems
No problems, though the span of time available to print the Manual between the Board election and Convention is rather tight. If there were some way I could get a larger window here, it would definitely help the printing schedule. As it is, my only concern is that there are no unforeseen problems which would make the printer unable to meet the pre-convention shipping schedule.
Fred L. Wefer (NSS EVP)
PO Box 47
McDowell, VA 24458
Home: (540) 396-3543
E-mail: fwefer@mitre.org
Progress
Org = Organization/Publication
granted permission
PoC = Point of Contact (the person)
Date = Date Permission was granted
PtR = Permission to Reprint (the publication, article,
photograph, or map)
Org: Speleofest
PoC: Deborah Driskill
Date: 13 February 1998
PtR: Use of mailing labels for selected eastern states for
mailing Speleofest materials to prospective attendees.
Org: Sappi Limited,
Johannesburg, South Africa
PoC: Shirley McDonald
Date: 21 February 1998
PtR: Permission to reprint in their internal company newsletter (The
Sappi News) the article "Mbobo Mkulu, South Africa by
Jacques E.J. Martini, Paul W. Wipplinger, and Henri F.G. Moen
from Cave Minerals of the World.
Org: The University of
Missouri
PoC: Sarah Backer
Date: 01 March 1998
PtR: Permission to use specified selected material from The Caver
Information Series in an independent study course titled
"The Underground World of Caves", including use on a
password protected web site.
Org: Camano Island Fire &
Rescue, Camano Island, WA
PoC: Dean Warren
Date: 12 March 1998
PtR: Permission to use specified selected material from On Rope
in a training course.
Org: CAVEX, an organization of
the South Australian Speleological Council, Australian
Speleological Federation
PoC: Valerie Schulz and Ruth Murton
Date: 27 March 1998
PtR: Permission to reprint specified selected material from
American Caving Accidents, NSS News, Vol. 55, No. 12, Part 2,
December 1997.
Org: National Arborist
Association, Amherst, NH
PoC: Robert Rouse, editor "The Treeworker"
Date: 04 May 1998
PtR: Permission to reprint a specified figure from ON ROPE in The
Treeworker.
Org: TAG Fall Cave-In
PoC: Kathy Mackay
Date: 05 May 1998
PtR: Permission for a one-time use of the NSS grotto mailing list
and use of the NSS membership list to verify NSS membership for
registration for the TAG Fall Cave-In.
Org: Hamilton County Rescue
Cave/Cliff Unit, Chattanooga, TN
PoC: David Wharton
Date: 28 May 1998
PtR: Permission to photocopy specified pages from American Caving
Accidents for use in presentations to physicians and other
medical personnel.
Org: Open University Faculty
of Arts (England)
PoC: Anthony J. Coulson
Date: 28 June 1998
PtR: Permission to reprint Figure 5 from E.R. Pohl's
"Vertical Shafts in Limestone Caves" (1955, page 23) in
a student textbook.
Plans
As you know, following the Monday morning 03 August 1998 session of the NSS Board of Governors Meeting I will be taking over from Dave Luckins as President of the NSS. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the committee chairmen (current and past) and all the hardworking volunteers who have made the EVP Department a smoothly running success. I really appreciate the support you have given me over the last four years, and I hope and expect you to give the same fine level of support to the new EVP.
Problems
None.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred L. Wefer (NSS-EVP)
Background—The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) of the National Speleological Society, Inc. (NSS) has established a program of small grants to support cave-related research by young members. Many of the karst scientists and scholars who have made the most significant contributions started off as young cavers and developed such a passion for understanding the various phenomena they encountered that they established careers around this pursuit. Today's young and curious cavers/scientists are the people who will be leaders in the field over the next generation.
Purpose—The purpose of this award is to make an investment in the future of karst science by supporting and recognizing outstanding research proposals by young Society members. The program is funded by money approved in the yearly RAC operating budget.
Award Name—The award is called the National Speleological Society Young Investigator Award.
Eligibility—NSS members under 22 years of age on the due date of the proposals are considered for awards.
Award Amounts—Awards are made in amounts of up to a maximum of $250 per project, for a yearly total of up to $500, based on an annual review of research proposals by a panel of karst scientists in a manner similar to that of the NSS small grant program.
Call For Proposals—A call for proposals is published annually in the October and November issues of the NSS News and the summer or fall issue of the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, although the advertising schedule is at the discretion of the program administrator.
Proposal Contents—Proposals must include: (1) a narrative of up to four double-spaced pages describing the motivation for the study and presenting a clear statement of the objectives and methodology to be used, including a brief discussion of the pertinent literature as appropriate; (2) a detailed budget; (3) a copy of the most recent transcript or other academic record at the time of application; (4) a brief statement of up to 250 words on the experience and interests of the applicant; and (5) two letters of recommendation, preferably including one from a mentor who will provide guidance on the project.
Mentors—Due to the varying circumstances and resources available to young NSS members, the guidance of a mentor is not a requirement of the program, but is strongly encouraged and may bear on the results of the review of proposals. Since the purpose of the award is to encourage the development of quality scholarship, proposals should be developed around solid research methods and principles; however, the reviewers recognize that many young investigators lack significant research experience. A key goal of the program is for the committee to provide guidance where appropriate.
Awards Limit—There is a lifetime limit of two awards, which may be either for separate projects, or continuation of a previously-funded project, if justified by an additional proposal and progress report.
Project Scope—The scope of projects considered for funding is conceptually similar to that of the Ralph W. Stone Award and Small Grant Program, generally to include the study of cave and karst-related phenomena from any scholarly perspective. Acceptance of proposals for review with respect to content area is at the discretion of the program administrator, and the appropriateness of projects may also form a basis for the opinions of reviewers.
Review Cycle—There is an annual proposal review cycle, the first deadline of which is 01 February 1999. Proposals are reviewed by a panel of at least three scientists or others familiar with the subjects, with each reviewer evaluating all proposals submitted. Awards are made by 15 April of each year, so that funds are available to the investigator for summer programs and are expended before the end of the NSS fiscal year.
Publicity—Since this is an internal NSS program, print or electronic publicity of the program is made in NSS sources only, including the NSS News, the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, the Society's web page, or other NSS outlets as appropriate.